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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK FEBRUARY 6, 2013 by John Mucciolo There were a quartet of graded races during the weekend at the Santa Anita winter/spring meeting. San Antonio S. (G2): Diamond Pride LLC et al's GAME ON DUDE (Awesome Again) dominated this race for a second straight year for conditioner Bob Baffert, cruising home by 6 1/2 lengths under Mike Smith. The gelded six-year-old lived up to his 1-20 odds by finishing the nine furlongs in 1:47 2/5. Robert B. Lewis S. (G2): Gary and Mary West's FLASHBACK (Tapit) took the lead soon after the break and was never challenged en route to a 6 1/4-length romp in this one under Julien Leparoux. The Bob Baffert trainee remained unbeaten from two starts in completing the 1 1/16 miles on the fast main oval in 1:42 4/5. Strub S. (G2): Gary and Mary West's GUILT TRIP (Pulpit) capped a big day for these owners with a 1 1/2-length tally in this one for Baffert. The improving four-year-old colt clocked nine panels on the dirt in 1:48 4/5 beneath Joe Talamo. Arcadia S. (G2): Pozo de Luna's SUGGESTIVE BOY (Arg) (Easing Along) got back to his winning ways in this turf test by blowing past his foes in the lane on his way to a 2 1/2-length score with Talamo riding. The Ron McAnally charge finished up one mile on the firm turf in a swift 1:32 3/5. Track Stats From a total of 34 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 44 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 65 percent of the wins. From 20 frays contested on the dirt oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent), while two of the 14 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (14 percent). A lot of betting favorites were successful this week, but it wasn't super chalky as a slew of those winners were lukewarm betting choices. Speed was very good once again on this surface with most dirt winners perched on or close to the lead early on, but we also witnessed enough late runners filling some exotics spots to say the main oval isn't overly biased as of late. No horses breaking from the rail won on the dirt this week. Of the two turf wire jobs, one came in a sprint and the other at one mile. While this oval plays fairly almost always, a turn of foot is a nice thing to have when racing on this lawn. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (1/31) 1ST -- SWISS EMPEROR (Swiss Yodeler) remains a maiden after this one but has run big in a few in a row, including a nice second in here, and has run well enough to win despite falling short. We think the six-year-old breaks through next time after facing a nice one in here. 4TH -- SAMURAI JESS (First Samurai) led early and held well late to be a fine second at first asking in this one, in a field we thought was strong for the level. Expect this four-year-old to have a big chance next time with even slight improvement. 6TH -- We've been high on SUPER NINETY NINE (Pulpit) after his fine debut win for conditioner Bob Baffert, and the talented sophomore prospect surely appears to be of high quality following this facile allowance tally. We still think CODE WEST (Lemon Drop Kid) can really run, and the colt should only get better with more distance. The Baffert pupil has run into some real nice ones, and he could be a sleeper from this loaded barn as the year progresses. Friday (2/1) 2ND -- HOUT BAY (Harlan's Holiday) was a bit unlucky in this one being trapped along the inside for a good portion of the stretch in today's run, and should be very live next time off the claim for Jeff Mullins. Put this five-year-old mare in your watch list. 3RD -- We were surprised no claims were put in for PATRIOT'S VOYAGE (Awesome Again) in this race, as the Baffert trainee was tons the best on the class drop. Kept wide and in the clear throughout, the five-year-old went six panels in 1:09 2/5 and could simply be too good for this level. Saturday (2/2) 1ST -- Baffert unveiled another intriguing sophomore in this race with TIZ THE TRUTH (Tiznow), who made short work of this field in a sharp maiden tally. The colt did get away with a pretty easy lead today, but it was the closing quarter-mile in :23 2/5 that really caught the eye. The well-bred sort could be a late bloomer. 9TH -- We were high on Suggestive Boy following his turf win in the summer at Del Mar, but he never really progressed much while being placed in some curious spots on a few different surfaces. The multiple Group 1 winner could be a dynamic miler on the lawn and should possibly be kept in similar spots. Sunday (2/3) 1ST -- MIA ISABEL (Echange Rate) has been in fine recent form and made pretty easy work of this field in the stretch under Rafael Bejarano, drawing clear to a facile win. The Doug O'Neill charge is adept on the dirt, turf and synthetic, and is really going well right now. 3RD -- WHAT A SPOT (Arch) may not have beaten much, but the Tom Proctor pupil was professional in victory and should only get better as she is bred to run longer and perhaps on the lawn. Kin to two-time Grade 1 winner Coil, the three-year-old filly could evolve into a nice one with seasoning. A Look Ahead Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 San Marcos Stakes is the lone graded event upcoming at Santa Anita.
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