Never Ends returns to Horses to Watch list in SA Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

by John Mucciolo 

There was a pair of graded races this past weekend at Santa Anita.   

Twilight Derby (G2): Sareen Family Trust’s OM (Munnings) took the lead soon after the break and was never headed in posting 2 1/4-length victory with Gary Stevens in the silks. The Dan Hendricks trainee clocked nine panels on the firm lawn in a snappy, 1:45 4/5.

Senator Ken Maddy H. (G3): Rio Dois Irmaos’ homebred BARUTA (Brz) (Crimson Tide [Ire]) rated in third early, inched to the lead nearing midstretch and went clear late to post a 1 3/4-length victory under the guidance of Rafael Bejarano. The six-year-old mare endured the about 6 1/2 furlongs on the firm turf in 1:12 4/5 for conditioner Richard Mandella.

Track Stats

From a total of 34 races held over the Arcadia, California racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 50 percent of the wins. From 24 frays contested on the dirt oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (21 percent), while two of the 10 grassy tilts were taken all the way on the front end (20 percent).

A pair of winners led throughout on the lawn this past week, one in a dash and the other going two turns. Horses close to the pace did well on the green, but all types surely had a chance, as is mostly the case at this venue.

The main oval appeared to be playing fairly all week in our view. Five led at every marker on the dirt, with a pair of the wire jobs coming in route runs, and a trio in the sprint ranks.

Meet Totals

RACES:              167             

DIRT:                  115

TURF:                 52

FAVORITES:       48 (29 percent)          

2ND CHOICES:   38 (23 percent)      

TURF WIRE:       12 (23 percent)

DIRT WIRE:        18 (16 percent)           

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (10/22)

4TH – We liked EASY GRADER (Tribal Rule) in this spot and the two-year-old filly made good in her second lifetime run with a strong maiden tally. The bay lass took a lot of money in her first run and we thought she beat a decent field in this one as a prospect to watch going forward for conditioner Eddie Truman.

Friday (10/23)

2ND – NEVER ENDS (Successful Appeal) makes it back on this list with another strong run going two turns, this time leading at every call. The three-year-old filly has awesome form right now and it coincides with her stretching out in trip for Jerry Hollendorfer.

4TH – MOR SPIRIT (Eskendereya) took command readily in the lane and cruised home a facile winner in this second career run under Gary Stevens. The $650,000 juvenile purchase may not have beaten a great group of youngsters but was visually impressive and might be a major force this season and next if he runs to his price tag.

Saturday (10/24)

2ND – We gave MAC DADDY MAC (Put it Back) a chance in this debut spot but never expected him to dust a field of what looked like fine prospects in this dash. The $300,000 Jack Carava pupil was easily best in the lane and could be stakes bound for sure next time out.

6TH – JURY (Tale of the Cat) was another very sharp debut winner on this day, and possibly more impressive in that the first timer ran down a clear one in the lane en route to a tally. The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee is bred to run longer and surely looked capable of doing so in this run with Bejarano in the silks.

A Look Ahead

The action shifts back to Del Mar on Thursday, October 29.