Betfair Hollywood: Closer Looks for November 8, 2013

Race 1

The Mothership

Sire Spensive is 0 for ffirst 9 first-time starters, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 3 of 20 for $313K, was SW, G2 SP; dam has 3 winners from 4 foals to race including Free Time (4 wins, $112K); dam won 2 of 4 for $45K; some nice works, topped off by a sharp 1:12.60 move at SA Oct. 26.

Autumn View

Ample talent shown in 2012; trouble is, she hasn't been seen since so we're talking over 16 months on the bench; and while those last 2 2nds here were nice in June 2012, both came on turf; at least there's no drop and she's worked well for a trainer who does wonderfully of a long layoff like this.

Teacher Teacher

Like the gal to her left she's shown talent but it was even further back than 'View - this gal ran well in 2009, wasn't seen for almost 2 years, ran well again in 2011 but then had 1 more 2011 start and was gone almost another 2 years ago; at least nice to see no drop in for a tag and this layoff (2 months) is a lot easier to swallow than those others; still, her works over this track of late don't exactly get the pulse racing, do they?; kin to 5 winners including Tilde (4 wins, 3 SWs, $345K).

Crystalline Indy

No real threat in the lane in first 3 starts but at least there's no panicky drop and 2 of those came on turf; moves to synthetic today; only prior synthetic try came at DMR Sept. 4 and after a sluggish start she made some headway to be 5th; will surely have to do much better but that's not out of reach; 3 of 4 sibs to race are winners Cat Talk (4 wins, $183K), Sure Speed (3 wins, $141K) and Major Smoke (4 wins, $120K, SP).

Swiss Heart

Enough speed to press the pace in her SA debut Oct. 4, though she weakened some late to be 4th; hey, that still wasn't a bad run at all for her first time out; it did come on turf so it's different footing today but she's been training over this track all along; 2 sibs to race, full-sis Swiss Blonde and full-bro My Pal Val are both winners.

Air of Royalty

Good speed in her DMR debut July 24 as despite a slow start she had enough early gas to be on the lead by the first call; couldn't stay with big winner Cotton's Point in the lane but stayed on well for 2nd and the gal who finished 2 lengths behind her in 3rd came right back to win; hasn't run since, which is a tad worrisome, but there's no class drop and she's worked very nicely of late, over this track no less; 2 sibs to race are Ansizong (14 wins, $162K) and Anziyan's Song (6 wins, $158K).

Race 2

Space Runner

Sharp earlier in the year with a trio of victories while being claimed five straight times. Most of his success came in the $8,000-$16,000 range. Taken for $25,000 three back and the elevated company seems to have taken the starch out of him. Steep drop back to $10k, but it remains to be seen if he can recapture his form.

Shoer Hugh

Last two times the ridgeling raced in Southern California, he finished last and was defeated by a combined 62 lengths. Did fairly well at Los Alamitos against cheaper and registered his lone victory at Fairplex, so a return to Orange County might be in order.

Dunmore East

Better-than-looked third last out in a fast race for the class. Bejarano rides back and the 6-year-old returned to work a half-mile in :46 1/5, the best of 33 drills at that distance October 25. The Bonde-Bejarano tandem has scored at 32 per cent with a $2.88 ROI over the last two years.

Private Bounty

Steps up one level following a perfect-trip victory for Mike Mitchell and Martin Garcia. Before he left California in 2012, the Grand Reward gelding finished first or second in five of seven starts on Cushion Track. A :48 2/5 half-mile work November 2 is a good sign, as is Garcia riding back.

Zip Cat

Blew a big late lead at Fresno last out and changed hands from Jeff Bonde to George Lopez. Speed is always dangerous and the Kitten's Joy gelding defeated much better as late as August 21 at Del Mar. It's difficult, however, to be confident with a barn that is 2 per cent this year and a rider who is batting 4 per cent.

Guidopanzini

Won the last time he raced on Cushion Track during the summer, bringing his record at Betfair Hollywood Park to 6 2-1-0. Was less than a length back of contender Dunmore East last out, but this will be his third straight drop since being claimed for $20,000 at Del Mar. Barn doing well this year (24 per cent) with limited starters.

