Belmont: Closer Looks for May 16, 2014

Race 1

Cajun Wedding

First time for Persaud was pretty ugly but she did show some early interest before fading and she may not have cared for the sloppy conditions; toss the race and focus on her solid second for $12,500 two back and she looks like a player; one of two sibs is a winner; the past five years Persaud has a 10 percent strike rate with horses coming back in a week or less; consider for the exotics.

It's Easy

Seems to find a way to lose and for the fifth time she couldn't get it done as the chalk when she dropped to her lowest level in a $16K maiden race for state-breds April 27; she had a nightmarish trip, though, and she probably wouldn't be eligible for this race if she had a clean trip; she's stepping up but she tries every time and could round out the exacta if she can avoid getting into trouble.

Kushmee Kat

Debuts for Reiff who hasn't had a winner with his last nine first-time starters; D'wildcat is a respectable 13 percent as a debut sire; dam's lone win came in her debut in Chile before coming to the US where her best finish was a third in a $20K claimer at Colonial; lone sib won three routes on dirt and once going long on turf; she might want more distance; passing.

Glenbrook

Another one making her debut and she is by Friendly Island who is 1/30 with first-time starters; dam didn't race; 2 of 4 sibs are winners the best being 2/17 Ballythunder who earned $23K; her latest work was okay but the barn doesn't usually have them cranked up first time - 0/24 since 2009; not likely.

Ballerena Bliss

Back to dirt following a failed experiment on turf; she did get bumped around at the start and after rushing up to get within range she faded badly; her debut was okay and she is a half to Speeding Star who did her best work going 7-furlongs to a mile so she might appreciate being in a sprint for the first time; her best sib is $203K route stakes winner Shebelongstome, though; tough call.

Mare and Cher

She took some support when she debuted across town in a $40K maiden claimer and she ran a solid race to finish second behind the chalk who had things her own way; she figures to move forward with a race behind her and the past five years Schettino has a 10 percent strike rate with second-time starters; first foal out of an unraced mare probably just needs to duplicate her debut to win this and with an expected move forward she looks pretty formidable; the pick. - Randy Goulding

Race 2

Indy's Million

725k purchase hasn't made much of an impression in his first four starts and his connections will hope for better while giving him 1 1/4m to work with in his second turf attempt; prefer to keep looking around in here.

Acquant

This miss has a nice turf pedigree but she's likely going to need to step it up over what she's shown in her five turf attempts prior to this to prove to be the one; willing to include her in a spot underneath in the exotics, but looking elsewhere for the top spot.

Causeways Friend

She's one of only two 4-year-olds signed on in this spot, but this miss has been outrun at every point of call in her first two starts, and she's obviously going to need to take a noteiceable step forward if she's to threaten for the top prize.

Cat's Claw

This has to be considered a favorable spot for this late running filly to make a serious bid at her first career win; she faces mostly 3-year-old competition and she's eligible to be ready to give a good account of herself while going synthetic-to-turf for her second start back from a layoff.

Queen's Parade

One of three in here by top turf influence Giant's Causeway and this filly showed up with an improved performance at second asking; she might appreciate the added distance and she benefits from the services of a currently live rider.

Academyperformance

She has a turf leaning pedigree and the move to turf led to an improved showing at second asking; she's going to need to step it up a little bit to get the job done in here, but that isn't out of the question with this being her third career start.

Sward

Half-sister to G1 winner Lea (6-12, 709k, including 3 of 7 turf starts for 284k) has lacked in the early speed department in her first two starts, but her second attempt was a solid run and she commands her share of respect in this spot with that race in tow; winner from latest won next out at CD on 5/10 going 1 1/8m in an N1X event with a 70 Beyer.

Small World

If it was any other barn you might be able to dismiss her based on the poor debut run, but this is an outfit that has a history of dramatically improving horses the second time around; winner from debut won next out at Aqu on 4/27 going 6f vs. 75k OPC's with a 70 Beyer and runner up won next out at Aqu on 4/6 going 6 1/2f vs. MSW rivals with a 78 Beyer.

Palestrina

Darley-homebred is coupled in the wagering with Small World, and judging from what she's done in her two starts since being sent out with Lasix, it's a good idea to recognize her as a top contender.

