Churchill Downs: Closer Looks for June 6, 2014

Race 3

Fabulous Miss Bea

Proven on grass and she may have disliked the yielding course last time; place horse in last took an N3L allowance next out and the winner repeated in a $37.1K NC allowance; looking at much more speed this time; needs very best.

Trick My Ride

Kela 3 for 65 with first-time turfers; sire didn t run at 2, banked over a million, never turfed; 1 for 17 dam did cash on grass; all 3 siblings won; 2 tried grass to no avail, one banked over $80K; but there were successful dirt routers in the tree; miss can run close up if in the mood; she was inching toward the winner in last and the 6th finisher 4/13 cashed next out in a $15K N2L fray; show horse 4/13 took a $16K N2L even, then ran out of the money; interesting.

Teller Terri

Well over a year since the last win; spotty race record is also a concern; place horse in last took an N1X next out and the 4th finisher won a $25K N3L fray in next; if you figure she just needed the last then you can make a case for a move forward; another slice?

Something Blue

Four clear but handled easily the last time for this price; like fact she has natural speed but she doesn't need the lead to succeed; she could have just been dead short in the grass debut; best of 12 bullet locked and loaded; repeat well within the scope.

Unbridled Wee

Second time up for sale and in at the purchase price; Lukas may be trying to coax some speed from her with the blinks this time; race over the track can't hurt but she has to prove she can handle dirt.

Luce Mia

Another that has not won on dirt, note she lost for half this price last year; no speed, no asset; never simple to concede 10 or 15 lengths and get it done; not my kind of play.

Ariadna

Filly brings back a lot of checks; note she was clear by the length of the stretch two back; proven on grass, she has tactical speed and trainer has spotted them just fine this year with limited starters; far too sharp not to take seriously.- Brian Mulligan

Race 4

Playball Tony

Tries blinkers for the first time after failing to fire in the initial pair; his sire won a G2 and 479K while the dam won 2 of 11 attempts and 36K; among the winning siblings is 126K earner Magnet Love; drops below the purchase price and can upgrade.

Apple Orchard

Two fair performance at Tampa thus far; his sire won multiple G1s and 2.84 million while the dam went 3 for 29 earning 40K; among the winning sibs is 120K earner En Passant; should be able to handle the stretchout.

Mr. Swagger

Tough beat last month and he might have been best in that one if not for drifting out; not sure the transition to the one-turn mile will suit his style, however, and he will be far less appealing odds today; mixed signals.

Hidden Brook

Made a bold late move when not far behind Mr. Swagger in their last match-up; in his previous try, at this configuration, he lost any realistic chance at the start; switches to Lanerie, who has done well with a limited number of mounts for these connections.

Clever Fox

This is the right value play in our book as he was on a solid pace before tiring behind some of these same rivals last month; his sire, an excellent handicap horse, won multiple G1s and 3.92 million; the dam went zero for 9; this is her only foal to compete.

Good Times Rambles

Trailed in his maiden voyage but the race itself featured some quick early fractions; his sire is the undefeated Candy Ride who amassed 749K including multiple G1 tallies; the dam won 1 of 13 and 69K; this is her lone foal to start. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Queen of Scioto

Cozy slot here after beating one home; best when put into the race early and often, Pedroza got a chance to figure her out last time and she may have just disliked $16K foes; she should have her sea legs under her by now; expect better effort.

Quite Explosive

Game in the win last time and she could be on the muscle on the stretch out; the feeling is she can get the trip as she was only beaten a head here at this distance just over a year ago; life fact she kept her legs moving with the drill on the 31st; major player.

You're too Wild

Over twice as many slices as wins; mare could have just been overmatched last time; decent try two back despite having mud kicked in her fact and the winner that day repeated in a $10K claimer; has to hustle.

Sluiceway

Can't be thrilled with the local slate and she has lost her last 2 comeback attempts; apparently not much of a work horse but the 5th and 6th finishers in last took $5K claimers next out and 8th finisher was 2nd a neck in a $5K seller since; look for her late if at all.

Tully's Dreamer

She is giving away winning experience to the entire field; note she also lost ground late in both of the routes showing; mare does have more speed than she just flashed and would expect rider to send hard and try to steal it; a brief threat at least.

Lady Susan

Repeatedly proven in this league and miss was over 3 clear last time; she can race fairly close up or come from the clouds and succeed; distance is ideal and would look for rider to take a little hold, try to save ground, the make the one run; all systems go. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Goldies Giant

Ran to the 68-1 debut odds when outrun throughout locally; most runners move forward 2nd-time out and she has plenty of room to improve off her unveiling; new rider and moves all the way inside to save ground; must show a lot more to make any impact.

