Stable Notes

BAFFERT OFF TO HALL OF FAME START AT SANTA ANITA

Bob Baffert is off to a flying start in pursuit of his ninth Santa Anita training title.

‘MIDNIGHT RIDE’ GIVES GOMEZ FOURTH STRAIGHT MONEY TITLE

It came down to the last race of the year at Santa Anita, and, in a bizarre turn of events, all Garrett Gomez needed was for his pick-up mount to come out of the gate Thursday in order for him to gain his fourth straight national purse money-won title.

Cenizo, the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the eighth race whom Gomez had acquired when Martin Pedroza “took off” three races earlier, was victorious as the 4-5 choice in the $18,000 maiden claimer.

LAST CHANCE TODAY FOR GOMEZ TO WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT MONEY CROWN

Garrett Gomez has two chances to capture his fourth consecutive national purse money crown today at Santa Anita. They’re not slim and none, but the jockey who turns 38 on New Year’s Day does have little margin for error.

TEAM SAAVEDRA OUT OF THE ‘SHADOW’ IN PURSUIT OF HISTORY

Shadow of Illinois will make history if he wins the $100,000 Sensational Star Handicap on New Year’s Day.

SHADOW OF ILLINOIS EYES A HISTORIC ‘10’ AT SANTA ANITA

Shadow of Illinois will attempt to write another chapter to Santa Anita’s storied history on New Year’s Day. The California-bred gelding will seek to become the first 10-year-old to win a stakes race at Santa Anita Friday when he runs in the $100,000 Sensational Star Handicap at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf.

“He’s doing as well as ever, and Anthony (trainer Anthony Saavedra) does a great job with him,” said Alex Solis, who has ridden the son of Illinois Storm 14 times in his 40-race career, the last seven in a row.

GRATEFUL ASCANIO MOVES FORWARD WITHOUT FRANKEL

The New Year marks a new beginning for Humberto Ascanio. It will be the first time he has not shared nearly every working hour with a man who was his trusted mentor and loyal friend, Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, who died Nov. 16 at the age of 68.

The 63-year-old Ascanio was Frankel’s faithful confidante and assistant for 36 years, more than half his life. Together, they reached racing’s heights, establishing records few ever reach.

ZENYATTA FAREWELL AT SANTA ANITA ON OPENING DAY

A gala farewell for the great Zenyatta unfolds at Santa Anita on opening day, Saturday, when the historic track celebrates its 75th anniversary season.

Zenyatta was retired following her dramatic last-to-first victory in the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 7. The 5-year-old daughter of Street Cry was undefeated in 14 starts after becoming the first female to defeat males in 26 runnings of the mile and a quarter Classic.

SPECTACULAR SANTA ANITA SENDOFF FOR ZENYATTA SATURDAY

Zenyatta returns to the scene of her greatest triumph Saturday when the champion mare will be honored in a farewell appearance at Santa Anita Park, where she captured the hearts of the racing world with a historic victory in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7.

The 5-year-old daughter of Street Cry retired undefeated in 14 starts after becoming the first female to defeat males in 26 runnings of the mile and a quarter Classic.

MITCHELL SEEKS THREE-PEAT AND TRAINING FIRST IN MARATHON SAN JUAN

In more than 30 years as a trainer, Mike Mitchell has never won the same stakes race three years in a row. That void on his resume could be fulfilled Sunday if the 60-year-old Bakersfield native wins Santa Anita’s traditional closing-day feature, the Grade II, $200,000 San Juan Capistrano Handicap at about 1 ¾ miles on turf.

Mitchell sends out last year’s winner, Big Booster, and Church Service, in a compact field of six. Mitchell won the 2007 San Juan with former claiming horse On the Acorn.

ESPINOZA COMFORTABLE WITH SPEEDY MIDSHIPS IN MARATHON SAN JUAN

Victor Espinoza is not concerned with potentially quick fractions in Sunday’s closing day feature, the Grade II, $200,000 San Juan Capistrano Handicap at about 1 ¾ miles on turf. Comfort is the key, says the 36-year-old jockey, who rides probable pacesetter Midships for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel.

Frankel currently leads all trainers this meet in stakes wins with eight, and is second in career stakes wins with 145, behind Charlie Whittingham, who leads with 204.