Toss the Dice

Tossed craps last out when he trailed for a $12,500 tag. Claimed by Steve Miyadi, who drops the gelding a notch and removes his usual blinkers. Has speed to force the issue, a solid win per centage (4 for 13), and drops 11 pounds with apprentice Orozco up. Miyadi wins at 16 per cent first off the claim with a flat bet loss.

Gallant Gent

Claimed back for $16,000 by Jack Carava August 8 but has fizzled out in two subsequent outings. Drops another level and tries a new rider (Talamo). Outside post never hurts at this distance and the veteran has won on Cushion Track.

Race 3

Granny Calling

Good 2nd at BSR for $25K Sept. 22 looks better when you note 2 she beat that day came right back to win; that being said, considering she ran well that day and the race prior at DMR why wasn't she seen at all during the SA meet?; at least she returns up in price but her 4 prior tries here weren't any great shakes.

Elvies Lane

Dueled but paid the price for $25K at SA Oct. 11; in her defense, that was her irst start in 6 months so she had a right to get a little weary; Sherlock saw fit to claim her, moves her up in price and there's a bullet :36.20 move here Oct. 27 to encourage; all that being said, she's just 1 for her last 12 and that lone win via a DQ in July 2012.

There Is No Limit

Recent form hasn't been too hot but remember it all came vs. tougher; not only is she down in class but she returns to a place she loves (3 for 4 here); remember, too, just 6 months or so ago in May they thought enough of her to try a G1 at CD on Ky. Derby day and then try a turf sprint stakes at PIM the day before the Preakness; Bejarano rides, too.

Vicki Victoria

Good news is that when last seen she was a sharp 2nd at FPX for $32K and was claimed; bad is that race was in Sept. 2012 and she hasn't been seen since; let's face it, you don't usually claim a horse for the sake of feeding it so that layoff is worrisome; there is more good news, though - she's run well here, has some back-class and it's encouraging new trainer Baltas brings her back WITHOUT a tag attached.

Toomanytomatoes

Nice stakes 2nd at BSR Sept. 21; that was routing and we're sprinting today, but she's shown she can handle this shorter trip; big drop isn't to be taken lightly and she's got some versatility to boot; 5 for her last 18 so she knows how to get the job done and her overall form the past 11 months has been solid.

Joyce and Me

3rd for $25K at BSR Sept. 22 and was claimed by Hollendorfer, who'd lost her the race prior via a claim so that's nice that he snatched her right back; it's a bit worrisome she wasn't seen at all during the SA meet but she's working in solid fashion, is proven here and has the tactical speed and versatility to be in a good spot from the start; do note that today's foe Granny Calling did beat her at BSR, though there wasn't a huge gap between the 2 (1 3/4 lengths).

Always a Chance

Kept to her task nicely for this price on turf at SA to be 2nd to the very sharp Miss Well Molded; 0 for 5 on synthetic, yes, but 1 2nd and 1 3rd in 2 starts here show she's not averse to this footing at all; like the way her form has improved of late so could be she's ready to turn the corner.

Race 4

Sooo Major

Wokeup smartly 2nd-time out 1st blinkers on and 1st time racing on dirt but has something to prove on synthetic off the debut loss to Compulsive; the good news is he figures to work out an ideal trip saving ground while rallying into a hot pace; the debut show runner posted a 70 Beyer speed figure in his next-out SA-MSW win.

Heavenly Trail

Regressed Beyer speed figure 2nd-time out which is often an improvement race; 1st time on synthetic today with so-so workouts for a 1-for-24 two-year-old trainer since 2012; off first pair figures to be a pace presence for part chasing Exponentially to the front.

Brando the Birdman

Sire is 31-for-198 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a 1-for-8 dam (70K) who produced 4 winners from 5 other foals to race including 241K-earner Untouched (15-for-73); wish the worktab stood out more for a 12%-debut trainer.

Oneandonlyloveman

Just beat 1 runner home in a key-race unveiling; the runner-up, 5th and 6th-place finishers from last Beyered 63-62-48 in next-out BHP-MSW and 50K-maiden-claiming wins; a lot of bettors fancied him in the 3-1 unveiling with plenty of time to regroup with a super-dirt worktab for this.

