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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK JANUARY 21, 2010 by John Mucciolo A quartet of graded events took place during the past week at Santa Anita. San Rafael S. (G3): Zabeel Racing's CONVEYANCE (Indian Charlie) lived up to his 1-5 billing with a measured, 1 3/4-length score in here for Bob Baffert. The three-year-old prospect completed the one mile in 1:36 2/5 beneath Garrett Gomez. San Fernando S. (G2): Bo Hirsch's homebred PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike) returned to his winning ways with a half-length tally in this test for trainer Gary Stute. The four-year-old colt went in 1:42 3/5 for the 1 1/16 miles event under the guidance of Tyler Baze. El Encino S. (G2): Madeline Auerbach et al's PRETTY UNUSUAL (Unusual Heat) gained the lead inside the final furlong and pulled clear to a 1 1/2-length triumph in here under Chantal Sutherland. The Barry Abrams trainee finished off 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 3/5 on the main oval. Santa Ynez S. (G2): IEAH Stables' AMEN HALLELUJAH (Montbrook) went four wide into the lane and inched clear to a three-quarter length victory in this one for conditioner Richard Dutrow Jr. The sophomore miss stopped the teletimer for seven-eighths in a sharp 1:21 1/5 with Sutherland aboard. Track Stats From a total of 42 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the five-day week, favorites won at a 31 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 67 percent of the wins. From 29 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (21 percent), while one of the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (8 percent). The turf was not kind to speed types this past week -- the opposite trend compared to last week -- as just one animal led at every call on the green. Inside posts were strong throughout the week, and with the exception of Saturday, the innermost three post positions won 22 of 33 races (67 percent). But, that does not mean that there was an inside bias, as many of those winners came wide and rallied in the lane. The Pro-Ride, as has been well documented, will not drain properly, and track officials are discussing a possible return to dirt racing in the Golden State. Here's a resounding vote that they do! Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (1/13) 4TH -- ALWAYS IN STYLE (Lucayan Prince) returned from an absence of nearly one year to finish a clear second in this turf event, and we'll tab the Donald Warren charge for a tally against similar next out. 7TH -- JERANIMO (Congaree) found this competition much more to his liking after this fine score under Brice Blanc. The talented four-year-old belongs with stakes foes and should return to that level before long. Thursday (1/14) 7TH -- Grade 1 hero MONZANTE (Maria's Mon) rallied into pedestrian early splits and still got up from last to record his first win in some time for Mike Mitchell. The fast-closing gelding got his final quarter-mile in a swift :22 1/5 under Gomez. Friday (1/15) 3RD -- BLAME THE WINE (Decarchy) returned in a quick nine days and ran another winning race for A.C. Avila, falling just short at the line in a sharp second-place effort. The consistent California-bred mare always fires. 7TH -- NEVER (Vindication) showed vast improvement from his latest at Hollywood Park and simply ran out of time to take this while second for Baffert. The four-year-old could turn into a productive runner in 2010 with steady improvement. Saturday (1/16) 1ST -- IMPERIAL PRIDE (Limehouse) made a nice late run to finish a solid second in a sharp debut for trainer Bob Hess Jr. We expect the intriguing sophomore to be tough in his subsequent showing. 3RD -- We tabbed CARDIFF GIANT (Yankee Gentleman) one to watch after a strong runner-up result in a solid allowance heat, and the former claimer nearly pulled off a stakes win for Jorge Periban, eventually proving second best behind a nice colt. The three-year-old is in excellent form right now. 5TH -- We liked what we saw from SWITCH (Quiet American) in just her second lifetime try and fully expect her to improve with development, and possibly more distance. 7TH -- We figure it's about time for MYTHICAL POWER (Congaree) to search for options on dirt ovals, as the four-year-old is seemingly a few steps slower on the synthetic strips. Sunday (1/17) 5TH -- The Baffert-trained SOLAR ROCKET (Songandaprayer) was part of a wicked pace but stayed on late and gamely pulled out a win here beneath Martin Garcia. The ridgling showed a lot of determination on this day. 8TH -- While we think that the best days for STARDOM BOUND (Tapit) are behind her, she did show glimpses of herself with a late charge for second in here for Dutrow. Her next endeavor might be the telling sign of whether she has peaked or if she is returning to another top form cycle. A Look Ahead Saturday's $150,000 Palos Verdes H. (G2) is scheduled for Saturday at Santa Anita, while the San Marcos H. (G2), which was supposed to be run on Monday's now defunct card, will be redrawn and run Sunday.
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