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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK APRIL 21, 2010 by John Mucciolo A rising turf star and a classy grass mare led the way during the closing week at Santa Anita. San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2): David and Jill Heerensperger's BOURBON BAY (Sligo Bay [Ire]) completed a sweep of the trio of marathon grass events at the meet with a solid tally in here under Rafael Bejarano. The Neil Drysdale trainee stayed about 1 3/4 miles on the firm lawn in 2:44 2/5. Santa Barbara H. (G2): William DeBurgh's TUSCAN EVENING (Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB]) led at every call and proved her mettle by enduring 10 furlongs in yet another score for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The sensational mare went 1 1/4 miles in 2:00 1/5 beneath Bejarano. San Simeon H. (G3): Gary Broad's MR GRUFF (Mr. Greeley) quickly overcame a slow start and always looked best in this one for trainer Ron Ellis. The lightly-raced gelding sped about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in a splendid 1:11 2/5 with Joel Rosario. Track Stats From a total of 44 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 30 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 55 percent of the wins. From 28 frays contested on the Pro-Ride oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (25 percent), while two of the 16 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (12 percent). The main oval was fairly consistent throughout the meet, with the only signs of a bias occurring when outside horses seemed to have an edge. But this was not a customary occurrence from what we saw. The turf oval was kind to speed and early types, although many closers had great success as well. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (4/14) 1ST -- The well-bred CHAMP PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) was always in control in here under Joe Talamo, taking command in early stretch and inching clear for Richard Mandella. The four-year-old cold be a player right back with first-level allowance foes. 6TH -- CONCORD POINT (Tapit) returned from a freshening to wire this field for Bob Baffert, completing 6 1/2 furlongs in a useful 1:15 1/5. The promising sophomore should not be written off yet, and we're anxious to see him to return to dirt. 8TH -- E. P. BOMBAY (Prime Timber), in his first showing since the summer, rolled home to a big win for conditioner Peter Miller, crossing the wire 8 1/4 lengths in front with Tyler Baze. We'll surely keep an eye on the gelding versus starter allowance foes. Thursday (4/15) 8TH -- MELON UP (Freespool) displayed good early speed and finished well clear at the finish in this fine debut for conditioner Sean McCarthy. The well-backed debuter went unclaimed and should be a prime player in her subsequent start. Friday (4/16) 3RD -- WYNNING RIDE (Candy Ride [Arg] dusted this field in her first start since running at Saratoga in the summer for Baffert, striding clear to suggest that she has much more to offer. The four-year-old should be stakes bound in her return. Saturday (4/17) 6TH -- BELIEVE IN HOPE (Thunder Gulch), last seen in the fall of 2008, came back in fine fashion with a closing win for conditioner Ron Ellis. The high-quality four-year-old is an exciting prospect to watch this summer. 10TH -- KEVLAR KID (Rock Hard Ten) just missed in a sharp first run for crafty conditioner Carla Gaines. The gelded sophomore will not be a maiden for long. Sunday (4/18) 8TH -- Longtime Notebook favorite CAYAMBE (Helmsman) ran past a solid field of mid-level claimers off a lengthy break, paying $62.60 in the process for conditioner Victor Garcia. We sadly didn't play the hard-knocker.
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