Churchill Downs: Closer Looks for June 1, 2014

Race 1

Dixie Fiction

Only 4-year-old in the field gives 6 pounds to each rival; the drop into a maiden claimer for the 1st time produced a career-low Beyer speed figure; the show finisher from last Beyered 86 in a next-out AP-50K-maiden-claiming win; off the 32-day layoff with another new rider and a class plunge to the lowest-price tag ever all in need of a wakeup call.

Katie O.

Still hasn't been able to race back to her debut field-best Beyer speed on KEE synthetic; lost all chance in latest when stumbling at the start; displayed better tactical speed in her other 2014 races; runners breaking 1-2-3 from the gate have dominated the 6F races at the current CD meet; gettng a good start today is essential for success.

Elementofsurprise

Sire is 23-for-186 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 2-for-16 dam (58K) who produced 4 winners from 4 other foals to race including stakes-winner Trip the Geneal (10-for-57, 167K); the good news she catches a field lacking superstars while working well for this.

Savorite

Troubled debut when defeated by Nspeightofvickie; her trainer rarely wins with 1sters so expect improvement for this however she has more than 9 lengths to make up from last; the CD workout for this was not inspiring but the barn is very good with maiden-2nd starters.

Nspeightofvickie

Exits a best-last-race Beyer speed figure when racing evenly a big departure from normal gate speed shown; defeated the 3-back show finisher who Beyered 58 in a next-out LS-MSW win; frontrunners do well in CD-6F dirt races so needs a lot better gate break for best chance to graduate.

Doodle's Candy

The 4th and 7th-place finishers from last Beyered 76-67 in next-out DEL-MSW and CD-75K-maiden-claiming wins; had to like that she offered gate speed in her debut as this field is void of it and may find herself loose on the lead if 1ster Elementofsurprise does not break on top. - Art Gropper

Race 2

Overton Square

Drops again while turning back to sprint for the first time since his debut run last summer; maybe he goes better second time in blinkers and he doesn't look to catch a very tough bunch for a barn that boast some recent luck both at the stand and with runners shortening up in distance; nice to see Bridgmohan take interest.

Surf Classic

Sire gets about 11% first out winners from his offspring and this guy is the first foal to race out of an unraced dam; works aren't much but this outfit certainly knows how to get them ready; he's in for a fraction of his auction price and the pedigree suggests he'll want distance, but if the money shows he can probably run some.

Old Times Sake

Goes first time off this outfit's claim while returning from a short break; colt ran ok in that initial start and he should benefit from getting off the fence in this spot; lone sib to race was a 2 time sprint winner; normal move forward puts him in the mix here.

Favorite Coach

Didn't have enough when stretched out last time so now they'll turn him back to a trip at which he ran ok at Keeneland a couple of months back; barn hasn't had any recent luck with runners trying shorter trips, but this guy does have the early foot to stay with these from the bell.

Shere Khan

Tries an added panel after tiring late from a wide spot in his return from the freshening; gelding earned a career best number in that one and maybe he isn't able to run back to it while returning in just a couple of weeks, but if he does he's a big threat.

This Ones for Tony

Outside drawn gelding turns back to sprint on the surface switch in his third start of the year; he's run well a couple of times over the local main track and his positional foot should have him in a great tracking spot from the bell; he's certainly had his share of chances but it looks like they'll have him to beat. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Molly Z

Tries blinkers for the first time after pulling up out of the race last month; she has turned in a pair of fair breezes since that failure but spots valuable route experience to most of her opponents this afternoon.

U S Mint

Nowhere in either run this past winter but those efforts were against far better company; her sire won 5 of 19 races and 481K while the dam never made it to the starting gate; winning siblings include 72K earner Inspeightofthegold.

Fab Autumn Girl

Decent showing last month around 2 turns especially in light of the troubled trip; that prior attempt, at this 1-turn configuration, was respectable as well and she should be within striking range this afternoon with a similar effort.

Purely Blond

Legitimate excuses to that maiden voyage; her sire won 4 of 27 and 335K while the dam won 2 of 18 and 39K; among the winning siblings is 19K earner Divine Interview; can rebound now with the new equipment and alert getaway.

Wonderful Miss Bea

Steady check earner middle moved into slow fractions last month to secure the place but failed to maintain a straight path; may fare better in this straightaway setting but is bound to be overbet once again.

