Belmont: Closer Looks for June 27, 2014

Race 3

My Eastern Beauty

Steady set of half-mile drills for this first run; her sire won a G2 stakes and 1.36 million; progeny of Friendly Island have won 1 of 32 debuts; the dam won 1 of 10 attempts and 34K; among the winning siblings is 250K earner Eastern Crown.

High Dollar Woman

Unusual fast gate breeze to consider; her sire won the Kentucky Derby and 1.88 million (descendants of Super Saver are zero for 4 in the first time victorious department); the dam won 1 of 6 and 101K; sib to 55K bankroller Joedini.

Careful Choice

All kinds of trouble first time out, a race which can be forgiven; her sire won a G1 and 662K; the mom won 1 of 9 and 69K; winning siblings include 121K earner Jacoby's Run; upgraded in latest a.m. move.

Know It All Anna

Sired by Breeders' Cup Sprint champ Midnight Lute who captured 2.69 million and whose offspring have won nearly 10 percent of their first outings; the dam never raced; winning siblings include 124K earner Latent Rush.

Militsa

Upbeat work over the Saratoga training track 16 days ago; her sire won a G1 and 1.08 million (progeny of Yes It's True have won 95 out of 655 initial starts); the dam won 2 of 17 and 55K; sib to 21K earner Golden Beach Boy.

Sunday Sonnet

Solid workout regimen at the shore for this lass; her sire won a G1 and 1.08 million; descendants of Any Given Saturday have won 20 out of 168 debuts; the dam won 2 of 5 attempts and 59K; winning sibs include 498K earner Pianist.

Midnight Citra

See Know It All Anna for information about the same sire; this filly's dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 98K earner Tensaw; cross-reference this one's work tab with Militsa, the other Mott trainee.

Angela Renee

The sire in question is Bernardini, a multiple G1 victor who netted 3.06 million (his descendants have won 11 percent of their first races); the dam won 3 of 11 and 126K; sib to 1.79 million winner To Honor and Serve.

Dads Little Girls

After a solid maiden voyage against males, she aimed too high in a 100K added money event; her sire won a G3 and 461K while the dam won 2 of 30 and 41K; among the winning siblings is 73K earner Frenemy; legit threat if breaking in.

On Oaks Day

New face hails from the prolific Malibu Moon who won 1 of 2 and 33K (his progeny have scored in 108 out of 774 initial races); the dam did not compete; winning siblings include 101K earner Caribbean Pegasus.

Presto Magic

Excellent maiden voyage at Monmouth Park earlier this month; her sire won a G2 and 1.02 million while the dam won 14 of 26 and 425K; winning siblings include 233K earner Yes I'm Lucky; needs much luck to get to the starting gate today. - Jim Kachulis

Race 4

Resolutely

Stonesider has been a below average turf sire but this filly ran pretty well when last seen racing over the Saratoga turf; the long layoff is a concern, but she's shown that she does own the ability to be competitive in a spot like this.

Dixie Gem

She took a step in the right direction in her turf debut at second asking but she's going to need to continue to show more if she's to have a chance at the top spot in here; Franco does get his share of live calls from this barn, but looking toward others.

Jilly Mac

When looking at what she did in her first turf start two races ago at Aqueduct, it's a good idea to respect her as a top contender, and she might not have cared for wearing blinkers in her latest outing; this barn has been quiet at this meeting, but they appear to have a live one to send out in this spot.

Sleek

She might be ready for her sharpest performance to date while making her second start back from a layoff and her second start as a 3-year-old; runner up from latest won next out here on 6/6 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with a 67 Beyer; Ortiz has won with 13 of 29 (45%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Chasing Paradise

Half-sister to Scientist (3-9, 97k over turf) ran well in her first turf start and it's encouraging to see her being returned to action on relatively normal rest; she has the look of a contender while meeting up with mostly 3-year-old competition.

Regifting

She's had her chances to show us what she can do, including three starts over turf, and she's yet to finish better than sixth; she'll have to find a way to show more in order to contend.

Keen Katana

His turf debut in his latest outing can be viewed in a positive light and the runner up from that race returned to win next out at Bel on 6/21 going 6f over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 69 Beyer; she appears to be well meant while going sprint-to-route for her second start back from a layoff.

