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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK FEBRUARY 1, 2012 by John Mucciolo Some of the top sprint fillies on the grounds highlighted the week at Santa Anita. Santa Monica S. (G1): Craig Stables' homebred HOME SWEET ASPEN was passed in the lane but fought back bravely to finish a neck clear on the wire to notch her first Grade 1 win. The John Sadler-trained daughter of Candy Ride sped seven panels on the fast main oval in 1:21 2/5 under the guidance of Joel Rosario. Santa Ysabel S. (G3): Daniels et al's WILLA B AWESOME sped to the front early on and never stopped en route to a 3 1/2-length tally under Martin Pedroza. The sophomore filly by Awesome Gambler endured the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 3/5 for conditioner Walther Solis. Track Stats From a total of 35 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 34 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 48 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the dirt, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (21 percent), while two of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (18 percent). This was not the easiest week for the bettors, as just six favorites won from Thursday through Saturday from 26 races. In that same time, just three second betting options crossed the wire first, as well. Order was restored on Sunday, with six favorites making good. Both turf wire jobs came in marathon-like events, at 10 panels or more. Just one runner led all the way on the lead over the weekend from 13 dirt runs. With that said, a bunch of winners were pressing or tracking the lead early on. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (1/26) 7TH -- MISS RADIANCE was professional in victory on this day, splitting horses in early stretch and grinding out a solid victory in this spot for trainer Mike Puype. The filly is clearly better on the dirt and could have a stakes engagement in the near future. Friday (1/27) 3RD -- PALIO PRINCE was a good second in this spot and continues to hold consistent form for trainer Alexis Barba. The gelded four-year-old fits well at this level, and would be even more dangerous with a slight drop in class. 7TH -- Trainer Steve Asmussen could have made a fine claim in here by nabbing old class runner MATTO MONDO out of here, following his authoritative, 4 3/4-length score. The eight-year-old is in the best form he has seen in a few years. Saturday (1/28) 1ST -- CAPITAL ACCOUNT left little doubt in this fine tally for trainer Bob Baffert, rolling home a big winner in a wicked 1:13 2/5 for 6 1/2 furlongs. The lightly raced five-year-old son of Closing Argument could become a fine sprinter if he can stay on the racetrack. 5TH -- HOLLADAY ROAD notched his first win and continues to impress for trainer Julio Canani. The seven-year-old gelding had missed a lot of time but has really gotten back into excellent form. 8TH -- CHARM THE CROWD was a very nice second in this spot, and although we thought so leading up to this, we believe this one is sitting on a win for conditioner Doug O'Neill, who has been hot recently. Sunday (1/29) 6TH -- MEGA HEAT came off the shelf to take this race for conditioner Peter Eurton and we've really learned to admire this capable five-year-old. The California-bred will likely be back in a stakes race in his return. 7TH --STIRRED UP was visually impressive in putting in a big closing kick to be second at first asking in this one for trainer Bob Baffert. The sophomore son of Lemon Drop Kid is bred to run much longer than this and should only improvement as the distances increase. We consider the colt to be one to surely keep an eye on as the 2012 season progresses. A Look Ahead Saturday will play host to a trio of Grade 2 stakes, the $200,000 Strub, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis and the $150,000 Arcadia. The Lewis will feature an exciting field of three-year-olds, including Liaison and Sky Kingdom from the Baffert barn. The Grade 2, $200,000 San Antonio is the top draw on Sunday and features the return of multiple Grade 1 hero and Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Game on Dude, who finished second in the voting for champion older male.
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