Belmont: Closer Looks for June 8, 2014

Race 1

The Big Beast

Two fine efforts thus far and he had to deal with a soft pace in the latest placing; his sire won a G1 sprint and 1.08 million while the dam scored in 2 of 16 races earning 90K; among the winning siblings is 113K earner Koh I Noor.

Frame

Has flashed a decent first gear but has been on the shelf for nearly 3 months; returning breeze pattern is fair but not overpowering; only 4-year-old in the field needs to slow down the early tempo as much as possible.

Updraft

His latest workout is sharp and the trainer/jockey team involved has a winning history; the colt's sire won the Breeders' Cup Classic and 4.37 million (offspring of Awesome Again have won 10 percent of their debuts); the dam won a G1 and 1.32 million; sib to 132K earner Jinni.

T Sizzle

Maryland import race a strong race in her maiden voyage last month; his sire won a G2 and 475K while the mom won 3 of 33 and 74K; among the winning siblings is 410K bankroller Purely Hot; nice maintenance 5 days ago to note.

A Touch of Poetry

Added blinkers in his latest run at Churchill but had to suffer through a very difficult journey; the race itself was fast in both pace and final time; upstate workout pattern is upbeat and he looks like a proper fit against this group.

Summit Moon

Raced wide when beginning his career at 7 furlongs; his sire won 1 of 2 and 33K while the dam was without victory in 3 attempts; among the winning sibs is 288K earner Shem; distinct improvement to the latest drill at five-eighths.

Guggenheim

After steadying early in his first run at Santa Anita, he did not recover; the colt's sire won a G1 and 337K while the dam won a couple of G3s and 374K; there are no winning siblings to mention; deserves another chance today. - Jim Kachulis

Race 2

Lemon Song

Went right to the lead in last which was the 1st time in nearly 1 year she made the front; projects to be joined up top today by Justoneatheguys while she has the recency edge; hopes cutting back to 1 Mile will help her hold off Bargaining Table; the 2-back winner repeated in a BEL-optional claimer with an 87 Beyer; view as a pace presence for part.

Edie

Owns the field's best Beyer speed figure on today's WIdener turf at longer last summer; when last seen was way off best form with 2 straight last-place finishes; stakes into a claimer drop and gets the sizzing Castellano to ride; 1st race of 2013 freshened like today was a strong runner-up finish; scary if ready for best.

Swakopmund

Main Track Only entry encountered a wet track in her only BEL defeat; she is 4-for-11 on fast tracks so deserves a 2nd chance for a high-percentage BEL barn; 4 wins on CD dirt during career she drops into a straight claimer off the stiffer alw. tests; view as a big-stretch factor if in.

Justoneatheguys

Away since posting a best-last-race speed figure when defeating the 4th and 7th-place finishers; they Beyered 78-77 in next-out BEL-optional-claiming and LRL allowance wins; she has been strong in victory in fresh races during career and hopes to go all the way today.

Majestic Marquet

Willing to excuse this MTOs mud loss right off the bench; her 2-back win looks even better after the show finisher Beyered 82 in a next-out LRL starter alw. win; her career-best Beyer was on BEL dirt and 38 days away for a high-percentage fresh trainer are a few positive signs.

Bargaining Table

She's been a new runner since racing back on turf with back-to-back Beyer Tops; removing blinkers has been a plus also; defeated the 2-back show finisher who Beyered 65 in 2 next-out 20K and 16K-claiming wins; figures to be flying late but hoping cutting back to 1 Mile won't hinder her chances of getting up in time.

Precious Franca

The 10 minor awards during career leap off the form at you as a runner who often races well in defeat; she upset a much-lesser non-winners of 3 crew in last while 2-back she defeated the show finisher who Beyered 68 in a next-out BEL-20K-claiming win; hopes to pass the class test.

Cotton Pickin

Won her career debut on MTH turf at 6F then her 2nd win was at 1 Mile; improved her Beyer 1st off the claim but being outfinished by 3 of these does not help the confidence level she will turn the tables here; defeated the 3-back show finisher who Beyered 74 in a next-out TAM-OPC win.

Starship Pleasant

Looms a logical contender for win hinors off the neck loss vs. Bargaining Table and getting a 2-pound positive weight swing for this; this is her shortest distance test since January but she's been a new mare since claimed; one knock is her rider from last sides with Justoneatheguys.