Charisma Code

The 2-back race his last synthetic-surface start is a field-best Beyer when rallying well at today's distance; owns both in-the-money finishes on BHP synthetic including a May show finish vs. the runner-up finsiher who Beyered 54 in his next-out DMR-MSW win.

Storm the Heavens

Ran to the huge 64-1-debut odds when finishing last on dirt; worked well on for start 2 which can be a dramatic-form improvement but 1st time racing on a synthetic surface is a huge question mark; troubled-gate break then offered brief speed; view as a pace presence for part.

Compulsive

Dueled into defeat behind this same bunch on dirt but heads back to a synthetic surface where he posted his best Beyer and both exacta finishes; the blinkers did not help the cause in last; view as a pace presence with Exponentially.

Johns Journey

Stamina has been the missing ingredient to success and has Exponentially and Compulsive to fend off from the gate then hold off the closers; 2nd-lowest Beyer ever in last as blinkers did not produce the needed stamina improvement; the August winner repeated in a DMR-Grade 1 with a 78 speed figure.

Cactus Shines

New trainer does well 1st-time out with newly-acquired runners; worked smartly on dirt for his 1st-synthetic surface start following a nearly 7-month layoff; was well bet in the dirt debut but expect a much-better effort for the new barn.

Exponentially

Back-to-back Beyer-career Tops on dirt but is back on a synthetic surface today; raced on the lead in half of his starts and seems the one to catch but is in a field top heavy with pace especially Compulsive; the 3-back DQd winner came right back to win next out in a DMR-MSW event with a 70 Beyer.

Prince of Paris

Sire is 2-for-13 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a 2-for-15 dam (15K) who produced 3 winners from 3 other foals to race including 39K-earner King of Bling (2-for-36); Bejarano gets the call at 1st asking and has been working like a runner.

The Mad Hungarian

Sire is 2-for-23 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a 1-for-11 dam (67K) who's only other foal to race is stakes winner Ore Pass (2-for-4, 69K); has outworked the other 2 firsters while prefer 1sters breaking from the outside than the inside.

Race 5

Midnight Lady

Faced older runners all five starts and now the sophomore gets to race against her own age group. Both victories were by daylight, including a nearly nine-length romp in her only start on this track. Inside post is problematical, but she ran well from the fence at Del Mar. Maldonado has won 17 per cent for John Sadler since the start of 2012.

Rolanda

Lost her last five around two turns, but broke her maiden at Santa Anita in April the last time she sprinted. Trainer only one for his last 14 moving from route to sprint, but that victory was good enough for a $5.30 ROI. Unfortunately, the Pulpit chestnut has been well beaten by several of these.

Sallyana

Woke up from a fog with an eye-catching seven length victory over $20,000 3-year-old fillies 18 days ago. She triple jumps, but if she can duplicate the 79 Beyer she earned, she's got a chance at a second straight upset. The Arizona bred won at a higher level during the summer meeting.

Joeandbetty'sbaby

Certainly qualified on class, but both of her victories came on grass. Only main track start was a fourth-place debut on Cushion Track. Just missed for this price in a Del Mar grass miler and retains the services of Bejarano. O'Neill excels with the turf-to-synthetic angle (21 per cent, $2.50) and wins at 23 per cent with this rider.

Calameera

Hugged the rail and opened up a big lead down the hill but was tagged in deep stretch by Joeandbetty'sbaby. In the money four straight and was second on this track as a maiden in July. Talamo switches to Unseen Visitor, but Delgado has won three of eight for this barn with a whopping $15.80 ROI.

Only Josie Knows

Non-competitive in last pair, so Canani drops the Rio Verde filly back in for a tag. Broke her maiden under this jockey on this track in May with a sub-par figure, however earned much better numbers in two subsequent starts. Three sharp drills since her last start suggest improvement is forthcoming.

