Churchill Downs: Closer Looks for May 31, 2014

Race 2

Chia Spice

We've had 5 last-out TAM runners win at the current-CD meet; this one comes off the 80-day layoff exiting a win over much lesser non-winners of 3 rivals; his lowest 2014 Beyer speed figure was his 1st race of the year then gradually improved; will be taking a wait and see approach for this.

Enclosure

Moves off a synthetic surface where he is 3-for-5 and back on conventional dirt where he is just 1-for-22; good-CD fresh trainer after rallying in a key race; have 4 winners out of last including the winner, runner-up, 4th and 9th-place finishers; they Beyered 90-83-83-77 in next-out MTH-40K, CD-PID-25K- and IND-6K-claiming wins,

Kitchenman

In here with very-light recent Beyers; steps up in claiming price off a loss which is not a good win angle while latest winner Kitty's Turn is back for this; last win was on turf and his best Beyer on a synthetic oval the fast-main track has been his least favorable racing surface.

Kitty's Turn

CD-horse for the course with just 1 off-the-board finish on the dirt track here; latest Beyer will need a huge leap to repeat; defeated the show finisher from last who Beyered 55 in a next-out BTP-5K-claiming win; the 3-back winner and show finisher Beyered 84-73 in next-out OP-starter alw and 5K-claiming wins.

Vita Desiderata

Best-last-race Beyer speed figure which dominates the others gaining confidence vs. lesser at IND; through May 26 saw 1 last-out IND winner score at the current-CD meet; defeated the runner-up finisher from last who Beyered 65 in a next-out IND-6K-claiming win; Enclosure beat him 2 back in a race which has already produced 4 next-out winners (90-83-83-77 Beyers).

Brown Eyed Jozi

Exits his lowest number since January, 2013, hoping the time off turns things around; his field-best Beyer speed figure was posted in a 2nd start off-the-layoff scenario at CD in 2013 while today is the 1st start following a long layoff; the winner from last repeated in an OP-starter allowance with an 82 Beyer. - Art Gropper

Race 3

Magna Breeze

Can't ignore the improvement in his form since being placed over turf three starts back and now he's making his first start for a barn that does well with new acquisitions; viewing the presence of Leparoux as a positive indicator as he's won with 11 of 42 (26%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Shun

He's by a strong turf sire and it's a little interesting to see him making his first start over turf since September; however, he's probably going to need to see a few of these show up with less than their best to have a chance at something more than a minor award.

Ridge City

Not only does he have just three wins next to his name after 62 starts but he hasn't been anywhere near his best in his recent attempts; can't help but feel that this veteran has the look of an outsider.

Flattermejim

He shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with Magna Breeze, and like to see that this one earned his figure over this turf course; it is interesting to see Leparoux on the move, but he's clearly a top contender with Lanerie in the pedals.

Takepointsandrun

He's winless in his last 11 starts and he's the only one in here with just a single win next to his name; he's going to need to produce a performance that is much stronger than anything he's done to this point in time in order to contend.

Midnight Notes

He's run well since being claimed by his current connections and this looks like a decent spot for him to get over the Churchill Downs turf course for the first time; a repeat of his latest performance places him squarely in the mix against these.

Quietdetermination

Have to respect what this eight-year-old has done from five starts this year while winning four of them, and he's made it look easy in his two starts since moving into this barn; he might find himself sitting an ideal trip behind the early speed of Magna Breeze and have plenty left in the tank for the run through the lane. - Brian Pochman

Race 5

Will It Thunder

Inside again after he ran into the clear winner in West Virginia; 2 for 11 dam banked about $20K; lone sibling took 1 of 9, banked about a grand a start; lean toward watching a local effort.

Hijo Del Corredor

Under purchase price for the first time; colt could be more focused with the blinks this time; runner that was taken down in last No Free Lunch cashed next out in a MSW at Philly with a 69 Beyer; backers can point to fact there are several multiple race winners in the tree including over $100K earner Majestic Melody; key off the FG finale and he's a major player.

Shirota

Colt has the two races to draw from now, brings top last race Beyer to the party and note he was over 3 clear and show horse was clear too last time; at least top kin sound enough to win 10 times; due to punch it on in.

Daddy Dean

Brassy Wells 2 for 17 with debuters; sire won twice at 2, took a couple of stakes, banked over $160K; dam 2nd twice in best results; this is her first to race; may need experience.

