Gulfstream: Closer Looks for December 19, 2013

Race 1

H Town Brown

Finished strong in his first assignment and the extra distance today should theoretically help matters; his sire won the Derby and 3.61 million; the dam won 2 of 9 and 45K; among the winning siblings is 686K earner D'Funnybone.

Mandatario

Quit early in his second assignment and flashed brief speed in his debut, a future key race; his sire won multiple G1s and 971K while the dam won 4 of 16 and 159K; there are no winning siblings to mention; latest a.m. move was an upgrade.

Coach Inge

Newcomer hails from the same sire as the rail runner today (progeny of Big Brown have won 12 out of 77 debuts); the dam involved went zero for 3 lifetime; among the winning siblings is 102K earner Reaching Out.

Rompin Reid

Descendants of the outstanding Medaglia d'Oro, a multiple G1 victor who notched 5.75 million, have won 10 percent of their initial starts; the dam won multiple G2 stakes and 725K; among the winning siblings is 36K earner Couture Cat.

Tequesta Storm

Showed decent prompting speed in both attempts; his sire won a G3 and 462K while the dam lost her only race; this is her sole foal to make it to the starting gate; could be chasing a softer pace today and move forward.

Dudeman

Very fine set of a.m. breezes on view; his sire won a G2 and 324K (progeny of Rockport Harbor have won nearly 11 percent of their first races); the dam won 2 of 17 and 77K; among the winning sibs is 175K bankroller Sterling Outlook.

Empower

His sire won multiple G2s and 769K (descendants of Distorted Humor are 122 for 739 as far as winning their first test); the dam won 3 of 7 attempts and 163K; winning siblings include 26K earner Artfully.

Hollywood Idol

Dangerous firster was sired by G1 winner Smart Strike who captured 337K (his offspring have won 115 out of 793 debuts); the dam won 4 of 27 and 1.14 million; sib to 212K winner Hoorayforhollywood.

World Changer

May not have cared for the sloppy track last time but the previous placing was razor-sharp; draws a cozy outside slot today and returns to the original rider; could prove the right value play in a race difficult to unravel. - Jim Kachulis

Race 2

Kingofalldiamonds

Back on preferred surface, maybe connections had this race in mind all the time; agile enough to overcome being forced to steady in the last win and the show horse that day cashed next out in a $25K N2L, lost next several; a couple of decent drills since the return; look for rider to send hard and try to take advantage of the quick run to the first turn.

Go Bernie Go

Colt made a nice move to get within a length of the lead before reality set in last time; maybe he didn t care for the slop in the process; 9/22 winner clicked right back in a $16K N2L fray at Penn National with a 77 Beyer; runner woke up in that July finale; he has much more speed then he just flashed; respect.

Indygo Prince

Far from disgraced for this price two back, runner made the huge 4-length run to get within a half last time and then just extended; winner of the Chicago finale won twice, the last against $50K claimer with an 84 Beyer on 12/6; never in the money on grass, note wraps re-added in last.

Hard to Name

Soph got good for about a month last year in Philly; a bit more keen to run early in last but he lost ground when it counted; winner of the Maryland finale repeated in a $98K stakes at the Big A with a 94 Beyer; in good hands, but can't be thrilled with either turf effort; must hustle.

Bashful Bandit

Proven locally, runner gave way badly on a surface he may have disliked; 8/23 place horse cashed next out in a $35K claimer, then was out of the money in a $50K optional; tough beat in the Belmont finale but note that the show horse that day came back to run out of the money in a $16K claimer; needs rebound run.

Saturday Special

Gelding may have just needed the last but he still ran decently; connections thought enough of him to try the stakes early in the year, but note he only beat 4 horses in the last victory; must at least be left in the exotic picture.

Jupiter

Stopped on after a very good race, did that September finale knock the starch out of him?; published moves on the light side for this return but the winner of last repeated in a $16K optional, was 2nd beaten 3 in a $25K optional here 18 days ago; this guy looks live.

