Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 15, 2012

by John Mucciolo

A single Grade 2 event highlighted the week at Santa Anita.

San Marcos S. (G2): Phil Cunningham's homebred SLIM SHADEY opened up a

healthy lead at the start and never looked back in posting a head victory in

this one for conditioner Simon Callaghan. The Euro import endured 1 1/4 miles on

the firm lawn in 2:01 4/5 beneath David Flores.

Track Stats

From a total of 35 races held over the Arcadia, California, racetrack during

the past week, favorites won at a 46 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 63 percent of the wins. From 22 frays contested on the

dirt, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (36 percent), while two of the

13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (15 percent).

We thought both ovals played fair this past week. Both of the turf wire jobs

came in route events.

Three of the four main-track races on Friday were taken in wire-to-wire

fashion.

Meet Totals

RACES:		267
DIRT:		183
TURF:		84
FAVORITES:		95 (36 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		55 (21 percent)
TURF WIRE:		15 (18 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		58 (32 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (2/9)

2ND -- FED BIZ stamped himself as a serious three-year-old to watch with this

facile allowance tally for conditioner Bob Baffert. The well-bred sophomore son

of Giant's Causeway was tons the best against these and should surely be graded

stakes bound with Rafael Bejarano.

6TH -- BENCH THE JUDGE easily topped a solid field for the level and appears

to be rounding back into his best form for trainer Doug O'Neill. The

five-year-old stakes winner will be tough even with a class rise next time.

7TH -- PRESSDAY put in a strong run in his U. S. debut in this run and looms

large next time for John Sadler. The five-year-old may also be dangerous with a

stretchout in trip in the near future.

8TH -- ROYAL MERIDIAN was a sharp third at first asking for Julio Canani, who

is not known for his prowess with first time starters. We'll tab the

late-blooming five-year-old for success next out.

Friday (2/10)

8TH -- MON COEUR made good first off the claim in a dominating win for

trainer Mike Chambers and the gelding could easily win right back, likely with

starter allowance foes.

Saturday (2/11)

3RD -- BODEMEISTER was tons the best in a pretty strong maiden field in this

spot, and the Baffert pupil could evolve into any kind. The sophomore Empire

Maker colt got his final quarter mile in a swift :23 4/5 and should face stakes

foes in his subsequent outing.

8TH -- SPECTACULAR SKY was much the best in a fairly strong allowance heat on

this day and the Marty Jones trainee could be one to watch going forward. We

believe that this one could stretch out with success if her connections opt to

go that route.

Sunday (2/12)

2ND -- PRINCESS ARABELLA could be any kind and romped to her second straight

easy win for Baffert. The sophomore Any Given Saturday filly was never asked in

this one and appears to have a limitless future.

6TH -- ABELLA surely looked the part in a fine tally second time out in this

one for trainer Thomas Blincoe. The four-year-old filly could evolve into a

stakes player with more seasoning.

A Look Ahead

A trio of Grade 2 races will be held this weekend at Santa Anita: Saturday's

Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Maria; Grade 2, $150,000 San Vicente on Sunday; and the

Grade 2, $150,000 Buena Vista on President's Day.