As most of you know I am stationed at Santa Anita morning, noon and night with my eyes ALWAYS focused on the track.

Let me just say that I will miss the racing here as we closed like a rocket yesterday with a big enthusiastic crowd and a tremendous day of racing. Bourbon Bay gets it done one last time in the San Juan Capistrano under a masterfully patient and perfectly timed ride by Rafael Bejarano. By the way, Kurt Hoovers vote for horse of the meet is Tuscan Evening in a real close call because she won 4 graded stakes at 4 different distances over all surfaces. Amazing accomplishment for all the connections especially Jerry Hollendorfers hard working main man in So Cal. Dan Ward who I have gotten to know real well during the course of the meet as the key assistant trainer on the scene in Arcadia. The Friday dollar days brought out a young and playful crowd as well and will continue to gain popularity as we go on---Lord Willin............

My final thought is going to be on something that I think is the most underrated topic of the entire meet and that is the incredible job by track superintendent Rich Tedesco and Ron Charles of providing the safest meet for the stars of our sport day in and day out. I cant put a price on the feeling in my stomach each time when the siren goes off in the morning during training hours that 99.9% of the time it is for a loose horse. Nowhere in the world that I can think of is that the bottom line as it was here at Santa Anita with the Pro Ride Surface. I have called it the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SURFACE since its infancy and with most great things--as time goes on--so does the strength of the belief. I believe it now more then ever as NOBODY on the planet could have a better surface then we have had here not only for racing but training over closing weekend. The surface thrived and kept getting better to my watchful eyes.

The quote of the meet honors for me go to young Martin Garcia who has gone from working in a deli in Pleasanton, California to now riding for Bob Baffert in the Kentucky Derby. There have been books out with titles referring to getting to the Derby -- Bafferts I believe was the Dirt Road To The Derby. Martin Garcia's book should be titled -- "from the deli to the Derby"... Congratulations to the young jockey as I can tell you -- NOBODY has worked more horses in the a.m. and worked harder then this young man to get to where he is today.

Time to switch gears for a moment and I will leave you all with 2 quotes until next time. Larry Benevidez--asst. to John Sadler who supervised Sydneys Candy workout at CD:

Toby Turrell: goose bumps---ha"?

Larry B.: you didn't even get me to the gallop out part yet either!!!!!!!!!------WOW....

Toby Turrell to my man at CD: in as few words as possible -- tell me about Rachel's work today.............

Answer: SHES BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- That is the loudest music to my ears and all I can do now is pray that she bounces out of it in top shape. If she does -- then racings stock just shot up another 100 points.......Toby Turrell