Betfair Hollywood: Closer Looks for November 24, 2013

Race 1

Afleet Cowboy

Last victory was July 1, 2012 at Pleasanton, his third win that year. Northern Afleet gelding is 0-for-8 in 2013 and has gotten progressively worse with each start. Had some trouble in his last two, but not enough to account for the losing margins. Inside post doesn't help the prospect of a turnaround.

Da Ruler

One-time Baffert speedball had run three terrible races this year prior to his last start. Customarily on or near the lead, the Roman Ruler 5-year-old rallied from ninth to finish second at 21-1. Bumps up a notch, but hard to trust connections that are a combined 1-for-80 this year.

Minister of Trade

One-for-18 lifetime, but that victory was on Cushion Track a year ago. Been spinning his wheels against restricted $12,500 claimers and this open $10,000 is an even tougher spot. No speed and little finish not a winning combination.

Macias

Stakes campaigner several years ago has fallen on hard times. Last victory was New Year's Day, 2012. Son of Purge not disgraced against better in his last two and today's drop back to $10,000 is logical. Still has speed and could get brave if he makes the lead. Rider, trainer have won 3-of-21 for a $4.25 ROI.

Position A

Winningest horse in the field (7) has completely lost his edge. Far back in his last two without a visible excuse and now jumps up one level. Published 5 furlong drill two days after he last ran is puzzling. Trainer 1-for-67 this year. Easy toss.

Dunmore East

Rail hurt him in last when he was hemmed in and didn't get out until far too late. Moves outside today and should get a cozy trip just off a slow pace. Bejarano stays with the 6-year-old, who drops a peg and has a pair of sharp drills since his last. Clearly the one to beat.

Race 2

Granny Calling

Double drops in class following a two month layoff. Time off is worrisome because of the gap in workouts between October 14 and November 14. Also, has a 13 3-4-2 record at other tracks but hasn't hit the board in four starts on Cushion Track. Rider has been aboard both the trainer's winners this year, producing a $13.65 ROI.

Julio's Gold

Hendricks lost the Brother Derek filly for $12,500 October 6 and claimed her right back for the same price 20 days later. Though her last victory came in a non-winners of two lifetime, the Beyer figure she earned makes her competitive on the raise. Might also have a pace advantage.

Firendesire

Wasted a perfect trip last time and came up empty in the lane. That race was for $16,000 sophomores only and now must face older gals. Defeated better on Cushion Track during the Spring/Summer meeting, but seems well removed from that form. Needs a wakeup call.

Catch Lorraine

Showed little in three starts this year, so Phil Oviedo double drops the 6-year-old mare. If she decides to run back to her 2012 form, she'd have an outstanding chance. Hasn't tried the Cushion, however she has done well on synthetic tracks (8 3-3-2). Real question mark.

Rossi Reserve

Iron mare has already started 16 times this year, with four wins, seven seconds and one third. Only double winner on Cushion Track in the field, including her last start November 10. Picks up five pounds but also switches to hot-riding Corey Nakatani. Right style and could repeat despite the raise.

No Tricks for Jack

Last two victories were at this level, including an easy score on this track May 26. Has been a bit erratic though, with her wins surrounded by four off the board performances. Certainly fits with these and trainer has won 22 per cent moving from turf to synthetic.

Addendum

Ran terrible in a turf sprint here November 7, but had never run particularly well on grass before. Has been competitive (6 0-3-1) on Cushion Track and should appreciate the return to the synthetic. Several of her races make her formidable, including a narrow victory over Rossi Reserve September 11 at Barretts.

Race 3

Judy In Disguise (GB)

She makes a couple of notable moves; for one she's returning to the overnight ranks after a graded stakes start; she also gets back racing with straight 3-year-olds; removed blinkers last out and popped a career-high Beyer Figure and note the number is also the best Beyer in this field; adding to her appeal is the fact that she can be closer to the pace than most of these on the move from six and a half furlongs to a mile; win candidate.

