Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

APRIL 18, 2012

by John Mucciolo

There were no graded races this week at Santa Anita.

Track Stats

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

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

choices combined for 57 percent of the wins. From 27 frays contested on the

dirt, 12 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (44 percent), while one of the

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

With the racing washed off the turf for the Friday and Saturday cards, speed

was strong over those two days, with nine wire-to-wire winners from 17 races.

Expect a lot of horses returning on short rest for the final week, as well as

many who are live at the claim box.

Meet Totals

RACES:		588
DIRT:		398
TURF:		190
FAVORITES:		214 (36 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		125 (21 percent)
TURF WIRE:		37 (19 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		124 (31 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (4/12)

1ST -- The Bruce Headley-trained OCTANE dueled for the lead, got an edge

turning for home and gamely stayed on in a sharp maiden conquer in a fast time.

The five-year-old beat what we thought was a few good ones in this spot and

surely could win right back.

7TH -- ACHILLES followed up a fine maiden tally with another score in this

one, tracking the pace and gradually edging clear in the lane for conditioner

Neil Drysdale. The unbeaten sophomore Smart Strike colt should have a stakes

start upcoming.

Friday (4/13)

3RD -- SWEET NECTAR battled on gamely and was a good second in this one under

Jose Valdivia Jr. The sophomore miss has run big in both lifetime tries and must

be considered wherever she lands next time.

6TH -- NOBLE KENT finished more than 17 lengths clear of third as the

runner-up in this one and will likely graduate before long for trainer Dan

Hendricks.

7TH -- BOBINA could evolve into a real good one for conditioner A.C. Avila,

after proving her versatility in winning on the dirt in here. The talented

sophomore Malibu Moon filly could really be any kind and shouldn't be taken for

granted.

Saturday (4/14)

5TH -- CALLED TO SERVE turned it around in a big way in this spot for trainer

Peter Eurton, rolling home late in a visually impressive late run. The gelded

sophomore could be one to watch and his price could be decent next time.

Sunday (4/15)

7TH -- OBVIOUSLY followed up a big try in his U.S. debut with a solid

allowance score in this one for conditioner Mike Mitchell. The gelded

four-year-old held off a threat late and appears to be of stakes quality.

CLUBHOUSE RIDE put in his second straight strong late run going down the hill

and could be carving out a niche for himself for Craig Lewis.

A Look Ahead

Closing week is upon us at "The Great Race Place" and a trio of graded runs

are carded this weekend. Saturday plays host to the Grade 2, $150,000 Santa

Barbara Handicap and Grade 3, $100,000 San Simeon Handicap, while the

closing-day feature is the Grade 2, $150,000 San Juan Capistrano Handicap.