Churchill Downs: Closer Looks for June 5, 2014

Race 1

Gallant Eagle (IRE)

They thought enough of him last year to try a couple G3s....and he darn near won 1 of those at AP last summer; owns a dirt win but 5 of his 6 tallies have come on synthetic so he may not be on his preferred footing; at least ran well here last spring and while he comes off a couple 3rds where he was well beaten he worked smartly here Saturday (bullet :47B).

Crooked as Can Be

Comes here sharp with 8 top-3 finishes in his last 9 starts, and 3 of his last 4 were wins including a nice tally in the slop here May 10; that was his first try here so that's most encouraging that he handles this place; handles wet or dry going so that won't matter and he's got the tactical speed to be in a good spot from the bell.

Glint

Sharpie from Texas as he comes here off 2 nice wins at LS; he's no fish out of water here, however - note a win here Nov. 22 and a good 2nd here prior; ample speed to be in the thick of it from the start; in fact, that's sprint speed which may translate into him being the one they have to go get.

Bank the Eight

Once good enough to Beyer 109, though that was on synthetic and it did come a few years ago out West; good news is after his form soured out West last year he moved to FG and got his groove back, winning 3 straight in smart fashion; then dueled and fizzled March 19, was freshened and came back to be 3rd in the slop here May 10; finishing 3rd is nice and all, but it's not like he was a real threat - he finished 12 lengths behind winner and today's foe Crooked as Can Be.

Trade

Sure had things going well last year, topped off by 4 straight 2nds at MNR in the fall; trouble is, he hasn't been seen since so there's a layoff to ponder; ran well in his only local start (2nd) so at least you know he handles this place but it's still not his sandbox and he's facing some toughies and doing so after a long vacation so there are hurdles to be sure. - Michael Hammersly

Race 3

Ride n' Reel

Debuts for Asmussen who the past five years has a 13 percent strike rate with first-time starting juveniles; sire is 14 percent with babies making their first start; $1.7 million dam won 8 races and placed in three Grade 3's in Japan; both sibs are winners and one of them won at two; needs to hustle leaving from the rail.

Morning Buzz

Six of his sibs won at two and three, including full-brother Days Like This, won their debuts; Congrats Man roughly 12 percent with first-time starting juveniles; Wilkes just 3 percent the past five years 2-year-old first-time starters but it is hard to ignore the win-early breeding; don't sell short.

The Schwam

This is the first to go by Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver who won 2 of his 4 starts as a 2-year-old; dam ran twice and finished off the board both times; 4 of 6 sibs are winners the best being 5-time route winner Well Read; he's had a few fast works but the past five years the barn is 0/14 with debuting 2-year-olds and he might want more distance.

Lord Tyrion

Nice set of works showing and the past five years Kenneally has an 18 percent strike rate with debuting juveniles; sire just getting started and he was a decent 2-year-old plus he won the Grade 1 Kings Bishop as a sophomore; this is the first foal out of a mare that finished second in 2 of her 3 starts; looks pretty live with Leparoux taking the call.

Conquest Bigluck E

Casse won with another first-time starting 2-year-old at Woodbine Sun. and that makes him 50 percent for the year - 7/14; this one is by Lookin At Lucky who is just getting started and is 1/2 with first time starters; dam won a single race; all 3 sibs are winners and 2 of them won at two; works are solid; the pick.

Circle the World

She is a filly facing the boys but she's had a couple of starts and both were good ones; horse that won her debut finished third in a $75K stakes at Pimilco May 16; she's shown good speed in both of her starts on Polytrack and maybe she'll be able to carry it farther on dirt; dam was unraced and this is her first foal; contender. - Randy Goulding

Race 4

R W Stretch

Last out runner up at this trip and level moves to the fence for this one for a barn that's gone well with its limited local starters; gelding did earn a figure that's significantly below the Beyer par for the level in that one and runs into a foe whose best would blow these out of the water; looks to be running for a minor award again today.

Lucky Pursuit

Odds on morning line choice has been runner up in each of his 3 starts since taken by this outfit out his debut here last spring; most recent try at this trip in the level was significantly better than these have run and if he even comes close to duplicating either of his last 2 he's going to be pretty tough to beat, but note that he has burned his share of cash; short price in this spot.

Eleven One Eleven

Colt drops in for his cheapest tag while returning from more than 10 months on the shelf in this spot; he's yet to as much as finish within 15 lengths of the leader in 5 career spins and the breezes for his return spin are slow; can only watch the comebacker.

Conserve

Earned some decent numbers behind the big guy here in each of his last 2 starts but wasn't a threat to that foe either time; gelding holds a figure edge over the rest of the bunch but he doesn't have much early foot and that could leave him with work to do late; prefer to give more of a look to less lightly raced runners to complete the exotics.

George and John

Drops in half in claiming price after showing little at the trip in his return to the local main track; barn does move them up second time back and with just 4 starts under his belt this guy does have a right to improve, but he'll need to take a pretty big step forward to even threaten the chalk.