Charminjustcharmin

Upgraded somewhat in her March getaway race which featured a relatively swift early pace; lands into a very light field without much early speed and, with the blinker addition, may find herself much closer to the front-runners than normal; consider.

Duo

Caught very wide when seeing the heels of some of these same ladies last month; will need a much stronger early tempo in order to turn the tables but that does not appear in the cards this afternoon; cannot endorse for the top spot as a result. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Doc Almon

Not only looked good storming home to easily beat $50K foes here May 1 but Maker saw fit to dive in and claim him; and, not only is he strong off the claim (22%) but it's a great sign he brings this guy back in a spot where he can't lose him via another claim; bullet :59.60B here May 26 says he holds his edge; of course, he needs that and then some as this spot came up tough.

Power World

Looks headed the right way; that's a top graded stakes caliber horse he chased home here April 30 when 4th (Departing) and that was just this guy's 2nd start this year after 5 months off; shorter trip may be to his liking as well and it's nice to see Leparoux, who was up for this guy's 2 April starts, stays with him.

Z Rockstar

Continues his fine form; since that so-so 5th sprint ing at OP Jan. 16, his first start back after 1 couple months, he's been super and comes off 2 nice SWs over Okla.-breds at WRD; while it's a drop on paper this spot came up tough so he'll need his 'A' game to be sure; versatility gives his rider options and he's handled this place well in the past.

Browneyed Bachelor

Been knocking on the door of late in Illinois (5 3rds in last 6 starts) so he's been running well; that being said, you have to go back quite a ways to find his last win (Dec. 2012); and while he's been running well that all came elsewhere (HAW) likely against lesser foes than he faces here; only prior try here wasn't much, though that came a while ago; does best work in the lane but this isn't his HAW backyard and as noted these foes are pretty darn tough.

Strike One

That's a stakes runner he chased home on the turf here a couple weeks ago, May 9 (Villandry); do have to like the way he finished with good energy and he darn near caught Villandry; moves to dirt and a shorter trip but those shouldn't be an issue as all 3 career wins have come on this dirt, 2 of them at this 7f trip; bullet :48.20B here May 23 says he's feeling good and Walsh is pushing all the right buttons this meet (4 for first 10, 40%). - Michael Hammersly

Race 7

Swift Humor

All kinds of trouble in his debut loss to Reeder; the 3 workouts since have not inspired confidence; the good news is late runners have fared well on CD dirt at 7F; figures to race far back early while saving ground then make one run.

Include Indycat

Do not like runners with 2nd-time out Beyer speed figure regressions and that was a 28-point drop for latest when defeated by the runner-up finisher who Beyered 76 in a next-out TP-MSW win; the best news is late runner's have been winning the CD-7F dirt races here this meet and he fits that billing.

Aces High

Switches trainer who goes 1st blinkers a 33%-win angle since 2013; has had 43 days since the outun-TAM debut on a wet-main track; the workouts suggests we will see a strong improvement here; the 7F distance on CD dirt has favored off-the-pace types like him.

Splinter

Sire is 107-for-766 with 1st-time starters; is out of an unraced dam who produced 1 winner from 2 other foals to race including 3-for-13 One Man One Vote (27K); have mixed reviews from the worktab for a rider who began the meet on a 1-for-24.

Reeder

Is the main speed here but is likely to have Otis My Man breathing down his neck from the bell; the added distance does not figure to help the front-running win chances; the first 22 races at 7F on dirt at CD this meet only 4 winners went gate-to-wire.

Boss Gone

Expected more in latest when defeated by Reeder; he got the better gate break he wanted in last but could not find the missing-passing gear; new rider is high percenatage at CD and the trainer does his best work after a runner's debut; working like we will see an improved effort.

Otis My Man

Exits a field-best Beyer speed figure when just missing at longer racing on the lead; it hasn't been easy to win up top in CD-7F dirt races this meet; only 4-of-22 races at 7F were won by horses on the lead at the 1st call; he can rate just off the speedy Reeder as witnessed in the debut which would make him hard to hande; his speed figures dominate these and will be tough if repeats either of his first 2 Beyers. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Woodfield Springs

Must be respected off face he exits the best race; over 3 clear two back, he will need help on the front end and there is not a ton of speed in this line up; key off the Keeneland Beyer and he's a legit player today; trainer has been sending out nothing but live ones; respect.

