Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

MARCH 3, 2010

by John Mucciolo

The lone scheduled graded race of the weekend, the Sham S. (G3) on Saturday,

was cancelled when Santa Anita did not conduct live racing due to inclement

weather and poor track conditions.

Track Stats

From a total of 33 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the four-day

race week, favorites won at a 42 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 73 percent of the wins. From 25 frays contested on the Pro-Ride

oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (28 percent), while six of the

eight grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (75 percent).

Early speed was completely dominant on Wednesday with five of the six

main-track races won in wire-to-wire fashion, something we haven't seen on this

synthetic surface in a long time, maybe ever. Track maintenance figured out the

problem we assume, as only two animals led at every call from the final 19 races

on the Pro-Ride during the week.

It was a very formful week as far as favorites and second choices coming

through, including the Friday card, which featured seven favored winners.

The turf was more than kind to early types, with six of the eight races on

the green won in wire-to-wire fashion.

Meet Totals

RACES:		370
PRO-RIDE:		272
TURF:		98
FAVORITES:		123 (33 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		87 (24 percent)
TURF WIRE:		25 (25 percent)
PRO-RIDE WIRE:		50 (18 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (2/24)

4TH -- UNDERGROUND (Indian Charlie) showed some early patience in here and it

paid dividends, as she rolled home late to a facile score. The oft-headstrong

filly could be maturing and it's only a matter of time before she factors in a

stakes race.

7TH -- EMMY DARLING (Graeme Hall) made short work of this stakes-caliber

field on the front end for John Sadler, stopping the teletimer in 1:15 1/5 for 6

1/2 furlongs on the main oval beneath Joel Rosario. The four-year-old will

surely be stakes bound in her next venture, and we will not overlook her.

Thursday (2/25)

5TH -- WARREN'S KONG (Ancient Art) led until late and finished a nice second

while facing elders in here for Jack Van Berg. While the runner-up did receive

10 pounds from the winner, it was still an encouraging showing for a sophomore

at this time of the season.

7TH -- BLAME THE WINE (Decarchy) continues to make the Notebook after another

score over this surface, getting up late under Omar Berrio. Trained by A C

Avila, the consistent five-year-old should merit respect in her return versus

similar, or slightly better.

Friday (2/26)

6TH -- MR HOT STUFF (Tiznow) has been fairly well backed for his last several

starts and never really factors for the win for Eoin Harty. The well-bred

four-year-old should not go off short against fields like this and he's often a

bet against if he does.

Sunday (2/28)

2ND -- JEHAN (Forest Wildcat) defeated a pretty solid field of fillies and

mares with ease in here under Garrett Gomez, signaling her readiness for a

graded test. The Mike Mitchell trainee zipped 6 1/2 furlongs in a swift 1:15 3/5

for a two-length tally.

4TH -- SENSATIONAL NEWS (Mr. Greeley) was impressive at first asking for

conditioner Richard Mandella, taking control in early stretch and striding clear

to a two-length score beneath Gomez. The four-year-old colt could be any type.

6TH -- SKY MARNI (Sky Mesa) makes the List yet again following another

last-to-first conquer on this day for A.C. Avila. The filly is the perfect

example of a horse who simply loves this oval, and she fires nearly every time.

We would not be afraid to back her with another class rise.

7TH -- It was good to see HAKA (Dynaformer) get back in the winner's circle

for trainer Christophe Clement after this tally. The once highly regarded filly

displayed a strong late kick under Rafael Bejarano and could be rounding into

her best form.

A Look Ahead

A super Saturday card awaits us at Santa Anita, led by the $750,000 Santa

Anita H. (G1). Along with the big one is a pair of Grade 1 events; the $250,000

Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) and the $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1).

The $150,000 Sham S. (G3), originally carded for last weekend, will also be

held on Saturday.