Belmont: Closer Looks for May 8, 2014

Race 1

Metasonic

The combination of dropping to a maiden claimer; blinkers on, moving to dirt and cutting back to a sprint added up to a much improved effort in his second start; he'll need to keep moving forward but he is the first foal out of a stakes-placed mare that won three sprints and earned $142K so that isn't impossible; he also had a pretty rough trip in his latest; don't sell short.

Alexndeed

Takes the plunge after fading in his latest on Polytrack at Keeneland and the past five years Zito has a 17 percent strike rate with horses going from a MSW race to a maiden claimer; all six sibs are winners the best being Grade 2 Virginia Derby winner War Dancer; double-digit losses in all three of his races but he will appreciate the easier company and he figures to be involved right from the start; tough call.

Qui C'est Moi

Toss his latest and he looks like a player but that was a pretty ugly performance; he broke well enough but then just dropped out of it and despite being asked never got involved; the winner of his key race two back won a $40K optional race with an 81 Beyer Speed Figure at Pimlico in his next start; would have at liked to have seen at least one work since his last race; looking in other directions.

Lane Allen

Debuts for a high percentage trainer that is 0/4 with first time starters; sire roughly 8 percent with first timers; dam didn't win but all three sibs are winners the best being Grade 3 placed Classic Legacy who won three races and earned $177K; works are okay but others look more attractive.

Surfspun

Made the drop into a maiden claimer in his second start this year and he just about got it done as the heavy chalk in the same race Metasonic exits; can see him sitting just off suspect speed and he could ready for a big effort in the third start of his current form cycle; horse that finished second in his race at the Fairgrounds won his next two including the Derby Trial at Churchill via disqualification; the pick in what apprears to be contentious field.

Vona

Not sure it was the toughest field of straight maidens around but he ran a big race in his first start for Reynolds who the past five years has a 25 percent strike rate with horses dropping into a maiden claimer; all three sibs to race are winners the best being Grade 2 placed True Cause; it's encouraging to see Castellano keep the faith and it wouldn't be surprising to see him take a big step forward in his second star back; big shot.-Randy Goulding

Race 3

Sheriffa

That was a nice effort in her first start of the year and considering she was tackling stakes company in her third start she really hasn't run a bad race; she will be stretching out for the first time and the past five years Goldberg is 7/73 with horses going long the first time; sire was strictly a sprinter; dam ran three times and placed in lone route try; two sibs, one winner with 7 wins sprinting; could be the one they're chasing if she breaks on top and it wouldn't be surprising to see her hang around long enough to pick up a slice.

Maxana

She is proven at the distance and is coming off a solid second going seven furlongs at this level April 25; the time was pretty slow but her best races have been going long and her second behind $194K 5-time winner Rodinia in her previous race would put her in the mix here; live barn and the addition of Castellano add to her appeal; consider for the exotics.

Vaid

The 3-time winner just missed at this level in her last three and she broke her maiden over this track so she won't mind the move across town; horse that edged her in her latest couldn't keep up with open company in her next start; should get a nice trip from a stalking position and there's no reason why she won't be right there again; big shot.

Prairie Stone

Lightly-raced 3-year-old couldn't keep up to Echluath two back but it was her first try going a middle distance and she came back with a powerful performance in her next start; horse that won her second start came back to win a $75K optional race with an 80 Beyer Speed Figure; sibs include 12-time winner,8 routes, Vinnie's Wild, and 6-time winner, all sprints, Seattle Louie; first time with winners but she's still the pick.

See Me Sometime

Paid a nice price for her win in a $25K maiden race for NY-breds and she'll pay a nice price if she can beat this group; first time with winners is never easy and her Beyer Speed Figures come in pretty light; she is the first foal to race out of a mare that won a couple of routes so she should like the trip and she gets in light with Rice picking up the mount; looks like a tough spot for her, though.

Echluath

She seems to have found her surface after not making much of an impact in any of her races on turf; sharp win over Prairie Stone March 23 and her Beyer Speed Figures have improved in her last two races so she might not have reached her peak; like the way she tracked the speed in her win and she should get a similar trip here; contender.-Randy Goulding

Race 4

Startripenterprise

Never thrilled about runners in this league after they missed for a tag but last race was decent considering the winner was by himself; stakes placed 3 for 21 dam banked over $200K, was route only; lone half sis to race Skinnydipper lost 4 times; may need softer to shine.

