Belmont: Closer Looks for May 26, 2014

Race 2

Red Velvet

The is the speed component of the Pletchers along with bookend stablemate; 12 clear when she had the excuse of the mud two back; she will have to work to flee the rail but she has the look for something special; note runners in the company line were clear in last; major threat.

Aibhilin

Back to square one in the return; trainer has spotted them just great this year and check out the drill on the 29th; plenty of zip in here to help promote the kick; look for rider to take a hold, try to get her to settle and then attempt to reel them all in.

Our Amazing Rose

Soph ran into the road block in the stakes debut but should be better off from the experience; she brings a nice stalk and pounce style on her best day and the drill last Tuesday was solid; expect much better try this time.

Size

Game in the debut and she proved it was no fluke when coming back on after briefly losing the lead; place horse in opener graduated next out, then took an N1X with a 90 Beyer here on the 16th; there is speed inside and outside of her and she may have to be gunned; like the renewed energy she showed last Monday; don't sell too short.

Sustainable

Just held it together once and she was losing ground that day in a shorter race; she has just not shown that killer instinct; she did run well here in defeat in the debut but note it took her nearly a month to post a recorded drill after the last race; another slice?

Elena Strikes

Miss showed talent from Day One, was not disgraced in her stakes debut and may have just not wanted to route in 2013 closer; she has natural speed but doesn't need to lead to win and she may have disliked the off going in last; another threat in a solid 6-pack. - Brian Mulligan

Race 4

Flamboyant (FR)

He was an impressive winner in his first start in America in his latest outing and the runner up from that race returned to win next out at SA on 5/18 going 1m over turf vs. 80k OPC's with an 88 Beyer; it's interesting to see his connections ship to NY for this, and he shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with Mr Speaker.

Gala Award

He beat today's rival Mr Speaker in securing a G3 win over turf two starts back at Gulfstream Park, and it's probably a good idea to look for him to bounce back with a stronger performance after giving the synthetic surface at Keeneland a try in his latest start; this colt is a 1/2 to G1 winner Stormello (3-11, 700k, no turf starts) and G2 winner My Best Brother (4-13, 359k over turf); must respect.

Can'thelpbelieving (IRE)

He hasn't run a bad race since arriving in America and he didn't finish all that far behind a couple of today's rivals over the Gulfstream Park turf course just two starts ago; however, he is a late running tp type and there's a chance that the early pace in this race will be slow to develop; Garcia has won with 9 of 33 (27%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Mr Speaker

Multiple graded stakes winner has shown that he is more than capable of producing a performance that is strong enough to make him a threat for the top prize against these, and if he does bring his 'A' game to the table, he's eligible to leave these behind to battle it out over the place prize.

Smooth Daddy

He deserves a lot of credit for the steady improvement that he's displayed since being placed over turf at second asking, and he has stepped it up nicely along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in his two most recent races; however, this has to be considered a tough test for his first stakes attempt, even if it is a small field. - Brian Pochman

Race 5

Indy Sea

Gives the level another shot after a weak return to the green off the brief freshening; gelding did suffer through a wide trip in that one and he's run ok on the green in the past; guy who beat him last time returned to win the other day; trip may be short of his best, but the price should be right.

Takajo

Tries turf for the first time in his second start back from the short break after a decent effort first time with winners; sire gets just 7% winners from his initial surface runners and he's the first foal out of a dam who was winless from 2 spins on the green.

You You

Last out graduate tries open company winners while tackling the lawn for the initial time today; he's been improved since adding blinkers and his tactical foot should allow him to sit a decent spot from the bell if he takes to this stuff; sire is just 3 for 69 with his initial surface starters and the dam's lone foal to try the green was winless from 3 cracks on it.

Rocket Hero

Statebred tries open runners in his turf debut for an outfit that doesn't have a lot of success over this type of footing; gelding may be tighter second back from the freshening and he could have some bottom fro the recent routes but don't know that he's going to respond so well to the new surface; sire is only 1 for 22 with his first turfers and the 8 time sprint winning dam's lone foal to try the stuff was 0 for 1 over it.