Joeandbetty'sbaby

She might be closer to the pace here than she was last time as she will be stretching back out to a mile after racing over six and a half furlongs; has the added benefit of getting the chance to race with straight 3-year-olds after facing older rivals in each of her last two starts; one who can share.

Include the Aussie

She's returning to the overnight ranks after facing graded stakes rivals in her most recent out; has been quite effective at this mile trip as both of her career wins have come at the distance; a concern is whether she will get the pace setup she needs to fuel her closing kick.

Becky Lou

She faced one of the best in the business last out in Beholder; following their meeting, Beholder won both the Zenyatta and Breeders' Cup Distaff with respective Beyer Figures of 106 and 105; this one moves back to the grass after the synthetic track start last time and both of her wins have come on the green; win candidate.

Need You Now (IRE)

She has class appeal on the move to the overnight ranks after a series of graded stakes starts; she also is appealing for her natural speed as she can be closer to the pace than most of these and that could give her a tactical advantage; she also has reason to move forward in her second start since August; win candidate.

Race 4

Friendswith K Mill

Maiden voyage involved a slow getaway and wide trip; his sire won a G1 and 844K overall; the dam was without a victory in 7 attempts; among the winning siblings include 34K earner Daughter's Pride; must deal with same precarious post.

Indianapolis

New face hails from the brilliant Medaglia d'Oro who won multiple G1s and 5.75 million (his progeny have won 10 percent of their debuts); the dam won 2 of 7 and 77K; among the winning siblings is 395K earner Heart Ashley.

Cherubim

Firster was sired by multiple G1 victor Henny Hughes who amassed 1.12 million and whose descendants have won 33 out of 213 initial starts; the dam won 2 of 19 and 99K; this is her only foal to compete.

Icy Ride

Extra-fine work tab for this beginner whose sire was defeated; offspring of the multiple G1 winner Candy Ride have scored in 51 out of 381 debuts; the dam won 2 of 10 and 110K; winning siblings include 10K earner After Josh.

Test Ride

He was the pacesetter in a G1 affair a few months ago and was sharpened up recently in an overnight stakes on the turf; the colt can easily be a major pace player today as the most recent half-mile workout suggests; worth some inclusion.

Ian Street

That gate workout of 10 days ago was strong; his sire won multiple G1 sprints and 831K in total (progeny of Street Boss have won 20 percent of their first tests); the dam involved won 1 of 10 and 61K; among the winning sibs is 116K earner Cloud Man.

Snuggley Bear

Earned decent checks each time but faces a host of some well-bred firsters here and does not warrant such low odds as in recent starts; turned in an excellent work recently and switches to Bejarano who has done well for these connections.

Gameboy Luke

His sire won multiple G1s and 669K (offspring of Zensational have won 3 of 30 initial races); the dam never made it to the starting gate; winning siblings include 84K earner Hipocrisy; a moderate work tab is on view.

Frosted Boss

Yet another member of this line-up whose latest a.m. move was excellent; see Ian Street, above, for information about the same sire; the dam won 7 of 25 appearances and 201K; sib to 108K earner Sandy Key Gal.

Race 5

Gabbiano

Speedy filly moves to the fence while dropping in half in claiming price for the slight stretchout in her return to synthetic footing; she's yet to win going this far and she's had her issues when unable to clear, but she draws inside the gal who beat her to the top following the troubled beginning last time and with a clean start she'll likely be rolling from the bell today; they'll have to run her down.

Hot List

Failed to step with limited winners when sent off at a big price at Santa Anita last time and now she'll tackle open claimers; filly did break her maiden over synthetic footing upstate last winter and she worked well on dirt for her local return, but she's got a lot of improving to do to get close to these and looms a longshot.

Lil Cheyenne

Makes her first start for a new outfit that has yet to saddle one this year; she did break her maiden from off the pace the last time she set foot on the local main track in the afternoon and though her subsequent spins with winners weren't much, maybe she's perked up by the local return; if things heat up in front of her she could rally for a share.