C C's Pride

Doubles the price tag for return to grass where her only start was a September MTH off-the-board-finish for 25% today's claiming price which is not very enticing; the 3-back winner repeated in a 25K claimer with an 81 Beyer; hopes Justoneatheguys gets in a speed duel to help set up her late kick. - Art Gropper

Race 3

Cloture

She's consistently performed at a level that is strong enough to suggest that she can get the job done in this spot and the 72 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field; maybe there's something to be said for Solis and Rosario piloting others in here, but she has to be viewed as a top contender.

Secret Jewel

Not wild about Bernardini as a turf sire but this filly does get a good deal of turf from the bottom of her pedigree; she's run well in two of her first three starts and the runner up from her latest race returned to win next out at CD on 5/17 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. MSW rivals with an 81 Beyer.

Belle de Nuit (ARG)

She ran pretty well at first asking in a two-turn mile after being backed to favoritism, but she's cleaerly going to need to improve over that performance while meeting up with a tougher group of maidens this time around; she has mild appeal, but leaning toward others.

Truly Mizzed

Like the effort she produced in her first start over turf wearing blinkers after a layoff two races ago, and she was last seen in a productive race; runner up from latest won next out at Mth on 5/25 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 78 Beyer, and third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 5/22 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with a 73 Beyer.

Dynesque

900k purchase has plenty of turf in her pedigree and her dam was a G3 winner while winning 3 of 14 turf starts for 326k; she was outrun at every point of call in her career debut, but not going to be at all surprised if she's ready for better at second asking.

Indy's Million

Her most recent start was her best performance to date and it's worth noting that was her first start over turf wearing blinkers; they paid a hefty price for her, and not only does it look like she's on the improve, but she's the only one in here with experience at today's 1 1/4m distance.

Antrim Colleen

Like to see the improvement she's shown through her first three starts and her final start as a 3-year-old was a solid runner-up finish over this turf course; two of her three most recent workouts look sharp and this is an outfit that can have one ready for a top try after a long layoff like this. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Bridgeville

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won once from four starts for 13k, and she didn't make a turf start; this colt is a 1/2 to Cavalleta (3-25, 105k, including 1 of 14 turf starts for 55k); this barn has been live at this meeting but this looks like a tough spot for this colt to try turf for the first time.

Part

He wasn't a match for today's rival Dance Champion in his career debut, and a slow early pace really helped him in getting the job done at second asking; runner up from latest won next out at CD on 5/3 going 7f in a 75k OPC with an 89 Beyer, and then moved on to win a 75k stakes at PrM with an 84 Beyer.

Killer Crossover

This race doesn't look like it will come up soft if it has to be moved to the main track and this colt will be meeting up with winners for the first time after getting the job done as an odds-on favorite against four rivals in his latest outing; not willing to count him out of it, but others entice more.

Picozza

You only have to go two races back to see a graded stakes placing over the synthetic surface at Keeneland and his turf form has been strong enough to take him seriously while dropping in class for this; Castellano has won with 50 of 140 (36%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

J to the Croft

He hasn't run a bad race to date and he was compromised by a slow early pace when finishing fifth at Aqueduct two starts ago; he's the stronger of the two Klesaris-trained horses in here and he's out of a multiple G1 stakes placed dam who won 3 of 14 starts for 295k, including 1 of 2 turf starts for 27k.

Tourist

He's a 1/2 to stakes winner Michael With Us (2-12, 170k, including 1 of 5 turf starts for 79k) and his form has been solid since day one; like to see that he earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in a winning performance while making his first start over turf in his latest outing and he beat one of today's key rivals in Picozza in that event.

Patent

Half-brother to multiple graded stakes winner Tizaqueena (8-18, 654k, including 4 of 12 turf starts for 462k) has run well in most of his turf starts, and he might be looking to take his game to another level after a couple of starts with Lasix; Ortiz has won with 10 of 26 (38%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Floating Ballerino (IRE)

His form racing overseas appears to be so-so at best and this looks like it can prove to be a tough assignment for his first start in America; respect the presence of Velasquez, but going to side with others in this one.