Unseen Visitor

Both victories were at Betfair Hollywood Park last summer; one on Cushion Track and the other on turf. Strong half-mile drill in :47 1/5 November 1 coupled with today's class drop makes the Ghostzapper filly the one to beat. Puype uses Talamo a lot and the pair have combined to win 19 per cent.

Sweetest Secret

Fresno also ran has had little success in Southern California with the exception of a maiden victory at Fairplex Park last year. Her best effort came at Santa Rosa, where she finished a close third at a slightly lower level one start back. Connections are slumping and she likely needs a drop.

Sultry Season

Up late for second, but several lengths behind Majestic Stinger. Taken for $25,000 by Mike Pender, who has a fine record (23 per cent, $2.06) first off a claim. Rallied from last to win a $40,000 claimer on Cushion Track in July. Martin Garcia took over last time and returns despite the barn change.

Race 6

Volkonsky

He has a fine pedigree for turf and he might be ready to give a solid account of himself while making his second start back from a layoff and meeting up with winners for the second time; he might find himself sitting a comfortable trip racing just off of the early leaders while saving ground.

Woodmans Luck

Have to approach him with caution when considering that this is a runner who has made 22 starts with just a single victory and a combined 11 second and third place finishes; not only that, but he's yet to show that he can be at his best racing over turf.

Hoosier Diddy

He's yet to run a race that is strong enough to suggest that he can be competitive against competition of this caliber, and that includes a couple of turf starts; winner from latest won next out at SA on 11/3 going 7f vs. starter alw. rivals with an 84 Beyer.

China Prince

Both of his turf starts have been solid performances, and if he performs the way he did two starts ago over the Del Mar turf, he'll be tough to deal with; third place finisher from latest won next out at SA on 10/24 going 1 1/16m vs. 32-28k claimers with an 85 Beyer.

Turn On the Pumps

Don't like to see that he has just a single victory after 15 starts, but he's run a number of races over this turf course to suggest that he can prove to be a player in this spot; he figures ot be a tough one to keep out of the mix and Espinoza has won with 7 of 28 (25%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Brown Boss

He's run well with the addition of blinkers, and like what he's done in his two turf starts in his two most recent races, but he will need to step it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale to get the better of this field.

Ashley's Bambino

Consistent performer might be ready to give a good account of himself while making his third start back from a layoff but he appears to be another in here who will have to be ready to take his game to another level to get the job done.

Christopher Street

He showed some promise during his 2-year-old season and not going to be surprised if he's ready to deliver his sharpest performance to date while making just his second start for the Sadler barn; he showed some late life in his latest outing and note the addition of blinkers for this.

Very Unusual

His one career win was earned against 20-18k maiden claimers over the Golden Gate turf course, and even though he deserves some respect for his consistent approach to the game, this looks like a tough spot for him to land in.

Sizzlin' Joe

Not wild about the outside post at this trip, but he benefits from the services of the hot-riding Smith, and this is a runner who has been known to produce a pretty sharp performance from time to time.

Red Man Run

He needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race to draw in and he appears to be much more comfortable sprinting than routing; maybe he can prove to be an early pace factor, but going to look for others to have more to offer through the stretch.

Race 7

Oliver's Tale

He was pretty quick on dirt earlier in the year and now he'll get back to the footing over which he ran ok first out while returning from 7 months on the shelf; his beaten chalk effort first time at the level would make him a handful if repeated and the rail draw means that given a clean break he'll likely find himself on the lead from the outset; one to run down.

Hello Frankie

It's been a while since this guy's maiden score but he did run better down the Santa Anita hill last time and his local main track efforts last year were all good; another sharp dirt workout suggests he may have another move forward in him today and maybe that helps him get in the mix for a share at a price.

Imperial Fortune

Turns back to sprint while returning to synthetic footing after a wide trip did him in late in his first with winners; sophomore earned a big number in defeat while sprinting second out over the track this past summer and maybe the local return helps perk him up; with Bejarano taking the call he's worth a look.

Regally Soul

Made it 2 straight with the gate to wire Fairplex score first time with winners and now he'll return to synthetic footing; he's had some time to recover from the big step forward he's taken of late and his recent local drills suggest he'll appreciate the return to this surface, but it's not going to be easy to make the lead in here and that could hurt his chances of going on while stepping up in company.