Haldor

Considering the cut back, he could be left with a ton of work to do late; he did catch the off going in last and may have disliked the turf before that; value should be there at least.

Kowboy Tuff

Hot claim box item has been in some good barns; only really poor effort came in the off going; place horse in last took a maiden $25K claimer next out and the 7th finisher took a maiden $20K fray; dam 0 for 5; 3 of 4 siblings won; top kin Remy Doodles took 4 of 29, earned nearly $80K; may need even easier.

Infant Gold

Regressed a bit in the local start but he was troubled and he has failed in softer spots; dam lost 7 times; 2 of 4 siblings won; half bro Smart Kiddo took 6 of 33, earned over $100K; trainer has a good eye for a purchase; don't ignore. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Strike Impact

Multiple stakes winner has a little bit of a shaky look to him but he's a legitimate horse-for-course and the drop in class can serve him well; winner from latest won next out at Bel on 5/26 going 1m over turf in a G3 with a 104 Beyer.

Thunder Affair

Stakes placed veteran might be looking forward to a return to turf and he equaled a career best Beyer Speed Figure the last time he raced over this turf course; runner up from latest won next out at PID on 5/26 going 1m 70y vs. 25-22.5k claimers with an 81 Beyer.

Believe in Kitten

This gelding has a strong turf pedigree and not going to be too hard on him for his latest performances when considering his short comment; he's only a race removed from a solid turf run and the presence of Napravnik might be a positive indicator as he's won with 23 of 89 (26%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Union Bowman

Have to be at least mildly concerned when looking at what he's done in his two most recent starts, but he's shown the ability to dial up a sharp run over just about any surface in the past; if he can find his way back to one of his better performances, he can be tough to deal with.

Street Serenade

Maybe this minor stakes placed gelding has his faster days behind him, but still feel that he has at least mild appeal while getting back over turf for the first time since December; his overall turf form has been strong, so won't be shocked if the surface switch serves as a wakeup call.

Dreams Cut Short

Don't like to see that he hasn't recorded a win from 14 starts over turf, and he does appear to be better off racing over a synthetic surface than he is over turf or dirt; perhaps it's best to limit this late running type to a spot underneath in the exotics.

Night Party

Multiple graded stakes placed veteran is another in here who is seeking his first win over turf and he's going to need to find a way to improve over his recent form to have a chance at getting himself into the mix against these.

Gladhander

He has some early speed with him but he's going to need the sharpest performance of his career to prove to be the one in this spot; this barn has done some nice work with recent turf starters, but going to look in another direction.

Harborplace

He didn't run poorly in his first start back from a layoff in his latest outing and like to see that he's won two of five turf starts; however, he will need to step it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale to threaten the top contenders in here.

Adulare

He's going to find himself in a comfortable spot if this race has to be moved to the main track and he figures to be ready to give a solid account of himself while making his third start of the year; note that this barn has clicked with 11 of 35 (31%) starters at this meeting. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

More Than Even

Oklahoma bred turns back to try a flat mile in her first start for this barn after besting restricted stakes runners at a pretty short price in her native state; she's quick enough to secure a good spot from the bell in this spot and owns the numbers to prove a huge threat at the level in her local debut; with Rosie taking the call she's the one they'll have to beat.

Lady Jensen

Gray makes her first start of the year for a barn that hits at a decent clip with its fresh runners; mare owns a late running style that would appreciate pace and even if she gets it here her return tries suggest she may be better with the effort behind her; prefer others on the win end.

Gigglin' Gal

Took her quite a few cracks to exit the maiden ranks but she returned to score right away in her first with winners before failing to factor in the stakes ranks prior to the freshening; she fits better in this spot and does own a couple of decent efforts over the local main track; recent sharp breeze suggests an improved try could be on tap.

Action Lady

Six year old hasn't been a threat in quite a while and her recent morning moves aren't much; maybe a wet track helps moves her up some, but the barn doesn't win too often and this mare hasn't run so well fresh in the past; just watching today.

Pappascat

Hit the bench again after rallying to get third money while sprinting in her first start of the year; she's proven she can fire off works so the improved recent drills are a positive sign and she's shown she can handle this trip; barn is having a nice meeting with its limited starters; contender.

