Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 6, 2013

by John Mucciolo

There were a quartet of graded races during the weekend at the Santa Anita

winter/spring meeting.

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

Again) dominated this race for a second straight year for conditioner Bob

Baffert, cruising home by 6 1/2 lengths under Mike Smith. The gelded

six-year-old lived up to his 1-20 odds by finishing the nine furlongs in 1:47

2/5.

Robert B. Lewis S. (G2): Gary and Mary West's FLASHBACK (Tapit) took

the lead soon after the break and was never challenged en route to a 6

1/4-length romp in this one under Julien Leparoux. The Bob Baffert trainee

remained unbeaten from two starts in completing the 1 1/16 miles on the fast

main oval in 1:42 4/5.

Strub S. (G2): Gary and Mary West's GUILT TRIP (Pulpit) capped a big

day for these owners with a 1 1/2-length tally in this one for Baffert. The

improving four-year-old colt clocked nine panels on the dirt in 1:48 4/5 beneath

Joe Talamo.

Arcadia S. (G2): Pozo de Luna's SUGGESTIVE BOY (Arg) (Easing Along)

got back to his winning ways in this turf test by blowing past his foes in the

lane on his way to a 2 1/2-length score with Talamo riding. The Ron McAnally

charge finished up one mile on the firm turf in a swift 1:32 3/5.

Track Stats

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

the past week, favorites won at a 44 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 65 percent of the wins. From 20 frays contested on the dirt

oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent), while two of the

14 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (14 percent).

A lot of betting favorites were successful this week, but it wasn't super

chalky as a slew of those winners were lukewarm betting choices.

Speed was very good once again on this surface with most dirt winners perched

on or close to the lead early on, but we also witnessed enough late runners

filling some exotics spots to say the main oval isn't overly biased as of late.

No horses breaking from the rail won on the dirt this week.

Of the two turf wire jobs, one came in a sprint and the other at one mile.

While this oval plays fairly almost always, a turn of foot is a nice thing to

have when racing on this lawn.

Meet Totals

RACES:		226
DIRT:		165
TURF:		61
FAVORITES:		84 (37 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		43 (19 percent)
TURF WIRE:		7 (11 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		38 (23 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (1/31)

1ST -- SWISS EMPEROR (Swiss Yodeler) remains a maiden after this one but has

run big in a few in a row, including a nice second in here, and has run well

enough to win despite falling short. We think the six-year-old breaks through

next time after facing a nice one in here.

4TH -- SAMURAI JESS (First Samurai) led early and held well late to be a fine

second at first asking in this one, in a field we thought was strong for the

level. Expect this four-year-old to have a big chance next time with even slight

improvement.

6TH -- We've been high on SUPER NINETY NINE (Pulpit) after his fine debut win

for conditioner Bob Baffert, and the talented sophomore prospect surely appears

to be of high quality following this facile allowance tally.

We still think CODE WEST (Lemon Drop Kid) can really run, and the colt should

only get better with more distance. The Baffert pupil has run into some real

nice ones, and he could be a sleeper from this loaded barn as the year

progresses.

Friday (2/1)

2ND -- HOUT BAY (Harlan's Holiday) was a bit unlucky in this one being

trapped along the inside for a good portion of the stretch in today's run, and

should be very live next time off the claim for Jeff Mullins. Put this

five-year-old mare in your watch list.

3RD -- We were surprised no claims were put in for PATRIOT'S VOYAGE (Awesome

Again) in this race, as the Baffert trainee was tons the best on the class drop.

Kept wide and in the clear throughout, the five-year-old went six panels in 1:09

2/5 and could simply be too good for this level.

Saturday (2/2)

1ST -- Baffert unveiled another intriguing sophomore in this race with TIZ

THE TRUTH (Tiznow), who made short work of this field in a sharp maiden tally.

The colt did get away with a pretty easy lead today, but it was the closing

quarter-mile in :23 2/5 that really caught the eye. The well-bred sort could be

a late bloomer.

9TH -- We were high on Suggestive Boy following his turf win in the summer at

Del Mar, but he never really progressed much while being placed in some curious

spots on a few different surfaces. The multiple Group 1 winner could be a

dynamic miler on the lawn and should possibly be kept in similar spots.

Sunday (2/3)

1ST -- MIA ISABEL (Echange Rate) has been in fine recent form and made pretty

easy work of this field in the stretch under Rafael Bejarano, drawing clear to a

facile win. The Doug O'Neill charge is adept on the dirt, turf and synthetic,

and is really going well right now.

3RD -- WHAT A SPOT (Arch) may not have beaten much, but the Tom Proctor pupil

was professional in victory and should only get better as she is bred to run

longer and perhaps on the lawn. Kin to two-time Grade 1 winner Coil, the

three-year-old filly could evolve into a nice one with seasoning.

A Look Ahead

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

upcoming at Santa Anita.