Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

APRIL 11, 2008

By John Mucciolo

The Colonel highlighted the week at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita Derby (G1): WinStar Farm's homebred COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) cemented himself as the top gun

out west with a fantastic finish in the feature of the day. The Eoin Harty

charge looked hopeless at the top of the lane but accelerated better than his

foes to earn his initial Grade 1 race and stamp himself a serious Kentucky Derby

(G1) candidate. Corey Nakatani powered home on the colt in 1:48 for nine

furlongs.

Arcadia H. (G2): Bienstock et al's DAYTONA (Ire) (Indian Ridge) didn't disappoint as the

4-5 choice in taking the field wire-to-wire in here beneath Alex Solis. The

talented four-year-old had a late threat from Hyperbaric (Sky Classic) but still

endured in the one-mile firm turf contest to finish in a brisk 1:33 for Dan Hendricks.

Potrero Grande H. (G2): Bill Boswell's GREG'S GOLD (Lake George) bid four wide approaching the final

turn and gamely held the favored Surf Cat (Sir Cat) at bay in the final stages

to grab this Grade 2 event for David Hofmans. Piloted by Victor Espinoza, the

seven-year-old gelding drilled 6 1/2 furlongs in a sharp 1:14 3/5.

Providencia S. (G2): MISSIT (GB) (Orpen) made good in her U.S. debut for Ben Cecil, wearing down

a clear Sweeter Still (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]) late en route to her first

graded tally. The sophomore miss traveled one mile on the lawn in 1:34 4/5 under

the guidance of Espinoza.

Las Flores H.: Warren Williamson's homebred TIZ ELEMENTAL (Cee's Tizzy) wore down early

leader Overly Tempting (In Excess [Ire]) and held off a game Glorified (Honour

and Glory) to win her second straight off the shelf for the white-hot Carla

Gaines. Espinoza was on this one too, as she finished up in 1:14

for 6 1/2 panels.

Track Stats

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

favorites won at a 38 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for

57 percent of the wins. From 28 frays contested on the Cushion Track, just three

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (11 percent), while six of the 16 grassy

tussles went all the way on the lead (38 percent).

The rail continues to be of no advantage over this main oval, as only three

runners from the innermost post won in 44 attempts. Three horses won in

wire-to-wire fashion on the Cushion Track over the past week, but none from

Saturday through Monday. Stalkers and outside paths has been the theme over this

surface, and it's been that way steadily since the inception of the meet.

From six grass events on Saturday, four winners led at every call. I'm still

not convinced that there is a bias on the green, it just seems that many of

these winners are the best or among the top runners in the field. With that

said, a little gate speed doesn't appear to be detrimental on the lawn.

Meet Totals

RACES:		613
DIRT:		429
TURF:		184
FAVORITES:		192 (31 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		117 (19 percent)
TURF WIRE:		40 (22 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		72 (17 percent)

Post Positions (wins)

RAIL:		62 (10 percent)
1-3:		196 (32 percent)
4-6:		229 (37 percent)
7-out:		189 (31 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (4/3)

7TH - BEHINDATTHEBAR (Forest Wildcat) was super impressive in this spot for

Todd Pletcher, proving that the synthetic oval is where he belongs. The talented

sophomore made a monstrous move turning for home and never slowed late. He could

be a real good one with additional seasoning.

Friday (4/4)

3RD - SOUTH COAST (Flying Continental) ran a courageous race in here for Marty

Jones and should be live in his subsequent effort. The five-year-old never got a breather on the front but still managed to finish well to remain

second by three-parts.

7TH - HIGH STANDARDS (High Brite) returned to his preferred surface and ran a

winning race in here, also for Marty Jones. The hard-luck loser dealt with

pressure throughout and was better than all but one on the wire.

Saturday (4/5)

7TH - GOLDEN BALLS (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) had to much to do inside the final

furlong but still closed well, and the four-year-old should be set up for a big

showing next out for James Cassidy. The colt ran his last quarter in a

blistering :22 3/5 under Brice Blanc.

8TH - PREMIUM QUALITY (Elusive Quality) did everything right but get down on

the wire at the right time in a tough loss for Janine Sahadi. The returning

sophomore, who hadn't been seen since the Del Mar meet, finished well in this

difficult heat and should win next out with a repeat of this performance.

Sunday (4/6)

4TH - The Richard Mandella-trained DECORATOR (Storm Cat) showed a bit of

class in dispatching of this group and she appears to have a bright future. The

sophomore filly has won back-to-back outings and completed the about 6 1/2 furlongs in

1:13 1/5 down the hill on this occasion; she'll likely meet stakes foes next out.

6TH - BOSTON CAT (High Yield) often settles for minor placings, but we're

willing to give the miss a pass in this race because she never got a chance to

settle under Richard Migliore. The filly possesses a good amount of talent and

won't be a maiden forever.

Monday (4/7)

8TH - ADHERE (Storm Boot) led at every call but the most important one in a

fine runner-up effort for trainer Michael Machowsky. The sophomore improved a good

deal in here and should be sitting on a win with minor gain.

A Look Ahead

The $100,000 Las Cienegas H. (G3) is the lone graded race over the weekend,

with fillies and mares going down the hill on Sunday.

Saturday's features are the $100,000 La Puente S. and the $75,000 Santa Lucia

H.