Santa Anita review offers highlights, to-do list

Before Hollywood Park begins its spring-summer meet Wednesday, a final review of Santa Anita is in order.

The main track was the story of the season in Arcadia. Rainy weather forced several cancellations early in the year when the synthetic surface did not properly drain.

Those woes were ultimately fixed, but Santa Anita management still has a decision to make in the coming weeks on what surface will be in place when Oak Tree – which will play host to the Breeders’ Cup – begins in the fall.

Some horsemen have lobbied for a return to conventional dirt, but much more likely is a synthetic surface of some sort. Two possibilities are Tapeta, which was a success at Golden Gate Fields, or a Cushion Track similar to the one at Hollywood Park.

As for the bests of the meet, here are the opinions of one observer:

3-year-old, horse of the meet – Colonel John. The son of Tiznow overcame a troubled trip to win the Santa Anita Derby and will probably be the second choice in the wagering behind Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Older horse – Heatseeker. Won the season’s biggest prize for older horses, taking the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap.

Older filly/mare – Zenyatta. The oversized filly remained unbeaten in a smashing stakes debut in the El Encino, then went to Arkansas and blew away Ginger Punch, the champion older filly or mare of 2007, in the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park. Would love to see her take on males at some point this year.

Grass horse – Ever A Friend. Claimed for $62,500 by trainer Mike Mitchell in early December, the gelding won the Impressive Luck Handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs in his first for his new connections, then turned in the most visually impressive win of the meet when blitzing a good field in the Kilroe Mile on March 1.

Grass filly/mare – Costume. An underachiever in her first four races in this country, Costume switched to jockey Garrett Gomez and won the Buena Vista and Santa Ana handicaps in succession.

3-year-old filly – Ariege. While highly regarded stablemate Country Star foundered in her 2008 debut in the Ashland at Keeneland, this European import won the Santa Anita Oaks in her first on the main track for trainer Bobby Frankel, then went to Kentucky and won the Beaumont.

Sprinter – Bob Black Jack. Before finishing third in the San Felipe and second in the Santa Anita Derby, the hard knocking California-bred set a North American record for six furlongs (1:06.53) in winning the Sunshine Millions Dash on Jan. 26 and earlier defeated fellow state-breds in the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes.

Claimer – Ghosttrapper. Claimed for $25,000 late last year, the Notebook horse won three of four for trainer Steve Knapp, including a $50,000 claimer on April 10.

Trainer – Mitchell. Led the standings with 33 wins and clicked at more than 26% and wrapped up the meet in style by winning the San Juan Capistrano with former claimer Big Booster.

Jockey – Gomez. Rafael Bejarano won the title, but Gomez was the leader when he departed for Keeneland. It would have been a great battle to the wire had Gomez stayed and had Bejarano not missed time because of injury. If Bejarano stays healthy and spends most of his time at Hollywood Park, he should run away with the title in Inglewood.

Apprentice – Jose Campos. Always improving, the 20-year-old Mexican-born rider finished with 17 wins and will remain an apprentice throughout the Hollywood Park season.

Race – Santa Anita Derby. Colonel John overcoming traffic trouble to run down a game Bob Black Jack was memorable.

Achievement – Unusual Heat siring 27 winners during the meet. The 18-year-old California-bred continues to be prolific, much to the delight of trainer and part-owner Barry Abrams.

bob.mieszerski@latimes.com