High Heel Kitten

Since showing something from off the pace in her career debut, she's been a beaten favorite in three consecutive starts, but she still has to be respected as a top contender while going out for a barn that has been on fire since the start of this meeting; this miss is a full to multiple graded stakes winner Csaba (11-30, 583k, including 0-for-4 over turf). - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Greg's Intuition

Unlucky gelding has been involved in 2 key races thus far; his sire won 1 of 12 and 44K while the dam scored in 4 of 16 appearances earning 116K; this is her only foal to compete; encouraged by the latest breeze at his Philly headquarters.

Hampden Fiveone

Decent effort last month when racing evenly on a wide path (note strong workout prior to that effort); he finally draws an inside slot and perhaps that can be the catalyst for a further upgrade; worth some follow-up.

Dusk to Dawn

The selection based on his debut race where he was part of a heated pace battle; his sire won 1 of 2 and 33K while the dam won 3 of 13 and 43: among the winning siblings is 137K earner I'm Stocked; expert trainer/jockey combo.

Chasintheblues

Flashed brief speed in the same affair as Hampden Fiveone and was jammed up between foes in that attempt; the only 4-year-old in the field can move forward with that tightener under his belt, especially if a duel develops to his inside.

Gato Azul

Newcomer was sired by the prolific Tale of the Cat, a G2 winner who banked 360K (his offspring have won 160 out of 947 debuts); the dam won 1 of 9 and 22K; among the winning siblings is 225K earner Read the Research.

Giantinthemoonlite

Firster is from multiple G1 winner Giant's Causeway who amassed 3.07 million and whose progeny have won 73 out of 682 initial starts; the dam won 6 of 24 attempts and 228K; sib to G3 victor Giant Moon who netted 502K.

Majestic Guy

Descendants of Majestic Warrior, who won a G1 and 239K, have tallied in 10 out of 123 debuts; the dam did not race and this is her sole foal to make it to the starting gate; moderate training track breezes on view.

Thug Daddy

He lost all chance in his first grass test when drawing widest and breaking to the right; turned in a pair of fair tries last summer at Saratoga despite troubled starts; can be a menace here with alert getaway and the most recent blowout was solid.

Curious Cal

Legit excuse to that maiden voyage defeat; his sire won a trio of G2s and 1.03 million; the dam won 4 of 20 races and 76K; winning siblings include 340K earner; note fine drill on the morning of 5/11. - Jim Kachulis

Race 6

Sweetest Side

Field's lone 3 time winner draws the fence for another crack at the level after holding third money in her Aqueduct finale; mare does enter this on the improve but she doesn't have any early foot and will likely have some work to do in the lane; can get in the mix for a share.

Kiss Cat

Set the pace going a bit longer while making her first start under this outfit's care across town last time out; filly showed she can fire from a tracking spot when beating limited winners 2 back at this trip, but she hasn't run particularly fast of yet and will need to take a pretty good step forward to go with some of these; prefer others for the money slots.

Sister Margaret

Looked pretty professional in taking her debut run from the back of the pack early at Aqueduct a few weeks back, earning a number that fits quite well in this spot; filly tackles winners today but certainly has a right to improve with the initial effort behind her and note that she didn't get quick fractions to rally into in that heat; barn is having a nice meeting and their recent record with those seeking a repeat demands attention; dangerous foe.

Little Gabby Girl

Tired from her pace efforts while making her first start back from 9 months on the shelf; filly will get back in with statebreds here and maybe the slightly shorter trip helps; she'll get a weight break with the bug names and she did go on a nice little run here last spring; price will be right.

Princess Violet

Earned a field best number when running away from maidens at a short price while trying statebreds for the first time; lightly raced gal's big effort was validated when the runner up came back to smoke maidens over a wet track here last week, earning an 84 Beyer in the process; from close range she again figures tough to deny.

Riveressed

Filly broke through to get her maiden win as the chalk in her cross town finale and now she'll tackle winners in her first crack over this track; she's been on the improve from a figure standpoint of late but will need to improve a handful of lengths to go with the bigger gals in this heat.

