Wild Dude, Second Summer star in stakes; main oval plays fairly to all run types at Santa Anita
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May 24th, 2016
SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
A pair of graded races topped the third weekend at Santa Anita.
Kona Gold S. (G2): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer et al’s WILD DUDE (Wildcat Heir) began his run at the top of the lane and wore down the odds-on favorite and pacesetter Subtle Indian in the lane to secure a length tally under Rafael Bejarano. The Grade 1 hero went 6 ½ panels on the fast main oval in a snappy 1:15.
Californian S. (G2): Slam Dunk Racing et al’s SECOND SUMMER (Summer Bird) swept to the front nearing midstretch and stayed on to the wire in posting a one-length victory beneath Mario Gutierrez. The Peter Eurton pupil finished off nine furlongs on the fast main oval in 1:48 1/5.
Track Stats
From a total of 37 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 35 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 51 percent of the wins. From 26 frays contested on the dirt oval, 10 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (38 percent), while two of the 13 grassy runs this past week were taken in wire-to-wire fashion (18 percent).
The main surface was pretty kind to runners on the front end this past week, though we still saw late runners have success on the dirt. We would not call the strip biased, as nine of the 10 who led at every call came in sprint runs, including a few in two-year-old dashes.
From a pair of wire jobs on the sod, one came in a downhill dash and the other going a route of ground.
Meet Totals
|
Races: |
|
110 |
|
Dirt: |
|
76 |
|
Turf: |
|
34 |
|
Favorites: |
|
39 (35%) |
|
2nd Choices: |
|
21 (19%) |
|
Turf Wire: |
|
3 (9%) |
|
Dirt Wire: |
|
22 (29%) |
|
|
|
|
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (5/19)
1ST – Trainer Brian Koriner never wins first time out so when LOVEAHONEYBADGER (Bushwacker) led throughout in her debut performance, we took notice. The juvenile filly is one to keep an eye on this spring and summer.
4TH – DIS SMART CAT (Square Eddie) followed up a big debut tally with another romp, moving her mark to two-for-two for conditioner Matt Chew. The sophomore filly could be any kind going forward we imagine.
5TH – EBADAN (Holy Roman Emperor) may not have defeated the toughest field in his stateside debut, though the Neil Drysdale trainee closed with a rush on a unique oval off the layoff. The sophomore gelding also beat elders in this one, and looks interesting with more seasoning.
7TH – SENSITIVELY (Street Sense) dominated another allowance field in sharp fashion and we would think a stakes try, possibly graded, is in the cards for the Phil d’Amato trainee. The four-year-old filly is as swift as they come early on and couldn’t be going any better right now.
Friday (5/20)
2ND – THAT’S A LADY (City Zip) moved to the fore at the top of the lane and came home in nice fashion in this maiden tally. The John Sadler trainee is a nice prospect who has put in a pair of nice runs in succession and sophomore could surely be a factor with winners in her subsequent race after leveling off nicely in the lane here.
Saturday (5/21)
3RD – NAVY HYMN (Songandaprayer) continued his fine form with an easy win at short odds, and has been first or second in each lifetime performance to date. The gelding could turn out to be a nice claim by Richard Baltas.
8TH – COPPA (Yesbyjimminy) showed no signs of rust in making a first run since fall, posting a sharp sprint tally under the guidance of Joe Talamo. The d’Amato trainee could evolve into a stakes horse with a bit more foundation under her belt after dusting elders in this affair.
Sunday (5/22)
3RD – SHH SHE’S OURS (Tiz Wonderful) streaked to a third straight score for conditioner James Cassidy and has never finished worse than second on dirt in her lifetime. The four-year-old lass was unchallenged in this run and should be trying stakes foes in the near future given her form cycle.
A Look Ahead
A pair of graded races will take place over the Holiday weekend at Santa Anita. The $200,000 Charles Whittingham S. (G2) will be held Sunday, while Memorial Day will play host to the $300,000 Gamely S. (G1).
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