SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 25, 2012
by John Mucciolo
There was a single graded event over the weekend at Santa Anita.
Senator Ken Maddy H. (G3): Glen Hill Farm's homebred BROKEN DREAMS (Broken Vow) tracked in second behind a loose-on-the-lead front runner and gradually wore that one down in the lane to repeat in this race for trainer Tom Proctor. The six-year-old mare finished the about 6 1/2-furlong trip down the hill in 1:11 4/5 under Garrett Gomez.
Track Stats
From a total of 34 races held at the Arcadia, California racetrack during the past week, favorites won at a 29 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 56 percent of the wins. From 22 frays contested on the dirt oval, eight animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (36 percent), while two of the 12 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (17 percent).
Speed was very good on the main oval once again this week, especially on Sunday when four of the six dirt races were taken all the way on the front end. Horses on or pressing the pace have enjoyed a lot of success at this meeting.
Of the pair of turf wire jobs, both came in route events.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 145 | |
| DIRT: | 93 | |
| TURF: | 52 | |
| FAVORITES: | 41 (28 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 33 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 8 (15 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 27 (29 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (10/18)
4TH -- HYENA (Keyed Entry) shook off the pace pressure in early stretch and battled on gamely to the wire to just miss in this spot. The Peter Miller pupil has been very consistent up to this point of her career and the juvenile filly seems perfectly placed at this level.
Friday (10/19)
2ND -- LUCKARACK (Lucky Pulpit) streaked to his third straight tally in this one for trainer Ted West and we're surprised nobody claimed the in-form gelding. The four-year-old has a nice turn of foot and should be a big danger right back with this kind.
4TH -- The Sadler-trained LUCKY GAL (Lucky Pulpit) was tons the best of this group, tracking the pace from her outside post and striding home a facile winner to graduate in this one. The juvenile filly could be a major player in her debut with winners next time.
5TH -- The John Shirreffs-conditioned GUEST STAR (Storm Cat) was very fast early and never turned back in posting a fine four-length tally under Victor Espinoza. The well-bred four-year-old colt may have found a home sprinting down the hill.
Saturday (10/20)
2ND -- CATRAGEOUS (Tale of the Cat) displayed a nice turn of foot to be second in a race where the pace held up well, and should be very live in her return on the lawn for conditioner Kathy Walsh.
Sunday (10/21)
3RD -- COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie) was very professional in this spot, rating on the lead, spurting clear in early stretch and holding on gamely late to defeat a solid field for trainer Peter Miller. We'd expect this one to cut back to a sprint race next time.
6TH -- INDY LOVE (A.P. Indy) made a nice late rally from well back to be third at first asking, and we surely expect improvement next time from this Shirreffs pupil.
8TH -- STARSPANGLED HEAT (Unusual Heat) was last turning for home in this one, but got the job done with a determined late rally under the guidance of pilot Corey Nakatani. The gelded four-year-old overcame an honest horse and the tricky rail post in a sharp showing for trainer Barry Abrams.
A Look Ahead
Saturday's $100,000 Autumn Miss S. and the $65,000 Lure S. on Sunday are the lone stakes this week at "The Great Race Place."
