Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

APRIL 21, 2010

by John Mucciolo

A rising turf star and a classy grass mare led the way during the closing

week at Santa Anita.

San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2): David and Jill

Heerensperger's BOURBON BAY (Sligo Bay [Ire]) completed a sweep of the trio of

marathon grass events at the meet with a solid tally in here under Rafael

Bejarano. The Neil Drysdale trainee stayed about 1 3/4 miles on the firm lawn in

2:44 2/5.

Santa Barbara H. (G2): William DeBurgh's TUSCAN EVENING (Ire) (Oasis

Dream [GB]) led at every call and proved her mettle by enduring 10 furlongs in

yet another score for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The sensational mare went

1 1/4 miles in 2:00 1/5 beneath Bejarano.

San Simeon H. (G3): Gary Broad's MR GRUFF (Mr. Greeley) quickly

overcame a slow start and always looked best in this one for trainer Ron Ellis.

The lightly-raced gelding sped about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in a splendid

1:11 2/5 with Joel Rosario.

Track Stats

From a total of 44 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the five-day

race week, favorites won at a 30 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 55 percent of the wins. From 28 frays contested on the Pro-Ride

oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (25 percent), while two of the

16 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (12 percent).

The main oval was fairly consistent throughout the meet, with the only signs

of a bias occurring when outside horses seemed to have an edge. But this was not

a customary occurrence from what we saw.

The turf oval was kind to speed and early types, although many closers had

great success as well.

Meet Totals

RACES:		673
PRO-RIDE:		473
TURF:		200
FAVORITES:		223 (33 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		160 (24 percent)
TURF WIRE:		48 (24 percent)
PRO-RIDE WIRE:		97 (21 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (4/14)

1ST -- The well-bred CHAMP PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) was always in control

in here under Joe Talamo, taking command in early stretch and inching clear for

Richard Mandella. The four-year-old cold be a player right back with first-level

allowance foes.

6TH -- CONCORD POINT (Tapit) returned from a freshening to wire this field

for Bob Baffert, completing 6 1/2 furlongs in a useful 1:15 1/5. The promising

sophomore should not be written off yet, and we're anxious to see him to return

to dirt.

8TH -- E. P. BOMBAY (Prime Timber), in his first showing since the summer,

rolled home to a big win for conditioner Peter Miller, crossing the wire 8 1/4

lengths in front with Tyler Baze. We'll surely keep an eye on the gelding versus

starter allowance foes.

Thursday (4/15)

8TH -- MELON UP (Freespool) displayed good early speed and finished well

clear at the finish in this fine debut for conditioner Sean McCarthy. The

well-backed debuter went unclaimed and should be a prime player in her

subsequent start.

Friday (4/16)

3RD -- WYNNING RIDE (Candy Ride [Arg] dusted this field in her first start

since running at Saratoga in the summer for Baffert, striding clear to suggest

that she has much more to offer. The four-year-old should be stakes bound in her

return.

Saturday (4/17)

6TH -- BELIEVE IN HOPE (Thunder Gulch), last seen in the fall of 2008, came

back in fine fashion with a closing win for conditioner Ron Ellis. The

high-quality four-year-old is an exciting prospect to watch this summer.

10TH -- KEVLAR KID (Rock Hard Ten) just missed in a sharp first run for

crafty conditioner Carla Gaines. The gelded sophomore will not be a maiden for

long.

Sunday (4/18)

8TH -- Longtime Notebook favorite CAYAMBE (Helmsman) ran past a solid field

of mid-level claimers off a lengthy break, paying $62.60 in the process for

conditioner Victor Garcia. We sadly didn't play the hard-knocker.