Rumble Doll

She's only run a handful of times but did show some improvement with each start before being stretched out over a surface she didn't really seem to care for; expect she gained some conditioning in that last out grass route and she did show a nice late kick in bating maidens sprinting early last month, but she'll have her work cut out for her against some of these. - Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Persnickity

She ran well in her first start for this barn after a claim in her latest outing and she looks like she fits right in with this bunch of 40k claimers; winner from latest won next out at Bel on 5/3 going 1m vs. 40k OPC's with an 85 Beyer.

Ode to Sami

Stakes placed mare will find herself in a favorable spot if this race has to be moved to the main track, and although she hasn't posted a win over the main track here, she's clearly comfortable competing over this surface; this barn has been live lately and this mare has run well for them in the past.

Bargaining Table

The 76 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest performance is the best last race figure in this field, and the turn around in form can be directly attributed to getting her back over turf; a repeat of her latest performance can put her in with a legitimate chance at back-to-back wins.

Mlle Margaux

Her career best performance was run over a yielding turf course with Castellano aboard in a race that setup in her favor, and her overall form just hasn't been strong enough to help give her the look of a contender; note that she hasn't posted a 1-2-3 finish from five starts over this turf course.

Cotton Pickin

Stakes placed veteran earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in a winning performance just two starts back at Tampa Bay, but it would have been nice to have seen her show more in her first start over this turf course in her latest outing, and this can prove to be a tough step up in class for her after being claimed for 25k; Rice has won with 3 of 10 mounts for this barn in 2014.

Starship Pleasant

Servis-owned/trained mare has been in good form lately, and she was nosed out by one of today's rivals in her latest outing; she has a chance to prove to be a nice 12.5k claim for Servis, and note the success that this barn has been having with recent turf starters.

Lemon Song

Her form racing over turf as a 2 & 3-year-old was solid and perhaps she can be ready for better while making her second start as a 4-year-old; she finished behind today's rival Persnickity in her latest start and the winner from that race won next out at Bel on 5/3 going 1m vs. 40k OPC's with an 85 Beyer.

Lotsa Noodles

Don't care to see that she doesn't have a turf victory on her card to look at but she's shown the ability to dial up a performance that is strong enough to get her into the mix against these; runner up from latest won next out at Med on 10/26 going 1m over turf vs. 20-18k claimers with a 71 Beyer; Arroyo does get his share of live calls from this barn.

Ezpz Lemon Squeeze

She looks like she's in good form entering this race and her best effort is right in line with what it's likely to take to get the job done in this spot; her lack of early speed is a concern, but going to look for her to moving in on them in deep stretch. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Spring to the Sky

Best game is speed and this would be the easier spot; listed at 10-1 morning-line odds entered today at PIM in a 100K stakes at 5F on turf; speed was king in the first 8 Inner Turf races at BEL Park this meet; 4 winners scored gate-to-wire and only one winner raced 4th or worse at the 1st call.

Big Business

Main Track Only entry posted a co-field-best Beyer in April at 7F following a similar freshening; he can win on any racing surface but his last wet-track start was superb a 5-length blowout score; just one loss on BEL dirt during career; dangerous if in

Honorable Dillon

Away since his turf/blinkers debut was not very memorable; through May 11 last-out GP runners had won an amazing 19 races at the current BEL meet; the 2-back winner repeated in a 115K stakes with a 105 Beyer; late runner seems in tough as frontrunners have had the most success on Inner Turf at BEL so far this meet.

Hear the Footsteps

Similar 2013 fresh win on BEL Inner Turf at today's distance; great sign that the win rider and 28%-winning jockey-trainer combo are here; late runner will have to race against a speed-favoring Inner Turf; his sprint form is way better then pre-rest routes so expecting a big effort right off the bench.

Strong Impact

8-year-old is 3-for-9 on less-than-firm turf courses during career; hoping to win fresh like he did in 2013 on BEL 'good' Widener turf; scary on best; big-late kick to post a co-field-best Beyer last summer on SAR grass; the Inner Turf has favored front runners so far this meet; the winner from last repeated in a HOU-75K stakes with a 94 speed figure.

Morpheus (GB)

Set the pace when primed on KEE synthetic; last-out KEE runners through Sunday have won 2 races at the current BEL meet but are dominating at CD: today will be his shortest-distance test ever and obviously will need a massive-Beyer boost off latest to land a share.

