Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 30, 2013

by John Mucciolo

There was a single graded stakes race at Santa Anita over the weekend.

Autumn Miss S. (G3): Glen Hill Farm's homebred WISHING GATE (Indian Charlie)

was always well placed to the top of the lane and took command inside the final

furlong to post a convincing 1 1/4-length win under Gary Stevens. The talented

three-year-old endured one mile on the firm turf in 1:34 3/5 for conditioner Tom

Proctor.

Track Stats

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

the past week, favorites won at a 38 percent clip and the top two betting

choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 21 frays contested on the dirt

oval, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (43 percent), while two of the 13

grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (15 percent).

Early speed fared much better on the main oval this week, but we didn't think

there was any bias as a handful of winners on the dirt came from well off the

pace while wide. Last year for the Breeders' Cup, the main strip was very

speed-favoring, so we will keep an eye on how things shake out on Thursday.

Both turf wire jobs came in route races on Sunday, and each was a well-meant

favorite dominating from start to finish. Any type can win on this green.

Meet Totals

RACES:		179
DIRT:		114
TURF:		65
FAVORITES:		54 (30 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		38 (21 percent)
TURF WIRE:		6 (9 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		25 (22 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (10/24)

5TH -- TANQUERRAY (Good Journey) had just one horse beaten early on but came

home with a powerful rush to reel in a clear leader late under Corey Nakatani.

The four-year-old filly got her final quarter-mile in a swift :22 4/5 for this

level.

7TH -- We had a hunch that FANTICOLA (Silent Name) would thrive on the cut

back to sprinting and were proved right after the Mike Mitchell trainee held off

all comers late in a solid victory. The sophomore filly beat what we thought was

a decent field and will be a player next time if in with similar.

Friday (10/25)

4TH -- We were very surprised that no one put in a claim on KING MAYA

(Aldebaran) in this spot as the 1-10 favorite rolled home a fine graduate for

trainer Vladimir Cerin. We envision this one coming back with starter foes next

time and being a major player.

6TH -- The drop to this low level made a ton of sense for the Tim Yakteen-trained

AFFLICATION (Tiznow) as the four-year-old gelding owned this race from start to

finish. Piloted by Martin Garcia, the Kentucky-bred was 12 1/4 lengths clear

under the wire and is simply too good for this type when he's on his game.

Saturday (10/26)

4TH -- ACCOMODATION (Unusual Heat) was last to the turn for home in this

debut run for trainer Donald Warren, but the juvenile filly really turned it on

in late stretch to run down the 1-2 favorite and win going away under Julien

Leparoux. We had a fairly strong opinion of this field going into the race,

which only heightens our opinion on this miss.

7TH -- PRAYER BE MINE (Lucky Pulpit) was very professional in this debut run

under Rafael Bejarano, rating kindly and exploding turning for home in a strong

first run for conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The California-bred filly was no

surprise at the windows and could be a nice one going forward.

EUROCLYDON (Singletary) showed speed and stayed on well to miss third by a

just a length in a productive debut for Eoin Harty. The juvenile filly hails

from a barn that is much better with second timers, so we'll tab her as a major

player in her subsequent run with expected improvement.

Sunday (10/27)

5TH -- TIZ THE TRUTH (Tiznow) returns to this list following a second

straight tally for conditioner Bob Baffert. The three-year-old colt was dueling

up front through very swift splits but never wavered, opening up late in a

much-the-best showing. We expect this talented sort to be stakes bound next

time, and a major force into 2014.

A Look Ahead

The Breeders' Cup World Championships are upon us, as the two-day event will

take place on Friday and Saturday.

The Friday schedule will include the $2 million Distaff; $1 million Juvenile

Turf; $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf; $1 million Dirt Mile and the $500,000

Marathon.

Saturday will play host to nine Breeders' Cup events. The $5 million Classic

will lead the way and be supported by the $3 million Turf; $2 million Filly and

Mare Turf; $2 million Juvenile; $2 million Juvenile Fillies; $2 million Mile;

$1.5 million Sprint; $1 million Turf Sprint and the $1 million Filly and Mare

Sprint.

Good luck & enjoy the racing!