Three for Me

Fresh colt worked a solid half mile across town earlier in the month for a barn that boasts a recent big priced return winner; his initial crack off their claim wasn't much and now the sophomore will try older, open company runners in his turf debut today; outfit has only won a couple of races this season; sire is 0 for 21 with his runners trying the grass for the initial time and the dam was 0 for 1 over the footing but did drop a 2 time surface winner.

Donttellyourmother

Tries limited winners while stepping on the green for the initial time after another fade on dirt; sire gets 10% winners from his first turfers and he's the first foal out of a dam who was 0 for 1 on the lawn; quick breaker should at least be rolling from the bell.

Shore Runner

First part of the entry just missed after attending to the pace in his return to the green at the level earlier in the month and the guy who necked him returned to score last week; lightly raced gelding has got experience over a course with give in it and the cut back to this trip should benefit him; he's the one they'll have to beat.

Brother Ralphie

Other half of the entry tries older in his turf debut for an outfit that knows a thing or 2 about turf sprinters; sire gets 9% winners from his first time surface runners and the dam was a G3 SP, SW turf sprinter and 163K earner whose 2 other foals to race are turf winners including SW and 151K earner Heiko; has a right to be better over this footing.

Out of Your Mind

He's a 37 time loser moving in to face limited winners in his first start in 7 months; he hasn't been a serious threat in the lane in quite a long time and there's not a lot to suggest that's going to change today; looms a long time in his first start back.

Wally Did It

Gelding is offered for a sale for the first time while returning from more than 7 months on the shelf; barn does a nice job with its returnees and they'll name a top pilot for this, but this guy hasn't had much luck in any of his spins over the local sod; maybe for a share, but he's likely better next time.

Pirate's Pleasure

Outside drawn gelding adds shades for the cut back in his second local spin; gelding was beaten by one of these while tracking in a wide spot and today's starting slot doesn't suggest he'll have things any easier today; nice to see Rosario take interest, but this guy won't have it easy from here. - Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Larrytheeducator

Offspring of Read the Footnotes, who won a couple of G2 stakes and 450K, have scored in 10 percent of their debuts; the dam won 3 of 23 and 95K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Gino and the Jets

This is only his second attempt in the claiming ranks and the last one involved chasing a decent pace at a longer distance; latest training track breeze was fair and he reverts to original rider Ortiz for this assignment; should be a early presence.

Campion Lane

Light Beyer profile overall for this gelding who is making his 12th go today; ran a moderate third in a short field only 4 days ago and perhaps the cutback in distance will help; money chances would increase over an off track (which is unlikely according to latest forecast).

Spango

Three solid efforts thus far and with a successful trainer in his corner, he is one of the likely public choices today; the fractions in his last placing were on the ordinary side, however, and he might have to deal with a much swifter early pace this afternoon.

Stalagmite

Opened up quickly over a tiring turf course earlier this month before retreating in mid-stretch; makes the always dangerous first visit to the claiming ranks and perhaps can show much more in the way of endurance as a result; worth some play.

Imvros Pride

Beginner hails from G1 sprinter City Zip who banked 818K and whose progeny have scored in 87 out of 562 initial starts; the dam was without victory in 4 attempts; among the winning siblings is 117K earner Aegean Breeze.

Pepi's Find

Did not fire over the lawn last season but this surface switch can do wonders; his sire won the Belmont Stakes and 3.24 million overall; the dam was unraced; sib to 192K bankroller Yo Karakorum; trainer is on a hot streak.

Ten Year Warranty

Yet another member of the line-up descending from special weights; his sire won a G2 and 413K while the dam won 8 of 32 and 215K; there are no winning siblings to report; notice distinct improvement to the most recent a.m. drills.

