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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK APRIL 24, 2013 by John Mucciolo There was a trio of graded races during closing weekend at "The Great Race Place." Santa Barbara H. (G2): Hronis Racing LLC's LADY OF SHAMROCK (Scat Daddy) made a big late run to finish second, but was moved up to the win slot via disqualification for conditioner John Sadler. The multiple Grade 1 queen was guided by Rafael Bejarano and the final time for the 1 1.4-mile turf affair was 2:01. San Juan Capistrano (G2): Pozo de Luna's INTERACTION (Easing Along) drove home with a powerful late run around, between and inside of horses en route to a nose tally for Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally. The hard-trying seven-year-old went 1 3/4 miles on the firm turf in 2:44 4/5 with Joe Talamo. San Simeon (G3): Everest et al's CHIPS ALL IN (North Light) tracked in third early, moved closer in early stretch and out-dueled the favorite late in posting a fine half-length tally for Jeff Mullins. The four-year-old colt sped the about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in a rapid 1:11 1/5 beneath Tyler Baze. Track Stats From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 23 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 50 percent of the wins. From 17 frays contested on the dirt oval, just three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (18 percent), while one of the 17 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (6 percent). We thought both ovals played mostly fairly during the final week of this fine meeting. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (4/18) 3RD -- KNUCKLEBUSTER (Empire Maker) may not have topped much in this field, but the five-year-old gelding did every thing right coming off a 14-month absence and could be tough right back for trainer Marty Jones, who had a nice closing week here. The Kentucky-bred did look a bit tired late while lugging in some, but he should be more fit next time in his debut with winners. 6TH -- LILBOURNE LIZA (Elusive City) tracked the pace, took the lead in the lane and fell just a nose short of holding on in a fine U.S. debut for conditioner James Cassidy. The sophomore filly goes for a conditioner that can keep a good one in sharp form and we do expect the import to have a nice summer in the Golden State. Friday (4/19) 2ND -- BOLLER BOMB (Unusual Heat) proved that her winning turf debut last time was no fluke, when taking down this field on the class rise like a good thing, pulling away to a 1 3/4-length win under the wire. The A.C. Avila charge surely seems to prefer this surface and the California-bred lass should be stakes bound pretty soon. 7TH -- PEPPY BOLLY (Old Topper) ran a superb race in this one for conditioner Gary Mandella to pull clear of a very nice field for the level on this occasion. The in-form filly tracked the pace and took over readily beneath Joe Talamo, finishing 2 3/4 lengths free at the finish. Saturday (4/20) 3RD -- TOP DRIVE (Street Sense) was last after the opening half-mile but closed with a rush to post a fine last-to-first tally in this debut run for Jones. The four-year-old colt was going away late under Rafael Bejarano and while we're not high on many in this field, the winner was still quite impressive and could have a bright future. 8TH -- We tabbed Chips All In following a heartbreaking loss to a nice downhill runner in his seasonal debut last time and the colt comes back to run a wicked 1:11 1/5, just a tick off the about 6 1/2-furlong course mark. While it's very early, we'd imagine this one will be pointed toward a try in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on this course in November. The fleet OBVIOUSLY (Choisir), a fine third in the Breeders' Cup Mile in his previous start, ran huge in his first try of 2013 and appears to still have his edge for conditioner Mike Mitchell. We should be hearing a lot more from this gelding. Sunday (4/21) 7TH -- The underrated ALL SQUARED AWAY (Bellamy Road) has now run a pair of huge seconds behind nice winners at this meeting in marathon events and the Grade 2-winning four-year-old gelding should always be considered a factor on the turf. He's going good right now for Peter Miller. A Look Ahead The action shifts to Hollywood Park starting on Thursday.
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