Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 9, 2012

by John Mucciolo

Some of the top runners stabled in Southern California were seen this past

week at Santa Anita.

Robert B. Lewis S. (G2): J Paul Reddam's I'LL HAVE ANOTHER took the

lead approaching the final turn and was never threatened in the stretch in

posting a 2 3/4-length score for trainer Doug O' Neill. The 43-1 longshot went 1

1/16 miles in a sharp 1:40 4/5 en route to his first graded score. Mario

Gutierrez guided the Flower Alley colt home.

Strub S. (G2): B J Wright's ULTIMATE EAGLE proved that he's much more

than a turf horse with a dominating 7 1/4-length romp under Martin Pedroza. The

Mike Pender charge went nine furlongs in a strong 1:47.

Arcadia S. (G2): St. George Farm's MR. COMMONS proved his class once

again in posting a fine one-length tally in this spot for trainer John

Shirreffs. The ultra-talented four-year-old son of Artie Schiller went a mile on

the firm turf in a speedy 1:33 2/5 under Mike Smith.

San Antonio S. (G2): Diamond Pride LLC et al's GAME ON DUDE was back

early following a slow break, but got into the race soon thereafter and rallied

with a big run to take this race going away under regular rider Chantal

Sutherland. By Awesome Again, the multiple Grade 1-winning five-year-old gelding

sped 1 1/8 miles on the fast main oval in a solid 1:46 4/5 for conditioner Bob

Baffert.

Track Stats

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

week, favorites won at a 35 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested on the dirt, seven

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (30 percent), while three of the 11 grassy

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

Three runners led at every call on the lawn this week, with a pair coming in

route races and one in a grass sprint. A few that opened up big early leads

stayed on well late.

The main oval played pretty fairly once again this week, with speed surely

best on Sunday when four of the five winners on the main oval went wire-to-wire.

The lone exception was a 2-5 winner in the feature.

Meet Totals

RACES:		232
DIRT:		161
TURF:		71
FAVORITES:		79 (34 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		49 (21 percent)
TURF WIRE:		13 (18 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		50 (31 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (2/2)

4TH -- GENERATION OF LOVE was very game in this spot and defeated a few

runners we think have ability, so we'll tab the filly for a chance in her debut

with winners next time. The Bruce Headley charge has flashed good ability in

both career starts.

6TH -- Trainer Mike Mitchell may have made a nice claim on winner

SHESABIGBROAD in this one. The filly surely relished the return to dirt and will

be live next time if spotted properly.

8TH -- THE BLACK surely responded to the class drop in this one for O'Neill,

rolling home an 11 1/4-length winner in this spot. The sophomore colt likely

won't be in for a tag in the near future, and impressed by getting his final

furlong in :11 4/5 while hand ridden.

Friday (2/3)

2ND -- CANONIZE proved that he can really handle dirt in this authoritative

tally in here for trainer Ron Ellis. The capable six-year-old should not be

taken lightly going forward.

6TH -- IZZY RULES crushed what we thought was an interesting group in here,

and this five-year-old mare has never been anything close to this good in the

past. The Jeff Bonde charge has reeled off a trio of big wins in succession and

deserves a stakes chance in this current form cycle.

7TH -- LA SOMBRE was a comfortable winner in this spot in her second straight

fine showing sprinting down the hill for conditioner Brian Koriner. We consider

her another worthy of a stakes try next time.

Saturday (2/4)

8TH --Grade 1 hero JAYCITO (Victory Gallop) put in a strong race in his first

try since August. The colt showed improved early zip and stayed on well behind a

runaway winner for Baffert, ultimately finishing second. The four-year-old

should make a lot of noise on this circuit this campaign.

A Look Ahead

Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 San Marcos is the lone graded event this weekend

at Santa Anita.