Lake Effect

He has a race over the track to his credit and a fast race it was; did not have a smooth getaway in either of his performances thus far; the sire won a G1 and 845K; the dam was unraced and this is her sole foal to compete; can surprise. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Ballerina Belle

Most-recent grass starts represents the 2 best Beyer speed figures of her career; clearly turf has been her answer; was unable to win from post 1 twice on dirt but projects for an ideal-ground saving trip today where she hopes to break a lot better than 10th; the pick.

Runway Ready

Projects as te one to catch and even though she broke her maiden on wet turf she did not like it at all in last; January's field-best Beyer speed figure at 5F on GP grass was following a long layoff while she's back today in just 15 days; was necked by the 2-back winner who Beyered 83 in a next-out GP-optional-claiming win.

Money Game

Sire is 5-for-56 with 1st-turf starters; dam went 4-0-1-0 on grass; 3 foals to race on turf are 0-for-6 combined; new owner and trainer for her 1st start in 72 days and 1st time 3-year-old tests older; away since the GP graduation-key race defeating the runner-up and 6th-place finishers; they Beyered 78-44 in next-out GP-PID-MSW wins; through May 18 at the currernt BEL meet last-out GP runners dominated winning 25 races.

Violet Hour

Returns to grass where she was a Mile winner in Ireland and shocked to see that this is her only 1st start on USA green; exits her lowest-Beyer speed figure when fading; she figures to use her gate speed to try to outrun Runaway Ready from the bell then hold off the closers; the 2-back winner repeated in an AQU-100K stakes with a 79 Beyer.

Kara's Match Point

Gate speed appears to be her greatest asset but she's had a history of gate issues like 2 and 3 back; projects to press Runaway Ready for the lead; not easy to make a case for her off the 8th-place grass debut last fall returning to green for this; others appeal more.

Hey Kiddo

Main Track Only entry produced a light Beyer when earning the graduation; she has never raced following this type of a layoff which is a major issue for this; the 2-back winner repeated in a LRL-100K stakes with a 72 Beyer; the other MTO Madre Ditutticapi owns much sharper speed figures.

Love Train

Sire is 29-for-321 with 1st-turf starters; G2 dam (153K) did not race on grass; both foals to race on USA grass were winners including 241K-grasser SW-Starfish Bay (6-for-11); all meet long her trainer has won with fresh runners like her; even more impressive is the barn's 24% win rate 1st-time out with newly-acquired runners; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 77 in a next-out MTH-$12,500-claiming win.

Lawless Miss

Did not dazzle us fresh in her 1st start of 2013 so likely to be taking a wait and see approach off the bench; was defeated by the winner who repeated in a BEL-OPC with an 82 Beyer; graduated on BEL Inner Turf with a midpack rally which she figures to offer for this.

Race Hunter

Outsider off her USA debut which was not very enticing as she faded at longer; in her England races she was a forward factor hoping that a sprint today and 1st-time Lasix may help out her stamina; the 6th and 7th-place finishers from last Beyered 70-61 in next-out LRL-PID-allowance and OPC wins.

Madre Ditutticapi

MTO returns to BEL dirt where she has lost just once; exits a PRX race where it appeared she was screaming out for more distance but stays at 6F for this; the 3-back winner repeated in an AQU-OPC with a 74 Beyer; a 1-for-15 fast track record is the top concern. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Peace and Justice

Four year old has only run a handful of times but he's certainly looked good on the front end in beating cheaper at this trip at West this year; he's been working lights out since tiring from his pace efforts as the chalk in his stakes debut last month at Santa Anita and he owns a score over a heavy local course but he'll get a good class test in this spot; looks like they'll have to catch him to win.

Bio Pro

First part of the entry ran ok against cheaper in his local debut off 3 months on the shelf; he was solid with cheaper on the green in California and a top local pilot will stick with him as he figures to be tighter this time, but he'll need to step things up quite a bit to contend for a money slot in this spot.

Plainview

Speedy gelding makes his first start of the year while returning to a course he likes with a top pilot in the saddle; he's fired pretty big ones fresh in the past and can handle this trip, but if the field remains intact he's going to have his hands full in getting to the top and he has been beaten by some of today's rivals; likely proves vulnerable in the lane.

