Faithfully, Holiday Movie among the horses to watch at Santa Anita

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

A single graded event topped the weekend of racing at Santa Anita.

Santa Ana S. (G2): Valor Ladies LLC’s TUTTIPAESI (Clodovil) commenced her run at the top of the lane and gamely got up by a neck for conditioner Bill Mott. A Gulfstream invader, the six-year-old mare went nine panels on the firm turf in 1:48 4/5 with Chris DeCarlo in the irons.

Track Stats

From a total of 37 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 24 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 51 percent of the wins. From 26 frays contested on the dirt oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (31 percent), while two of the 11 grassy runs this past week were taken in wire-to-wire fashion (18 percent).

The main oval appeared to change some over the weekend in our view. On Saturday, the first four winners lead throughout on the dirt, while Sunday looked like it was best for off-the-pace horses racing a path or two off the fence. Six of the eight wire-to-wire winners on the main strip occurred in sprint runs this past week.

Both of the grassy wire jobs came on Sunday – one in a route run and the other going down the hill.

Meet Totals

Races:		476
Dirt:		349
Turf:		127
Favorites:		176 (37%)
2nd Choices:		93 (19%)
Turf Wire:		24 (19%)
Dirt Wire:		97 (28%)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (3/24)

3RD – FAITHFULLY (Smart Strike) may not have topped the greatest field in this maiden score, but the Bob Baffert trainee left little doubt and looked good from a visual standpoint with a fast finish. The sophomore filly should only improve and be a surefire win player in her subsequent performance.

4^TH – Bruce Headley’s THE CAT’S LEAVIN (Cyclotron) was well bet in this debut run and we know why after the first timer ran the field off their respective feet. The five-year-old will likely stay protected next time and could be a decent earner with steady improvement.

6^TH – DIS SMART CAT (Square Eddie) forced a fast early pace and never stopped en route to a daylight win at first calling for conditioner Matt Chew. The three-year-old filly won for a barn not great with this kind so she might be a nice prospect going forward.

Friday (3/25)

2ND – YIANNIS (Midshipman) came up short in his return run off the layoff for trainer John Sadler, but the stakes winner still put in a fine effort and will only benefit from having one under his belt. We think the four-year-old could have a nice 2016 with steady growth.

4^TH – MAGICAL MYSTERY (Unbridled’s Song) had no chance with a very sharp winner, but the Baffert pupil showed good speed and improvement, and should graduate before long with races like this one.

Saturday (3/26)

1ST – EDZACTLY (Midnight Lute) did what he was supposed to do as the heavy favorite in the opener, but we really liked the gelding’s performance and envision a class rise for his comeback attempt.

Sunday (3/27)

7TH – UNCLE CHATO (Elusive Warning) shot to the lead nearing midstretch and closed best in a solid graduating run for trainer Mike Puype. The four-year-old gelding might have found a home on this course and we would expect him to be a player with winners next time.

8^TH – HOLIDAY MOVIE (Harlan’s Holiday) ran a nice and even race in a sprint debut and should be given a long look next time out for trainer James Cassidy. The sophomore was beaten by just three lengths following a wide voyage and she’ll probably appreciate more ground with added seasoning.

A Look Ahead

A pair of graded races will take place at Santa Anita this weekend. Saturday features the $100,000 San Simeon S. (G3) for turf sprinters going down the hill, while Sunday’s topper is the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (G3) for marathoners on the green.