Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 19, 2011

by John Mucciolo

A quintet of graded events headlined the week at Santa Anita.

San Fernando S. (G2): Watson, Weitman and Pegram's INDIAN FIREWATER

(Indian Charlie) led throughout under Mike Smith, holding off a stubborn stalemate

to post a nose tally in this one for Bob Baffert. The dark bay four-year-old

endured 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 2/5 en route to his first graded victory.

Santa Ynez S. (G2): Suarez Racing's homebred CALIFORNIA NECTAR (Stormy Atlantic) led at every

call en route to earning her initial graded win for trainer Doug O' Neill. The

talented Cal-bred sophomore lass went seven-eighths on the main oval in 1:21 1/5

beneath the guidance of Pat Valenzuela.

San Marcos S. (G2): David and Jill Heerensperger's BOURBON BAY (Sligo Bay [Ire]) reeled in a

clear Champ Pegasus (Fusaichi Pegasus) inside the final furlong to remain

perfect on Santa Anita's lawn for conditioner Neil Drysdale. The five-year-old

gelding got 1 1/4 miles in 2:00 beneath Rafael Bejarano.

El Encino S. (G2): Arnold Zetcher's homebred ALWAYS A PRINCESS (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) finally

made the grade with an impressive, 3 1/2-length tally in this one for Baffert. The four-year-old

completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 2/5 while stamping

herself as a major force in this division. Bejarano rode the winner.

Sham S. (G3): Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred TAPIZAR (Tapit) served notice as a

three-year-old to watch with a convincing score in this event for conditioner

Steve Asmussen. The rapidly-improving colt was never headed beneath Garrett

Gomez in posting a 4 1/4-length win, getting 1 1/16 miles in 1:40 1/5.

Track Stats

From a total of 43 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 49 percent of the wins. From 29 frays contested on the dirt oval,

nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (31 percent), while one of the 14

grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (7 percent).

We thought the track played consistently for the duration of the week, giving

a chance to all styles of running. Saturday yielded four wire-to-wire winners on

the main oval, but they all made sense to us.

Closers had the best of it on the lawn after a few weeks where speed types

fared well. We have been a bit puzzled trying to handicap grass races so far,

and many big prices have been cashing in on the lawn.

Meet Totals

RACES:		138
DIRT:		101
TURF:		37
FAVORITES:		49 (35 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		22 (16 percent)
TURF WIRE:		9 (24 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		32 (32 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (1/13)

4TH -- ESPIRITO SANTO (Hennessy) took to the class drop with ease with a

fairly easy score off the bench for Eric Guillot, the second time this barn has

won with a similar drop at the meeting. The twice-raced four-year-old went

un-claimed and should be a big threat right back versus starter foes.

Friday (1/14)

4TH -- RECIPIENT (Point Given) was curiously dropped in for a $50,000 tag

following a closing third in a stakes event prior to this one, but the filly

showed that she is simply in good form, running clear to a two-length win in this

one. The sophomore miss was always in control and did not get claimed out of

this, somewhat surprisingly.

7TH -- In his first race since December 2009, SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike) took

command early and strode home a most impressive, 3 1/4-length allowance winner in

this one for O' Neill. The Grade 1-winning five-year-old, who was making

his dirt debut against a useful bunch, was only three ticks off the track mark

and looks to have a nice immediate future on the dirt, if patiently handled by

his outfit.

Saturday (1/15)

2ND -- MR. COMMMONS (Artie Schiller) made his second start a good one with a

resounding, 5 1/2-length win down the hillside turf course for conditioner John

Shirreffs. The about 6 1/2 furlongs was blitzed in a rapid 1:12 by the

three-year-old, who could have gone faster late if he had to with Smith in

the irons. The colt could be any kind of grass performer.

7TH -- In a game performance, SMOKEY LONESOME (Teton Forest) took his second

straight close race in holding off a pair of very nice runners in a multi-race

photo beneath Joe Talamo. The talented gelding has returned from a long break

and gotten back into top form for Art Sherman.

Sunday (1/16)

4TH -- DOUBLEDOWN ON TEN (Rock Hard Ten) was never getting to the top pair,

but the debuting colt was well clear of his nearest foe three lengths shy of the

winner and could have a nice future ahead of him for conditioner John Sadler.

The colt is meant to get a route of ground, so experience should be a big asset

for him.

8TH -- Blind Luck likely needed the race and should be commended for her nice

late run to be a clear second to an improving filly from a barn that simply

can't miss at the meeting. The champion filly got her final five-sixteenths in

:30 4/5, which should set her up well for her return.

Monday (1/17)

4TH -- Euro import GRANITE GIRL (GB) (Kyllachy) put in a fine run in U.S.

debut for conditioner Darrell Vienna, making a sustained move that commenced

midway down the back stretch and continued all the way to the wire under David

Flores. The bay four-year-old topped a clear leader who was quite game, and this

one could have a nice future.

A Look Ahead

The $150,000 Palos Verdes S. (G2) is the lone graded race scheduled for the

upcoming weekend.