Tricksareforkids

Got caught in a wide spot on dirt last out but still showed pretty good lick before backing out of it at 79-1; expect she'll again be involved from the outset as that recent Los Al drill suggests her lick remains intact, but don't think she'll have much left in the tank for the drive on the stretchout to this trip; passing on her.

Swiss Bliss

Steps up a notch off the claim by a solid outfit after rallying from a wide spot and grabbing the place at a slightly shorter trip at Santa Anita; her last local spin suggests she'll appreciate the return to the local surface and thre does look to be a solid clip in front of her; she's winless locally and has settled for a lot of minor awards, but this one could fall right into her lap.

Wink and Wish

Faded after showing solid early foot at a shorter trip when returned at the same price this barn paid for her at Del Mar; she's dropped in half for her return to synthetic footing and now she'll draw outside a gal who pushed her hard last time; interim drills suggest she's returned ok, but she's certainly been headed the wrong way and is going to have to earn this one.

Magic Number

Tenth time proved her charm as she made her return to synthetic footing a winning win in her initial local main track spin; off the pace runner should get the setup she's looking for in her first with winners and often this type has another good one in them once they've gotten over the hump, but she will likely find herself much further out of it early on the cut back to this trip and that may limit her ceiling to a minor share.

Jeanne Marini

Fresh sophomore starts from the outside slot while stepping up to face her toughest task yet; she is a quick breaker and did show solid early lick at shorter trips at Fairplx and ran ok first tim on synthetic footing here in the spring but don't think sh'll be good enough to go with some of these from out here at this extended trip.

Race 6

On Draft

Milwaukee Brew about 12% with juvenile debuters in a 179-runner sample, about 15% wth first-time turfers in a 165-starter grid; sire did not race at 2, earned over $2.8 million as dirt router only; dam took 2 dirt routes as older horse; lone half sis lost twice; may want more ground.

Bullwhip

Benny the Bull 0 for 2 with first-time turfers; sire didn't go at 2, took multiple Grade 1s, banked over $2.3 million, never turfed; 6 for 33 dam won at 2, banked $225K, handled grass; 4 of 5 siblings won; none won at 2 or on turf; respect this speed.

Kozani

Exchange Rate about 14% with juvenile debuters in a 267-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, took G2 Tom Fool, won twice on grass, earned nearly $500K; 3 for 15 dam didn't go at 2, was turf only, earned nearly $230K; 2 sibs to race a combined 0 for 11; he looks fit enough.

Sir Macho

Macho Uno about 9% wth first-time turfers in a 194-starter grid; sire won thrice at 2 including debut, earned over $1.8 million, never turfed; dam won at 2, was turf only, banked nearly $200K; this is her first to race; needs a turn around.

Mr. Cactus

Never thrilled to see defeats for a tag and a runner comes back in this league; lack of speed a major concern; runner has some things to prove.

My Secret Affair

Freshened since showing legit speed down the hill; dam won twice at 2, earned nearly $300K, was third twice in best results on grass; 3 of 4 siblings won; one cashed on grass, another cashed at 2; stabled locally, can't fault those that give him one more chance.

Arkenstone

Arch about 10% with first-time turfers in a 327-runner sample; Grade 1 winning sire graduated in juvenile debut, earned almost half a million, never turfed; 2 of dam's 4 wins came on grass, was 2nd in best try at 2; 3 of 5 sibs won; 2 cashed at 2, a couple tried grass to no avail but kin Preservata earned nearly $140K; 4th finisher in last took a maiden $50K claimer and the 7th finisher took a MSW; look for him late if at all.

Nooten

Mud Route 2 for 50 with first-time turfers; sire graduated in second out by 11 as a juvenile, earned almost $700K, never turfed; one for 7 dam cashed on dirt as older horse; the sibling that won cashed once on grass as older horse; homebred has to hurry.

Synch the Heat

Latent Heat 10 for 73 with juvenile firsters, 7 for 65 with first-time grass runners; sire was 2nd in only juvenile out, took a G1, banked $450K as a speedball, never turfed; dam took debut at 2 and won on grass once; 4 of 5 sibs won; top earner cashed on grass, banked nearly $60K; O'Neill has put this rider on some winners.