Heza Royal One

Ran his best one yet at the trip and level in his local debut late last month; he's another whose best number won't scare the big guy in here, but he did show a little early foot last out and maybe that helps put him in a spot to hang around for a minor slice of this at a big price.

Sadler's Warrior

Failed to offer much in 2 starts against better and now they'll drop him in to face cheap claimers; he did catch slop when sent to turns in his local debut and he has had his gate issues; he'll get a new pilot for this and maybe a cleaner beginning will allow him to show more than he has thus far. - Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Givmethreestepsmr

Things didn't go so well at OP this winter/spring but then came a freshening and return to this track and viola!; she bounced back to form with a nice win over $15K claimers; not only does that show she's back on track but there's a strong work since for Cox who's having a super meet and who brings her back in a spot where he can't lose her via a claim, which is sure nice to see.

With Excellence

5 of his 7 wins have come here so you know she likes this place; had a very nice 2013 topped off by 2 wins in his last 4 starts; that being said, she hasn't been seen since Sept. 28 so there'a a lengthy layoff to ponder; at least returns without a tag attached, you know she loves it here and she's run well before off the bench.

Annafromindiana

Won twice at IND last summer/fall which was enough to earn her a stakes shot vs. fellow Indy-breds there Oct. 19; that didn't go well and then she came here and gave way badly to finish last of 7 for $25K Nov. 16 and hasn't been seen since; a layoff after a race like that is always worrisome but at least she doesn't return for a tag; but still, even if she returns with her A game is that enough to get her anything more than a minor slice of the pie, hmmmm?

Little Gidding

So was it maturity, the drop, the move to dirt or having a race under her belt after a layoff that brought about that big April 26 run?; well, maybe a bit of each; that run certainly shows she's getting things figured out and it's no small matter that such a nice run came over this track, too; first time vs. winners but she may have more improvement to show judging by a snappy 1:01.20B here last Thursday.

St. Louie Slew

Tough beat for $30K here May 9 as she dueled, opened up into the lane like she was destined to win only to get nailed late; at least she finished well clear of the others (5 1/2 lengths); looks as though Foley made a good claim and it's nice to see that this time he does not risk losing her for a tag; has speed and is versatile, a pretty nice combination; Leparoux roude here and Little Gidding last time and today ends up staying on 'Gidding, so read into that what you will...but there's surely nothing wrong with getting Rosie in the boot.

Heykittykittykitty

No way to knock a horse who's won 4 of 7; OK, so maybe there's a way - bulk of that work came vs. possibly lesser foes at RP, OP and WRD; faces elders and new surroundings this time; at least has ample speed but she even showed at WRD last time that she can sit and go and get the leaders so she's not one-dimensional by any means; and whlie that last win came routing her 3 prior wins all came sprinting so this trip is no problem. - Michael Hammersly

Race 6

Montezuma Express

Returning to his best distance, this gelding can turn the tables on Lookn Mighty Fast who outkicked him recently; the early pace today should be far swifter than in their last match-up and the price should be square; worth some follow-up if that is the case.

Grey by You

Never got untracked against this same group last month but, as stated above, today's tempo should be a lot more accelerated and that will help this grey's upset chances; closed like a rocket 2 races back when the pace was accommodating; needs all the pure speed types to remain in attendance.

Lake Creek

Set a wild pace while the 8 to 5 favorite in that April getaway race; if he can get away with softer early fractions here, he could prevail at much more inviting odds; the new trainer has an excellent record with fresh claims; leads off a strong entry.

Wagson

Commendable effort in his local debut when not losing the place award by much at all; owns the field's best lifetime Beyer and now that he is acclimated to this soil, he could move forward in a big way; drops below the purchase price and cannot be discounted.

Alaco Castle

Ultra-consistent check earner has finished out of the money only twice and he made 2 moves in his 2013 finale when capturing the place in this same class; returning breeze pattern is evenly-spaced and he has run well off the bench before; honest gelding must be respected.

Lookn Mighty Fast

The elder statesman of this group held strong in his last test when favored; best Beyer was achieved, however, when positioned just a couple of lengths off the early lead; draws a post which suits that riding strategy and Lanerie has extensive, and winning, experience aboard this veteran.

Marchwood (GB)

Has turned in some sharp efforts here before with a focus on the one of 11/13 last season when probably best; encounters nemesis Montezuma Express yet again but could be an exacta presence now if a serious pace meltdown occurs; latest a.m. breeze was fair.

Finding Candy

Enjoyed a soft pace in his last assignment going long before tiring; may be able to handle this turnback considering all the early foot on view (including that of his entrymate); spots valuable experience at the course and distance though; mixed signals. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Miracle Run

First from Arnold looked good winning her latest and the 80 Beyer Speed Figure she earned ties with Tap Twenty One for the top last-race figure; the horse she beat came back to win her next start and looks like a serious player in this race; late bloomer showed more tactical speed in her latest and could be ready for another strong performance in her first try with winners; contender.

