Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 23, 2011

by John Mucciolo

Trainer Bob Baffert let loose one of his top three-year-old prospects over

the weekend.

San Vicente S. (G2): Fog City Stable and George Bolton's THE FACTOR

(War Front) made good on his 4-5 odds when wiring this field to pick up his

first stakes win for conditioner Bob Baffert. The impressive sophomore sped

seven-eighths on the wet-fast main oval in a a blazing 1:20 1/5 under Martin

Garcia.

Buena Vista H. (G2): Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss' homebred COZY ROSIE

(Pleasantly Perfect) made her four-year-old debut a winning one in coming home a

stylish winner in this test for John Sadler. The talented Kentucky-bred endured

one mile on the good lawn in 1:35 4/5 under the guidance of Mike Smith.

San Carlos S. (G2): Klein and Lebherz's SMILING TIGER (Hold That

Tiger) overcame a brutal start to get up late in a fine performance for trainer

Jeff Bonde. The multiple Grade 1 hero gave the field a few lengths at the start,

but it didn't matter as he proved his class in completing seven panels in a

scorching 1:20 1/5 with Joel Rosario.

San Luis Obispo S. (G2): Diamond A Racing and Vargas' homebred CHAMP

PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) reeled in Bourbon Bay (Sligo Bay [Ire]) in the final

strides to eclipse this event for trainer Richard Mandella. The five-year-old

Kentucky-bred endured 1 1/2-miles over the good turf in 2:31 2/5 with Rosario in

the irons.

La Habra S. (G3): Bilich, et al's CAMBINA (Ire) (Hawk Wing) stormed

home on the outside to get up late in taking this race for Bonde. The sophomore

filly, who was last after the opening half-mile, completed the about 6 1/2

furlongs over the good turf in 1:13 3/5 with Garrett Gomez in the irons.

Track Stats

From a total of 43 races held over the Arcadia racetrack during the five-day

race week, favorites won at a 46 percent clip and the top two betting choices

combined for 70 percent of the wins. From 36 frays contested on the dirt oval,

10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (28 percent), while none of the seven

grassy tussles went all the way on the lead.

The main strip was speed-favoring over the latter part of the week, as this

oval tends to get when precipitation hits the ground. Even if the winners

weren't wire jobs, it was most beneficial to be close early. Four wire-to-wire

winners came in on Sunday from nine races.

On the lawn, closers tended to have an edge on the good rated lawn. Speed was

a bit less advantageous, especially going down the hill from a few samples.

Outside posts contributed just four wins from the 36 main-track runs last

week.

Meet Totals

RACES:		319
DIRT:		232
TURF:		87
FAVORITES:		118 (37 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		62 (19 percent)
TURF WIRE:		17 (19 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		66 (28 percent)

Main Track Post Positions (wins):

RAIL:		29
1-3:		103
4-6:		93
7-out:		36

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (2/17)

2ND -- BULLDOGGER (Dixie Union) made a nice return in this one for Baffert,

rating kindly before putting away a red-hot leader inside the final furlong

under Martin Garcia. The talented four-year-old could evolve into one of the

better sprinters out west with steady improvement.

Friday (2/18)

6TH -- FRIGID BRIDGET (Nucay) put in a fine showing in her debut versus

winners, falling just a neck shy to a more seasoned favorite. The Dan Hendricks

trainee is surely one to watch next out.

7TH -- EXCELLENT NEWS (Rahy) had to need this one in her first since the

summer and will be a big win threat in her subsequent start against similar

foes.

Saturday (2/19)

2ND -- TRUCO (Stormy Jack) put in a valiant try against an odds-on horse who

has thrived at this meeting, finishing well clear in second on this day. The

Golden Gate shipper will be tough to deal with if he puts forth an effort as

good as this one in his next.

6TH -- The Carla Gaines-trained MILDLY OFFENSIVE (Sharp Humor) was much the

best in this one and appears to have a bright future. The debuter is a

three-quarters to Grade 2 winner It's No Joke and talented stakes star Keep

Laughing, and the three-year-old filly could turn into any type with seasoning.

7TH -- GALLATIN'S RUN (Alke) looked like an easy winner turning for home but

hit the proverbial wall late in a race that he likely needed off the shelf. The

Mitchell trainee should be tighter for his next outing and be tough to hold off

at this level.

Sunday (2/20)

7TH -- MAGGIE MCGOWAN (Salt Lake) was quite impressive at first asking in

this one for Doug O' Neill and could be a nice one going forward. The first

timer didn't top the deepest field of all time but looked like a professional

from the opening bell. We'll keep a close eye on the Cal-bred filly.

8TH -- We loved the race PREMIER PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) put forth in this

one when ultimately finishing third under Quinonez. The Grade 3 winner was close

to an blazing pace, ranged up to confront the clear leader nearing the top of

the stretch, and stayed on while being outpaced late in his dirt debut. We think

this colt has a very bright future.

Monday (2/21)

5TH -- The Baffert-trained HOORAYFORHOLLYWOOD (Storm Cat) broke alertly and

proved much the best late in a sharp debut score under Rafael Bejarano. The

well-bred sophomore smoked 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02 1/5 and could be any type as

he's bred to handle more ground.

A Look Ahead

There are no graded events this weekend at Santa Anita.