Big Screen

He's another making his 2014 debut in this spot for a barn that hasn't had much luck here but they are profitable with their recent returnees; while he's done most of his damage on the main track he did take a stake at the trip on this footing here last year and there was some give in the course that day.

Jack Milton

Other half of the coupling offered plenty of promise last year, more than holding his own while stepping with some of the top turf runners of his generation and taking his course with him; off the pace type returned to action with an impressive score over a big field in his first crack against older and he's had some time to get over the effort for an outfit that does excellent work with runners second back from the break; looks to be the main danger.

Za Approval

Last year's Breeders Cup Mile runner up to the eventual Horse of the Year escapes that foe's wrath while spotting these weight in his local return; gray beat one of these in taking a G3 the last time he stepped on this course and the pilot aboard for that one will take the reins again in here; he's clearly the class of the bunch and at this level looms the one to beat.

Sinatra

Outside drawn gelding seeks his third straight score while returning to the scene of his initial turf spin during his juvenile year; he's certainly come into his own since being moved to this barn's care and maybe with a solid clip in front of him he has more to offer, but he has yet to face anything close to this caliber and will have his work cut out for him. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Lady Lavery

Have to respect the ability that this filly has demonstrated in her first two starts and this Darley-homebred goes out for a barn and rider that team up with success; it's worth noting that this outfit has been hitting at a 30% clip with horses being sent out with Lasix for the first time.

Call Her Sunny

She was sent to post at nearly 50-1 for her career debut and it would've been nice to have seen her show a little bit more that day; she's out of a G3 winning dam who won 4 of 15 turf starts for 213k, and the third-place finisher from her debut returned to win next out here on 5/22 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with a 71 Beyer.

Mobilize

She's by a top turf sire and she really hasn't run a bad race from three turf attempts; this is an outfit that just keeps rolling right along with their turf starters and it certainly doesn't hurt to see that Castellano will be aboard again.

Hope Cross (IRE)

Her career debut was a very encouraging performance and have to respect the potential for better from her now that she has some racing experience to draw from; this barn has been super live at this meeting and Lezcano has won with 7 of 22 (32%) mounts for this outfit in 2014.

Quilt

Half-sister to G3 stakes placed Hakama (5-23, 264k, including 2 of 8 turf starts for 82k) is two-for-three in the quality start department to begin her career and she was a sharp runner up in her turf debut when last seen; this is a strong turf barn that is known for improving them with age and experience, and like to see Rosario get the assignment once again.

Magnolia Lane

Nicely bred miss is by a fine turf sire and she's out of a G1 winning dam who won 6 of 16 starts for 746k, including 2 of 8 turf starts for 144k; runner up from latest won next out at CD on 5/17 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. MSW rivals with an 81 Beyer.

Holabird

Always positive to see the kind of improvement that this filly displayed from age two to age three, and with only three starts behind her, there's reason to believe that she still has more to show us; feel that she has to be listed among the contenders in here.

Chichita

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who was winless from 12 starts, including one turf start; this filly wasn't able to get much going in her career debut against 16k maiden claimers, and this is a tough spot for her turf debut.

Wonder Upon a Star

Her career debut can be viewed as being a useful performance and this half-sister to multiple G1 winner Wonder Again (7-22, $1.4 million over turf) can be expected to show more at second asking; she doesn't find herself in a soft spot, but she clearly has her share of appeal.

Giant's Jewel

Her best effort might be strong enough to get her into the mix against these, but when thinking about backing her for the top spot, it's difficult to overlook the 0-for-14 race record, especially when she's in against a good looking field of maidens.

Camryn's Gem

Like to see the improvement in her form since being sent out with Lasix and her most recent start can be viewed as being her sharpest performance to date; she's one of two interesting options to consider for the Mott barn in here.

Sylvia T

There's a chance that this race will see a lot of scratches if it has to be moved to the main track and this will certainly be a favorable spot for this filly to land in, but she is seeking her first win in start number 12 and she hasn't been shy about settling for runner-up finishes. - Brian Pochman