Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

MARCH 6, 2013

by John Mucciolo

There was a trio of Grade 1 races over the signature weekend of racing at

Santa Anita.

Santa Anita H. (G1): Diamond Pride et al's GAME ON DUDE (Awesome

Again) was sent to the front early and extended his lead at nearly every call in

dominating this field for trainer Bob Baffert. The gelded Florida-bred finished

7 3/4 lengths clear at the finish under Mike Smith and clocked 1 1/4 miles on

the fast main strip in 2:00 to win this race for a second time. He's now posted

three consecutive convincing victories since faltering as the 6-5 favorite in

the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1): Pozo de Luna's SUGGESTIVE BOY (Easing

Along) won his second straight graded race on this turf, gamely holding off a

stern late challenge for conditioner Ron McAnally. The accomplished

five-year-old was a nose clear on the line and completed one mile on the firm

lawn in a sparkling 1:32 4/5 beneath Joe Talamo.

Las Virgenes S. (G1): B. Wayne Hughes' champion BEHOLDER (Henny

Hughes) assumed an easy lead soon after the start and never looked back en route

to a 3 3/4-length score under Garrett Gomez. The Richard Mandella trainee went

one mile in 1:36 over the fast main oval and was never seriously challenged.

Track Stats

From a total of 36 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the

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

combined for 50 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested on the dirt oval,

eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent), while four of the 13

grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (31 percent).

Speed was once again good on the lawn, a trend that has continued for four

weeks running. Of the four wire jobs on the lawn, two came each in sprint and

route events.

Four second choices won on the Thursday card, then not another came through

over the final three days of racing here.

We thought the main oval played to speed pretty well expect for Sunday, when

closing types ruled the dirt races.

Meet Totals

RACES:		376
DIRT:		261
TURF:		115
FAVORITES:		129 (34 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		72 (19 percent)
TURF WIRE:		24 (21 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		64 (25 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (2/28)

2ND -- TARAN TARAN (Broken Vow) was last after six furlongs in this one but

made a nice late run and finished clear in fourth in a decent debut for Baffert.

The sophomore colt should move forward next time and appears capable of running

at least this long going forward. We also think this one might be a useful

player on the grass if he's pointed in that direction.

5TH -- BABY BLAKE (Lion Heart) came off of a sprint second going down the

hill to a big second at a mile in here, just missing when nearly reeling in a

wire-to-wire winner. The Michael Pender charge got his final quarter-mile in a

snappy :23, and should be kept at this trip.

7TH -- TIGAH (Dalakhani) made a big late run from off the pace and finished

second off the long layoff in here, more than four lengths clear of his nearest

foe. The John Sadler pupil should move forward second off the pine, and we

expect to see him in some stakes races in what could be a nice season for the

five-year-old.

Friday (3/1)

2ND -- In his first start since May, OLIVER'S TALE (E Dubai) came back with a

vengeance, leading through sizzling early splits and powering home in a most

impressive score under Orlando Mojica. The Mark Tsagalakis-trained colt earned a

whopping 104 BRIS Speed figure and could be any type after just two lifetime

races.

6TH -- FOLLINI (Western Fame) led soon after the start and stayed on well

late to be a very nice second in this debut run for conditioner Mark Glatt. The

California-bred colt was 5 1/2 lengths clear of third in this spot and will be a

major player in his return with something similar to this one.

8TH -- Trainer James Cassidy may have gotten a very good one when claiming

first time starter A DROP DEAD DIVA (Henny Hughes) out of this, as the filly

rolled to an emphatic 8 1/2-length romp. The sophomore filly was tons the best

here and should be a major force with starter allowance foes next time, assuming

that is where she gets placed.

Saturday (3/2)

6TH -- We weren't sure how seriously to take the Bob Baffert-trained

FIFTYSHADESOFHAY (Pulpit) following her easy win on a wet track last time, but

the vastly improved sort ran big in second on this occasion and seems to be

peaking right now.

8TH -- ZACKN'MAT (Northern Afleet) made a big late run from last to be a nice

third in this one, his second straight race with a nice closing kick. Expect

this one to run his best next time, third off the long layoff for trainer Jeff

Mullins.

9TH -- FED BIZ (Giant's Causeway) ran very well we thought to be third in

this deep field and the Baffert trainee may have found that his future could be

on the lawn.

A Look Ahead

The Grade 2, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes on Saturday is the top draw this

weekend at "The Great Race Place." Sunday will play host to the Grade 3,

$100,000 Las Flores Stakes for fillies and mares sprinting on the main oval.