Churchill Downs: Closer Looks for June 15, 2014

Race 1

Stonecrusher

Drops in for a tag for the first time while moving back to the main track; gelding has no early lick at all and several of these figure to outquick him considerably from the bell but he does own main track route numbers that would make him a player in here; consider.

Lexingtonian

He's another going turf to dirt in his first start for a tag after offering little on the green off the freshening; his prior main track efforts weren't much either; not a very tough bunch he's facing, but he still has some improving to do in order to threaten.

Brilliant Messi

Made a nice move to the lead before tiring when moved back to the lawn last time and now they'll get him on dirt again; gelding's lone spin on the footing was terrible and there's not a whole bunch to suggest things will go better for him in here; have to side with others on the win end.

Jinx the Cat

Hit the board in each of her last 3 route starts over different surfaces than he'll try today; barn does boast some recent luck on the switch in footing and his guy has shown a solid turn of foot on dirt in the past; looks like they may have him to beat today.

Vanderboom Ridge

Sire is 5 for 115 with his newcomers and the dam was winless from 3 starts prior to dropping a limited sprint winner; works are mostly slow breezes except for a sharp gate move at Keeneland early last month, but maybe they will get her legged up for today's route; barn boasts a recent first out win.

Snaggedem

Rode the slop to a sharp placing when in with his peers third time out at Mountaineer; expect he'll show a little more early interest on the stretchout and his pedigree does suggest he'll appreciate some added real estate; worth a look, but he'll need to keep improving.

Race 4

Indian Annie

Fair breeze pattern for this daughter of Indian Charlie who won a G1 and 616K (his offspring have scored in 106 out of 653 debuts); the dam won 1 of 6 attempts and 21K; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

Almostevenwithevan

A game second in her debut but she faced only 3 opponents that day; her sire won 361K including G3 success; the mom won 3 of 20 and 24K; there are no winning siblings to report; may have to deal with swifter early fractions today.

Aniell

Cooked by a speed duel first time out, she can fare better here with less pace pressure; her sire won a G3 and 360K; the dam won 1 of 12 and 26K; this is her sole foal to compete; worth some play if the odds are more appealing.

Make the Sun Shine

Beginner turned in a much improved gate breeze recently; her sire won 1 of 2 and 33K; progeny of Malibu Moon have scored in 107 out of 768 initial appearances; the dam won 4 of 17 and 221K; there are no winning siblings to highlight.

Silver Allure

Some above average breezes to consider; the grey's sire won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 1.31 million; descendants of Unbridled's Song are 123 for 872 as far as winning their first try; the dam won 1 of 9 and 7K; sib to 314K earner Made for Magic.

Heart's Song

Considering the slow break, she turned in a fine placing in her maiden voyage; her sire won a G2 and 808K while the dam was without victory in 2 tries; among the winning siblings is G2 victor Delsovientos who notched 371K.

Sunrise Countess

Displayed decent prompting speed in both tries, each over an off track; her sire won a G3 and 361K; the dam won 2 of 22 and 82K; sib to 23K earner Twinbucktu; may upgrade in a big way over a fast racing surface.

Dark Rain

See Make the Sun Shine, above, for information about the same sire; the dam involved went zero for 2; among the winning siblings is 62K bankroller Propelleroneway; worked 3 times this month in preparation for this unveiling.

Race 5

Something Blue

Projects as the main speed here while back to best surface winning a CD Mile 2 back when sitting just off the speed; broke her maiden on a sloppy track here; 30%-winning turf-to-dirt trainer is a strong angle; seems the one to catch and beat.

Farce

4-0-0-0 dirt record is not easy to take with all of her best races on grass; the show and 4th-place finisher from last Beyered 65-63 in next-out BTP-allowance and MNR-15K-claiming wins; seeks the right level for CD dirt; others appeal more.

Jester and Me

Great sign that she is 1-for-1 on dirt with a lot of upside off that blowout diploma earner; projects to stalk Something Blue for the lead then hopes to hold off the closers; great sign that the win rider is back here yielding 32% CD winners for her trainer; contender

Zumba It

Her last dirt start was dull finishing last vs. the show finisher who Beyered 78 in a next-out MTH-OPC win; her career-best speed figure on turf for latest was another outrun finish; needs the speed to falter and for her to fire her best ever to make any impact.

With Excellence

ELP field-best Beyer speed figure last summer when breaking right off the front; her gate speed was missing from recent starts returning off the long layoff for this with her lowest Beyer since 2012; defeated the 2-back show finisher who Beyered 61 in a next-out KEE-10K-claiming win.

Defoe Street

Exits a best-last-race Beyer speed figure when facing tougher allowance runners; been a new runner since sent long at CD; her 2-back CD win is a key race as the runner-up and show finishers Beyered 71-66 in next-out PRM-alw. and CD-30K-claiming wins; beat the 3-back runner-up who Beyered 55 in a next-out WO-$12,500-claiming win; the pick.

