Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 17, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

Double-barreled stakes action was the order of

the day over the weekend at Santa Anita Park, as the fairer sex took center stage on

both days.

On Saturday in the La Canada S. (G2) for

four-year-old fillies going nine furlongs, TARLOW (Stormin Fever) gained the

lead shortly after the start from her inside post under jockey Patrick

Valenzuela and never looked back, posting a decisive two-length victory

over five rivals. On paper, the 1 1/8-mile distance seemed to be a bit beyond

her scope, but Tarlow, beautifully rated on the front end by Valenzuela, was

able to stave off a belated rally from runner-up Sweet Lips (Kris S.), the

Sunshine Millions Distaff S. winner, and register her initial stakes win.

A.P.

Adventure (A.P. Indy), the 4-5 favorite in the race, settled into a good

position down the backstretch toward the inside. She comfortably tracked the

pacesetter, but lacked the necessary punch in the stretch when called upon as

she drifted out while finishing third.

Later in the day in the Las Virgenes S. (G1) for three-year-old

fillies at a mile, SHARP LISA (Dixieland Band) was

a popular winner, outgaming a stubborn Memorette (Memo [Chi]) in deep stretch to

emerge victorious by three parts of length. Trained by Doug O'Neill, the winner

hopped into the air a bit at the break, but quickly recovered to stalk the pace

carved out by Charming Colleen (Charismatic). Sharp Lisa engaged that rival in

earnest on the far turn, as Memorette was asked for a bit more run as well.

As

the field turned home, the Las Virgenes was reduced to a virtual match race as

Charming Colleen began to give way. Although Memorette was able to secure a

half-length advantage, Sharp Lisa was undeterred, as she re-rallied to draw on

even terms with the runner-up and eventually edged away slowly in the final

yards.

On Sunday, the San Vicente S. (G2) lost some of

its glitter when Roman Ruler (Fusaichi Pegasus) was scratched due to chronic

foot problems. Bob Baffert went to his bench and FUSAICHI ROCK STAR (Wild

Wonder) proved to be an able replacement for his stablemate, scoring a

wire-to-wire upset victory under jockey David Flores. A long shot in a compact

field of four runners, Fusaichi Rock Star, who had not raced since October of

last year at Belmont Park, disputed the early pace from his rail post. He was

able to withstand constant pace pressure from both Kirkendahl (Menifee) and

even-money favorite Consolidator (Storm Cat) throughout, and still had enough

gas left in the tank to fend off Don't Get Mad (Stephen Got Even), the early

trailer who grabbed second late.

Later on the card, an extremely evenly-matched field of eight

runners gathered to contest the Santa Maria H. (G1) for older fillies and mares. Handicappers had a hard time deciding on a clear-cut favorite

and finally made Hollywood Story (Wild Rush), Star Parade (Arg) (Parade

Marshal) and Musical Chimes (In Excess [Ire]) co-favorites in the 1 1/16-mile feature.

However, none of the aforementioned runners were able to get the money as the relentless MISS LOREN (Arg) (Numerous) won by a nose in a tight photo by over an ultra-game Good

Student (Arg) (Louis Quatorze) in a thrilling stretch battle.

The winner was reserved off the early pace by jockey Jose Valdivia Jr.

down the backstretch. Good Student was the first to move as she tackled the

leader on the far turn as Miss Loren began to pick up the pace as well. The pair

were heads apart in midstretch and raced as a team to the finish, reaching the

wire on nearly even terms as Miss Loren eked out the win. Hollywood Story,

the actual favorite, was closing in along the inside in the stretch when Valenzuela was forced to steady and alter course as the leaders began

drifting toward the rail. An inquiry into the stretch run was conducted before

the stewards let the original order of finish stand and Hollywood Story was

forced to settle for third, beaten two lengths.

Rene Douglas holds a six-win lead over Tyler

Baze in the race for leading rider. Valenzuela has climbed into the top

five and now holds down the third spot as Jon Court and Victor Espinoza are

fourth and fifth, respectively.

O'Neill maintained his lead over Jeff

Mullins, with Richard Mandella a distant third. Baffert is in fourth with

John Sadler rounding out the top five.

No particular running style was advantageous on

the main track from Wednesday through Friday. Early speed dominated the Saturday

card, but it was not as pronounced on Sunday. The inside paths were definitely

the place to be on both weekend days. The turf course played uniformly all week.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (2/9)  

5TH - RED OPAL (Ire) (Flying Spur) was clearly a tad

short returning from a layoff. She stalked a lightning-quick pace and finished with

interest late. Should move forward in her second start off the shelf. Both of

her U.S. wins came traveling down the hill at Santa Anita.

7TH - SILVER TRAFFIC (Carson City) held gamely

while disputing the pace throughout. He tired slowly in the stretch, yielding late to

a perfect trip odds-on winning favorite dropping from a Grade 1 event.

Thursday (2/10)

1ST - GARFIELD PARK (Falstaff) was a good second in

a well-bet/well-meant career debut from low profile connections. He made a strong

middle move to gain the lead, weakened late under pressure and should benefit

from this initial outing. Bred top and bottom for a turf route.

2ND - HEAVY TRAFFIC (Elusive Quality) was a creditable

third off a long layoff. He raced a bit wide throughout, loomed a dangerous

presence in midstretch and weakened as his rustiness began to show.

Friday (2/11)

2ND - CHARISMATIC HEART (Charismatic) displayed

a one-paced

effort in her unveiling for trainer Clifford Sise Jr. Saddled with the rail post,

she might not have cared for the extremely sloppy nature of the track. Deserves

another look on a dry track and would benefit from added distance as well.

3RD - DEVOTED LOVER (Friendly Lover) showed vast

improvement while reuniting with jockey Espinoza on the drop. He won the pace

battle but lost the war to a fresh closer. He fits well at this level and doesn't need

to lead.

Saturday (2/12)

2ND - MAD OLYMPIAN (Olympio) was not disgraced in

making his career debut. He contested a strong pace for the class level while

racing three wide in the deeper part of the track. Bred for a sprint and to win

early in his career.

3RD - DEVIL BADGETT (Bold Badgett) failed to get

untracked off a freshening over an inside speed biased track that contained

moisture. May prefer dry dirt or turf.

Sunday (2/13)

8TH - MUSICAL CHIMES (In Excess [Ire]) failed to

sustain her bid late while racing in the deeper part of the track off a layoff.

Grade 1 turf winner may have been prepping for grass contests down the road.