Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 2, 2006

by John Mucciolo

Closing week of the rich Oak Tree meet was headlined by California Cup Day on

Saturday, a series of 11 stakes events for the Golden State-breds. Also during

the week was a pair of graded stakes races that were contested over the lawn.

Las Palmas H. (G2): Aberguan Farm's BEAUTYANDTHEBEAST (GB) (Machiavellian) rallied boldly in the

stretch and had enough to hold off the on-coming Clinet (Ire) (Docksider) to

take this competitive feature. Chalk up another win for trainer/jockey combo

Neil Drysdale and Corey Nakatani in a graded grass feature, as the duo has

continued their meet-long success with another score. The winner quickened

noticeably in the lane and got the mile in a swift 1:33 1/5.

Morvich H. (G3): Deron Pearson and trainer James Cassidy's MOTH BALL (GB) (Royal Applause

[GB]) prevailed in here to the dismay of the betting public at odds of 33-1.

Piloted by Mike Baze, the gelded four-year-old ran by pacesetter Apalachee Tiger

(Tiger Ridge) late to earn his first graded win, finishing the about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in a sharp 1:11 3/5.

California Cup Recap: We won't have the time to dissect every race from Cal Cup Day, so our

congratulations go out to the connections behind all of the following winners: TEXCESS (In Excess [Ire]), ROMANCE IS DIANE (In Excess [Ire]), RIVER'S PRAYER

(Devon Lane), EPIC POWER (Epic Honor), FREESGOOD (Free House), DA STOOPS

(Distorted Humor), SPECIAL HEATHER (Truckee), SOMETHINABOUTLAURA (Dance Floor),

PHAR TO WIN (Avenue of Flags) and WIND WATER (Bold Badgett).

TRACK STATS

From a total of 45 races held over the Santa Anita racetrack, favorites won

at a 38 percent clip, and the top two betting choices combined for 46 percent of

the wins in closing week, par for the course for the entire meet. From 28 frays

contested on the main oval, just 21 percent of all winners won in wire-to-wire

fashion, while 24 percent of the 17 grassy tussles were taken all the way on the

lead.

Sunday was most helpful for horses coming from off the pace on the main

oval, as all six dirt contests were taken by late runners, while Wednesday was

"chalk" day, registering four favorites from eight contests (50 percent).

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (10/25)

8TH -- KEY LIME PIE (Bright Launch) broke through with her initial win in

style, drawing off to a 9 1/2-length score for trainer Chuck Peery. The

three-year-old miss was never asked for her best and should be plenty fit for

her return versus winners.

Thursday (10/26)

4TH -- GAME CAT (Gibson County) was just that in a tenacious debut win for

Laura Wohlers. The juvenile miss dueled through heated splits and fought off a

pair of challengers late, earning a respectable 81 BRIS Speed number for her

effort. A more sensible trip could yield a similar fate next out.

Friday (10/27)

4TH -- NEIMAN THE SAINT (Western Fame) dueled through wicked early splits and

cam up just a nose shy of the win at the wire. The sophomore colt earned a year

best 89 BRIS Speed number for his run, and was claimed out of the race by

trainer Scott Craigmyle.

Saturday (10/28)

7TH -- PIRATE'S DEPUTY (Bertrando) was last after six furlong, but closed

quite well in the stretch to finish a clear second in this one. The Emerald State

shipper could be expected to improve since switching to the Bob Baffert barn.

10TH -- The underrated RIVER'S PRAYER (Devon Lane) did the unexpected in

here, topping the sensational Cambiocorsa (Avenue of Flags) at her own game.

Breaking sharply beneath Clinton Potts for trainer Paula Capestro, the miss was

never seriously threatened in finishing off the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:12 1/5. With

Cozzene as the broodmare sire, the three-year-old should continue to relish the

green.

Sunday (10/29)

6TH -- Bruce Headley's OVERLY TEMPTING (In Excess [Ire]) registered a huge

debut, pulling away to a 7 1/4-length win under Alex Solis. The Cal-bred facing

open company got seven-eighths in a superb 1:22 3/5 and is likely headed for big

things. The filly earned a whopping 97 BRIS Speed number for her smart tally.