Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

MARCH 22, 2008

by John Mucciolo

GEORGIE BOY (Tribal Rule) made good in his two-turn debut to headline the

week at Santa Anita.

San Felipe S. (G2): George Schwary's Georgie Boy had to rate behind a

wall of runners until early stretch, but the synthetic star got his room and

closed best of all in posting an impressive, three-quarters of a length victory

for trainer Kathy Walsh. Piloted for the initial time by Mike Baze, the Grade

1-winning sophomore finished off 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 1/5 to run his win streak

to four. He'll pick up a new rider in Kent Desormeaux in the April 5 Santa Anita

Derby (G1).

Crystal Water H.: K K Sangara's CELTIC DREAMIN (Game Plan) made a big

run while widest of all turning for home and stayed on to gamely take his turf

debut for Rafael Becerra. The ever-consistent four-year-old clocked on mile on

the firm lawn in 1:34 under Alex Solis.

Pasadena S.: B. J. Wright's POLONIUS (Broken Vow) left little doubt in

this one with a facile, four-length wire job in here. The talented bay shot to

the front and easily drew off when asked, reaching the wire in 1:34 for the

one-mile turf fray beneath Jon Court.

Irish O'Brien S.: David Abrams et al's LIGHTMYFIREBABY (Unusual Heat)

joined the rapidly going list of stakes winners by his sire in California with a

game win in this one for Barry Abrams. The improving mare was always in the

right spot while traveling well, and closed best of all, going about 6 1/2

furlongs down the hill in 1:13 under the guidance of Chantal Sutherland.

Track Stats

From a total of 44 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the week,

favorites won at a 39 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for

57 percent of the wins. From 33 frays contested on the Cushion Track, seven

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (21 percent), while two of the 11 grassy

tussles went all the way on the lead (21 percent).

It was chalky for the first three days of the week, when 15 favorites won the

first 26 races. Sunday and Monday turned out to be much more difficult for

handicappers, as only two top betting choices won from 18 events.

Middle and outside posts appeared to be at a slight advantage early in the

week, with only five winners breaking from the inside three slots through 26

races at the conclusion of Friday.

The first four races on Monday, three of which were on the main oval, were

taken all the way on the lead.

Meet Totals

RACES: 481

DIRT: 345

TURF: 136

FAVORITES: 135 (28 percent)

2ND CHOICES: 88 (18 percent)

TURF WIRE: 23 (17 percent)

DIRT WIRE: 62 (18 percent)

Post Positions (wins):

RAIL: 49 (10 percent)

1-3: 156 (32 percent)

4-6: 179 (37 percent)

7-out: 147 (31 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (3/13)

6TH -- We tabbed SEVEN POINT ONE (Richter Scale) following his recent

second-place effort off the long layoff, and the Vladimir Cerin charge made us

look good with a dominant effort on this occasion. The five-year-old gelding got

seven panels in a sharp 1:21 4/5 and should be ultra tough in his next, which

could (and should) be a starter allowance.

8TH -- ROMANCE IS ZENON (Fusaichi Zenon [Jpn]), a half-brother to Grade 1

queen Romance is Diane (In Excess [Ire]), split foes in midstretch and got up

late to break his maiden under Aaron Gryder. The three-year-old is far from the

fastest animal on the grounds, but he may come to hand throughout the summer and

should be able to negotiate two turns.

Friday (3/14)

7TH -- MOSTACOLLI MORT (Hold for Gold) was much the best in here and may have

a bright future on the synthetic for Julio Canani. The talented four-year-old

looked especially good when dusting his overmatched foes late, getting nine

panels in a useful 1:48 3/5 beneath Tyler Baze.

Saturday (3/15)

4TH -- DON'T YA LOVETT (NZ) (Lord Ballina) took a ton of money and here and

deservedly so, as the nine-year-old dominated late for Melody Conlon. The

gelding could turn out to be a smart claim for Jack Carava.

8TH -- Polonius was awesome in here and appears to have a big future Michael

Pender. The well-bred sophomore was fast early and never slowed down in leaving

little doubt in here. The colt has tons of options and just might try the Santa

Anita Derby next out.

E Z DREAMER (In Excess [Ire]) had good tactical speed and showed willingness

late for conditioner Dan McFarlane. While the stakes-winning colt had no chance

with the winner, he did really well to get a placing and could be a big threat

right back.

Monday (3/17)

3RD -- CHATTAHOOCHEE WAR (War Chant) couldn't have looked much better for

Bobby Frankel in this scintillating, 3 1/4-length romp over a proven cast. The

lightly-raced six-year-old could be an absolute force on the West Coast all

summer if he stays healthy. Under David Flores, the winner went 1 1/8 grassy

miles in a fast 1:46 3/5.

6TH -- CARONA TIME (Malek [Chi]) battled back gamely in the lane after being

passed and shouldn't be a maiden for much longer. The Dan Hendricks charge is in

a positive form cycle and should stick with route races.

8TH -- PUFF MADDIE (Yankee Gentleman) flew home to top a decent field in the

finale on Monday for trainer John Shirreffs. The second-time starter showed

marked improvement from her initial try and could improve more for a smart

outfit.

A Look Ahead

A pair of graded events will take place in the upcoming week at The Great

Race Place. Saturday's feature is the $200,000 San Luis Rey H. (G2), for turf

marathoners traveling 1 1/2 miles.

The females take the spotlight on Sunday in the nine-furlong, $150,000 Santa

Ana H. (G2) on the lawn.