Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

APRIL 2, 2014

by John Mucciolo

A single graded race topped the week at Santa Anita.

Tokyo City Cup (G3): Gallant Stable's MAJESTIC HARBOR (Rockport

Harbor) made a big move approaching the turn for home and poured it on through

the lane in a convincing three-length score for conditioner Sean McCarthy. The

six-year-old capped off 1 1/2 miles on the fast main oval in 2:29 4/5 under the

guidance of Tyler Baze.

Track Stats

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

past week, favorites won at a 35 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 65 percent of the wins. From 21 frays contested on the dirt oval,

six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (29 percent), while two of the 13 grassy

tilts were taken all the way on the front end (15 percent).

We thought both ovals played reasonably fairly all week, with speed on the

dirt best on Thursday when three of the five main-track races were taken all the

way by the early leader. But two of those winners were favored, so they made

sense, as well.

Keep an eye on the racing on the dirt this week with the Santa Anita Derby

upon us, as the oval often plays fast during the big days here. We might lean

toward favoring speed until proven otherwise this week.

Meet Totals

RACES:		506
DIRT:		338
TURF:		168
FAVORITES:		168 (33 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		123 (24 percent)
TURF WIRE:		37 (22 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		82 (24 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (3/27)

3RD -- DO SOME MAGIC (Bertrando) got the jump in the lane and held off a

pretty stern test late in a useful maiden run under Brice Blanc. The

four-year-old gelding came home pretty swiftly in this one in what we think will

be a key race.

UNUSUALLY GREEN (Unusual Heat) was a fine second from off the pace today and

just had the misfortune of running into a nice winner or he would be a graduate.

The Mike Puype trainee has really elevated his game from a pair of turf routes

as of late and he shouldn't be a maiden for long.

HEAT FLASH (Unusual Heat) was blocked for a while before shaking loose and

finishing a decent third behind a top pair we like some for conditioner Barry

Abrams, who has been cold at the meeting. This one could graduate next time with

a clear run.

5TH -- PUTAHEXONHER (Bellamy Road) might have defeated a very deep field in

this wire-to-wire romp, but the Eric Kruljac trainee looked really good in doing

so and we think this barn found a niche for the four-year-old filly.

Friday (3/28)

7TH -- PATHWAY TO YES (Yes It's True) ran off to another sharp win for

trainer Dan Blacker and the gelded sophomore could evolve into a stakes type

after showing a lot of promise to this point.

Saturday (3/29)

1ST -- BIG BREAK (Mr. Big) surely looked the part in this debut run and while

we have little idea what was in this field, trainer Art Sherman doesn't often

have his youngsters cranked up early on, so we'll keep an eye on the sophomore

miss.

3RD -- INDIAN SAFARI (Indian Charlie) overcame the tricky rail post at first

asking to dust this field in completing six panels in 1:09 2/5, racehorse time

for a debuter. The Mark Glatt-trained sophomore filly could be one to watch.

Sunday (3/30)

7TH -- FURY KAPCORI (Tiznow) returns to this list after a third straight

score on the main oval here, finishing up in a very solid time for conditioner

Jerry Hollendorfer once again. The in-form four-year-old should be graded stakes

bound very soon, if not next time.

8TH -- HEAR THE GHOST (Ghostzapper) looked good in his turf debut for

Hollendorfer in taking a lead late only to be outkicked in a runner-up showing.

The four-year-old also improved with the addition of blinkers and could be set

up for a win next time.

A Look Ahead

The Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby tops a big day of racing on

Saturday at Santa Anita. Also on tap is the Grade 1, $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks

and the Grade 3, $150,000 Providencia Stakes.