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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK JANUARY 11, 2012 by John Mucciolo A trio of graded races highlighted the second week at Santa Anita. San Pasqual S. (G2): Triple AAA Ranch's homebred UH OH BANGO took command turning for home and inched clear to a decisive 1 3/4-length tally in this one for trainer Kory Owens. The capable five-year-old stopped the teletimer in 1:41 2/5 for the 1 1/16 miles beneath Mike Smith. Sham S. (G3): Darley Stable's homebred OUT OF BOUNDS ranged into contention in early stretch and strode past the 1-2 choice in the lane to pick up his first stakes win for conditioner Eoin Harty. The well-bred and improving Discreet Cat colt endured one mile in 1:34 2/5 on the fast main oval under Garrett Gomez. Daytona S. (G3): Blahut Racing LLC et al's CARACORTADO sat behind a contested early pace and closed with a vengeance to mow this compact field down late for conditioner/breeder Mike Machowsky. The gelded five-year-old finished off the about 6 1/2-furlong trip down the hill in a superb 1:11 2/5 under Rafael Bejarano. Track Stats From a total of 34 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 23 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 38 percent of the wins. From 22 frays contested on the dirt, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (50 percent), while four of the 12 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (33 percent). Speed was good on both ovals, especially the main strip, with 11 of the 22 winners doing so in wire-to-wire fashion. We would lean toward speed horses until this track tells us otherwise, but still not toss late runners as the right ones can overcome the current trend. The lawn produced a quartet of winners leading at every call this week, with three coming in route races and one in a downhill sprint. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (1/5) 1ST -- SIR ALLISON was sharp in this one for Bob Baffert, who might have gotten lucky sneaking this one through the maiden claiming ranks. The sophomore came home fast and obviously can run. 2ND -- We're not sure why the streaking LIBERAL ARTS was let off at 9-1 in here, but the Doug O'Neill charge has now run off three in a row and will be tough in his return in this current form cycle. 5TH -- SWIRLS could be any type after her second straight dominant front-running score to begin here career. The Paddy Gallagher pupil hasn't given any foe a chance to date and the daughter of Leroidesanimaux should face open foes next time. 7TH -- WILLYCONKER was a sharp second in this one, losing to a top foe in the process. The O'Neill trainee has now run three big ones in a row and showed his ability by making a big early move and staying on late. Friday (1/6) 4TH -- THISISMYSTAGE fought back gamely after being passed in midstretch and almost came back in the final jumps for Craig Dollase. The four-year-old filly deserves to get a long look in her return. 7TH -- The lightly raced D'PENDABLE never gave his foes a chance in this one when running clear early and powering home late for Baffert. The expensive auction purchase went six furlongs in a wicked 1:08 3/5 and will be a big player in the sprint division if he can put together a few races. Saturday (1/7) 3RD -- Somewhat lost in the Sham was the effort put forth by LONGVIEW DRIVE for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The experienced sophomore speed to the lead, valiantly tried to hold off the big favorite in the lane, and missed by only one length at the wire in this spot. He's an interesting prospect. 6TH -- WELTER WEIGHT figured to need a race but did well to overcome traffic to be second in this one for trainer Steve Asmussen. The $1 million yearling lost to a fine horse and should be plenty fit next time. We'll tab him for two-turn success. 9TH -- EZ EFFORT couldn't have run much better without winning, and looms large in his second career start. The debuter was more than seven lengths clear of this while challenging well down the lane. Sunday (1/8) 2ND -- We're not sure what EDEN'S MOON beat in this spot, but she did so the right way in drawing off by more than 11 lengths. The Baffert second timer was never asked in the final panel and could be a big player in the sophomore filly division with steady improvement. A Look Ahead A trio of Grade 2 races will be held over the weekend: the $150,000 San Fernando on Saturday; $150,000 Santa Ynez on Sunday; and Monday's $150,000 San Gabriel.
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