Dance Champion

He was very impressive in breaking his maiden at second asking and this colt is out of a G3 winning dam who won 7 of 22 starts for 586k, including 2 of 6 turf starts for 141k; runner up from latest won next out at GP on 3/29 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with an 84 Beyer; Rosario has won with 4 of 13 (31%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Sammy Mandeville

Have to respect what this runner has shown in his first two starts, and the runner up from his latest race returned to win next out at SA on 5/24 going 1m vs. MSW rivals with a 95 Beyer; it's interesting to see him ship here for this, and he has a lot of upside behind him at this stage of his career. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Madre Ditutticapi

Ships back into this circuit off a decent late running placing at Parx early last month; filly has won twice at the local trip and though not the most consistent sort, she does own numbers that would fit in here; rail isn't a great starting spot for her, but she does figure to offer a solid price and that warrants her some exotics consideration.

West Coast Chick

Took all the money first out upstate last summer but failed to mount a rally after a rough beginning; clear sailing allowed her to strut her stuff from the bell when next sighted in Florida this winter and she was again given some time to get ready for her first with winners; her drills have been getting progressively better of late and the number she earned in the maiden breaker puts her right in the thick of this one; big repeat threat.

Smashing

Highest last out Beyer earner tries winners for the first time off the popular front end maiden score across town; she's been working quite well for a barn that does nice work with runners seeking a repeat but she's drawn between speed and may be forced into chase mode early if things don't break her way; contender.

Superior Sarah

New York bred just missed after arguing the fractions from down inside at the level in her local return; presence of other lick and the move off the fence should allow her new pilot to take hold of her early and maybe that puts her in a solid spot tracking the pace; she's had her share of chances to get through the condition and has settled for a lot of minor awards, though.

Suzy Malibu

Overcame trouble and a wide run to take her Santa Anita debut by open lengths 7 weeks back; visually impressive filly will travel cross country to tackle winners for the first time and she continued to work well when stepping on the local main track for the first time the other day; she'll get pace and should have every shot to run the leaders down; one to fear late.

Aliana

Mott filly always takes money and she's won just once, though she has picked up minor awards in 5 of her other 6 starts; her drill earlier in the week suggests she's on her toes here after getting on track a little late on the cut back as the chalk at this level last time; she hasn't run as fast this year as she did last, but she's on the improve from a figure standpoint and that warrants her a look at an improved price.

Momentary Magic

Speedy filly lost her best shot at the break in her first start since Saratoga and was defeated rather easily by some of today's foes; 4 year old returned to work rather well at her upstate base and a clean break likely gets her much more involved from the bell, but she draws outside the other speed and that won't make things easy for her to get back on track in this spot; nice to see a top pilot take interest.

Dear to All

Outside drawn filly just missed getting there despite a roughly run final fraction when in against cheaper in her Aqueduct finale; she's got solid tactical foot and maybe that puts her in a good pace tracking spot from here, but don't know that she's good enough to go with the best that some of these have to offer. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Vuitton

Doesn't get much more evenly matched than the fact she is 1 of 4 runners to enter with an 87 best-last-race Beyer speed figure; 7F seems like a good distance to enjoy a stalking trip while saving ground; her last turf start was a win so she can grass; today is her 1st turf attempt since 2012; the 2-back winner and show finisher posted 101-71 Beyer speed figures in next-out CRC-65K stakes and GP-optional-claiming wins.

Baffle Me

Snapped a 3-race winning streak when not making a strong appearance in her 1st start of 2014; returns to the turf course and distance of her 3 and 4-back stakes wins; 3-time win rider Castellano lands on Alaura Michelle for this.

Alaura Michele

June, 2011, MSW graduate at 6F on BEL Widener turf; cuts back to her shortest distance test since then; she rallied too late in a key race; the winner, 5th and 8th-place finishers from last Beyered 93-86-84 in next-out GP-75K stakes and BEL-GP allowance wins; great sign that she keeps the win rider who had a few other options here.

Vicki's Dancer

Negative 2-pound weight swing off the 1-length loss vs. Free as a Bird when nearly upsetting stakes runners right off an 11-week absence; back in just 4 weeks for this; hopes not to bounce off a career-best Beyer fresh; last 7F race on grass saw her defeated by New York breds.

