Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

APRIL 4, 2012

by John Mucciolo

A trio of the top sophomore fillies on the grounds went to battle this

weekend at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita Oaks (G1): Daniels et al's WILLA B AWESOME pounced on the

dueling leaders in mid-stretch and eked out a nose upset in this one for

conditioner Walther Solis. The chestnut sophomore endured 1 1/16 miles in 1:42

2/5 under the guidance of Martin Pedroza.

Track Stats

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

week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 54 percent of the wins. From 20 frays contested on the dirt, three

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (15 percent), while four of the 15 grassy

tussles went all the way on the lead (27 percent).

No horse went wire-to-wire on the main oval until Saturday, and only three

lead at every call for the entire week of racing. It seemed racing a bit wide,

and off the pace, was the best spot on the dirt oval.

Of the four wire jobs on the green, three of those came in downhill sprint

events. We like this turf and think it has played fairly for the majority of the

meeting.

Meet Totals

RACES:                    

519

DIRT:                        

349

TURF:                       

170

FAVORITES:            182

(35 percent)

2ND CHOICES:       109 (21 percent)

TURF WIRE:            33

(19 percent)

DIRT WIRE:            

108 (31 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (3/29)

7TH -- FIRE WITH FIRE, off the shelf since the fall, put in a strong effort

in this one for conditioner Neil Drysdale, just missing to a good one late. The

four-year-old gelding should be live right back for a hot barn.

BARNEY REBEL was a close third in a smart U.S. debut on this day for trainer

Dan Blacker, and has to be considered a win player next out, albeit at much

lower odds.

Friday (3/30)

1ST -- LINDA LOU made a spirited run to nearly catch a clear leader in the

lane on this day, falling just a head short. The seven-year-old mare is

inconsistent, yet more than capable on her best day.

Saturday (3/31)

7TH -- BOBINA put forth a superb maiden display in this one, drawing clear of

these to win going away at first asking for trainer A.C. Avila. The

three-year-old filly got a final quarter-mile in a swift :23 4/5, and could

really be any type.

10TH -- THE BLACK rallied well to be a good second in this contest, putting

in his third straight fine run for conditioner Doug O'Neill. The colt has been

as honest as they come as of late.

Sunday (4/1)

6TH -- The Mike Puype-trained BODIE GIRL had little trouble in wiring this

group, coming home in a solid :23 2/5 en route to the win. We're not sure what

the capable four-year-old topped in this one, but she has flashed quality on a

few occasions and might be rounding into peak form.

A Look Ahead

The Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby tops a big Saturday of racing at

Santa Anita. Also on tap is the Grade 2, $150,000 Potrero Grande Handicap and

Grade 3, $150,000 Providencia.