Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 28, 2015

by John Mucciolo

There were no graded tilts during the fifth week of racing at Santa Anita.

Track Stats

From a total of 27 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the

past week, favorites won at a 37 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 63 percent of the wins. From 17 frays contested on the dirt oval,

two animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (12 percent), while none of the 10

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

Speed was not dominant by any means on the main oval, but laying close early

was still a good ingredient over the dirt strip.

After a week with big results for early runners on the lawn, things got back

to normal as late runners had the majority of the success on the green.

Meet Totals

RACES:		174
DIRT:		121
TURF:		53
FAVORITES:		68 (39 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		36 (21 percent)
TURF WIRE:		5 (9 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		28 (23 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Friday (1/23)

2ND -- CONQUEST SUPERSTEP (Super Saver) did have a perfect trip tracking a

slow pace, but we loved the way the Mark Casse trainee leveled off late and

increased her edge inside the final furlong. The sophomore filly has a lot of

potential and could likely handle any surface thrown her way.

8TH -- FABULOUS FIT (Marino Marini) broke slowest but soon got to the front

and rolled home a fine winner in this dash for conditioner James Cassidy. The

six-year-old mare showed little-to-no rust after being unraced in more than two

years, and she could be any kind going forward if properly placed.

Saturday (1/24)

2ND -- PROHIBITION REPEAL (Benchmark) wad done in by a poor start from the

rail which cost her all chance at the win, yet the Eric Kruljac charge put in a

nice run in the lane and just missed second while well clear of third. We will

tab the gelding to get the job done next time if in a similar of lesser spot.

3RD -- FOREST CHATTER (Dixie Chatter) followed up a huge maiden tally with a

fine score in this run for Richard Mandella, winning with authority under Mike

Smith. The four-year-old gelding will likely be stakes bound with further

development.

7TH -- We tabbed GO WEST MARIE (Western Fame) in this dash following her

superb route turf win most recently and she delivered with a huge late run en

route to a fine stakes tally for conditioner Eddie Truman. The peaking

four-year-old loves this venue and has surely never been better.

10TH -- POWERFUL GIRL (Marino Marini) made a sweeping move to take a nice

edge in the lane and just missed to a class dropper in a fine effort for trainer

Hector Palma. The sophomore filly was more than two lengths clear of her nearest

foe and should be graduating before long with improvement.

Sunday (1/25)

4TH -- We liked WHY TWO (Bob and John) in this heat following a tardy

beginning and late run in his debut, and the Mike Machowsky trainee delivered

with a big run to graduate over a field we thought was solid. The sophomore colt

could improve going longer and is one to watch going forward this spring.

6TH -- Euro import PRIZE EXHIBIT (GB) (Showcasing [GB]) made a fine start to

her sophomore season and could be a major player in the turf stakes for

three-year-old fillies this season. The James Cassidy charge has run a pair of

nice ones on U.S. soil and we wouldn't take her lightly.

9TH -- Bob Baffert's SUM MIDNIGHT STAR (Midnight Lute) surely appreciated the

drop down in with claiming foes in this spot with a superb score to close out

the weekend. The four-year-old came home fast and should be very tough with

starter foes in his likely next outing.

A Look Ahead

Four graded races will take place at Santa Anita this weekend. Saturday plays

host to a trio -- $300,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (G1), $200,000 Palos Verdes

Stakes (G2) and $200,000 Arcadia Stakes (G2). Sunday's headliner is the $200,000

San Vicente Stakes (G2) for three-year-olds and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1)

winner Texas Red (Afleet Alex) is expected to make his 2015 bow in the

seven-furlong test.