Mop Head

Leaves a high-win percentage trainer and into a barn 6% winners since 2013 first-time out with newly-acquired runners; has to answer Strong Impact who beat him pre-rest while the winner from that event Beyered 94 in a next-out PID-250K stakes win; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Kingsford Drive

MTO is 1-for-1 on wet tracks scoring fresh at BEL in dominating fashion with a career-best Beyer attached; Big Business matchup looms; comes off a strong-fresh win right on the lead and figures tough to catch if gets in; the 2-back winner repeated in a PIM-optional claimer with a 95 Beyer. - Art Gropper

Race 9

Lloyd Harbor

Youngster regressed 2nd time blinks in last but she was bothered early on; she beat two horses to the wire the other times in this MSW league; hand could be forced by the draw; may need softer to shine.

Rice and Beans

Boxcars every time, she did catch the mud in last and could show more speed on the stretch out; there is no turf success in the family but one sibling did win nearly $200K; could see her pushing the pace, not sure she'll be around at the end.

Solar Side Up

Got to lugging in the debut and wonder how high the expectations can be for this $2,500 purchase; dam was out of the money 3 times; lone half bro Driven by Solar took 10 of 35, earned almost $400K, won on grass once; has some things to iron out.

Legally Bay

Can't be thrilled with the beats against maiden claimers; runner was beaten nearly 20 lengths in the grass debut; she has had her chances; not my kind of play.

Traipse in Utopia

Utopia 3 for 67 with first-time turfers; sire took 2 Group 1s in Japan at 2, banked nearly $5 million, was second in best turf result; dam took 9 dirt routes, was 2nd in best turf moment; 3 of 4 siblings won; one cashed once on grass at Epsom; she at least should have her sea legs under her by now;

Chrysolite

Forced to check but she was still inching toward the winner in last; dam won only start; it came in her juvenile debut at Calder in a maiden $20K claimer on dirt with a 51 Beyer; all 4 siblings won; 2 tried grass to no avail; top kin Freud's Notebook took a couple of stakes, banked over $400K; nice move on the 7th; must pick it up.

La Dama de Hierro

Raffie's Majesty 3 for 59 with first-time turfers; G1 placed sire did not race at 2, graduated at first asking going 9 furlongs at 3, was beaten a head when 3rd in the G1 Travers, lost only turf out; dam took 2 sprints, never turfed; both siblings won including double grass winner and $130K earner Ornellia; she acted up at the gate in last; must display more.

Bella Kateri

Tale of the Cat about 10% of his first-time turf runners in a 567-horse study; sire didn't race at 2, took debut at 3 in a shore route by over 11 with a 95 Beyer, won only grass start, banked over $350K; 3 for 16 dam earned over $100K, won on grass twice; both siblings won on grass; they were a combined 3 for 9 and earned almost $100K together; miss was over 3 clear; should give a good account of herself.

Bi Light of Day

Nice try in last when earning career top Beyer; she was inching toward the winner and got a boost when the 4/10 winner repeated in an N1X with a 70 Beyer; no help from sibling that tried grass but lost 13 times on turf; must be left in the mix.

Beautiful Me

See the Hennig charge for sire stats; dam took 9 sprints, never turfed, banked $175K; lone half sis Double Mint won twice, lost only turf out; probably needs softer to shine.

Funky Munky Fever

Was in kind of tough on the cut back and she caught the mud to boot; 6 for 41 dam earned over $50K, never turfed; 2 of 4 siblings won; one tried grass once to no avail; has some things to iron out.

Jilly Mac

Maybe she just wanted grass all along; she was hung wide from post 9 and could be more focused with the blinks today; dam lost 4 times; this is her first to race; respect this hot claim box item.

Kevin's Steel

Mare has failed vs. softer and has not looked sharp since the Laurel outing in 2012; tough to pull the trigger after the last fiasco.

Chichita

Eddington about 6% of his first-time turf runners in a 139-horse study; sire 2nd in only juvenile start beaten a nose in a AQU MSW miler in 1:39.14 with a 75 Beyer; he went on to earn over $1.2 million, won only turf start; dam was 0 for 12; this is her first to race; can't endorse.

Kelly's Prize

Considering the layoff, the return was pretty solid; note her best Beyer came in the second off the layoff run; she has been able to pick up lengths in the lane; a player if she gets a shot to suit up. - Brian Mulligan