She's Got Swag

Field's highest last out Beyer earner impressed in the improved run first time with winners in her local debut; filly has solid early foot and figures to find a good spot from the outset; returning in just 3 weeks, she may not be able to get back to that last big effort but she can't be overlooked.

Liberated

Adds shades for the drop back to the allowance ranks after failing to step with G1 stakes foes on Oaks Day; filly's best effort came at the trip back in the fall, but she hasn't really been the same since; maybe that last drill means she's ready for better and both of her scores have come over the local main track. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Taketheodds

Exits a best-last-race Beyer speed figure when getting Lasix for the 1st time; the trainer rarely wins with 1sters so was encouragred by the debut-show finish chasing the runner-up finisher who Beyered 65 in a next-out CD-MSW win.

Errant Angel

Sire is 28-for-122 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 1-for-4 dam (14K) who produced 6 winners from 6 other foals to race including 149K-earner El Poco Diablo (8-for-30); the worktab does not stand out for backing at 1st asking.

Gamblers Rose

Drilled a career-best Beyer right off the 91-day absence and hopes not to bounce here; through May 26 at the current-CD meet at 7F on dirt in 22 races 4 winners scored on the lead 9 stalked and 9 rallied from 4th or worse at the 1st call to win.

Tizsotiznot

Favored in the career debut so there have been high expectations from the start; was a Main Track Only Friday in a 5F-turf MSW event where she was listed at 4-1 morning-line odds; whichever race she goes in it would be her 1st start as a 3-year-old following more than an 8-month absence.

Call to Action

Both races were good but don't like seeing 2nd-time out Beyer regressions; the runner-up finisher from last posted a 79 speed figure in a next-out CD-MSW win; she beat the debut show runner a next-out 89 Beyer AQU-MSW graduate.

Vision of Mine

Sire is 22-for-306 with 1st-time starters; is out of a stakes-placed dam (3-for-16, 94K) who's only other foal to race is 2-for-9 Best Surpass (253K); posted a steady worktab for 1st asking; rider is 0-for-10 for the trainer since 2013.

Strum

Sire is 43-for-419 with 1st-time starters; is out of a Grade 2-stakes wnning dam (6-for-29, 870K) who's only other foal to race is 6-0-0-0 Shift Four (2K); the trainer is winning 20% with 1sters since 2013 and the May 19 CD workout was a good one.

Striking Impact

The winner and 4th-place finishers from last Beyered 86-80 in next-out CD-MSW and optional-claiming wins; will have to do a lot better than the KEE unveiling to make a strong impact here; adds 1F which can only help the cause off the slow-breaking unveiling.

Morning Star

Defeated the show finisher from last who Beyered 60 in a next-out PID-MSW win; turf-to-dirt is a winning angle for her trainer; like the way she was on the pace in last while she's shown a strong late punch at times during career.

Helen Kathleen

Has outworked the other 1sters which makes her dangerous at 1st asking; solid-debut trainer won with a layoff runner at CD last week; sire is 54-for-413 with 1st-time starters; is out of an unraced dam who's only other foal to race is 3-for-17 Buen Verso (51K).

Civility Pledge

Only dirt start was a show finish over the track; the runner-up and 5th-place finishers from last Beyered 83-73 in next-out CD-BEL-MSW wins; racing 1.5F longer on KEE turf produced the field's best Beyer speed figure suggesting she might need more yardage to graduate; the 2-back winner and runner-up both won next out (TAM-MSW and KEE alw. 79-70 Beyers); the 3-back winner Beyered 77 twice in 2 next-out wins.

Bluegrass Gin

Clearly has distance questions to answer fading badly in last and today adding yardage for this; bullet workout for her 2nd start off the layoff with a career-improving Beyer pattern for one of the hottest trainers in the country; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 81 in a next-out OP-MSW win. - Art Gropper

Race 9

Brewing

Out to make amends after flop at Pimlico; it took him awhile to figure it out but the light is on now; colt has the speed to flee the fence and you can never dismiss sub :22 speed; note show horse in last was 5 clear; probably needs to improve a bit to get unsaddled.

Jasizzle

Steadied when far back in the last stakes try; note this rider was aloft when runner finished in front before stewards got involved last summer; he's put wins together in the past; nice move 8 days ago; not impossible task but will likely need to pick it up.

Voodoo Storm

A decent second routing in local debut; the move on the 11th suggests he is feeling pretty good about himself but not sure this is his premier distance; look for rider to take a little hold, try to save ground, then make the one run.