Assateague

Was not ready for 1M and 1-16th right off the long layoff but clearly if she can repeat her 2-back 7F race vs. Baffle Me it would make her a good fit with this group; reunites with the 2013 BEL win rider at longer; positive 3-pound weight break from that loss to Baffle Me.

Liz Pendens

1st time ever racing at 7F; it has been 46 days since her late-running upset-KEE alw. and this is a much tougher spot; her only stakes try was last summer when off the board at longer; the 2-back winner repeated in an EVD-60K stakes with an 86 Beyer; projects to sit far back early then make one run.

Zia Zia Zia

Whatever this trainer does seems to be the right move including 1st blinkers a 24% win angle; projects to race on or near the lead; is another last-out freshened GP runner; they've been dangerous all meet; beat the 2-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 92 in a next-out SA-OPC win.

Interesting (IRE)

Knocking on the door for a USA victory; last-out GP runners have dominated the BEL meet; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 90 in a next-out GP-OPC win; projects to stalk the speed here and if ready has every chance to score her 1st win since a French-7F event in 2012.

Believe in Charlie

Hard pressed to make a case that she can get today's 7F distance; trying to make amends as the one to catch here bet hard off her 2-big-5F races during the winter; seeing win rider Castellano side with Alaura Michele is not a good sign; know her early but unsure about late.

Free as a Bird

2012 BEL-7F Widener turf graduate however Baffle Me beat her the last she attempted to stretch out this far; she's been nearly flawless at shorter than this; the 2-back winner and show finisher Beyered 96-89 in next-out PIM-100K and CD-65K stakes wins.

Byrama (GB)

Is 4-0-1-1 in 7F races during career and wants longer than this; the 1.5F cutback in distance is hard to get over following latest late kick; her one win since 2013 was at 1M and an eighth; she owns the field's best Beyer racing 10F on synthetic the 3-back winner repeated in a GP-75K stakes with a 93. - Art Gropper

Race 9

American Hero

Moderate breeze pattern for this son of Repent who won multiple G2 stakes and 1.25 million in total; his progeny have scored in 21 out of 338 initial starts; the dam won 6 of 19 and 222K; this is her only foal to start.

Curious Cal

Woke up in the last run despite breaking slowly; his sire won 1.03 million including G2 success; the dam won 4 of 20 and 76K; winning siblings include 346K earner Princess Mara; draws comfortable slot now and can upgrade further.

Without Fear

Beginner was sired by 25K earner Stonesider whose offspring have won 5 of 72 debuts; the dam was without a tally in 9 starts; there are no winning siblings to mention; modest set of a.m. drills during May.

Greg's Fourwheeler

Sired by G1 Hopeful winner Sky Mesa who captured 633K and whose descendants are 53 for 389 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 1 of 9 and 25K; among the winning siblings is 51K earner Katmanstu.

Gran the Man

Very fine blowout at Saratoga earlier this month; his sire won multiple G1s and 971K; offspring of Grand Slam have won 11 percent of their first races; the dam won 1 of 4 attempts and 5K; winning sibs include 46K earner Silver Street.

Spark to Ignite

Last pair of breezes were way above average in quality; the gelding's sire won a G3 and 354K; descendants of Noonmark are 3 for 21 in the first time victorious department; the dam never raced and this is her sole foal to start.

Gato Azul

Delaware import hails from G2 winner Tale of the Cat who garnered 360K and whose progeny have won nearly 17 percent of their first attempts; the dam won 1 of 9 and 22K; sib to 225K earner Read the Research.

Mike and Bill

Attended a quick pace before fading in his first run over the Big A's inner dirt; his sire won multiple G1s on the NYRA circuit and 3.26 million overall; the dam did not race; winning siblings include 285K earner Pennington.

Warrior's Hero

Sizzling workout on 5/26 to consider; his sire won a G1 and 239K; progeny of Majestic Warrior have won first time out at a race of 9 percent; the dam won 6 of 24 and 151K; sib to 111K earner Beau de Beaupre.

Mighty Zealous

Ran well when stretching out to a mile a month ago; seems more than capable of handling this turnback in distance as evidenced by the fine workout only 6 days ago; worth some follow-up if the price is more generous this afternoon. - Jim Kachulis