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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK JANUARY 23, 2013 by John Mucciolo There was a pair of graded races during the weekend at the Santa Anita winter/spring meeting. Palos Verdes S. (G2): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer et al's SAHARA SKY (Pleasant Tap) had just one horse beat early on but put in a spirited run in the lane to win this race by a length as the longest price on the board. The consistent late runner finished off six furlongs in a wicked 1:07 3/5 beneath Joe Talamo. La Canada S. (G2): Michael Talla's MORE CHOCOLATE (Malibu Moon) pressed the pace, took over at the top of the lane and cruised home a solid 1 3/4-length winner under Garrett Gomez. The John Sadler trainee really handled this main oval in completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 2/5. Santa Ynez S. (G2): Zillah Reddam's RENEE'S TITAN (Bernstein) was last after the opening half-mile of this race, but saved ground throughout and closed with a fury to win this affair by three-quarters of a length under Tyler Baze. The Doug O'Neill trainee stopped the teletimer for the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16. Track Stats From a total of 43 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 42 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 29 frays contested on the dirt oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (14 percent), while one of the 14 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (7 percent). Betting favorites did well, but it was another case of all or nothing so to speak, with only six second choices coming through (14 percent). We didn't witness too many horses leading at every call on the main oval, and while more deep closers won this week than in previous ones, many of the horses who finished first still laid close for the first two calls. The lone wire job on the lawn came in a sprint by an odds-on favorite, and it remains a bit demanding to go all the way on the lead on this grassy oval. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (1/17) 7TH -- EBLOUISSANTE (Bernardini) had to work pretty hard for this tally in her debut with winners for trainer John Shirreffs. The half-sister to the superstar Zenyatta proved she can handle dirt and she appears to have a very bright future ahead of her. Friday (1/18) 2ND -- Golden Gate import MUM'S TRUCKEE (Truckee) couldn't reel in the favored winner in this spot, but the Peter Miller trainee fought all the way to the line and was well clear of third in this runner-up effort. The four-year-old filly should be live next out. 3RD -- FLASHY DELIGHT (Vindication) bounced back well after getting dusted in a turf experiment last time for trainer Vann Belvoir, rallying to a nice going away tally in the lane under Victor Espinoza. The filly is capable on dirt and synthetic, and should have a lot of options going forward. 5TH -- LONG FACE (Whywhywhy) ran huge off the long break and benefited while being elevated to the top spot in here for conditioner Patrick Biancone. The four-year-old miss flashed potential as a sophomore and could have a nice season in front of her with expected improvement. 7TH -- PURIM'S DANCER (Purim) was ultra-impressive in pulling away from this field in the final furlong for trainer Tom Proctor, and we expect this one to be stakes bound soon. The four-year-old filly tracked a fast early pace and flew home to clock the about 6 1/2 furlongs going down the hill in a rapid 1:11 3/5, just three ticks off the track record. HIDINGINPLAINSIGHT (Elusive Quality) made the pace and stayed on well in a fine second place performance today. The Mike Puype pupil will be very tough with any kind of step forward in her subsequent outing. Sunday (1/20) 2ND -- IRISH ART (Artie Schiller), unraced since the spring, made a nice rally in the stretch to be a fine second behind a real good horse in here for trainer Carla Gaines. The versatile five-year-old should build on this and be a stakes player for the remainder of the 2013 season. 5TH -- Trainer Eric Kruljac doesn't win at first asking all that much, so we'll keep a close eye on TIZ MOLLY (Tiz Wonderful), who flew home from well back to get up in this dash. The debuting Kentucky-bred made up a lot of ground late in here and could be a nice one. Monday (1/21) 4TH -- MIND THE MASTER (Mizzen Mast) tracked a fast pace, took over turning for home and fought back in the lane when passed in a solid second-place showing. The Peter Eurton trainee should graduate soon. 6TH -- CAYAMBE (Helmsman) continues to prove he is showing no sings of age with a dominating tally in this one for Bill Spawr. The nine-year-old gelding has now won three straight and shows no signs of slowing down. 7TH -- DAWN'S CHARM (Hard Spun) hooked up with champion Beholder for the entire stretch of this race and didn't flinch, falling just a nose short of that one while in third. The Jeff Bonde trainee seems to have really turned the corner following a huge maiden win last time. A Look Ahead Saturday will play host to a pair of graded events at Santa Anita -- the Grade 2, $250,000 Santa Monica Stakes and the Grade 3, $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes.
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