Oak Tree Notebook

OAK TREE NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

The Oak Tree at Santa Anita meet is drawing to a close, and California Cup

Day will serve as the focal point of the final weekend of racing. The big day

has been moved to a Sunday, with 10 stakes races offering a combined purse money

of $1,325,000 for horses bred in "The Golden State." A $1 million guaranteed

Pick 6 pool is up for grabs, and Cal Cup Day will likely feature large and

contentious fields along with generous payoffs. Sunday's 1ST race post is 11:15

a.m. (PT).

Last weekend, the 32nd running off the Morvich H. (G3) took place on the

hillside turf course. A field of eight, three-year-olds and up, went to the

starting gate for the Saturday feature and GERONIMO (Chi) (Gold Tribute) was the

slight 2-1 favorite. The six-year-old had been knocking on the door in this

contest in recent years and finally got over the hump, closing resolutely

between rivals in deep stretch to score a head victory.

Racing in last position early under jockey Kent Desormeaux, the John

Sadler-trained runner accelerated nicely in the stretch, registering a

determined victory over an ultra game King Robyn (Robyn Dancer), who suffered a

heartbreaking loss. The runner-up chased the loose front runner down the hill,

overtook that rival in deep stretch and then held on grimly to narrowly miss

nailing down the top prize. Jungle Prince (Sir Cat), like the winner, closed

from off the pace and finished strongly while racing wide in the stretch. He was

just a scant nose farther back in third. Courageous King (Elusive Quality),

hampered by a bit of a slow start, rallied in the stretch to finish a "close up"

fourth, falling just short of victory in a exciting blanket finish.

Sunday's feature, the Carleton F. Burke H. (G3) at 1 1/2 miles on grass,

produced yet another thrilling result as GOLDEN RAHY (Rahy) got up in the final

strides to post a mild upset at odds of 5-1. Trained by Bobby Frankel, the

winner had not raced since July at Del Mar. Benefiting from a ground saving ride

by Alex Solis, Golden Rahy was steered off the inside around the far as the duo

prepared for a stretch bid. Golden Rahy responded willingly when asked,

finishing gamely while outside of runners to get up within the shadow of the

wire. The stalking tactics employed by runner-up Wild Buddy (Line in the Sand)

nearly worked to perfection, but he just failed to withstand the late rally of

the winner. Stage Shy (Theatrical), a five-year-old mare who had been away from

the races since 2004 at Del Mar, made a strong move to gain a tenuous lead in

midstretch. However, her rustiness began to show as she began to give ground

grudgingly in deep stretch under pressure, beaten slightly more than a length in

a sharp effort.

There were no appreciable biases on the main track last week. Wednesday's

track was more speed favoring than the rest of the week, but not appreciably so.

The grass course played quite fairly all week.

There were no discernible path biases.

Garrett Gomez maintains his advantage over Martin Pedroza in the jockey

standings, leading the runner-up by 12 victories. Patrick Valenzuela recaptured

third place with Alex Solis dropping a notch to fourth. Victor Espinoza

completes the top five.

Jeff Mullins enjoys a two-win lead over Steve Knapp in the race for leading

trainer. Bob Baffert and John Sadler are tied for the third spot.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (10/26)

6TH – BULLET TRAIN (Unbridled Jet) recorded a much improved third-place

finish dropping. Raced three-wide while contesting a fast pace. Won the pace

battle, but lost the war. He owns dangerous speed, especially if able to make a

clear lead.

7TH – HEAD OF THE HOUSE (Free House) turned in a good second-place finish

stretching out despite a bit of a slow start. Was unable to reel in a loose

wire-to-wire winner. May be better suited to shorter distances, as both grass

wins thus far have come sprinting.

Thursday (10/27)

4TH – DYNAWHITE (Lite the Fuse) finished a good second off the drop. Chased

dizzying fractions on the lead and finished well late. Will make next start for

trainer Ted West off the claim.

6TH – TOUCHDOWN KID (Rodeo), a New York-bred runner, ran extremely well in

his debut. Stalked, then set a very hot pace and held determinedly in the

stretch, yielding only to the fresh odds-on winning favorite.

7TH – LAHUNA (Comet Shine) exhibited much improved speed to dispute fast

fractions on the front end. Battled gamely to the wire to narrowly miss in a

strong effort.

Friday (10/28)

4TH – ANTHONY EATS (Order) displayed the wrong tactics vying for the lead off

a layoff. Disputed a slow pace and maintained his position, with the final

furlong completed in a swift :12.06, while second best. Re-claimed by former

connections, who won with him at a higher level, the four-year-old is likely to

revert to rating tactics.

7TH – SCHEFFER (Elusive Quality) was hindered by a slow early pace returning

off the layoff. Failed to sustain his rally into the stretch as the race

quickened. Should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort and

would benefit from a switch to a more accomplished turf rider in his next start.

Saturday (10/29)

1ST – ACCOUNTABLE EVENT (Event of the Year) turned in a creditable

second-place finish in first start vs. winners. Lagged too far behind early in

this abbreviated sprint but managed to finished well late. Lone career win

occurred at six furlongs.

4TH – MIGHTY BEAU (Rainbow Prospect) set an excruciatingly quick pace off the

layoff. Stole away to a daylight lead but understandably weakened late. Grade 3

winner has versatile running styles and should move forward off this effort.

Sunday (10/30)

8TH – STAGE SHY (Theatrical) returned from a prolonged layoff to loom a

dangerous presence in the stretch. She gained command vs. the boys and then

tired slowly late. Would obviously appreciate a return to her own sex and a

cutback in distance.