Baby B

Like the idea of stretching her back out in distance and getting her back over turf, and she's making her first start after a claim for a barn that has put some live horses on the track at this meeting; she has a chance to prove to be the dominant early speed, and it doesn't look like the early pace will heat up all that much. - Brian Pochman

Race 5

Sweet Sway

She's proven fresh so she has that going for her; the drop can't hurt either; hung wide in last 4 and she has much more speed than she showed of late; show horse in last took a $50K optional next out and the 8th finisher beat $35K claimers; like the spacing of the return drills for clever barn; expect a big try.

Quiet Sunshine

Have always been a fan of the claim back move especially when talking about a trainer with a keen eye; best when sent along, look for rider to send her out of there at the sound of the bell; mare should run much better here.

Possetivevibration

Wonder if the stakes in April just knocked the starch out of her?; she had to take the time off and the return was dull despite the bump; the race over the surface can't hurt, but she really caved in last time; would be careful here.

Bridget Moloney

Maybe soph was just overmatched last time; half of her wins are local, she handles any kind of going, and trainer tries to strike quickly; more experienced pilot in the boot; things look positive for this miss.

Typhoon Teri

One more jump; that's what they all say; not thrilled with local slate but she fits in this league and worked since the last outing; key off her 2014 opener and she'll be a handful.

Bird House

Nearly overcame the hard bump two back; fans reacted at the windows last time off the troubled run but miss never kicked; mare has more speed than she just flashed and the blowout last Sunday could have sharpened it even more; can't be dismissed.

Downtown Hottie

Camera shy most of her career; 18 slices and just 5 wins proves it; nice close in the mud last time when 6 wide; she needs help up front and not sure there is enough zip in here to help promote the kick; the hotter the pace the better for this veteran mare. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Charlie's Picnic

Cutting back to his shortest didstance since June, 2013, is the concern; can he get up in time?; absent off a dull effort but a good race with 3 next-out winners; the runner-up, show and 5th-place finishers from last posted 85-78-77 Beyer speed figures in next-out GP-MSW wins; reunites with the rider from the 3-back-field-best Beyer just missed loss which was at much longer than this.

Gentrify

Sire is 3-for-37 (8%) with 1st-turf runners; is out of an 0-for-1 grass dam; 6 foals to race on turf are 0-for-17 combined; gate speed on display in the 58-1 debut; he has Perfect Danger to fend off early then the closers late; view as a pace presence for part.

Bright Face

1st-time Castellano is always good news; exits a best-last-race Beyer speed figure when edged in a key race; the winner and 4th-place finishers Beyered 74-73 in next-out GP-optional-claiming and 30K-maiden-claiming wins; the debut show finisher Beyered 77 in a next-out MTH-MSW win.

In Speight Ofitall

He will be flying late finishing 4-of-5 in-the-money on turf but his best Beyer was posted back in September, 2012, at 7F on BEL-Widener grass; 8 straight maiden-claiming losses now the leap to MSW has me seeking the winner elsewhere.

We Fly Private

Sire is 2-for-14 (14%) with 1st-turf runners and 0-for-28 with 1st-time starters; is out of a stakes-placed dam (1-for-6, 23K) who did not race on grass; she won her 3rd-career start then produced 9 winners from 10 other foals to race; 7 of 8 to race won on turf including 299K-SW-turfer Stopshoppingmaria (3-for-8 grass).who graduated in her 2nd start on SAR dirt.

Perfect Danger

Projects as the one to catch here; sire is 5-for-71 (7%) with 1st-turf runners; is out of an unaced dam; her only other foal to race in North America 0-for-1 Lucky Obispado did not race on grass; snuck through the claim box in last now the surface switch for the class hike; the 3-back winner repeated in a GP-optional claimer with a 94 Beyer.

Eternal Bull

Sire is 41-for-319 (13%) with 1st-turf runners; is out of an 0-for-3 grass dam (2K); her only foal to race on North American turf Hongkong Superstar won 1-of-4 on the green (17K); slight 2nd-time Beyer improvement but poor stamina in 1st pair noting the winner from last repeated in a BEL allowance with a 94 Beyer.