Saa Mi

Nice bit of training to have him set off the layoff; like the way he was coming away late too; and note show horse was over 4 clear; 5th finisher in last took a maiden $50K AP claimer next out and 6th finisher won a MSW event here with an 85 Beyer last Sunday; he has a shot to have a nice career as kin to Grade 2 placed over $200K earner Carried Interest.

Franklin

Agile enough to overcome the rough trip in last; he ran well in the local debut and was not disgraced next time in the off going; drill last Monday suggests he is feeling pretty good about himself and the blood is there for him to have a long and happy career as kin to double Grade 3 winner and near $800K earner Thiskyhasnolimit.

Escape Artist

Wraps added in the conditioned claimer and it worked out nicely; note show horse was 5 clear; finally off the rail, he has a nice turn of late foot but will have to make his own luck with limited speed in the cast; needs very best to repeat.

Z Lucky

Can he go long?; his sire and dam were sprint only and this is the first foal from the dam; pushed into the Lexington and it may have hurt him a bit mentally; he has come back with a couple of decent drills since being pulled up; try to get a good look at him on the track.

Serendip

The race over the track can only help and the show horse in last won next out here on the 23rd at this level with a 94 Beyer; lack of speed has been a thing for this runner; it's not always simple to just concede so many lengths early; things have to break just right.

Wizardly

Like the spacing of the recent drills; winner two back repeated in an N2L allowance, then was 2nd beaten over 5 in a $75K stakes; show horse in last took a MSW in next with an 80 Beyer but is just one for 20 career; may like it here. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Morning Star

Her form has improved since moving into this barn a couple of starts ago and like to see what she did in her first turf route attempt in her latest outing; third-place finisher from latest returned to win next out at PID on 5/19 going 1m 70y vs. MSW rivals with a 60 Beyer.

Humor Section

She hasn't made much of an impression in her first two starts, but this filly is out of a multiple G1 winning dam who won 12 of 47 starts for $1.1 million, including 3 of 23 turf starts for 308k, and this miss is a 1/2 to G1 winner Last Full Measure (4-11, 293k, including 2 of 9 turf starts for 80k).

Songoficeandfire

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his first-time starters and with approximately 14% of his turf starters, and dam was a G1 winner racing overseas while going 4-for-4 in her career for 213k; this filly is a 1/2 to G2 winner overseas, and runner up in the BC Mile, Antonius Pius (2-14, 563k); plenty of pedigree appeal.

Ventoux

Her most recent race was her sharpest performance to date and it's interesting to see that this will be her first turf start with Lasix; she's a 1/2 to stakes winner The Absolute One (5-10, 138k, including 2 of 4 turf starts for 57k); winner from latest won next out at AP on 5/15 going 1 1/16m vs. 75k OPC's with a 76 Beyer.

Sylvan Light

5-year-old is seeking her first win in start number 15 and it's tough to give her a favorable push against a strong looking group of maidens such as this; she's likely going to find it difficult to land even a minor award.

Shift Colors

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; she's an interesting player while getting over turf for the first time and her career debut going seven furlongs over the synthetic surface at Keeneland can serve as a useful prep for this; Leparoux has won with 3 of 5 mounts for this barn at the current stand.

Sealark

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won 7 of 31 starts for 103k, including 0-for-1 over turf; third-place finisher from debut won next out at Tam on 4/18 going 6f vs. MSW rivals with a 65 Beyer.

Chic Soiree

She needs to improve over what she's shown in her first two starts to get the job done against these, but she's by a top turf sire, and she's a 1/2 to minor stakes placed Veiled Prophet (5-35, 256k over turf) and Halloween Party (3-12, 108k over turf).

Batiana

She's out of a G3 stakes placed dam who won 4 of 20 turf starts for 134k, and she was last seen in a productive race; runner up from latest won next out at TP on 2/2 going 1m vs. MSW rivals with a 63 Beyer, and third finisher won next out at Hou on 1/31 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 69 Beyer.

Late Night Artist

She really hasn't run a bad race to date and like to see the way that she stepped it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in her latest outing; if she's ready to come right back with the same level of performance, she'll be tough to deal with. - Brian Pochman