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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK APRIL 8, 2010 by John Mucciolo The top sophomores on the grounds highlighted the big weekend at Santa Anita. Santa Anita Derby (G1): Sid and Jenny Craig Trust's homebred SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) more than validated his spot in the upcoming Kentucky Derby (G1) with a 4 1/2-length romp over his foes under Joe Talamo. The John Sadler pupil got nine panels on the main strip in 1:48. Arcadia H. (G2): Harris Farms et al's homebred COMPARI (Redattore [Brz]) ran his winning streak to six with another front-running tally for trainer Marty Jones. The impressive California-bred sped one mile on the firm turf in 1:34 beneath Garrett Gomez. Providencia S. (G2): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer et al's CITY TO CITY (City Zip) came five-wide into the lane and inched clear to a half-length score under Joel Rosario. The chestnut miss completed the nine-furlong grass test in 1:47. Potrero Grande H. (G2): Watson, Weitman and Pegram's VENTANA (Toccet) finally broke through at this level with a determined tally for trainer Bob Baffert. The four-year-old colt, who was piloted by Gomez, stopped the teletimer in 1:15 for 6 1/2 furlongs. Las Flores H. (G3): Michael Talla's MONA DE MOMMA (Speightstown) rallied strongly in the latter stages to get up under Rosario in this affair. The Sadler pupil streaked 6 1/2 furlongs in a sharp 1:14 2/5. Track Stats From a total of 44 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 32 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 31 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while four of the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (31 percent). Speed on the green was good to those types yet again this week and is statistically more dangerous than main-track speed for the duration of the meeting. It's difficult for me, and others I suppose, to believe the fact that grass racing is more likely to deliver a wire-to-wire winner than the main oval does, but it's true. We noticed several runaway winners on the Pro-Ride this week -- we're used to witnessing more contested or blanket finishes. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (3/31) 6TH -- MULBERRY LANE (Cee's Tizzy) just missed in a fine debut effort and should be plenty tough next out for conditioner Sean McCarthy. 8TH -- MONEY LOVER (Marino Marini) finished gamely to be second at first asking and will surely not be 16-1 in her next showing for trainer Eric Kruljac. Thursday (4/1) 7TH -- SELF MADE (Old Topper) made a strong late run from last to defeat elders for Sadler, and the rising sophomore could be any kind. The colt completed his final five-sixteenths in a swift :29 1/5. Friday (4/2) 7TH -- MADE FOR MAGIC (Cape Canaveral) annihilated this field on the front end under Omar Berrio, driving home a convincing, 8 3/4-length winner for A.C. Avila. The five-year-old mare avoided a claim and could rise in class in her next. Saturday (4/3) 1ST -- Trainer Mike Puype sent out impressive debut winner MINDBLOWER (Giant's Causeway) in here, and the well-meant three-year-old could be a major player on the West Coast before the end of 2010. The well-bred colt is on our radar. 4TH -- GOLDEN BALLS (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) put forth a fine effort in his first race since 2008, finishing a creditable fourth behind a solid trio of runners for James Cassidy. The talented six-year-old will be a major force on the lawn if he stays healthy throughout the year. 6TH -- SETSUKO (Pleasantly Perfect) is as honest as they come and is surely one to use in the exotics if he makes his way into the field of the Kentucky Derby (G1). The improving Richard Mandella pupil came home in a sharp :34 3/5 for his final three-eighths against the best sophomores on the grounds. 10TH -- Mandella unveiled an intriguing first-time starter here, runner-up PRIMED (More Than Ready). The sophomore filly broke from the widest post and finished well despite being at a trip that is likely shorter than she desires. Sunday (4/4) 2ND -- ELUSIVE GALAXY (Ire) (Elusive City) finished a fine second in this dash while 5 1/4-lengths clear of her nearest foe -- signaling that she is rounding back into top form for Ben Cecil. 7TH -- The classy WELL MONIED (Maria's Mon) delivered a solid race in her first start since the summer, rolling home late to win beneath Rosario. The accomplished filly should be a force to be reckoned for the duration of this season. A Look Ahead Sunday's $100,000 Las Cienegas H. (G3) is the lone graded race this weekend at Santa Anita.
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