Sequiota

The added furlong today seems like a welcomed addition after flying too late at shorter; 6 weeks since earning her 2nd straight exacta; she figures well backed at the betting windows for this after knocking on the door now adding high-percentage rider Leparoux to the mix for the 1st time.

Rau Breck

The runner-up finisher from last Beyered 81 in a next-out SAR-100K stakes win; goes from 2-year-old racing to facing older rivals today; obviously her ability to win today directy off a long layoff is the main issue; clearly the debut was a promising sign so is scary if ready.

Iwantthat

Makes her 4-year-old debut off a dull effort on dirt; both of her turf races were solid efforts including the 2-back loss where necked by the show finisher who Beyered 76 in a next-out KD-MSW win; 1st-time Borel who is 2-for-9 for the trainer at CD since 2013; lots of upside.

Ms Arch Stanton

Midde moved 2nd-time out which makes the added distance for this a major concern; the debut runner-up finisher Beyered 72 in a next-out BEL-40K-maiden-claiming win; has already been defeated vs. maiden-claiming company so would be a shocker.

Devilish Reason

Sire is 27-for-357 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 1-for-10 grass dam (68K) who produced 2 turf winners from 3 foals to race on the lawn including 54K-turfer Bluegrass Chat (4-for-13); no match for Cali Star in her debut when also defeated by the winner who repeated with a 74 Beyer.

Angle

Superb-layoff trainer also goes 1st Lasix but sees the rider of last side with Sequiota however his replacement is winning 31% for the barn at CD since 2013; much-improved 2nd-time out effort after breaking last from the gate in the debut.

Terrific Treasure

Sire is 25-for-236 with 1st-turf starters; is the 1st foal out of an 0-for-1 grass dam; the winner and 4th-place finishers from last Beyered 76-65 in next-out KEE-MSW- and AP-OPC wins; same owner/different trainer off the bench; must show a lot more 2nd-time out to earn a share.

Lochan

Sire is 7-for-182 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an 0-for-3 grass dam who produced 1 winner from 2 other foals to race but none raced on turf; wanted no parts of wet footing on dirt in last; stretching out she also has stamina questions to answer.

Cause to Celebrate

Passed a few in last which gives some hope that today's extra distance will help her chances; displayed front wraps for the 1st time in last which isn't a good sign; the debut winner repeated in an 88K event with an 83 Beyer; winds up from far back.

Cali Star

Main Track Only entry exits a key race field-best Beyer speed figure; the winner from last Beyered 74 repeating in a CD-optional claimer while she beat the 6th-place finisher a 70 speed figure next-out BEL-40K-maiden-claiming graduate; the 2-back winner repeated in a GP-OPC with an 84 Beyer.

Queen Daenerys

MTO posted a career-best Beyer in last when flashing gate speed; the added distance for this does not help the cause; projects as an early factor if in; the debut winner repeated in a LRL-OPC with a 66 speed figure.

Bubbles and Babies

MTO posted a new Beyer Top 1st time on CD dirt, 1st Lasix, racing without blinkers and right off the 73-day absence; was screaming out for more distance in last and gets it here; the debut runner-up finisher Beyered 63 in a next-out TAM-MSW win.- Art Gropper

Race 7

Wild Target

Gives the level another shot while stretching out a panel after again coming up short late in shades; gelding has early foot and he's used to securing position from an inside slot, but he'll run into one of the guys who beat him to the top last time and that's not going to make it easy for him to handle the added trip today; prefer others on the win end.

Fast Alex

Been away over a year and a half and he'll drop in for a straight tag in his return to the races; graded SP router makes his local debut in this one turn heat and he hasn't been working so well over synthetic footing for this; his best will take the heat, but it's been too long since he's run that fast to believe he's still got it in him; have to back others.

Double Rah Rah

Returns for the price of his last out score while tackling an added panel today; 5 year old has won at this local trip and he's got the early foot to secure a spot up with the pacesetters today which should prove a major asset; price should be right to give him a repeat look.

Bambazonki

Turns back after offering little late against optional claimers a few weeks back and now he's in for a straight tag; gelding was pretty good going long on the front end at Hawthorne in late fall but the way he's been going it's tough to have much confidence that even with the class relief he'll get back on track.

