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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK APRIL 18, 2008 by John Mucciolo A single graded stakes race took place this past week at Santa Anita. Las Cienegas H. (G3): Richard J. O'Neill Trust's LIGHTMYFIREBABY (Unusual Heat) raced in second under Alex Solis for nearly all of this race, including at the wire, but was awarded the win when first-place finisher Bahama Mama (Ire) (Invincible Spirit) interfered with her approaching the final turn. The elevated winner, who was saddled by Barry Abrams, notched her second stakes win of 2008 in this 6 1/2-furlong event, which was completed down the hillside turf course in 1:13 1/5. Track Stats From a total of 46 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the week, favorites won at a 35 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 59 percent of the wins. From 30 frays contested on the Cushion Track, just three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (10 percent), while five of the 16 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (32 percent). The rail continues, as we've stated for the majority of the meet, to be of no advantage over this main oval, as four runners from the innermost post won in 32 attempts. From nine races on Friday, eight winners broke from posts 4-6, and all eight races on Monday were won from runners leaving from the four gate out. The middle and outside posts have done very well over the duration of the meet, but not to this extreme. Speed on the turf did well once again, with five of the 16 heats won in wire-to-wire fashion, and a handful of the others coming from horses who were just off the early tempo. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins)
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (4/10) 7TH - Listed winner GREEN LYONS (Ire) (Green Desert) won much more convincingly than the chart would indicate in here for trainer Neil Drysdale, and the four-year-old could be poised for a good season in the states. Friday (4/11) 6TH - INDIAN WAY (Indian Charlie) put in a good debut effort for conditioner Eoin Harty and the sophomore miss should be especially tough in her second start. The well-meant first-timer showed little speed but closed well to just miss the place spot in here. 8TH - MARZELLINE (Ire) (Barathea [Ire]) was much improved in her second U.S. try for Ben Cecil and could be primed for big things in the future. The four-year-old was always well placed and really poured it on in the lane, suggesting that she could handle longer distances. Saturday (4/12) 3RD - SANTA TERESITA (Lemon Drop Kid) captured her third straight event and was a stylish winner in this affair, closing from last to win going away for David Hofmans. The well-bred miss has a high ceiling and is proven on the lawn and the main oval. 4TH - SHIHAAB (Cherokee Run) was clearly second best to a useful animal in here, and the colt appears to be sitting on a win in his subsequent effort for Harty. 8TH - RON BOB AND DAVE (Touch Gold) has put in three excellent races in succession down the hill and will surely be stakes bound after this convincing win for Ron Ellis. The gelding earned a solid 91 BRIS Speed number and should have plenty of room for improvement. Sunday (4/13) 7TH - GINGER POP (El Prado [Ire]) showed great improvement in her second career outing and is a win candidate right back for Dan Hendricks. The sophomore gunned to the front early and held off a stern test from the favorite late beneath Solis. We'd like this one's chances if she stretches out in her debut versus winners. 8TH - SUPAH BLITZ (Mecke) came off a near three-year hiatus and had the misfortune of being closest to the fans in the stretch, but the Doug O'Neill trainee still managed third in this one. We'd love to see the Grade 2 winner regain something near his best form at eight, and he should improve off of this try. 9TH - Bahama Mama was quite unfortunate in here as she was clearly best for trainer James Cassidy. The multiple listed queen had been facing males for much of her 2007 campaign and was a huge overlay at 20-1 on this occasion. Monday (4/14) 5TH - SECRET SHUTTLE (Cape Canaveral) has now won three in succession, including in fine closing fashion on this day for Paddy Gallagher, to begin his career. The gelded-four-year-old had just one horse behind him after the half-mile, but the Kentucky-bred still managed to unleash his late kick to win going away. He could be any kind, and perhaps, could handle some added ground. A Look Ahead A trio of grassy, graded events will headline the final weekend of Santa Anita, led by the closing-day feature, the $250,000 San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2) at 1 3/4 miles. Saturday offers the $200,000 Santa Barbara H. (G2) for fillies and mares at 10 furlongs, as well as the $100,000 San Simeon H. (G3) for the boys going down the hill.
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