|
|
SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK MARCH 20, 2013 by John Mucciolo A pair of graded runs topped the weekend of racing at "The Great Race Place." Santa Margarita S. (G1): Fox Hill Farms' JOYFUL VICTORY (Tapit) secured the early lead and never looked back in a strong four-length win under Rosie Napravnik. The Larry Jones-trained mare traveled 1 1/8 miles on the fast main oval in 1:49 2/5 to garner her first Grade 1 score. San Luis Rey S. (G2): Dye and Venneri Racing's BRIGHT THOUGHT (Hat Trick) tracked the pace from second, took command in early stretch and drove home an impressive 3 1/4-length hero under Vctor Espinoza. Trained by Jorge Gutierrez, the four-year-old colt stopped the teletimer for 12 furlongs in a wicked 2:22 3/5, which is thought to be a world record for the trip. Wow! Track Stats From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California, racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 32 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 59 percent of the wins. From 20 frays contested on the dirt oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (30 percent), while three of the 14 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (15 percent). Speed was best on Thursday for sure on both ovals, as two of the three turf races were led all the way on the front, and runners on the main oval fared best while on or pressing the pace. The main oval seemed to play fairly during the rest of the week, and inside posts didn't appear to have any type of edge on the outer ones, either. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (3/14) 2ND -- DOOR'S OPEN (Aragorn) looked very good in dispatching this field at first asking today and the Vladimir Cerin pupil could really be any kind going forward. The sophomore is bred to handle the turf/synthetic, so we envision him as an all-surface type. 4TH -- BLACK WITCH (Majestic Warrior) pressed a moderate early pace before driving home powerfully, graduating in style for trainer Bob Baffert. The three-year-old filly looked like she could go farther and appears to have a nice future ahead of her. 7TH -- SCHIAPARELLI (Ghostzapper) was tons the best against this talented field and should be stakes bound once again in her subsequent outing for trainer Mike Puype. The mare flew home to get up in 1:11 3/5, just three ticks off the track mark. Friday (3/15) 2ND -- WAR ACADEMY (Giant's Causeway) served notice to his fellow sophomores that he might be a three-year-old to watch this spring after a professional score under Mike Smith. The Bob Baffert pupil was geared down late but still came home fast and he seems the type that can run all day. 7TH -- BASMATI (Borrego) finished a very good third today after attending the furious pace from the opening bell and we'll tab this one as a contender next time if he returns on this course. Saturday (3/16) 7TH – MORE CHOCOLATE (Candy Ride) proved that her last was no fluke, finishing a fine second behind a sharp winner in this one. The four-year-old John Sadler pupil clearly thrives on this strip and seems poised to have a big 2013 going forward. 8TH -- ALL SQUARED AWAY (Bellamy Road) put in a nice run to be second in this tough spot and has thrived since going these marathon trips. The Peter Miller trainee is in fine current form. Sunday (3/17) 2ND -- I'M WIDE AWAKE (Exchange Rate) was the second nice performer of the week for trainer Eric Guillot, and we'd consider keeping an eye on this barn going forward. 5TH -- MEL'S GAME (Game Plan) has been hugely improved since putting blinkers on three back, and the equipment change has resulted in three straight wins. 6TH -- DIXIELAND BLUES (In Excess) is as consistent as they come and always fires on this downhill course for trainer Marty Jones. The five-year-old gelding was a bit unlucky in second in this dash. 7TH -- CONSURGO (Flatter) made the winner work down the lane in this one and has now run a pair of nice races to begin his career for trainer Mike Mitchell. The sophomore shouldn't be a maiden for long. A Look Ahead Saturday will play host to the Grade 3, $100,000 Tokyo City Cup while the Grade 2, $150,000 Santa Ana Stakes will top the Saturday card.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