One King's Man

Gets a top pilot for his first off the claim by a hot barn that excels with this type right back; gray ran big going long in his local debut off the short break and has a right to move forward second time back; one turn trip is something he hasn't tried of late, but in his current form he figures to handle the configuration; one to beat.

Bernie the Maestro

Outside drawn gelding changes hands after showing nothing as the chalk when dropped to this level last time; new barn hasn't had any recent luck off the claim, but they do well with runners second off the break and this guy ran well enough in Florida this winter to prove a huge danger against these; main danger with Rosie getting aboard.> - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

ike 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 2014Miracle 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

General Jack

Was badly overmatched in last when troubled for the 2nd straight start; the 2-back runner-up finisher posted an 89 Beyer speed figure in a next-out CD-optional-claiming win then an 84 Beyer taking a PRM-75K stakes; is well spotted for this and a clean trip makes him doubly tough to beat.

Broadway Zen

68 days away for a 13%-winning fresh trainer since 2013; try to catch me; he's raced 1st at the 1st call in 4 of his last 5 starts; has been Idle since the GP graduation; the 3-back winner repeated in a GP-OPC with a 77 Beyer; 0-for-13 jockey-trainer combo since 2013 suggests we take a wait and see approach.

Clovelly

Hopes that the grass course will be enough for him to beat Sorpresa d'Oro who handled him 2-back; clearly the turf debut was good enough to see that he has potential on the green; muddy Mile winner this seems like an ideal distance for him to time the late kick.

Sorpresa d'Oro

Sire is 32-for-295 with 1st-turf starters; Grade 3-SW dam did not race on turf (2-for-9, 143K); she produced 3 grass winners from 3 foals to race on turf including 45K-turfer Surprises Welcomed (1-for-5); hopes to shake off Broadway Zen early then keep on going.

Sultry Cat

Sire is 42-for-342 with 1st-turf starters; dam went 1-0-0-0 on grass producing 2 grass winners from 2 to race on turf including 226K-turfer Bittel Road (3-for-7); 1st Lasix after troubled in latest; the workouts for this on dirt have been excellent; 6%-winning 1st-turf trainer and needs a clean trip to make any exotics impact.

Mygalsal

Class relief off the bench noting the winner from last repeated in an OP-Grade 3 stakes with a 98 Beyer; was strong in defeat facing winners on CD turf in 2013 and scary if ready especially with high-percentage Leparoux listed right off the bench.

Gibson's Bullet

Not a good sign that his 1st race off the claim represents a career-low Beyer; was good at GP finally graduating when purchased; the 3-back winner and runner-up (won G2 Tampa Bay Derby) Beyered 85-79 in next-out GP-MSW and OPC wins.

Catchifyoucan

Sire is 73-for-536 with 1st-turf starters; dam did not race on grass (3-0-0-0) producing 3 grass winners from 4 foals to race on the turf including 227K-grass earner Mary's Follies (2-for-5); adds blinkers off the bench; is in need of a massive-Beyer boost for this.

Xtra Luck

8%-winning fresh trainer off a dull effort on KEE grass; lacked the finishing kick 2 back in the green debut which doesn't bode well for this; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 89-84 in 2 next-out wins including a PRM-75K stakes; best game earlier in career was strong-gate speed which is missing from recent form.

Jet Cat

Sire is 21-for-193 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 1-for-6 grass dam (10K); 2 foals to race on turf are 0-for-4 combined; been in claimers recently so he is moving up in class today after beating 1 runner home; no match for Sorpresa d'Oro 3 back; would be a shocker.

Branded Hand

Working well off the loss to Clovelly; we assume those latest drills were with blinkers on as the hood is introduced for the 1st time today in hopes of turning the tables; moves all the way outside from the 1 post in last; wish the barn was hitting better than 8% winners since 2013 with the 1st-blinkers angle.

Colonel Krenz

Made a huge move on the turn then hung on the money when defeated by Clovelly and others; seems to need a well-timed ride to score but moves all the way outside noting his dull try from post 11 two back; others appeal more.

Ghost to Ghost

Rallied too late in his last-turf start; 30%-winning 1st-off-the-claim trainer makes him an automatic contender for win honors; winless on grass and his best race by far was over a synthetic course; the 2-back runner-up finisher won his next 3 starts 2 TDN alw. races with 73-66-50 Beyers.

Dynamic Decision

Exits a field-best Beyer speed figure when graduating at longer; 410K-yearling posted a sharp-CD dirt workout for today's class test with winners; breaks all the way outside so sure to lose ground; high-percentage jockey-trainer combo adds to the appeal.- Art Gropper