Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 8, 2014

by John Mucciolo

Some of the top sprinters around headlined a trio of graded races during the

second week of racing at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. (G1): Cheung et al's RICH TAPESTRY

(Holy Roman Emperor) sat tucked in behind a wall of four to the top of the lane,

geared down for the stretch run and got a nose down on the line to win his U.S.

debut. The classy Hong Kong invader sped six panels in a wicked 1:07 2/5 for

conditioner C. W. Chang and pilot Olivier Doleuze.

City of Hope S. (G2): Devereaux and Gross' BIG BANE THEORY (Artie

Schiller) exploded through an opening between runners in early stretch and

cruised home an emphatic 1 1/2-length winner under Joe Talamo. The Carla Gaines

trainee finished up one mile on the firm turf in 1:32 1/5.

L.A. Woman S. (G3): Tommy Town Thoroughbreds' homebred TOP KISSER (Old

Topper) sat in third behind a speed duel to the top of the lane, swung to the

lead in early stretch and cruised home a convincing winner under the guidance of

Elvis Trujillo. The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee was 3 3/4 lengths clear under the

line, traveling 6 1/2 furlongs on the fast main oval in a swift 1:14 4/5.

Track Stats

From a total of 36 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the

past week, favorites won at a 39 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 58 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the dirt oval,

nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (38 percent), while two of the 12

grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (17 percent).

Speed on the main oval was good all week, but especially better over the

weekend. The rail looked like to be a very good place to be on Sunday. Of the

nine who led at every call on the dirt, four came in route runs and the other

five in one-turn events.

Meet Totals

RACES:		65
DIRT:		43
TURF:		22
FAVORITES:		27 (42 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		11 (17 percent)
TURF WIRE:		4 (18 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		13 (30 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (10/2)

8TH -- STEEL LADY (Iron Cat) was exiting a pair of good efforts in defeat at

Del Mar and put it all together in this one, rolling home a fine winner in her

dirt debut. The Jorge Gutierrez trainee was never in doubt and could evolve into

a stakes type with more seasoning.

Friday (10/3)

3RD -- BIORHYTHM (Malibu Moon) never had a breather but still prevailed in a

game score over a nice field for conditioner Tom Proctor. The fleet filly chased

a fast pace and then outgamed a runner with momentum like a good thing, and she

will likely stay on this down hill course for the time being.

Multiple graded winner PONTCHATRAIN (War Front) was headstrong and done early

in her return off the layoff, but we have to give this one another chance next

time after winning her first three on this unique course. She'll be back.

4TH -- MISCHIEF CLEM (Papa Clem) followed up a resounding debut maiden win

with a game rally in this allowance spot and is now unbeaten from two starts.

The Bob Hess-trained juvenile will be tackling stakes foes in his subsequent

outing.

6TH -- SKY MEGA (Sky Mesa) led early, was overtaken at the top of the lane

and came back to open a clear edge late before being just caught in a fine debut

try for trainer Victor Garcia. The three-year-old filly will be graduating very

soon with even slight improvement off of this.

Saturday (10/4)

5TH -- DOELING (Purim) was dead last after the opening half-mile in her debut

offering in this downhill dash, but really closed with a lot of vigor to be a

big second under Aaron Gryder. The juvenile lass is bred to run a lot longer and

this was a fine way to kick start her career.

8TH -- GOLDENCENTS (Into Mischief) ran another monstrous race and is clearly

among the most talented and genuine runners in the U.S. The multiple Grade 1

winner will be super tough in his next venture, likely the Breeders' Cup Dirt

Mile (G1).

Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) hero SECRET CIRCLE (Eddington) was a bit rusty

being off since the spring and might have had the worst trip in the field along

the rail, but the super-talented four-year-old still finished a huge third

behind a pair of the best one-turn horses in the world. The Baffert trainee will

be super tough next time -- especially with an outside post draw.

9TH -- BIG BANE THEORY beat little in this turf event but it was the way he

demonstrated a wicked turn of foot that got us excited. The five-year-old is

consistent and could have more improvement in him being lightly raced this

campaign.

Sunday (10/5)

8TH -- Grade 1 runner-up HER EMMYNENCY (Successful Appeal) passed her turf

debut with flying colors and will likely be a dangerous commodity in the

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) in her next assignment. The Michael

Stidham trainee has yet to put a wrong foot forward in three lifetime runs and

leveled off nicely in the lane today under Talamo.

9TH -- The Donald Warren-conditioned ACCEPTANCE (Vronsky) served notice as

one to watch with a flourishing debut to his career after a tour-de-force in

this finale. The first-time starter broke slowest, moved up soon after the break

and then put on a show, drawing off by 13 1/4 lengths under a long hold by Elvis

Trujillo. The California-bred sped 6 1/2 panels in a wicked 1:15 1/5 and left us

speechless. Wow!

A Look Ahead

There is no graded racing this week at Santa Anita.