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SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK JANUARY 30, 2013 by John Mucciolo A pair of graded races were offered last weekend at the Santa Anita winter/spring meeting. Santa Monica S. (G2): Ted and Judy Nichols' homebred TEDDY'S PROMISE (Salt Lake) confronted the pacesetter in early stretch and romped home in the lane to a powerful three-length score for trainer Ron Ellis. The five-year-old mare sped seven panels on the wet-fast, sealed oval in 1:22 3/5 under Victor Espinoza. Santa Ysabel S. (G3): Watson, Weitman and Pegram's FIFTYSHADESOFHAY (Pulpit) pressed the pace early, took the lead turning for home and cruised late to a 5 3/4-length score under Rafael Bejarano. The Bob Baffert trainee covered 1 1/16 miles on the sealed oval in 1:42 4/5 en route to her initial graded tally. Track Stats From a total of 35 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 46 percent of the wins. From 33 frays contested on the dirt oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (30 percent), while none of the two grassy tussles went all the way on the lead. Speed runners had another fine week of racing on this oval, especially on Sunday, with four horses winning in wire-to-wire fashion. It's not impossible to close for a win, especially if saving ground early on, but staying in the three-path or wider for the duration of the race makes it very hard for crossing the wire in front. Only two races were held on the lawn this past week, so we have no insight on the recent grass racing here. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (1/24) 2ND -- The Mike Mitchell-trained MEL'S GAME (Game Plan) was always close to this fast pace and slowly wore down this field in a game maiden tally under Julien Leparoux. The four-year-old colt defeated a solid field of open foes, so we expect this California-bred to be real tough next time if placed with his Golden State rivals. 7TH -- SKY KINGDOM (Empire Maker) was last early and had just one horse beaten at the top of the lane, but the Baffert trainee came home with a ton of energy and got up late in a most impressive race off the 10-month layoff. The well-bred sort did flash a lot of ability as a sophomore, and could be starting up a fine 2013 campaign after beating this stakes-quality field. BLUESKIESNRAINBOWS (English Channel) rated patiently, darted through an opening in midstretch and stayed on well to be a fine second in his first run for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The Grade 2 winner is also one who could have a fine season ahead of him with natural progression. Friday (1/25) 6TH -- SHUMOOS (Distorted Humor) came back with a vengeance in her four-year-old debut on this occasion, flying out of the gate and never looking back in a superb 2 1/2-length allowance win. The graded winner, last seen flying home second in the 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint against the boys, could be a major player on this circuit for Ben Cecil. Saturday (1/26) 2ND -- Trainer Gary Mandella unleashed a fine first time starter in SATICOY (Bertrando), who opened up a big early lead and never stopped in traveling six furlongs on this oval in a wicked 1:08 2/5. The three-year-old colt did get the best part of the track to run on, but he was still very impressive and could be a nice one. 5TH -- DANCINGTOTHESTARS (Good Journey) had no chance late with the superb and classy winner of this race, but the Doug O'Neill charge proved her worth at the stakes level today while finishing well clear of third. The five-year-old mare should be tough next time with a similar showing. 7TH -- TIZ A MINISTER (Minister's Wildcat) looked to be shot out of a cannon approaching the turn for home and exploded late to post a fine stakes win in this spot under Garrett Gomez. The Cal-bred sophomore surely looked the part in his dirt debut on this day, getting his final quarter-mile in :24 flat for trainer Paul Aguirre. OMEGA STAR (Candy Ride) took the lead turning for home and ran a winning race in second in his debut with winners, finishing 2 1/2 lengths clear of his nearest pursuer. We really think this gelding will make noise with open company in graded races this spring. 10TH -- HAIL MARY (Old Topper) showed good speed, took command in early stretch and strode home an impressive 4 1/2-length winner at first asking in this one under Joe Talamo. The Mitchell debuter couldn't have been much more professional in taking down what we thought was a solid maiden cast. Sunday (1/27) 5TH -- ROCK ME BABY (Rock Hard Ten) followed up a solid maiden score with this big win in the starter ranks for trainer Craig Dollase, and the gelding appears to be a nice one after just a pair of lifetime starts. The four-year-old can likely stretch out a lot more and could be any kind with the natural early speed he owns. A Look Ahead A trio of graded races will take place on Saturday at Santa Anita -- the Grade 2, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Grade 2, $200,000 Strub Stakes and the Grade 2, $150,000 Arcadia Stakes. Sunday will play host to the Grade 2, $200,000 San Antonio Stakes.
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