Marathon Lady

She was thrown to the wolves after beating a decent field of maidens at Oaklawn last year; although she didn't win she held her own and almost beat Fiftyshadesofhay in the Grade 2 Black Eyed Susan; it looked like she was going to win her comeback race but she got tired and if she takes the expected move forward for Hobby, who has solid recent stats in the second start back following a lengthy layoff category, she could be a handful; the pick.

Mylitta

She was a game winner when she debuted on the turf at Calder in 2012 but hasn't been a real threat since; she did show more speed in her latest on the Polytrack at Arlington but this is a tougher spot and the only time she ran on dirt she never really picked up her feet; passing.

Tap Twenty One

Second from Arnold ran well here last year when she finished second to Montana Native who came back to win two of her next three starts including the $200K Remington Park Oaks; this gal tailed off until she came back this spring at Keeneland where she finished second in both of her starts sprinting at this level; she hasn't been worse than third in 3 starts at the distance so she shouldn't mind the extra yardage or the surface switch; contender.

Senior Prom

3-year-old couldn't catch Miracle Run two back but she was pretty impressive winning her next start and being lightly raced she could have plenty of upside potential; horse that she finished third behind at Gulfstream three back won a $75K optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies in her next start here; nobody should be surprised if she's the winner of this one.

Grit and Grace

Exits the Marathon Lady race and she received plenty of support but didn't put up much of a fight while finishing a distant fifth; she was coming off a race where she equaled her career-best Beyer Speed Figure so she may have bounced; the bad news is she will probably need to improve on her career-best Beyer to win this; prefer others.

Innate Grace

She was all out to win a maiden special weight race at Indiana in her latest but the water is a lot deeper here; she's lightly raced and is a half to $203K stakes winner Magic Hour so there should be some upside potential; nonetheless, this looks like a pretty tough spot for her first try with winners; prefer others. - Randy Goulding

Race 8

Katie's Eyes

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won once from six starts for 21k, and she didn't make a turf start; multiple graded stakes placed miss commands her share of respect in her first turf test.

Runway Giant

She has turf in her pedigree and she's shown a little something in her six attempts over turf, and she's faced some pretty tough competition along the way; runner up from latest won next out here on 5/2 going 1 1/16m over turf in a 171k stakes with an 84 Beyer.

Share the Sugar

Heatseeker has proven to be a strong influence as a turf sire and this filly stepped up with an improved performance in her turf debut at second asking; winner from latest returned to win next out at Bel on 5/25 going 1 1/8m over turf in a 200k stakes with a 90 Beyer; must consider.

La Reine Bourbon

She was a sharp winner over turf in her career debut as a 2-year-old at Saratoga, and her other two turf starts were against stakes competition; like the idea of her getting back over turf while making only her second start for this barn.

Contestant

Not wild about Bernardini as a turf sire, but this miss was improved in her turf debut in her latest outing, and she's out of a multiple graded stakes winning dam who won 9 of 34 starts for 685k, including 5 of 22 turf starts for 479k; Albarado has won with 4 of 14 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Grand Elmendorf

This filly has a bit of quality to her pedigree and she showed a enough in her one turf start to merit some consideration in this spot; runner up from latest returned to win next out here on 5/24 going 1m vs. N1X rivals with an 83 Beyer.

Baroness Rose

Two of her three starts over turf have been solid performances and it's easy enough to forgive her to the dull performance over the synthetic surface at Arlington Park in her latest outing; she's out of a stakes winning dam who won 4 of 10 turf starts for 187k, and Napravnik has won with 6 of 17 (35%) mounts for this barn at the current stand.

Courageous Julie

Have to respect the improvement in her form from age two to age three and she deserves another chance to see what she can do racing over turf while dropping in class for this; runner up from latest won next out at AP on 5/24 going 1 1/16m in a G3 with an 81 Beyer.

Opposite Day

Another representative of strong turf influence Heatseeker signed on in this spot, and this filly certainly made it look easy in her one start over turf prior to this; not going to be at all surprised if she shows up with a competitive performance against these.

Justanewkidintown

It's probably worth noting the presence of Lanerie aboard another in here, but this filly was much improved in her most recent start, and the runner up from that race returned to win next out here on 6/1 going 1m over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 75 Beyer.

Another Blue

There's some respectable dirt form lined up in here, and even though this filly will merit her share of respect while making her first start after claim for a high when percentage barn, she's going to have to earn it.

Too Cool

This filly has a little bit of turf in her pedigree, and she's making her first start for a barn that does well with new acquisitions, but she is going to need to be ready to produce her sharpest performance to date to get the better of this group.

Ziptomylu

Half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Kathmanblu (5-18, 584k, including 3 of 11 turf starts for 323k) took a step in the right direction in her most recent outing and she finished right behind today's rival Grand Elmendorf; Garcia has won with 9 of 36 (25%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Run Hide My Girl

Three of her first four starts have been respectable performances, and that includes a start over turf; however, this does look like it might prove to be a tough step up in class for her; Rocco has won with 5 of 18 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2014. - Brian Pochman