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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK FEBRUARY 10, 2010 by John Mucciolo A single graded race took place at Santa Anita last weekend after rain washed out the Saturday card. San Antonio H. (G2): Zabeel Racing's RICHARD'S KID (Lemon Drop Kid) rallied from last to get up late and take this race for trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Garrett Gomez. The late-running five-year-old finished off 1 1/8 miles on the Pro-Ride in 1:49. Track Stats From a total of 32 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the week, favorites won at a 47 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 69 percent of the wins. From 29 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (20 percent), while none of the three grassy tussles went all the way on the lead. The main oval continues to be consistent to all running types, and post positions. If anything, when moisture hits the ground, the track gets a big tighter and gives speed horses a better chance -- but it seems minor. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (2/3) 3RD -- VICTOR'S CRY (Street Cry [Ire]) really enjoys this particular turf course and flew past a stakes quality field late under Gomez, taking this by a half-length on the wire. The five-year-old deserves a shot at a stakes race next out for Eoin Harty. 7TH -- THE PROGRAM (Harlan's Holiday) returned with a gritty win on this day for Baffert, and the well-meant sophomore should get another stakes try following this. The Kentucky-bred is cut out to run all day and could elevate near the top of the local three-year-old ranks with improvement. Thursday (2/4) 2ND -- COZI ROSIE (Pleasantly Perfect) made it two in a row for John Sadler, rolling by this field from last under a confident Mike Smith. The three-year-old miss could be any kind. 6TH -- The Bill Mott-trained COSSET (Mizzen Mast) showed enough in this debut to warrant a long look in her return to the lawn. The filly is bred to be a good one, too. Friday (2/5) 3RD -- WOMAN WARRIOR (One Man Army) went way too fast early when opening up a huge lead, yet the Bruce Headley charge was a clear second in this one under Mike Smith. We'll watch for the mare on a cutback in trip in the near future. 7TH -- MOBILIZED (Soul of the Matter) capitalized on a fast early tempo to run down a nice field in here for conditioner Gary Mandella, clocking seven panels in a swift 1:21 3/5. Sunday (2/7) 2ND -- HOG'S HOLLOW (Perfect Soul [Ire]) put in a huge effort in his first try since June for Paddy Gallagher in this event, just missing to a loose-on-the-lead winner beneath Eddie Ahern. The four-year-old finished off his final quarter-mile in a solid :23 4/5. 5TH -- HOPEFUL UNION (Dixie Union) is bred to be a good one and certainly looked the part at first asking for trainer Ron Ellis, inching clear to a convincing win with Tyler Baze in the irons. The sophomore miss should only get better as this stable brings them along slowly quite often. A Look Ahead A bevy of stakes action will take place this weekend at Santa Anita, due to the cancellation of graded action last Saturday. This weekend plays host to the $250,000 Las Virgenes S. (G1), $250,000 Santa Maria H. (G1), $200,000 Strub S. (G2) and $150,000 Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) on Saturday; the $150,000 La Canada S. (G2) on Sunday; and Monday's $150,000 San Vicente S. (G2) and $150,000 Buena Vista H. (G2).
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