Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

by John Mucciolo

There were four graded tilts during the sixth week of racing at Santa Anita.

Las Virgenes S. (G1): Spendthrift Farm's CALLBACK (Street Sense) went right

to the front soon after the break and would never be passed on the way to a

half-length tally for trainer Bob Baffert. The talented three-year-old filly

endured one mile on the fast main surface in 1:36 4/5 with Martin Garcia in the

silks.

Palos Verdes S. (G2): Conquest Stables' CONQUEST TWO STEP (Two Step Salsa)

was slow out of the gate but picked up momentum in early stretch and ran down

the leaders en route to a 1 1/4-length tally for trainer Mark Casse. The

Florida-bred colt sped six panels on the fast main oval in 1:08 under the

guidance of Joe Talamo.

San Vicente S. (G2): Peachtree Stable's LORD NELSON (Pulpit) was unhurried

early on, got into position at the top of the lane and outgamed the short-priced

favorite in posting a neck decision beneath Rafael Bejarano. The Bob Baffert

pupil stopped the teletimer in 1:22 for seven-eighths on the fast dirt oval.

Arcadia S. (G2): Lanni, Donato and Youngblood's AVANZARE (Grand Reward)

tracked in second to early stretch, spurted to a clear lead shortly there after

and held all comers at bay in posting a one-length score under Gary Stevens. The

five-year-old gelding went one mile on the firm lawn in 1:34 for conditioner Tom

Proctor.

Track Stats

From a total of 33 races held over the Arcadia, California racetrack during

the past week, favorites won at a 39 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 58 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the dirt

oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (21 percent), while none of the

nine grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end.

Turf speed saw no runners lead at every call for the second straight week,

but we did see a few runners track close en route to victory, so the lawn might

be playing fairly overall.

Saturday yielded three of the five wire jobs on the main oval this week, but

horses from off the pace had a nice week on the dirt. A lot of smaller fields

makes it tough to make any claim about the oval favoring any type.

Meet Totals

RACES:		207
DIRT:		145
TURF:		62
FAVORITES:		81 (39 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		42 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE:		5 (8 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		33 (23 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (1/29)

2ND -- CONGRATS SEATTLE (Congrats) ranged up into contention at the top of

the lane and finished with good energy in a sharp runner-up performance, winding

up more than six lengths of third under the line. The sophomore gelding will be

tough right back with something similar to this showing.

3RD -- RATTATAPTAP (Tapit) showed a new style in busting out to the lead

early and rolling home a very sharp allowance heroine for conditioner Jeff Bonde.

The talented three-year-old filly has now run huge in two of three lifetime

outings and will likely be back with graded foes for her next assignment.

Friday (1/30)

2ND -- The Mark Glatt-trained NEXT RIGHT (Orientate) did everything right but

come out on top behind a class dropper who had a perfect pace set up in this

maiden heat. The five-year-old gelding will be a big player in his return with

even slight improvement off this run.

3RD -- We're not sure what PROSPECT PARK (Tapit) beat in posting his second

straight tally, but the Cliff Sise pupil surely looked the part and should be

given every chance this spring with some of the top sophomores on the coast. The

colt is getting good at the right time.

Saturday (1/31)

3RD -- YIANNIS (Midshipman) broke slow, rushed up to the lead and showed a

lot of heart in holding a stubborn foe at bay during the long stretch duel,

posting a debut win for trainer John Sadler. The very expensive sophomore could

be any kind going forward and could be better with a bit more ground.

5TH -- MARGIE'S MINUTE (Hard Spun) put in a very good effort to be third in

this turf test -- a race where three of the top four finishers sat in the last

three slots after the opening half mile. The four-year-old filly surely could be

the one next time with a more beneficial pace scenario going down the hill.

Sunday (2/1)

5TH -- CURLIN'S FOX (Curlin) was bet down to a miniscule 3-5 on the tote

board for this debut offering and the Carla Gaines trainee delivered a fine late

run to a first-out score. The three-year-old filly was game late in holding off

a foe and looked like a stakes-caliber filly in the process.

EMYVALE COURT (Stormy Atlantic) showed a big turn of foot and made the winner

work in the lane in a fine debut offering for trainer Tom Proctor. We expect

this one to win next time and have a nice season after finishing more than three

lengths clear of third.

6TH -- SIR SAMSON (Smart Strike) gave a fine account of himself in a race

where all of the attention has gone to the top pair. The Brian Koriner trainee

has run huge in two straight following a poor debut run and is evolving into a

very talented youngster.

A Look Ahead

Saturday will play host to a trio of big graded races at Santa Anita -- the

$500,000 San Antonio Stakes (G2), $200,000 Robert B Lewis Stakes (G2) and

$200,000 San Marcos Stakes (G2).