Main track plays favorably, Tuscany Beauty stamps herself as one to watch at Santa Anita
TwinSpires logo
March 22nd, 2016
SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
A pair of graded events topped the weekend racing at Santa Anita.
Santa Margarita H. (G1): Stonestreet Stables’ homebred TARA’S TANGO (Unbridled’s Song) moved into major contention nearing midstretch and inched clear late in securing a one-length victory with Rafael Bejarano. The four-year-old filly clocked nine panels on the fast main oval in 1:50 2/5 for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
Las Flores (G3): Kaleem Shah’s FANTASTIC STYLE (Harlan’s Holiday) force the pace to the top of the lane, opened up a nice edge in early stretch and powered home a convincing four-length winner for conditioner Bob Baffert. The sharp four-year-old sped six panels on the fast main oval in 1:08 3/5 with Bejarano.
Track Stats
From a total of 36 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 42 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 67 percent of the wins. From 23 frays contested on the dirt oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (30 percent), while three of the 13 grassy runs this past week were taken on the lead (23 percent).
Of the trio of turf wire jobs, two came in route races and one in a downhill dash, both occurring over the weekend. The turf course has played kindly to all types for the better part of the meeting.
Early speed was not a big edge on the dirt this past week, with all but one of the wire-to-wire winners coming home in sprint events.
Meet Totals
|
Races: |
|
439 |
|
Dirt: |
|
323 |
|
Turf: |
|
116 |
|
Favorites: |
|
167 (38%) |
|
2nd Choices: |
|
83 (19%) |
|
Turf Wire: |
|
83 (19%) |
|
Dirt Wire: |
|
89 (28%) |
|
|
|
|
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/17)
1ST – TWIRLING TIGER (Twirling Candy) made a nice late run to be second in this opener and may turn out to be a useful claim for conditioner Tim Yakteen. The gelded three-year-old doesn’t have an affinity for the wire but seemingly always fires and is right there late.
7TH – MADAME MOUSSE (The Pamplemousse) was not getting to the winner late, but the runner-up was well clear of third and showed nice improvement off of her last effort. The Mike Machowsky trainee looks like she can handle this lawn and rates a nice chance next time with a forward move off this try.
Friday (3/18)
5TH – BROWN’S BABY BOY (Big Brown) got off slowly but did put in a big late run to be a solid second in his debut run. The sophomore colt ran big for a conditioner who is not great first out, so we imagine he’ll be a player next time with expected improvement.
6TH – BELLEMENTARY (Bellamy Road) remained unbeaten from a trio of lifetime tries after this sharp win off the bench for conditioner Phil d’Amato. The three-year-old miss has won from off the pace and on the lead, going short or two turns, and we love her versatility.
Saturday (3/19)
2ND – SMOOVE IT (Square Eddie) got back in form in a big way, posting a runaway tally in the lane versus stakes foes. The Doug O’Neill pupil had some fine form last spring on her favored course and while she had a dream pace set up in this spot, we will always give her a chance down the hill.
10TH – We’re not sure what TUSCANY BEAUTY (Cyclotron) toppled in this maiden run, but the first-time starter surely looked the part in easily proving best in this dash. The Bruce Headley pupil showed speed and patience, and we imagine she’ll be a force right back when facing winners next time.
Sunday (3/20)
4TH – MINING DIAMONDS (Mineshaft) had no pace to chase in an event where the top two finishers ran that way for most of the dash, but the Peter Miller trainee impressed when rallying from off the pace to be third in her turf debut. We’ll tab this filly a contender next time if she appears on the lawn once again.
5TH – Trainer David Jacobson made what appears to be a fine claim of SEEKING THE SHERRIF (Officer) after the seven-year-old put it another sharp performance, winning clear in a fast final time. The gelding might be getting better with age.
A Look Ahead
Saturday’s $200,000 Santa Ana S. (G2) is the lone graded run this weekend at Santa Anita.
ADVERTISEMENT
