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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK JANUARY 27 by Bernard T. Moore Things at Santa Anita Park are getting back to normal now that the prolonged stretch of extremely wet weather has subsided and is (we hope) a thing of the past. Horses will now be afforded the benefit of training without interruption, as the moisture-laden surfaces they encountered on a daily basis in the mornings and afternoons are nothing but a faint memory. Santa Anita management is optimistic that the current stretch of good weather will continue through Saturday when it presents in partnership with its sister track, Gulfstream Park, the eagerly awaited Sunshine Millions. A series of eight stakes events that pit California-breds against Florida-breds, the Sunshine Millions projects to be a spectacular day of racing. A phenomenal $3.6 million is up for grabs before a nationwide television audience, as Thoroughbred racing is once again afforded an opportunity to take center stage. Last week's stakes action at Santa Anita featured the $150,000 San Marcos S. (G2) at 10 furlongs on turf on Saturday. The race marked the return of License to Run (Brz) (Exile King), whose only start in North America thus far was a strong third-place finish Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) in December. He was beaten just a neck for all the money in that contest and, as a result, was installed as the odds-on favorite here. On paper, the San Marcos lacked a confirmed front-runner. WHILLY (Ire) (Sri Pekan) took full advantage of that fact and wired the field to score a half-length victory over runner-up Puppeteer (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) in a exciting stretch run. Trained by Doug O'Neill, the winner rated kindly on the lead under regular rider Felipe Martinez, and held on gamely in the stretch as he was able to repulse a final bid from the runner-up, who was an unlucky second in his California debut. Puppeteer was put in tight quarters shortly after the start and was also saddled with the unenviable task of keeping the pacesetter honest. That his clearly not preferred style of running, as he would prefer to come from farther off the early pace. T. H. Approval (With Approval), last during the early stages in the race, closed belatedly for third, but was never a serious danger to the top pair. License to Run managed to show some early speed to track the early pacesetters down the backstretch, but began losing ground heading into the far turn and tired to finish fifth as the 4-5 favorite. Jockey Patrick Valenzuela did not have to wait very long before registering his first stakes victory since returning to the saddle earlier this month. The controversial, but immensely talented, rider teamed up with SAINT AFLEET (Northern Afleet) to earn a hard-fought victory over Hombre Rapido (Falstaff) in the Palos Verdes H. (G2) on Sunday. The winner, a forward factor from the outset, was part of a three-horse battle for the lead as the field turned for home. Stone Rain (Grindstone), who had set dizzying fractions on the front end, began to weaken from his early exploits as Saint Afleet and Hombre Rapido continued to battle while remaining heads apart. The pair raced as a team to the finish, with Saint Afleet asserting himself late to achieve the win. Hombre Rapido acquitted himself quite well in defeat while finishing 2 1/2 lengths in front of Bluesthestandard (American Standard), who closed to gain the show. McCann's Mojave (Memo [Chi]) dispensed yet another disappointing effort to finish last as the race favorite, and it is becoming increasingly evident that he is not the same horse since returning from the sidelines. Rene Douglas and Tyler Baze have separated themselves from the rest of the jockey colony as Douglas holds a three-win edge over Baze in the race for leading rider. Jon Court is a distant third, with Victor Espinoza and Garrett Gomez tied for the fourth spot on the list. O'Neill continues to lead all trainers and now owns a seven-win lead over Richard Mandella. Bob Baffert, Jeff Mullins and Ruben Cardenas round out the top 5. The main track played quite fairly most days, although it might have been a tad speed-favoring to begin and end the week. The turf course played quite fairly as well with the exception of Thursday, when closers dominated. No path bias appeared to exist all week. HORSE TO WATCH Wednesday (1/19) 7TH - SWIFT WINGS (Anees) was a much improved third switching to grass off a layoff and dropping. The sophomore filly recaptured here early speed to track lively fractions and finished with interest in the stretch under modest encouragement. 8TH – RAGTIMEFUN (Funontherun) was caught extremely wide racing around the far turn in his comeback effort. He continued a wide rally in the stretch while finishing best of all late and is eligible for a much easier starters allowance contest for limited winners. He will need some time to recoup from this taxing race. Thursday (1/20) 4TH – FEEL THE HEAT (Unusual Heat) suffered an extremely wide trip in an abbreviated sprint. She lost valuable ground on the turn and into the stretch, finishing widest and best of all on the wrong lead. The three-year-old would definitely benefit from a change in riders and has two full sisters who excelled in sprints on dry tracks. 5TH – KEDINGTON (Seattle Proud) continues to improve for trainer Rafael Becerra. He held well for third after dictating a pressured pace on the lead with a stretch-out sprinter and has run well without the lead in the past. He adores the Santa Anita main track as well. 6TH – KHYBER PASS (Running Stag) was a creditable fourth-place finisher in his career debut. He loomed boldly in the stretch but lacked the necessary punch late for a trainer that is horrible with first timers. His sire was a three-time Grade 2 winner who did not blossom until his three-year-old season, and we can expect improvement with age and experience from Khyber Pass. Friday (1/21) 2ND – FAMILY GUY (Western Fame) finished a sharp second to a decisive winner in his career debut. Hindered by bit of an awkward start, he rushed up to dispute the winner's pace and finished with good energy while clearly second best in a swiftly run race. 5TH – KACHAMANDI (Chi) (Royal Danzig) displayed an encouraging effort off a long layoff on the drop. Allowed to lag too far behind modest fractions, he closed strong late in a much needed race. Saturday (1/22) 2ND – ULTERIOR MOTIVES (GB) (Selkirk) was extremely unlucky dropping to the 40K level. Full of run, he lacked racing room at strategic points in the stretch. He obviously would have been closer with clear sailing and might have won with a clean trip. 7TH – Puppeteer finished a good second while showcasing an improved turn of foot in just his second start for trainer Jeff Mullins. He was forced to chase a loose speed who eventually wired the field after setting modest fractions on the front end. Sunday (1/23) 8TH - Bluesthestandard appears to be cycling back to his best form. He was an improved third returning to six furlongs while chasing a quick pace. The eight-year-old loves the Santa Anita main track, but wants it dry and would benefit from a little class relief as well.
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