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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK MARCH 24, 2010 by John Mucciolo A pair of Grade 2 turf events headlined the weekend at Santa Anita. San Luis Rey H. (G2): David and Jill Heerensperger's BOURBON BAY (Sligo Bay [Ire]) notched his second straight marathon turf win with a convincing, 2 1/2-length score in this test. The Neil Drysdale pupil endured 1 1/2 miles in 2:24 beneath a confident Rafael Bejarano. Santa Ana H. (G2): William de Burgh's TUSCAN EVENING (Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB]) continued her domination over California rivals with yet another measured tally in this affair for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. Piloted by Bejarano, the five-year-old got 1 1/8-miles on the firm lawn in 1:48. Track Stats From a total of 43 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 33 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 63 percent of the wins. From 27 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while three of the 16 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (19 percent). The first two main-track races of the week were won on the lead, while four of the final 25 races were won in wire-to-wire fashion on the main oval. It's seemingly every Wednesday where the first race or two is taken all the way on the front. The main oval seemed very consistent over the week. Speed backed off on the lawn some, cooling down after some strong weeks. It's still not a bad place to be, as the meet totals suggest. Just five horses broke outside of post 6 and won this week. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (3/17) 6TH -- NORVSKY (Vronsky) handled this field with relative ease and is peaking right now for conditioner Donald Warren. The California-bred earned a solid 96 BRIS Speed number for his work and should be seen with stakes competitors next out. 7TH -- CANONIZE (Aldebaran) sent a message to the sprint division in California with a forceful, 3 1/4-length run in here for trainer Ron Ellis. The talented gelding would be a major player if he can string together a few like this into the summer. Thursday (3/18) 4TH -- KEEN BIDDER (GB) (Auction House) got a nice fitness builder in his first since the fall over this unique course and the import should continue to move forward for James Lloyd. We think this gelding will offer value in his next start against reasonable foes, particularly at a different trip. Friday (3/19) 7TH -- Golden Gate shipper PRAIRIE CITY ROAD (Tiznow) was a solid second behind an old-downhill pro from a steaming barn, and the five-year-old should get credit for finishing a clear second in a rapid time. We'll play the Lloyd Mason runner right back in a spot like this. Saturday (3/20) 1ST -- COSSET (Mizzen Mast) was a sharp second in this affair and shouldn't be a maiden for long for Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott. 5TH -- ROYCE (Came Home) was pretty convincing in here and gives trainer Paco Gonzalez another in what is a solid core of runners in Southern California. This filly, as many from this barn, will stay consistent and could beat winners next out. 7TH -- ELUSIVE MOMENT (El Corredor) brought some fairly legitimate speed to this race in his first asking for Ed Moger, Jr., and the gelding could improve in a big way in his next. He might be a live player if he runs up north. A Look Ahead The $100,000 Tokyo City H. (G3) on Saturday and Sunday's $100,000 Santa Paula S. (G3) for sophomore fillies are the graded events this weekend.
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