Race 6

The Conception

Her turf form hasn't been all bad but she's going to need to improve over what she's shown us so far in order to put any pressure on the top contenders in here; working in her favor, is that she has some early speed to employ from an advantageous rail post.

Tap Twenty One

Like the idea of giving this filly another chance to see what she can do racing over turf and she's a 1/2 to stakes placed Terrific Storm (10-45, 374k, including 6 of 27 turf starts for 263k); she's run well in her two most recent races and Hernandez has won with 3 of 4 mounts for this barn in 2014.

Delilahjane

She was beaten by today's rival Tap Twenty One in her latest start over the synthetic surface at Keeneland and this filly will have to show more than she has in her two turf starts prior to this if she's to have a say in the outcome.

Top Tier Lass

Street Boss has proven to be a strong influence as a turf sire and this filly earned her career best Beyer Speed Figure racing over turf; that said, it's tough to back her in this spot based on what she's been showing us lately.

Cherokee Beads

This barn has done well from limited starters in 2014 and this miss might be ready for a sharp run while making her second start back from a layoff; as long as she sees an honest early tempo in front of her, she can make some noise through the lane.

Fashion City

Have to be at least mildly concerned when seeing what she's done in three starts since exiting the maiden ranks, but she showed a little something the first time she raced over turf and this will only be her third turf start.

Flashy Gal

This has to be considered a favorable spot for this stakes placed miss to try to earn her first victory against winners, and they had her ready to run a good one in her latest start while making her first start as a 4-year-old; must consider.

Kimallosa

It's probably worth noting the presence of Leparoux aboard Flashy Girl in here and that rival beat this one by more than six lengths in her latest outing; tough to give her the nod for the top spot, but a minor award is certainly within her reach.

Assured

Nicely bred miss is out of a G1 winning dam who won 4 of 18 starts for 463k, and if this race has to be taken off the turf, she's shown enough in her four dirt starts to be given the look of a top contender; obvious threat.

Hunting Hill

Tap Twenty One looks like the stronger of the two Arnold-trained horses in here, even if this races gets moved to the main track, and this might prove to be a tough spot for this filly to meet up with winners for the first time; she's out of a multiple G1 stakes placed dam who won 3 of 19 starts for 318k.

Race 7

Kilted

Inside again after walking out of the gate; stakes winning 5 for 18 dam won twice at 2, banked over $300K; 1 of 2 siblings won; that racer, Caraquista, was SP, took 2 of 19, earned over $100K; respect barn but this $8K purchase may need softer.

Wanstead Gardens

Flower Alley about 8% with debuters in a 192-racer sample; sire was third in lone juvenile out, took the Travers, banked over $2.5 million; SW 3 for 3 dam earned almost $100K and she won twice at 2; lone full bro Lukes Alley took 3 of 5, banked nearly $125K; respect everything from this barn.

Rocket Time

Wide debut not bad, he could be more on the muscle with the blinks this time; debut came back okay as 5th finisher took a $50K maiden seller next out, 6th finisher won at this level by over 10 and the winner was 2nd beaten 3 in an N1X; one for 2 dam cashed on grass; lone half bro was one for 16, a turf score; major player.

Robert Noble

Been given time since educational turf debut; 1 for 8 dam earned over $30K; lone half bro Tito won 3 of 20, all routes, banked $25K; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this colt.

Match Up

Bothered two back, he never raised a gallop in last; last race was kind of too poor to believe; needs a rebound run.

Sconnie Nation

Respect hot claim-box item; this seems to be a better surface for her; can't fault those that give her another shot at glory after failing as chalk.

Arch Pearl

Gelding showed talent in Ireland, tries dirt for the first time and could be rolling early with the new blinkers; with the 2 races under the girth, would expect a distinct move forward today.

Act of Heroism

Colt could have been intimidated by the rail in the debut but last race was a step up; Grade 2 placed 3 for 18 dam earned over $100K; this is her first to race; Leparoux got a chance to figure out what's under the hood; respect.

Race 8

Sky Treasure

Bullet-dirt workouts for this; the runner-up, 5th, 6th and 7th-place finishers from last posted 89-86-78-72 Beyer speed figures in next-out CD-64K stakes, MNR-allowance, WO-optional-claiming and CD-40K-claiming wins; the 2-back winner and show finisher Beyered 92-91 in next-out WO-128K stakes and GP-OPC wins; being outfinished at 1 Mile and adding 1F onto this is the biggest drawback.

Topic

Exits a best-last-race Beyer at much longer; 11F-stakes win last summer on DMR grass is a field-best Beyer speed figure; 6 staight stakes and 4 graded gets much-needed class relief for this; has been best at longer than 9F during career so getting up in time to win it all is the primary concern; figures to save ground then make one-huge late run; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 97 in a next-out SA-Grade 1 stakes win; the one to beat.

