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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK MARCH 2, 2006 by Bernard T. Moore Santa Anita Park President Ron Charles announced that the Santa Catalina S. (G2) will be renamed in honor of the late Bob Lewis, who died recently. Lewis, who won the Kentucky Derby (G1) twice, in addition to many other important races, was extremely well liked and respected in Thoroughbred racing. Renaming such a prominent race is a fitting honor for a man who gave so much of himself to the sport. Commencing in 2007, the Santa Catalina, for three-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, will be known as the Robert B. Lewis Memorial. This race has served as an important prep for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) for more than 60 years, and renaming this event to honor the memory of Lewis will ensure that his countless contributions to racing will never be forgotten. He will be missed by all. There wasn't a whole lot of drama concerning the outcome of the Las Flores H. (G3) at Santa Anita last Saturday. BEHAVING BADLY (Pioneering) entered the starting gate as the prohibitive favorite and ran like it, easily defeating five runners while scoring by 4 3/4 lengths. Saddled by Bob Baffert, Behaving Badly dueled for the early lead and then disposed of her pace rivals to seize a small advantage around the far turn. She continued to add to her lead into the stretch, and received only token encouragement to win drawing away. Awesome Lady (Bianconi) improved her position around the turn and continued on willingly in the stretch to outfinish Spirit to Spare (Pole Position) for the place, but was never a serious threat to the winner. Spirit to Spare kept pace with Behaving Badly to the stretch, and then held well late to take down the show. Vaca City Flyer (Michael's Flyer) flashed speed between runners for a quarter-mile, but then began dropping back and eventually finished fourth. Gary Tanaka was in an enviable position as the horses entered the starting gate for the San Luis Obispo H. (G2) at 12 grassy furlongs on Sunday. Tanaka owned a three-ply entry, which was hammered down to 2-5 favoritism. The entry consisted of ATLANDO (Ire) (Hernando [Fr]), King's Drama (Ire) (King's Theatre [Ire]) and Aubonne (Ger) (Monsun), with King's Drama attracting the bulk of the support. In the end, it was Atlando who seized the victory, rallying smartly off an honest pace to post a three-quarter of a length victory. Rating in sixth early under jockey Martin Pedroza, the Irish-bred gelding began to level off nicely leaving the far turn. He continued to close strongly in the stretch and was able to outfinish a game T. H. Approval (With Approval), who also rallied from off the pace. King's Drama stalked the pace from the outset, but could not match strides with the top two finishers and settled for third. Aubonne flash speed for a mile and tired badly to finish last. Pat Valenzuela remains on top in the jockey standings, with Victor Espinoza continuing to hold down the second spot. They are followed by Garrett Gomez, Alex Solis and Jon Court. Baffert continues to lead all trainers, with Bobby Frankel remaining in second. Doug O'Neill is in third-place with Jeff Mullins in fourth. Neil Drysdale rounds out the top five. The main track played uniformly when racing resumed on Thursday and that trend continued all week. Off-the-pace runners fared best in turf sprints and in the lone route contest on Thursday. That trend continued into Friday. Speed did noticeably better Saturday, and the course appeared to play fairly on Sunday. No path bias was apparent all week. HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (2/23) 4TH – THE TOAST OF TROY (Unusual Heat) put forth an improved effort off the Bill Spawr claim. The six-year-old mare chased a dizzying early pace returning to a turf sprint, gained the lead in the stretch but weakened late under pressure. Her last winning turf effort came when able to settle early and then make one run. 7TH – MORE DUST (Brz) (Dubai Dust) was clearly a tad short off a freshening. He chased the pace into the stretch and then gave way, but could move forward off this effort, especially if returned to the $40K claiming level. Friday (2/24) 2ND – GRAND OPENING (Ire) (Desert King) finished a sharp second returning from a prolonged layoff. The four-year-old miss drove to the lead in the stretch, but could not contain the winner who possessed a fitness edge. She should have gained beneficial conditioning from this race and move forward in her second U.S. start, particularly if equipped with Lasix. 5TH – OCEAN GRAND (Bold n' Flashy) held gamely while setting a quick and pressured pace on the drop. He yielded the lead late to two fresh closers and may be at his best if able to sit and make one run. 7TH - GREATEST HOPE (Benchmark) carved out a very ambitious pace stepping up in his first Southern Cal. start for new trainer Brian Koriner. The four-year-old held well to midstretch prior to giving way and may be more at home for a selling price. Saturday (2/25) 3RD – Spirit to Spare was clearly overmatched stepping up into a Grade 3 and switching to dirt. She held remarkably well dueling for the lead with a vastly superior pace rival. Appears better suited to a high-end claimer. 4TH - SENATOR MATTY (Matty G) was hard-used setting a quick and pressured pace off a layoff. He held well to midstretch before tiring and should benefit from this effort and a cutback to six furlongs. Sunday (2/26) 2ND – QUINTONS RELAUNCH (Alphabet Soup) exhibited much improved speed in his second start for trainer Mike Mitchell on the drop. Dueled for the lead with a superior pace rival and continued on well late. He has dangerous tactical speed and fits well at the $40K claiming level. 8TH – King's Drama was a strong third off the shelf, his first race since an abysmal effort in Japan last year. He attended a very lively pace at 1 1/2 miles, and held gamely only to yield grudgingly late. Definitely needed this effort and should obviously be much fitter in second start off the layoff.
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