Santa Anita Notebook

From a total of 34 races held over the Arcadia, California racetrack,

favorites won at a 20 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for

41 percent of the wins for the week, down nearly 25 percent from the previous

week. From 24 frays contested on the main oval, 21 percent (5 of 24) of all

winners won in wire-to-wire fashion, while just three of the 10 grassy tussles

were taken all the way on the lead. Once again, being in the first flight on the

main oval was advantageous in order to win, but the track seemed fairer than

Week 1, while the grass course seemed more than fair top all running types once

again.

Meet totals for Santa Anita are as follows:

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (01/04)

3RD – ANGEL CRAFT (A P. Indy) likely won't be a maiden much longer for Neil

Drysdale. The four-year-old, making just her second career outing, closed well

on a good field and fell just short. The well-bred filly recorded a 90 BRIS

Speed number and could be stakes quality down the road, possibly on the lawn.

Friday (01/05)

4TH – HAPPY HONEY (With Approval) finished only fifth in here, but was the

only late runner to make up ground on the first flight in here. The Martin Jones

charge is improving steadily and has affinity for this surface, making her a

threat at square odds next out versus state-bred company. The three-year-old

earned a career best 84 BRIS Speed number in her first start since last May.

Saturday (01/06)

6TH – MIND THE MINISTER (Deputy Minister), while never getting to the winner,

was 3 1/4 lengths clear of his nearest pursuer in this good effort for Jeff

Mullins. The sophomore has now posted back-to-back runner-up finished sprinting

on the sod and may go long in his next try. The colt improved his BRIS Speed

number by 12 points when recording a 91 for this attempt.

Sunday (01/07)

2ND – RAGS TO RICHES (A.P. Indy) was most impressive in here for Todd Pletcher

assistant Michael McCarthy, drawing off in style after sweeping to the front

turning for home. The half-sister to Belmont S. (G1) winner Jazil (Seeking the

Gold) went seven-eighths in a solid 1:22 2/5 under Garret Gomez, earning a huge

104 BRIS Late Pace figure. Although it's likely way too early to begin talk of

this after just a maiden win, this filly looks like an ideal Kentucky Oaks (G1)

candidate.

A Look Ahead

Six stakes races will take place over the following week at

Santa Anita, four of which are Grade 2 events. On Saturday, the San Rafael S.

(G2) for three-year-olds going one mile and the San Fernando Breeders' Cup S.

(G2) for elders at 1 1/16 miles, take the headline. The Sunday feature is the El

Encino S. (G2) for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles, while the holiday card

on Monday brings us the Santa Ynez S. (G2) for sophomore fillies. Wednesday's

Impressive Luck H. down the Hillside Turf Course, and Friday's Paseana H., round

out the stakes action.