Saturday (12-26-15)
Two wire-to-wire winners (Danzing Candy, Runhappy) at seven furlongs and Airfoil dueled and kept on going in the 6.5f opener.
The three turf races yielded a late running winner down the hill in the G3 Daytona (Toowindytohaulrox), visually impressive presser Om in the G2 Mathis Brothers Mile, and wire job winner What a View in the optional claiming finale at nine furlongs.
Santiago Gonzalez started off the meet by riding the winners of the first three races. Mike Smith and Gary Stevens (2 graded wins) both booted home a pair.
Airfoil looked good winning the opener and was claimed by Jack Carava. He can click right back in the near future.
Mr Coker was ready to roll first time out for Hollendorfer but hooked wire job chalk Danzig Candy. He was 10+ clear of the show and won't be a maiden much longer.
Marking gamely chased Runhappy and held the place in the G1 Malibu. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee is lightly raced and appears to have a bright future.
Sunday (12-27-15)
Fast main track seemed to play fair with middle/outer posts best.
Midpack stalker Guns Loaded easily captured the lone downhill sprint and pace presser Gender Agenda held off Stormy Lucy in the G3 Robert J Frankel Stakes at nine furlongs.
Rafael Bejarano rode three winners. Peter Miller saddled two winners.
You Know I Know was along for the show in the hillside 5th and was claimed by David Jacobson. He has back class and is worth following. Two other horses were claimed out of the 5th - City of Vengeance (Ron Ellis), Too Fast To Pass (John Sadler).
If you are interested in full card analysis, I will be selling Santa Anita full cards each weekend at The Runaway Horse. You can check out full card recaps with highlights on our What You Missed page.
I also post free daily tickets from Santa Anita Park at Pick 6 Blog.
Photos by Stacy Edwards.