Campion Lane

Far back in the grass route, note show horse was well clear; connections would love to see him start acting like top kin Big Brownie, who won stakes, was a proven router, earned over $250K; crushed the other times in this league.

Lyrical Miracle

Would expect runner to show more speed on the stretch out; place horse in last won at this level, 7th finisher was 2nd a head in a MSW and the winner repeated in an N1X fray; dam lost only start; this is her first to race; must hurry.

Coviello

Colt proved he could pass horses in the debut; 2 for 17 dam banked about $30K, was turf only; lone half sis to race lost only start; expect better effort.

Bluegrass Flash

Soph showed ability despite the poor start in the debut; bothered next time, decent run in the October opener and he may have hated the muddy going in last; the 10/23 winner won next 4, was beaten by Wicked Strong, then ran a solid 5th to California Chrome in the Derby; family is solid with route success and Grade 1 winning half sis and over $800K earner Discreet Marq; don't ignore.

Fidelius

Pure Prize about 12% with debuters in a 383-runner sample; sire won at 2, took a G2, banked $425K; 2 for 39 dam earned over $100K, was sprint only; this is her first to race; lean toward watcing one.

Salisbury Knight

Mirror races so far, maybe the blinks will perk him up; dam was unraced; 3 of 6 siblings won; top kin Willard Straight earned over $300K, routed successfully on grass; out to make amends for flop as chalk.

Mighty Zealous

Could have sulked after lunging in the debut but he kept to the task and then was inching toward the winner in last; show horse in the debut graduated next out at this level, was third beaten beaten 2 and a half in an N1X here last Sunday; 2 for 16 dam won routing once; this is her first to race; can't fault those that give him another shot.

My Terms

He's due for a trip after the slow debut combined with the pinball deal in last; dam lost 14 times; several multiple race winners in the family including 7-time route winner and over $260K player Hoosick Falls; has some things to iron out.

Reaction Rate

Not a great experience to bang heads with the gate to kick it off; 6 for 45 dam earned over $100K, won routing once; the sibling that won once took a sprint; this is a tough sell.-Brian Mulligan

Race 5

Which Market

Stakes placed veteran is more than capable of producing a performance that can make him tough to tackle at this level of competition and it's interesting to see him making hisa first start for the Hushion barn after a claim, especially with Ortiz getting the call as he's won with 10 of 18 (56%) mounts for this outfit in 2014; third-place finisher from latest won next out at Sar on 8/22 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 35k claimers with an 87 Beyer.

Summit County

He's another late running type to look at in here and like the idea of getting him back over turf for his first start of 2014; the time off is a concern but his best effort can get him into the mix against these.

Days Ride

He's making his first start for a barn that does well with new acquisitions and can't help but view the assignment of Castellano as a positive indicator; winner from latest won next out at GP on 3/9 going 1m over turf vs. 25k OPC's with a 98 Beyer.

Mia Poppy

Have to respect the way that he's performed over this turf course in the past and there is a chance that he'll find himself sitting a comfortable early pace; he does enters this race on a long losing streak, so he has to be approached with some caution, but he isn't out of the question by any means.

Sacred Ground

Minor stakes placed runner has 10 wins next to his name and this will be a decent spot for him to make his first start for a new barn if this race has to be moved to the main track; prefer Mulheb of the MTO's, but this one is clearly a contender.

Dreaming of Danny

He's by a top turf sire and his overall form has been strong enough to give him a competitive look in this spot; he's making his first start for the Rodriguez barn and Ortiz has won with 19 of 55 (35%) mounts for this outfit in 2014; must respect.

Ampersand

He's another in here trying to shake off a long losing skid, but he can produce a pretty strong stretch punch on his best day, and his best effort is in line with what it might take to win this; at the very least, he's worthy of consideration underneath in the exotics.

Mulheb

Have to give his previous connections a lot of credit for the work they did in returning him from a long layoff on top of his game three starts ago, and now he's making his first start for Jacobson; he's a top contender if he gets to go, and Ortiz has won with 10 of 36 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Precious Metal

He looks like he can have a say in the outcome whether this race is run over turf or dirt and it's encouraging to see what he's done in his nine starts over this turf course; a repeat of his latest performance places him squarely in the mix.