Miss Squeal

1st start of the year should be excused after a troubled start; plenty of time to regroup but races for a 9%-winning fresh trainer since 2013; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 86 in a next-out OP-OPC win; finished 5th in both CD grass losses.

Donna's Fly Girl

Did not look like 3 back that she wanted any parts of today's 9F stamina test; was dull vs. Zadina in last; the 2nd start without Lasix produced the 3rd lowest Beyer of her career; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 90 in a next-out BEL-Grade 3 stakes win.

Heart of Destiny

10-0-0-0 since the 11F grass win at CD which was in 2012; toss latest as she winless on synthetic then was badly overmatched facing G3 company; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 85 in a next-out AP-OPC win; late runner needs a pace metdown and to fire back to one of her best races which we haven't seen since last fall.

Seanchai

Rematch with Topic off the stakes loss where she was outrun throughout in her 1st-CD grass try; the way she rallied 2 and 3 back today's distance seems better suited to her running style; a top CD rider leaves for Allegheny Angel.

Zadina

Graduated on CD grass at today's distance but was way off best form in September when trying allowance runners traveling this far; latest suggests 1 Mile might might be her best distance; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 72 in a next-out MNR.-alw. win.

Star Passage

23rd start and has never been on the lead however there Is no gate speed in this event and her latest stalking trip suggests she shoud be an early factor here; adding distance off latest fade to Zadina does not help the confidence level that she will go all the way today.

I'm Your Luv

Returns to CD turf winless over this course; last time here 3-back she was a non-factor vs. the runner-up finisher who Beyered 81 in a next-out HOU-OPC win; is another who has shown the ability to stalk the speed and could be a big-pace factor in an event lacking gate speed.

North by Northlite

Other than Star Passage and I'm Your Luv do not see any other gate speed so could be upclose setting slow fractions which should help in the final yards; high-percentage synthetic-to-turf trainer; the winner from last repeated in an AP-OPC with a 79 Beyer; contender.

White Rose

Another who has to beat Topic while cutting alll the way back to the graduation distance on GP green; faces males 2-back including the runner-up finisher who Beyered 93 in a next-out BEL alw. win; the Long Island Handicap winner repeated in a GP-Grade 3 with a 95 speed figure.

Allegheny Angel

Reunites with the debut rider off the middle move fade vs. Zadina; in her September CD 9F race she rallied to finish 3rd vs. the runner-up finisher who Beyered 86 in a next-out CD alw. win; she won 3-back over the runner-up finisher who posted a 72 speed figure in a next-out CD alw. win.

She's Got Swag

Main Track Only entry would stretch out to her longest-distance test ever for this; 2-for-3 since the January claim; can she hang on at 9F is the biggest issue; 36%-winning jockey-trainer combo since 2013 adds to the appeal.

Race 9

Bourbon Chase

Steady intervals to the workout pattern; his sire won a G1 and 795K (progeny of Stroll have done well first out, winning 17 of 80 attempts); the dam won 1 of 10 and 10K; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

K C Kid

Raced evenly when turning back in distance a month ago; drops another important notch and adds Lasix; should be able to handle this extra furlong today if avoiding another extra-wide rallying path; consider.

Hapiboy

Firster hails from Breeders' Cup Classic winner A.P. Indy who amassed 2.97 million; his offspring have won 95 out if 836 initial races; the dam was also a G1 winner who notched 221K; winning siblings include 53K earner Arizona John.

This Ones for Tony

Turned in a career best performance 2 weeks ago at the course and distance; faces several newcomers here though and therefore may not warrant a similar short price as far as the win pool goes; can be considered for exotic wagering inclusion otherwise.

Malleable

Began his career over a tiring turf course at Gulfstream; the gelding's sire was unraced while the dam scored in 7y of 36 appearances earning 60K; this is her only foal to compete; can upgrade suddenly with this surface switch.

Bold Visionary

Today marks only his third attempt in the claiming ranks; in his only sprint try at this oval, he rallied in both fashion for the place; might be able to earn another exacta finish today if the early pace is accommodating.

Proud Prado

Offspring of Kafwain, a multiple G2 winner who captured 715K, have scored in 10 percent of their debuts; the dam went zero for 4; among the winning siblings is 41K winner Royal Prado; modest set of breezes to mull over.

Surf Classic

His sire won at the G2 level while netting 725K; descendants of Broken Vow have won 11 percent of their first races; the dam was unraced and this is her sole foal to make it to the starting gate; average a.m. drills of late.

Favorite Coach

After a troubled start, he could not gain on This Ones for Tony in their last match-up; perhaps this cozy outside post will afford him a clean getaway and that would enable him to obtain the stalking position he achieved in previous tries; interesting item.