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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK MARCH 3, 2010 by John Mucciolo The lone scheduled graded race of the weekend, the Sham S. (G3) on Saturday, was cancelled when Santa Anita did not conduct live racing due to inclement weather and poor track conditions. Track Stats From a total of 33 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the four-day race week, favorites won at a 42 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 73 percent of the wins. From 25 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (28 percent), while six of the eight grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (75 percent). Early speed was completely dominant on Wednesday with five of the six main-track races won in wire-to-wire fashion, something we haven't seen on this synthetic surface in a long time, maybe ever. Track maintenance figured out the problem we assume, as only two animals led at every call from the final 19 races on the Pro-Ride during the week. It was a very formful week as far as favorites and second choices coming through, including the Friday card, which featured seven favored winners. The turf was more than kind to early types, with six of the eight races on the green won in wire-to-wire fashion. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (2/24) 4TH -- UNDERGROUND (Indian Charlie) showed some early patience in here and it paid dividends, as she rolled home late to a facile score. The oft-headstrong filly could be maturing and it's only a matter of time before she factors in a stakes race. 7TH -- EMMY DARLING (Graeme Hall) made short work of this stakes-caliber field on the front end for John Sadler, stopping the teletimer in 1:15 1/5 for 6 1/2 furlongs on the main oval beneath Joel Rosario. The four-year-old will surely be stakes bound in her next venture, and we will not overlook her. Thursday (2/25) 5TH -- WARREN'S KONG (Ancient Art) led until late and finished a nice second while facing elders in here for Jack Van Berg. While the runner-up did receive 10 pounds from the winner, it was still an encouraging showing for a sophomore at this time of the season. 7TH -- BLAME THE WINE (Decarchy) continues to make the Notebook after another score over this surface, getting up late under Omar Berrio. Trained by A C Avila, the consistent five-year-old should merit respect in her return versus similar, or slightly better. Friday (2/26) 6TH -- MR HOT STUFF (Tiznow) has been fairly well backed for his last several starts and never really factors for the win for Eoin Harty. The well-bred four-year-old should not go off short against fields like this and he's often a bet against if he does. Sunday (2/28) 2ND -- JEHAN (Forest Wildcat) defeated a pretty solid field of fillies and mares with ease in here under Garrett Gomez, signaling her readiness for a graded test. The Mike Mitchell trainee zipped 6 1/2 furlongs in a swift 1:15 3/5 for a two-length tally. 4TH -- SENSATIONAL NEWS (Mr. Greeley) was impressive at first asking for conditioner Richard Mandella, taking control in early stretch and striding clear to a two-length score beneath Gomez. The four-year-old colt could be any type. 6TH -- SKY MARNI (Sky Mesa) makes the List yet again following another last-to-first conquer on this day for A.C. Avila. The filly is the perfect example of a horse who simply loves this oval, and she fires nearly every time. We would not be afraid to back her with another class rise. 7TH -- It was good to see HAKA (Dynaformer) get back in the winner's circle for trainer Christophe Clement after this tally. The once highly regarded filly displayed a strong late kick under Rafael Bejarano and could be rounding into her best form. A Look Ahead A super Saturday card awaits us at Santa Anita, led by the $750,000 Santa Anita H. (G1). Along with the big one is a pair of Grade 1 events; the $250,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) and the $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1). The $150,000 Sham S. (G3), originally carded for last weekend, will also be held on Saturday.
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