Waco

Blinkers off is an 0-for-5 move from the trainer since 2013 as he cuts back to his shortest-distance test ever; has been on the lead in 2 of 4 races but projects to chase the Perect Danger pace wide; faded to the show finisher who Beyered 81 in a next-out GP-MSW win; 7%-winning layoff trainer does not add to the appeal

Deimos

Sire is 0-for-24 with 1st-turf runners; is the 1st foal out of an 0-for-1 grass dam; has just one race where he did not take much betting action then was outrun throughout; 2nd straight 12 post draw; winning layoff trainer adds to the appeal but will be taking a wait and see approach. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Brass Pear

Cuts back to sprint in his return to this level after a decent placing against open company limited winners a few weeks back; he's got speed so expect he'll be involved from the bell from this inside slot and maybe he proves the quickest of these early, but the lack of stamina he showed in his last couple of sprints makes it tough to get excited about his chances of staying today; prefer others on the win end.

Sidearm

Castellano sticks for this colt's second crack with older following a sharp placing early this month; runner up in 3 straight returned from the career best Beyer effort to work well for a barn that hits at a nice clip second time back; he's settled for a lot of minor awards so we'll limit his use to underneath in exotics in this spot as well.

Station Chief

Got used arguing the pace after taking a bad step at the start in his return to dirt last time and was beaten at a short price; colt returned to blow out sharply early in the week for this and with speed to his inside maybe a clean break puts him in a nice tracking spot while tackling an added half panel; contender.

Captain Toews

Wasn't beaten much in his first local start while returning from nearly 8 months on the shelf; colt will step up to face better in here and the barn isn't going so well at the local stand, but a top pilot will stick with him; he'll need to improve to have a say in the outcome here, but he's only run a handful of times so maybe that's not out of the question.

Say Mr. Sandman

Field's highest last out Beyer earner by a significant margin makes his local return after bossing an overmatched bunch at Finger Lakes; he was in against cheaper here 2 back, but didn't miss by much and that number would make him a big threat if repeated here; one to beat.

Pillar of Strength

Makes his first start for a new barn after getting beaten as the chalk with claimers in his first crack with winners; new outfit boasts some solid recent numbers with this type first time back and this guy does have some speed as well as the services of a top pilot today; price will be better.

Horatio

New outfit moved him up to just miss getting to one of today's foes in the local mud a few weeks back; gelding should get a little more pace in front of him this time and the added half panel can't hurt; boasts a solid interim breeze and another solid journeyman pilot will get aboard.

Thnxtomyuncle

Gelding draws outside for another shot at the level after holding third in a small field here earlier in the month; that was just his second start of the season and maybe he's now set to get back to some of the competitive races he ran last year, but this barn has done very little at the stand and the runner up from his last will show up here as well. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Unlocked

Makes his first start with winners as well as his local debut while returning from 2 1/2 months on the sidelines; private purchase was quite impressive bossing maidens after getting a sizzling open half mile in front of him at Tampa and it certainly appeared as if he'd welcome some more ground; doubt things will be out of control early here so he'll need to help himself out today, but with the initial effort under his belt he can't be overlooked.

Fabulous Kid

Ran into the eventual G1 Belmont Stakes winner when eased from his pace efforts while making his local debut in the G2 Peter Pan; his 2 main track efforts in Arkansas were both pretty solid and now he'll get shades for his turf debut; his sire gets about 6% winners from his initial surface runners and the dam was winless from 7 spins on the green; don't know that he'll love the footing, but he has shown some ability and should find these easier.

Watery Moon

Beaten Delaware chalk cuts back to sprint after a decent effort first time on the lawn; he'll get a top pilot for his local debut and this outfit certainly knows how to develop its turfers; colt proved first time out that he can run them down at one turn; he's kin to G2 SP, SW and 203K earner Sherriff Cogburn but his other sibs are a combined 0 for 4 on the lawn.

Run for Logistics

Gets back to the green for the first time since a sharp stakes placing while sprinting on the Monmouth lawn in just his second career start; he hasn't been as good this year and he'll go for another new barn in this spot; nice to see Velazquez take interest, but this guy's recent stamina leaves a lot to be desired, especially while looking to tackle his longest trip today.

Tiznowforamerica

MTO has yet to get back to the solid number he earned in the Saratoga maiden breaker second out last summer but he did show good early foot from the fence in his first start of the year; expect he'll be tighter with that one behind him and he'll likely get a track condition similar to what he saw in his lone win if he does get to meet the starter in here; colt warrants a good look if the rains come.

Los Borrachos

Colt gives the lawn another shot after offering little over it in his first crack over the stuff earlier in the month; there's not much surface pedigree here so don't know that he deserves a second shot over the footing, but this barn used to have a way with its runners on the green and the price figures to be big again today.