Voluntary

Scrimshaw 4 for 48 with juvenile firsters, same stats with first-time grass runners; sire unbeaten in both juvenile outs including MSW bow, banked over $450K carerer, was never on grass; dam won at 2, was out of the money thrice on grass; 4 of 5 siblings won; one cashed at 2; top kin La Tormenta won 5 times on grass, banked nearly $200K; drills ideally spaced.

Captain Dixie

Henrythenavigator 4 for 24 with juvenile firsters, 2 for 26 with first-time grass runners; sire won juvenile debut on grass, took multiple Group 1s on turf; dam took one sprint as older horse; 2 of 5 siblings won; neither cashed at 2 but one cashed once on grass; he has the benefit of being stabled here.

Bourne Hot

Solid try on the cut back when easily flashing career speed; there is an over $130K earner in the family but no turf or juvenile success visible; shorter trip could be just what the good doctor ordered; long gone?

Los Borrachos

Pulpit about 10% with first-time turf runners in a 435-runner sample; sire won debut by over 7, won 3 of next 4 including the Fountain of Youth and Blue Grass, never turfed; dam banked over $100K but didn't win at 2 or on grass; this is her first to race; homebred looks fit.

Sams Blue Cat

Bluegrass Cat about 6% with first-time turf runners in a 162-runner sample; sire won thrice at 2, took G1 Haskell, never turfed; 3 won at 2, 3 of her 10 wins came on grass on way to near $300K life; lone half bro took 7 sprints as older horse in the minor leagues on dirt; may need softer to shine.

Relative Time

Love the series of drills since the educational debut; dam took one dirt route as older horse; this is her first to race; there seems to be plenty of speed in here to help promote the kick; look out.

Race 7

Starspangled Heat

Been a late runner on turf but projects to be closer to the lead here with Compari and Cycometer; just one race during career on a synthetic surface is a career-low Beyer speed figure posted July, 2011, in the career debut a HOL-10th-place MSW event at 6F.

Spirit Rules

Is a nose away from being perfect on synthetic surfaces; late runner will save every inch of ground then make one run; got up in time at shorter while today is just the 2nd time in career racing at least this far; beat the 3-back show runner Beyered 83 in a next-out BHP-optional-claiming win.

Compari

Returns to a synthetic surface for the 1st time since July, 2010, when finishing 5th in a HOL-G1 at 10F; figures to race on or close to the lead with Cyclometer; been superior on turf with the last win rider on Cycometer for this; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 96 in a next-out SA-G3 stakes win; stamina has been the missing ingredient to success.

Cyclometer

Projects to be part of the pace with Compari although rated smartly in latest career-best Beyer over the track; last poor race on the form was when in vs. Grade 1 company here; if can only repeat last has every chance to repeat as the pick.

Mobilized

Deep closer returns to synthetic the surface of his career-best Beyer at today's distance over the track; hopes for a pace meltdown but is winless 19 months since that BHP late rush; way off best form in recent losses while needing last off the 55-day absence.

Rousing Sermon

Cuts back to his shortest-distance test since March; figures to sit just off the gate speed then hopes to get 1st run on the closers; been best on fast tracks and has 8 minor awards on synthetic meaning he's raced well in defeat; last time on synthetic was a dull effort but owns his best Beyer at BHP while latest is a co-career-best speed figure.

Maybe Tuesday

Been superior on turf during career; has not raced this short of a distance since March; big race 2-back the last time on synthetic when a force from bell to finish at 1F longer than this; synthetic win was March, 2012, at 8.5F in a GG-8K-maiden claimer.

Luckarack

Figures to press the pace wide stalking Compari and Cycolmeter; is 5-0-0-0 in races at 7.5F or longer during career; has not raced this far since finishing 4th in the September, 2011, Pomona Derby; been best on the main track; his last win on dirt and his 7-for-16 fast track record is noted.

Race 8

Always a Chance

Moves back in with statebreds in her first start off the claim for a sharp outfit; she's run well on the green in the past and can sprint so maybe she takes a step forward here; she does gets some speed in front of her.

