|
|
SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK JANUARY 4, 2012 by John Mucciolo A slew of big races highlighted the opening week at Santa Anita. Malibu S. (G1): Fog City Stable and George Bolton's THE FACTOR opened up in early stretch and powered home a fine winner for trainer Bob Baffert, who earned his first victory in this Grade 1 test for three-year-old. The Factor was never seriously challenged in here and the gray son of War Chant got seven-eighths on the fast oval in a splendid 1:19 4/5 beneath Martin Garcia. La Brea S. (G1): Ted and Judy Nichols' homebred TEDDY'S PROMISE moved to the fore in early stretch and powered clear to a convincing 2 1/4-length win in this one for conditioner Ron Ellis. The rapidly improving sophomore daughter of Salt Lake sped seven-eighths on the fast main oval in a superb 1:20 2/5 under the guidance of Victor Espinoza. Robert J. Frankel S. (G2): Class Racing Stable's BAUBLE QUEEN swept to the outside approaching the turn for home under Garrett Gomez, and mowed down her rivals in posting a half-length score. The four-year-old mare finished off nine panels on the firm turf in 1:48 1/5 for conditioner Eric Kruljac. Sir Beaufort S. (G2): St. George Farm Racing's homebred MR. COMMONS took over in early stretch and cruised home an emphatic 3 1/4-length winner under Mike Smith. A three-year-old son of Artie Schiller, the John Shirreffs trainee stopped the teletimer in 1:33 4/5 for the one mile turf event. Monrovia S. (G3): Jungle Racing et al's MIZDIRECTION took back early, moved into position at the top of the lane and spurted clear in the stretch under a confident ride by Gomez. Owned by radio and television personality Jim Rome and partners, the ultra-talented four-year-old was 1 3/4 lengths clear under the line after finishing off the about 6 1/2 panels down the hill in 1:11 3/5 for trainer Mike Puype. Track Stats From a total of 52 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 36 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 57 percent of the wins. From 37 frays contested on the dirt, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while two of the 15 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (13 percent). The main oval was fast all week, producing rapid times for any of the races, especially one-turn events. Early speed was good, especially on both Mondays of action, when seven horses combined led at every call from 12 dirt races. Outside posts also did quite well this week, with 12 of 19 winners from Friday-through-Sunday breaking from post seven and out. Of the two wire jobs on the lawn, one came in a sprint and the other on the weeds. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Monday (12/26) 8TH -- We thought a lot of MR. COMMONS throughout the past year and fully expect him to have a monstrous 2012 campaign. He could be the most talented turf male in the United States. 9TH -- ROTHKO was clearly second best in here in his West Coast debut for Steve Asmussen and should have a big year ahead of him in 2012. Thursday (12/29) 2ND --PINK LOLLIPOPS showed vast improvement in her second lifetime race and crushed this field while stopping the teletimer in 1:08 1/5 for six panels. The sophomore daughter of Silver Deputy didn't beat the deepest field of all time, but did so with ease and could become any kind for Baffert. 4TH -- We were surprised BEAUTIFUL STRIKE was not claimed out of here for trainer Peter Miller and think the speedy lass could win next out, her first against winners. Friday (12/30) 2ND -- FED BIZ, a son of Giant's Causeway, is bred to be a good one, and surely looked the part second time out in this one for Baffert, striding home a winner under Rafael Bejarano. The juvenile colt should run longer and is an intriguing prospect heading into the 2012 season. 5TH -- MISS RADIANCE overcame a rough start to be clearly second best in this spot and the Mike Puype pupil appears to be sitting on a win. The three-year-old miss has now run a pair of big ones on this main oval. 7TH -- LADY OF SHAMROCK looked like a star in the making following this fine late-running tally for trainer John Sadler. The juvenile daughter of Scat Daddy, who broke her maiden most recently at Churchill Downs, annihilated this field late under Gomez and will be a factor wherever she shows up next. Saturday (12/31) 3RD -- PRINCESS ARABELLA put in one of the performances of the week in this dash for Baffert, overcoming a poor start to dominate this field at first asking. The two-year-old daughter of Any Given Saturday got six furlongs in a brisk 1:08 2/5, coming home in a strong :23 2/5 under minor urging from Martin Garcia. Monday (1/2) 8TH -- MIZDIRECTION showed her versatility in making a strong field look ordinary in the late stages in this one, overcoming the tricky rail post in the process. We think a lot of this Mizzen Mast filly and still believe that she's kind enough to rate going a mile or more. A Look Ahead The Grade 3 Sham Stakes for three-year-olds at a mile shares the spotlight with the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes for older horses on Saturday. Turf sprinters are featured in Sunday's Grade 3 Daytona Handicap.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
