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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK FEBRUARY 18, 2010 by John Mucciolo A slew of graded races took place at Santa Anita over the Holiday Weekend. Las Virgenes S. (G1): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer et al's BLIND LUCK (Pollard's vision) continued her assault on Grade 1 races in California with a last-gasp win in here beneath Rafael Bejarano. The consistently great sophomore finished off a mile in 1:35 4/5. Santa Maria H. (G1): Capen and Chavers' ST. TRINIAS (GB) (Piccolo [GB]) continued her ascension through the filly and mare ranks by picking up her first Grade 1 win in this one for trainer Mike Mitchell. The splendid mare drilled 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 3/5 under the guidance of Joel Rosario. Strub S. (G2): B J Wright's JERANIMO (Congaree) took control in midstretch and powered home a 1 1/4-length victor for trainer Michael Pender. The talented four-year-old, who was guided by Martin Garcia, stopped the teletimer in 1:47 4/5 for nine panels. Robert B. Lewis S. (G2): Blahut Racing et al's CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams) ran his mark to a perfect four-for-four with a convincing tally for trainer Michael Machowsky. The three-year-old went 1 1/16 miles on the main strip in 1:41 3/5 with Paul Atkinson. Buena Vista H. (G2): William Deburgh's TUSCAN EVENING (Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB]) took control turning for home and gave her foes no chance with a 2 1/4-length rout in this grass test for Hollendorfer. The genuine five-year-old sped one mile on the firm lawn in 1:33 2/5 under Rafael Bejarano. La Canada S. (G2): Stevestan Stables' STRIKING DANCER (Smart Strike) rallied boldly from well of the pace to pull clear to a 1 1/2-length triumph in this affair for conditioner Ken McPeek. The four-year-old miss completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 2/5 with Alex Solis in the irons. San Vicente S. (G2): Sid and Jenny Craig's homebred SYDNEY'S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) dusted this field with a powerful, wire-to-wire romp for conditioner John Sadler. The rising sophomore smoked seven-eighths on the main oval in 1:20 4/5 while 4 1/4-lengths clear beneath Joe Talamo. Track Stats From a total of 53 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the six-day race week, favorites won at a 30 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 47 percent of the wins. From 37 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, 11 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (30 percent), while five of the 16 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (31 percent). Speed was more advantageous on this main oval than it has been in some time, with 30 percent winners leading at every call. Thursday saw the first three races taken in wire-to-wire fashion, while four did the same on Saturday. The innermost six posts won 43 of the 53 races during the week. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (2/10) 3RD -- ALL MAN (Petionville) showed no signs of rust in his first start in more than a year, driving home a clear winner for trainer Julio Canani. The gelded seven-year-old is another one of the several consistently good mid-level claiming types that Canani has, and he should be tough, even with a class rise, in his next. 7TH -- CIGAR MAN (Drewman), who we've touted on previous occasions in the Notebook, closed well to defeat a solid allowance group for conditioner Vladimir Cerin, and the five-year-old could be stakes bound in his next. Thursday (2/11) 4TH -- METROLOGY (Purge) put in a decent late showing behind a tepid early pace in a decent debut, and the sophomore colt deserves a long look next out for trainer Bob Hess Jr., who is always better with second-time starters. 6TH -- BIG MAN HAS A SIGN (Petionville), a full-brother to the aforementioned All Man, proved that he can handle this surface as well with a much improved effort in this dash, handling this group at 4-5. Friday (2/12) 5TH -- HYADES (Aldebaran) made a splash in his first try on U.S. soil, dominating this field late in a sharp run for conditioner Ben Cecil. The Euro import should improve with more seasoning in his four-year-old season, and the colt could be any kind. Saturday (2/13) 3RD -- Talented sophomore MACIAS (Purge) loves this turf course, and he should continue to roll over his fellow sophomores when running down-the-hill for Bob Baffert. 4TH -- We loved the heart SWITCH (Quiet American) displayed in here and anxiously await her stretching out even more in her next race. Sadler has a nice prospect on his hands, and we have a feeling we haven't seen anything close to her best as of yet. 6TH -- While I may be in the minority, I thought AMERICAN LION (Tiznow) ran a strong race in here and deserves to progress to the next step on the Derby Trail for Eoin Harty. 10TH -- LINE OF DAVID (Lion Heart) showed a lot of ability in this front-running theft under Bejarano, finishing off his final two furlongs in :23 2/5. He could be of stakes quality with improvement. Sunday (2/14) 6TH -- SKY MARNI (Sky Mesa) makes this list yet again after another strong showing under Omar Berrio. The four-year-old A C Avila charge thrives at this level -- and often pays a square price. 8TH -- GRIPSHOLM CASTLE (Dynaformer) ran a winning race in defeat on this day, but the European invader should have plenty of chances to break through after this fine U.S. bow for Cecil. A Look Ahead Saturday's $150,000 San Carlos H. (G2) and Sunday's $150,000 San Luis Obispo H. (G2) are the graded events during the upcoming week at Santa Anita.
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