Luckyvic

She's run just once since the summer and figures to be tighter with that Halloween run behind her; her last 2 starts weren't very good, but this mare was beaten less than 2 lengths at the trip and level over the course in the spring and she owns the back numbers to prove a threat if ready for her best.

Warren's Rosebud

Lightly raced gray turns back to sprint after offering little going long at Santa Anita last month; she's been working like she's ready to get back to her efforts earlier in the year and she will get some speed to rally into; she'll also get a switch to Bejarano.

Joint Attempt

She'll make her first sprint start while moving back in to face statebreds in this spot; sophomore hasn't done much since shipping out here this summer, but she should have a little bit more to offer late on the turn back; maybe for a share.

Vegas Rules

Made a nice run and wasn't beaten much when returning from the short break at the trip a couple of weeks ago; she is a 3 time winner, but she'll face better in this spot and will need to show up with more to get involved in the outcome.

Luxuriance

Last out trip runner up has a right to be tighter with that first start in 3 months behind her; she's been solid at this statebred level but has also been stuck without a win for more than a year; prefer to limit her use to underneath in exotics.

Hidethegoodstuff

Filly wasn't beaten much in either of her 2 recent cracks at the level over the Santa Anita dirt and now she'll move back to the lawn; she handled the hill pretty well in her initial surface spin and she's quick enough to secure a spot up top in this one; with a solid local drill in tow we'll give her the nod to beat these home.

Promiscuoussuances

Speedy mare has lost ground through the lane in each of her starts since that last win down the hill in April; she'll start from the outside slot in here and her mission is usually clear as they send her to the top from the bell; as a 5 time winner she's the most accomplished in here, but given the pace scenario she's going to have her work cut out for her from out here.

Race 9

Amina Perfect

Firster was sired by Benchmark who won multiple G2s and 636K (his offspring have scored in 67 out of 500 initial races); the dam went zero for 5 lifetime; among the winning siblings is 94K earner Amina.

Lady Delaney

Yet to earn an exacta finish, perhaps the freshening and drop to this level for the first time will help her cause; workout activity this month has been exclusively at today's distance; can earn a share as a result.

Dulcemia

Although granted 15 chances already, she did show much more competitive spirit in the latest run when burdened with an unlucky post position; can be an early presence at the very least and has always gone to post at generous odds.

Sugar High Kaylin

Newcomer hails from multiple G1 Candy Ride who was undefeated and whose progeny have won approximately 13 percent of their first races; the dam won 2 of 12 and 101K; sib to 24K earner Meadowood.

Amanda

Rounding to form now and notice her recent post position history; may receive a more intense pace here and move forward even further; latest half-mile drill was a slight upgrade as well; legitimate trifecta player.

Secret Memo

Tried to stay within range in her comeback race and faded in the final furlong; can improve off that tightener and once showed a far better first gear; would increase her prospects today if some of the inside speed happens to scratch.

Valarta

Quit early in the proceedings last month but was chasing some solid fractions in that attempt; switches to apprentice handling now and may be pursuing a softer pace; will have to run a personal best Beyer though in order to earn a major slice.

Sheza Eyeopener

Jammed up between rivals in the same race as the previous runner; has not come close to the performance level of her career debut; cannot endorse until she shows much more staying power.

Rich in Tradition

Enjoyed a comfortable stalking trip in the last placing when holding off Amanda for the place; the race itself is on the soft side though and she was clearly beaten by pacesetter Dulcemia in the run 2 back; minor award still possible.

Ilovefools

Far back in that initial effort while boxcar odds; she hails from G1 victor Include who amassed 1.65 million; the dam won 2 of 15 and 161K; among the winning siblings is 40K earner Anni's Jackpot; cannot endorse as this time.

Winninginfashion

Claimed and re-claimed, she had little chance in her last try when breaking slowest of all; blinker addition can help her focus; her sire won multiple G1s and 1.69 million; the mom went zero for 3; sib to 18K earner Fabulous Fashion; sudden turnaround not out of the question.