Apollo Ten

Gelding is working well for his return from the freshening after fading on the stretchout in his first off this barn's claim; gelding did run pretty well here earlier in the year and the turn back to sprint could see him offering an enhanced late run at a shorter trip than he's used to trying.

Justa Runner

Lightly raced sophomore did not take well to dirt in his 2 starts with winners, but he was quite good here in each of his first 2 starts and he's been working here like he's ready to get back on track; barn's second runer in here did catch slop in New York and was run off his feet early subsequently at Santa Anita, but he still has to prove he can step at this level; consider.

Spirit Rules

Ran big to score over the track in his first start back from 16 months on the shelf but subsequently tried the lawn and was sent back to the sidelines for 4 months following the poor effort; Cal bred has been working regularly in the interim for this and we know he likes the local main track.

Wild Media

Outside drawn gelding boasts some sharp morning moves for his first start since Del Mar; his best shot at this level did come over the track back in the spring and the barn does well fresh so expect this guy will be set to fire off a tracking trip from out here; can't be dismissed.

Race 8

Abide in Me

Tiz Wonderful 3 for 34 with first-time turfers; sire took debut at 2, won a Grade 2 as a juvenile, banked over $250K, never turfed; dam out of the money in only out; lone half bro to race Triple Cross took debut at 2, earned over $180K, was second in best turf result; cozy slot, show horse was over 3 clear in last; major threat.

Costamar

Tiznow about 8% with first-time grass runners in a 357-runner sample; did not race at 2, took 8 of 15, earned over $6.4 million as a double BC Classic hero, never tried grass; dam won once sprinting as older horse on dirt; 3 of 5 siblings won; none won at 2 but kin Distant Strike won twice on grass; she s improving, was over 5 clear, could get that Classic Stevens ride here.

Sushi Empire

Hung wide from post 11, she has a right to show more speed on the stretch out; 2 for 9 dam didn't go at 2, but won on grass once; lone half bro lost twice; fit enough to drill a couple of times since last; has chance to run better.

Dublin Dancer

Thewayyouare 0 for 6 with first-time turfers; sire was a Group 1 winner at 2, earned nearly $350K, was turf only; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; needs a turn around.

Lethal Story

Tried males last time and that didn't go all that bad; there is juvenile success in the family and also an over $200K earning full sister; with her style, she could be left with a ton of work to do late.

Stormin Norma

She was a brief threat on a slow pace up north; note it took her over 5 weeks to post a recorded drill after the debut; 4th finisher in bow took a maiden $20K claimer next out and the 8th finisher beat up on maiden $32K foes; 1 for 17 dam lost 4 times at 2 but won on grass; no juvenile success in the tree but kin Temple's Door won thrice on grass, banked over $165K; would be careful here.

Kazam

Dynaformer about 11% with his juvenile firsters in a 402-horse sample and about 14% of his first time turf runners in a 787-horse study; sire could carry speed on grass; dam was unraced; 2 of 3 siblings won, but neither won at 2 or on grass; love this work pattern.

Exotic Behavior

Far from disgraced in the other grass miler and miss flashed solid speed down the hill last time; the 8/7 winner won two $100K stakes in a row, then was out of the money in the BC Juv. Fillies Turf; she has a right to mature with grace as kin Bustin Stones was 6 for 6 as older horse on dirt, earned nearly $500K; the one to deny.

Senza Fina

Must find a way to deal with the Baffert charge among others; dam won at 2, earned nearly $130K, never turfed; family is solid; all 6 siblings won; 3 cashed at 2; 2 cashed on grass, one banked over $200K; rates upset glance.

Savings Account

Cut out to run as a $310K purchase and she was hung out to dry last time; dam lost twice at 2, won on grass once, banked over $130K; this is her first to race; must find a way to deal with marooned slot.

Perched

Considering the winner of last was by herself, the race was not all that bad; she bobbled a bit when posting her best Beyer and may not have cared for the tight turns at Del Mar; she has shown the ability to pass horses but could be compromised by the slot if she gets a chance to suit up.