Majestic Raffy

He's been a pretty consistent performer racing over turf and he's another in here who has the ability to step up with a competitive run at this level of competition on his best day; third-place finisher from latest won next out at Aqu on 4/12 going 6 1/2f vs. 50k OPC's with a 97 Beyer.-Brian Pochman

Race 7

Image of Noon

Moves to the fence for her first start back from 5 months on the shelf after failing to stretch out across town; her prior try came over the local course at a trip a little longer than she prefers and it wasn't bad; she'll pick up some weight for her 4 year old debut but she's a good fit at the level and she did break her maiden at the trip in her first start last season.

White Crane

Turns back after setting the pace in her initial route try at the level at Aqueduct last month; filly hit the board in each of her 3 inner track spins at the level earlier this year and her initial turf try upstate last summer suggests she should appreciate the return to one turn racing over this this footing; worth a look for a barn that does pretty well with this type.

Lumineuse

Didn't have so much to offer in her return to the green last time and now she'll return to sprinting; mare broke her maiden sprinting on the Spa lawn, earning a career best number in the process, but her subsequent one turn tries haven't been very good; prefer others on the win end.

Amber Morning

Ships in fresh from Florida after breaking her maiden against cheap claimers on the turn back to sprint; she's no stranger to this circuit and ran pretty well going long as the chalk in her lone spin over the local sod last fall; maybe the light bulb just went off last time and now she's ready to keep going, but this type does tend to take money when arriving on the local scene so there may not be a lot of value in her repeating.

Aesthetique

Makes her first start of the year after hitting the shelf off a big score second time over the local sod; filly will tackle winners and older rivals both for the first time today for a barn that's had a rough start to the season, but she did run pretty well off drills to begin her career and was a lot more involved early from an inside draw in the maiden breaker so this shorter trip may not impact her; big threat to return running.

Marketable Miss

Filly was given some extra time off the popular maiden score over the inner last out and returned to breeze sharply on the main track for her return; sire is 1 for 8 with his initial turf starters and the unraced dam dropped 1 turf winner from 3 foals to try the footing; she'll try older today but the barn is profitable with its runners moving to this surface.

Old Harbor

She's been idle since besting maidens on the Spa dirt in her second career start last summer and now she'll try older winners for the first time; filly worked well last week at Monmouth for this and the outfit boasts some recent luck with its returnees; all 3 of the dam's other foals to try the green won over it including 254K earner Shipwreckstreasure who won twice on the lawn.

Ascended Fever

Returns from Finger Lakes where she tanked at odds on, but now she'll get back to the green over which she earned both of her career scores; 4 year old is the most experienced runner in here and that means there's not a lot of room for upside like some of her foes may have, but if she gets back to where she was over this course last fall she would prove dangerous; she'll get a solid pilot today.

Imagine Tomorrow

MTO returns from a short break to try a level at which she was little match in her inner track finale; 7 year old is winless from 3 local spins and there's not much to say she'll go any better if the rains were to come and wash this one off; expect she'll show a little bit of fresh lick but don't know that she'll be a threat late in the lane.

As Well

Absentee gets Castellano for her return to the races and she did run a big one fresh over the course last year; late runner may want a little more ground than she gets here but the barn does bring them back ready; expect to see her best running in the lane.

Missy Bay

Filly showed plenty of ability sprinting on the local sod last fall and went the wrong way when tried on dirt; she'll tackle older for the first time here, but the dam was a pretty good one on the green (4 turf wins while banking 189K) and she dropped 2 multiple surface winners including 2 time restricted SW turfer and 225K earner Frosty Bay, so it wouldn't be a surprise if this gal were to return with a big one now that she's on her preferred footing.

Mighty Reward

She was beaten less than 3 lengths when tried at this level before hitting the bench late last fall; filly owns some efforts that would put her in the exotics mix and she does switch to a top pilot, but the barn's recent numbers off the break are pretty weak.-Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Sky Skier

Considering the bump in last, this runner handled herself well; these are her friends, she should be able to gain position with his natural speed and Maragh got a chance to figure her out; and she has a shot to have a decent career as kin to stakes winner Breathoffreshheir, who banked nearly $180K.

Ms. Cruisen'

Wonder if that 2012 closer just zapped her?; she took the time off and has just been in the money once since; and that came in the short field; place horse 7/14 took a $50K optional next out; she has caught soft courses and tracks in 4 of his last 5; needs a rebound run.

