Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 25, 2010

by John Mucciolo

A single graded dash headlined the week at Santa Anita.

Palos Verdes S. (G2): James and Marilyn Helzer's EUROEARS (Langfuhr)

left quite an impression in his West Coast debut with a scintillating,

front-running score in his debut for Bob Baffert. The chestnut smoked six

furlongs in a rapid 1:07 1/5 while never being threatened under Mike Smith.

Track Stats

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

the four-day race week, favorites won at a 32 percent clip and the top two

betting choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested on

the dirt oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (26 percent), while three

of the 11 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (27 percent).

Both ovals seemed just fine to us, but we are just a bit miffed that no

horses breaking from the rail won on the main oval over the past four racing

days.

While Bob Baffert has done it all meet long, it's time to get on the Barry

Abrams and Doug O' Neill bandwagons. Abrams can't miss lately after a very slow

start, while O' Neill is red hot with horses that are properly placed.

Meet Totals

RACES:                        

172

DIRT:                            

124

TURF:                           

48

FAVORITES:               

60 (35 percent)

2ND CHOICES:           

30 (17 percent)

TURF WIRE:                

12 (25 percent)

DIRT WIRE:                 

38 (31 percent)

Post Positions (wins)

RAIL:             13

1-3:               

56

4-6:               

52

7-out:            

16

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (1/20)

5TH -- ASPERITY (War Chant) exploded late to just get up in winning his

second straight since being claimed by John Sadler. The once stakes-quality

seven-year-old is in very good form and fits perfectly at this level.

7TH -- CRISIS OF SPIRIT (Vindication) had a ton of trouble in this race and

looks like she will be a very live runner in her next try for Baffert. The

four-year-old filly has a big turn of foot and should be stakes bound before

long.

Friday (1/21)

4TH -- LINDA LOU (Dixie Union) was passed but fought back valiantly to just

miss in a nice try for Richard Mandella. The sharp turf sprinter deserves a long

look next out wherever she ends up.

7TH -- DUBAI YOU X Y Z (E Dubai) put in another fine effort to win this and

has never run anything but a very good race for conditioner Mark Tsagalakis. The

four-year-old gelding came home in :23 2/5 and appears to be of stakes quality.

8TH -- FRIGID BRIDGET (Nucay) dueled through quick splits and kept on going

in posting a sharp maiden win for trainer Dan Hendricks. The improving sophomore

lass could probably negotiate more ground in the future and should be considered

a factor next out when facing allowance foes.

Saturday (1/22)

8TH -- WALLSTREETER (Street Cry [Ire]) was way back turning for home and in

trouble, but the three-year-old miss flew home in what could be a sign of things

to come for the improving Eoin Harty trainee.

9TH -- HOUT BAY (Harlan's Holiday) was always traveling well and really

looked the part late in a sharp debut tally under Joel Rosario. The Sadler pupil

could be any kind and has been one of the most impressive young fillies to race

at this meet thus far.

Sunday (1/23)

2ND -- TEN DEVILS (Rock Hard Ten) couldn't have endured a better trip, but

still hung late at short odds for Mandella while ultimately finishing second.

There is no doubting that the sophomore colt is talented, but we wouldn't settle

for a short price on him in the near future.

4TH -- JAX EL (Unusual Heat) opened up at odds-on and ran like it while

wiring this group for red-hot conditioner Abrams. The debuting four-year-old was

the easiest of winners in this one, and while this field wasn't much, we are

still very impressed with the ability this one displayed.

A Look Ahead

The Sunshine Millions takes the spotlight on Saturday, as Santa Anita plays

host to the $300,000 Distaff, $300,000 Turf and $200,000 Sprint. Sunday's

feature is the $250,000 Santa Monica H. (G1).