Harpoon

Shades go back on for his second surface try after offering little behind a slow clip last out; while his best sibling is G1 SW main track sprinter and 402K earner Cuvee, he's also related to a turf winner and he has shown he can run some so maybe he goes better over this stuff with a more honest pace in front of him.

Kodiak Kody

Broke his maiden in Florida earlier in the year but hasn't been able to threaten local runners on dirt or turf when sent to post at big prices in each of his 3 starts for this outfit; there's not a lot to suggest he'll take the needed step forward to factor here; have to pass on this longshot.

J to the Croft

Didn't show much early interest last time and found himself in a wide spot before finishing within a length of the runner up over the course; sophomore wasn't bad on the green 2 back, though he was allowed to set moderate splits that day; nice to see Lezcano take the return call and there really doesn't appear to be all that much in here; cut back should help him have a say in the outcome. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Bapu

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his first-time starters and with approximately 9% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal to race from a dam who was G3 stakes placed racing overseas while winning 2 of 14 starts for 163k, including 1 of 9 North American turf starts for 54k.

My Papa D

He was outrun at every point of call in his career debut and he's going to need to be ready for better if he's eyeing the top prize in here; perhaps the rider switch is a positive indicator as Ortiz has won with 5 of 8 (63%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Copper Core

Have to respect the improvement he's shown since being placed over turf two starts ago, and if he repeats his latest performance, he'll be tough to deal with; it looks like he's likely to be involved in a slow early pace once again today.

Patrolikeachampion

Tough to give this gelding a favorable push in this spot based on what he's shown us so far, and it's going to take sharp improvement out of him if he's to have a say in the outcome.

Baskets

Lightly raced 3-year-old is a 1/2 to G3 winner Hey Leroy (6-26, 282k, including 5 of 12 turf starts for 242k) and feel that he's still plenty eligible to have more to show us; top connections help add further appeal.

It Matters

Sunriver has been a below average influence as a turf sire and this gelding will have to improve over what he showed in his turf debut in his latest outing to get the better of this field; this gelding is a 1/2 to minor stakes winner Southern Fiction (6-22, 299k, including 2 of 4 turf starts for 73k).

Electric Currency

Two of his first three starts have been solid performances and a repeat of his latest performance can get him into the mix against these; he another lightly raced runner in here who still has some potential for better behind him.

Born in Brooklyn

He looks like one of the more legitimate options to consider in here and like to see another top rider hop aboard; feel that he's eligible to be ready to give a solid account of himself while making his second start back from a layoff.

East Bay Lodge

Like to see the improvement he showed in his first start wearing blinkers in his latest outing, and he's a 1/2 to multiple stakes winner Wicked Tune (11-36, 376k, including 9 of 25 turf starts for 341k); that said, it will take his best effort to date if he's to get the job done.

The Frood Dude

He's out of a stakes placed dam who won 5 of 31 starts for 139k, including 4 of 21 turf starts for 104k, but it would have been nice to have seen him show more in his turf debut in his latest start; not that he doesn't deserve another chance to see what he can do over turf, but others entice more.

Fictionalcharacter

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and dam won 2 of 11 starts for 69k, including 2 of 10 turf starts for 65k; this gelding is a 1/2 to Executive Action (3-8, 34k over turf).

Uragano

He's seeking his first top-two finish and he's never run a race that is strong enough to suggest that he can get himself in the mix against these; he has the look of an outsider.

Wake Up and Go

Half-brother to stakes placed Stormy Relations (4-20, 175k over turf) is a good fit at this level of competition and he might appreciate removing blinkers for this; all of his turf starts look good when compared to what most of these have shown to be capable of.

Chang's Secret

Have to be concerned when seeing that his recent form hasn't been his best, but if he can find his way back to one of his sharper starts, he can have a say in the outcome; feel that a spot underneath in the exotics isn't out of the question.

Perfect Dancing

His form has headed in the right direction since being placed over turf two back and he's out of a dam who won 3 of 25 turf starts for 105k; looking toward others for the top spot, but a minor award is within his reach.

Casa Cavallo

This wouldn't be a bad spot for him to land in if this race has to be taken off the turf, but he is going to need to show more to get the job done; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 6/22 going 1m vs. MSW rivals with a 75 Beyer. - Brian Pochman