Mico Margarita

Fresh and dangerous; love the spacing of the return drills; game in the local win, he showed he belong in this league with the win at Calder and lost a close on at SAR last summer; should sit a nice stalk and rally trip; major player.

Jake Mo

No kick in last stakes try but this is a better distance for him; 3/21 place horse cashed next out in a $50K optional with an 89 Beyer; the winner of this race last year, Scatman, was also coming off a third in a $100K optional before getting up by a neck in this race with a 90 Beyer; another slice?

Delaunay

What a nice horse to own; take the boys to the oval, say bet win and place, watch smiles in 25 of 44; a true horse for the course, the class is there off the Grade 2 local win just over a year ago; 3/8 show horse won and ran 2nd in G3 company since; the one to beat.

Scatman

Pro out to defend his title; and maybe connections just used the grass race to get him set for this run; he handles any kind of going, is in good hands and you get the feeling we didn't see his best in last; expect much better effort.

Captain Genius

Three for 5 with 2 slices since entering this barn; nice; note did did win a stakes at 3, and that the place horse in last was over 6 clear; 3/28 show horse won next out in a $30K optional, then was third beaten nearly 4 in a $75K stakes; far too sharp not to leave in the mix.

Take It Like a Man

This is a better distance for him than going a mile; he is hooking some serious speed and could have a hard time keeping up; barn is solid with second off the layoff runners like this but racer could be left with too much to do late. - Brian Mulligan

Race 10

Villandry

Off the pace type tries overnight stakes runners again after getting up to score in his second start of the year; don't know that he's really stakes quality, but it's nice to see Leparoux stick with him and he does like the local course; concerned about his running style while stuck down inside in a field that doesn't contain a lot of early lick; have to side against the repeat.

Set the Sail

Sat a tracking spot in his first start of the season but understandably came up short behind one of the guys he'll catch again in here; expect he'll be tighter with that behind him and he did run pretty well in G3 stakes company over the course just prior to the break last fall; local lover is worth a look.

O'Prado Ole

Four year old didn't have a lot to offer on the cut back in his local return but he was less than 4 lengths off the winner who returned to run huge in victory in a graded stake in New York earlier in the week; colt offered some promise on the green last year but hasn't been able to break through; maybe with his last behind him he has a shot to move forward at a big price but this is a season stakes field he's facing; giving him an exotics look.

Knights Nation

Makes his first start of the year after hitting the shelf off a poor try in the Turfway stake; gelding had done quite well in his prior handful of tries and maybe the return to the turf will help spark a run; local winner has the positional foot to find a decent spot up top early and he won off a long break to begin last season.

All Stormy

Tries better after getting beaten as the chalk in his Fair Grounds finale; fresh colt has been breezing at Arlington for this and he won off a similar break earlier in the year, but don't know that he's good enough to step with these; looking elsewhere.

Paris Vegas

Returns for his 7 year old campaign in an ungraded spot while getting another new pilot; he proved he could step at the stakes level last year and though his more recent wins came in allowance company, they did come fresh and he has earned numbers that fit well here; consider.

Regally Ready

Seven year old took a cheaper bunch all the way when allowed to set soft splits in the return to a course over which he took the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint a few years back; his most recent scores have come on the front end and there doesn't look to be a whole bunch of early foot signed on for this so another trip up top may well be in the cards; looks like they'll have to come and get him to win.

Cup of Joy

His return to the lawn at Keeneland wasn't very good and he was sent to post at a big price in that one; there's not a lot to suggest he's going to take the huge step forward needed to contend on the rise to the stakes ranks; looms a longshot once again.

Olympic Thunder (BRZ)

Hasn't been a serious threat late in either of his starts this year, but he hasn't been beaten badly, either; 6 year old worked well last week for this so maybe he has a little more to offer this time and the pace could be a little better for him today; still, he'll have to earn a share of this one.

Strike One

Late runner just missed getting up despite early trouble when stretched out to this trip earlier in the month; he'll step up to face stakes runners in this one, but maybe the pace is a little bit more to his liking this time and his interim drill was solid; still, from out here he won't have it easy.

Keg Party

Starts from the outside slot in his return from the freshening after hitting the bench off a Turfway sprint stake a couple of months back; colt wired softer the last time he tried routing on the green but he's going to have a tough time trying to make the top from out here. - Steve Grabowski