Risque Reality

Toss the grass debut and the form brightens; he did only beat 3 in last but runners in the company line were clear; like the series of drills since the last effort; must find a way to turn the tables on the Pletcher runner among others.

Lost in Success

Consistent and dangerous; she showed a new wrinkle on the front end in last and it's always nice to have options; note show horse in last was well clear; barn rolling and trainer can keep them going good once they get good; respect.

Elena Strikes

Wrong distance in the only poor effort, she has run well at a number of different venues and has trained sharply here; like fact she has speed but doesn't need the lead to win; future bright as kin to $725K earner Runway Model; another threat in a good betting race.

Frivolity

Repeatedly proven fresh, drawn right, return drills well spaced and she should adore this trip; miss fits in the Beyer department and this is the first time she has been offered for sale; you would expect it to be an all out go.

Calistoga

She could be a little fragile as the races are spaced; bothered early in last, she has fired fresh in the past and check out the 2nd best of 108 works on the 28th; Florida invader should give a very good account of herself.

Masasi

Runner got good for about a month last year; far from disgraced in the stakes last time and she was hung wide in the processs; consistent, she brings back a lot of checks and has a nice stalk and pounce style; show horse in the last win cashed next out in a $98K stakes, then was a distant 4th in a $50K optional; must be left in the exotic mix at least.-Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Nonnie Connie

She earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure the last time she was seen racing over this turf course at today's distance, and that level of performance can play well versus these; runner up from latest won next out at Aqu on 2/9 going 6f vs. 35k N2L claimers with a 65 Beyer; Saez has won with 3 of 8 (38%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Dattts Da Boss

Street Boss has been a strong influence as a turf sire and this filly has run well enough over turf in the past to suggest that she can run with these; her one win was earned over the Belmont Park turf, and the winner from her latest race returned to win next out here on 5/3 going 1m vs. 40k OPC's with an 85 Beyer.

Rock N Cozy

She needed 22 starts to get to her first career win and she's going to need to step up her game while getting back over turf and meeting up with winners for the first time if she's to have a say in the outcome.

Radiant Cut

Not wild about what she's shown us so far, but it is interesting to see her being reunited with Velazquez as he was aboard for her one win; she's out of a G3 winning dam who won 4 of 15 turf starts for 197k, and this miss is a 1/2 to multiple graded stakes winner Mr Gruff (7-10, 339k over turf).

Chloe Bear

Like the idea of getting her back over turf but this looks like it can prove to be a difficult step up in class for her; Ortiz does get live calls from this outfit and the winner from her latest race returned to win next out at Aqu on 4/16 going 6f vs. 12.5k N3L claimers with a 65 Beyer.

Fee and Sugar

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from an unraced dam; she's going to need to really step it up over what she's shown on dirt if she's to prove to be a player in her first turf start.

Stage Name

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam won once from 10 starts for 28k, including 1 of 5 turf starts for 16k; this filly is a 1/2 to Go For Red 'n Gold (2-7, 36k, including 1 of 4 turf starts for 18k) and Ready to Sing (2-8, 75k, including 1 of 3 turf starts for 31k).

Fast 'n' Firm

Sire wins with approximately 7% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a multiple stakes placed dam who won 7 of 48 starts for 262k, including 0-for-2 over turf; she's another in here who will need to take her game to another level in her turf debut in order to have a say in the outcome.

Wisdom of Oz

This race figures to come up pretty soft if it has to be moved to the main track, and even though her dirt form hasn't been all that strong, she'll deserve to be listed among the contenders; it is worth noting that she hasn't been at her best in her three starts over this surface.

Holiday Drama

Obviously her recent form hasn't been her best, but she's run well enough over turf in the past to suggest that she can dial up a competitive performance against these, and she's making her first start after a claim for a barn that can move one forward.

Nickerdoodle

It would have been nice to have seen her show a little more in her latest start while making her first start after a 30k claim, but she's only two races removed from a performance that is strong enough to make some noise in this spot, and she's 1-for-1 over this turf course.

Malibu Queen

She put together a solid run from off the pace in her most recent turf start two races back, and that was after a layoff; not sure if the top spot is quite within her grasp, but a spot underneath in the exotics seems to be.-Brian Pochman