Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

APRIL 14, 2011

by John Mucciolo

A rising sophomore prospect topped a huge Saturday card at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita Derby: Arnold Zetcher's homebred MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE

overcame some minor trouble to make a huge jump from maiden to Grade 1 winner in

this one for conditioner Bob Baffert. The rapidly improving colt traveled 1 1/8

miles in a solid 1:48 3/5 Victor Espinoza to register the head tally. On to

Kentucky with this nice prospect!

Aracdia Stakes: Dugan et al's LIBERIAN FREIGHTER acted up before the

start, but it had no ill effects in here as the Neil Drysdale trainee led at

every call in an upset score. The six-year-old gelding completed the one-mile

grass test in 1:34 2/5 under Martin Garcia.

Providencia Stakes: Cline et al's CAMBINA exuded class once again in

gamely posting a three-quarters of a length score in this affair for trainer

Jeff Bonde. The mega-talented three-year-old filly endured 1 1/8 miles on the

firm grass in 1:47 1/5 beneath Garrett Gomez.

Las Cienegas Stakes: Suarez Racing Inc.'s SEPARATE FOREST jumped to

the early lead and gamely held on to upset this field for Doug O' Neill. The

former claimer blitzed the about 6 1/2 furlongs in a speedy 1:12 3/5 in posting

her first stakes win. Pat Valenzuela guided the rising star.

Track Stats

From a total of 36 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the four-day

race week, favorites won at a 42 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 19 frays contested on the dirt oval,

three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (16 percent), while six of the 17

grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (35 percent).

For three weeks in succession, the main oval is favoring horses

pressing/stalking the pace and coming from behind. Just a trio of runners led at

every call on the main strip this week; two of those were odds-on slam dunks and

the other beat a field of maiden claimers that might remain that way for a long

time.

The turf oval saw six winners go wire-to-wire, more than we have seen for the

entire meeting. Many of the winners were unopposed early, but it still bucks the

trend somewhat of what we have been witnessing in previous weeks.

Meet Totals

RACES:		572
DIRT:		408
TURF:		164
FAVORITES:		213 (37 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		116 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE:		32 (19 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		106 (26 percent)

Main Track Post Positions (wins):

RAIL:		46
1-3:		159
4-6:		171
7-out:		78

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (4/7)

2ND -- CHOCOLATE CALIENTE showed excellent speed before tiring to third in

her first start versus winners and the Jerry Hollendorfer charge, who dominated

in her debut, should be a big factor next out.

5TH -- The classy SEBASTIAN FLYTE was visually impressive winner in a fine

allowance tally over a stakes-quality field in here and the four-year-old seems

poised for a nice summer for Ben Cecil. He got his final three-eighths in a

swift :35 1/5 on this day.

8TH -- Mike Puype closed out the card with his second winner in the

late-running DISTANT GLOW, who blew past this field inside the final furlong.

The sophomore filly looms a threat versus winners right back.

Friday (4/8)

3RD -- The Kathy Walsh-trained STAR DANCE M D dropped into the maiden

claiming ranks and powered past this field in the lane in a fine winning

display. The three-year-old will likely not be back in for a tag next out, but

if he is, he'll be super tough.

6TH -- Puype sent out another winner during this fine week for the

conditioner, this one in the front-running HAGIBIS, who was never challenged

here. The sophomore ridgling will be an obvious player in his return try.

Saturday (4/9)

2ND -- CIRCLE THE MOON ran in second behind an odds-on winner throughout at

first call for Bruce Headley, and we expect the three-year-old gelding to be a

major factor next out.

We'll also give third-place debuter DR. BALLENGER a big chance next out, for

a barn that is better with second-time starters.

6TH -- OFF THE WALL is starting to live up to the promise he showed as a

youngster with his second straight score for Headley. The five-year-old toppled

a useful group in this one while proving to be push-button.

POSITION A lost all chance when bobbling at the break from the rail, but

rallied bravely to be fourth in a sneaky good showing. The gelded five-year-old

will be a big factor next out with a clean break after being claimed by Bill

Spawr.

8TH -- KEVLAR KID ran a big one when well clear in second here in a fine

allowance try for Carla Gaines. The improving four-year-old clearly wants to run

two turns and could evolve into a stakes runner with a bit more seasoning.

9TH -- Euro import WHISPER LOUISE was clearly second best behind a superb

filly in her first try for James Cassidy and the expensive lass appears to have

a very bright future.

A Look Ahead

Saturday plays host to the $150,000, Grade 2 Santa Barabara and $100,000,

Grade 3 San Simeon, while closing Sunday will feature the $150,000, Grade 2 San

Juan Capistrano.