Santa Anita Park 2017 Winter Meet Rewind: Feb 16-20

It was supposed to be a special 5-day holiday week of racing but rain reared its ugly head Feb 17 and once again a live race card was scrapped.

Thursday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Feb 16

Fast main track and firm turf course. No wire-to-wire winners on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at nine furlongs and two midpack pouncers down the hill (rail at 30 feet).

Tyler Baze booted home a pair.

A couple of Vladimir Cerin horses to watch and both ran on turf. Conquest Sabre Cat (first start in 6+ months) chased wire job winner and heavy favorite Klondike Creek in the 9f opener and ended up clearly second best under 10-pound bug Roman.

Recent maiden winner Geologist broke from an outer post down the hill and rallied wide from 9th to miss 3rd by a nose.

Saturday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Feb 18

The Feb 17 live racing card was scrapped because of heavy rain. There was no turf racing on Feb 18 and the good main track was upgraded to fast by the third race. Three wire-to-wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 8f, 6f).

Flavien Prat booted home a pair.

Denman’s Call blew the break in the third race and made a sustained run for the show as the favorite vs. optional claiming company (six furlongs dirt).

The fifth race was taken off the turf and run at one mile on dirt. Marckie’s Water ended up an even 4th in his first start since Nov 18 for Baltas. I think he was out for the exercise and might move up on turf next time.   

You can read the rest of my Santa Anita Park Report at The Runaway Horse...