Uptown Anthem

In tight when probably overmatched in the lone grass run; 3 clear in a pretty nice effort last time, and note he did win in the second off the layoff run in September; capable barn due to get rolling.

Love of Flying

Don't fret about the light published works; Sheppard does this his own way; gelding took the overland route in last and was in kind of tough on the cut back in the Philly finale; live pilot, he fits the conditions to a T keying off the last time he was in town; interesting.

Prado Dash

Pushed along in last, he may be better off settling and making the one run; runner got good for about 3 weeks and that was ages ago; this is his preferred surface, a slice may be the ceiling once again.

N. B. A. Money

Runner is a Tampa specialist so far; outrun when catching legit splits two back, he could have sulked in last when the mud was kicked in his fact but he competed; this is a much easier spot in the conditioned claimer and note he was just beaten by an Asmussen runner that was winning for the 10th time; look out.

Eriugena (IRE)

Don't be too harsh about last; not many horses really want to get that far; snappy move a week ago is a positive sign and note the place horse in the last win cashed next out in a $20K N2L claimer with a 76 Beyer on 12/6; don't ignore.

Colorado Daydream

Like fact he graduated locally and it was off the pine; tons best of the rest in last and runner could sit a nice stalk and pounce trip; toss the Indy races and the form brightens; legit factor if he gets a chance to roll.

Renzo Bertoni

Gelding showed agility in the last win overcoming the troubled trip; runner has been here for awhile and has several local drills to draw from here; look for him in the final stages if at all.

Tinitus

Can't be thrilled with the defeats vs. cheaper foes; he ran well in the shore finale and runner did graduate off the bench; Midnight Notes exited the last race to take a $25K claimer at the shore and the 10th finisher won the same kind of race in Oceanport; gelding could be compromised by the slot if scratches are kind. - Brian Mulligan

Race 4

Color Me Flying

Sire is 59-for-353 with 2-year-old debut starters; 1st foal from the dam who was a stakes winner at today's distance on a sloppy-main track; Hall of Fame trainer is not known to win with 1sters; gives away experience to each runner; the rail draw is tricky post position for an inexperienced runner and 8.5F is not the easiest distance to unveil at.

Crusading Princess

Adds blinkers for a trainer 1-for the last-26 with this angle; the debut runner-up Beyered 61 in her next-out CRC-MSW win; races 1st time on dirt and while she has been working well on the main track for this; would need to see a massive-form improvement to upset this kind.

Please Explain

Been knocking on the door to earn the diploma while the added distance here seems like it would be an advantage; 39 days since the nesr-miss finish in Kentucky when favored; wish the GP worktab stood out more; likely races midpack while saving ground then makes one run; view as a dangerous rival in deep stretch.

Dinner With Sophie

Trying to shake up the form with 1st Lasix and blinkers removed for this; another who did not appreciate a wet-main track in last; the debut winner repeated in a TAM-83K event with a 71 Beyer; sprint sire ran in one dirt route finishing 4th in the G2 Withers; dam's lone win was at 1M on dirt.

House Rules

Regressed 2nd-time out on the Beyer scale which could be blamed by the wet-main track; style suggests more distance is likely needed to see very-best form and gets it here; sire was a G3-dirt Miler producing Funny Cide the Kentucky Derby-Preakness winner; dam was a G2-turf miler.

Russian Night

Adds blinkers back to the mix following a 57-day absence for an 8%-winning fresh trainer since 2012; ran big without the hood in last noting the runner-up from graduated next out at TAM with a 59 Beyer; lone dirt start was her debut when defeated by the placed-1st runner-up who Beyered 77 in a next-out CD-62K stakes win.

Quinnkat

Exits a co-career Beyer low now headed back to dirt where she is 5-for-5 in on-the-board finishes and is stakes placed at today's distance; big late kick has to be reckoned with and hopes someone goes after speed Laura Golightly from the bell; the 2-back green runner-up Beyered 77 in a next-out GP-optional-claiming victory.

Laura Golightly

The winner and 4th-place finishers from her speedy-sprint debut loss Beyered 74-71 in next-out LRL-100K stakes and AQU-MSW wins; sire won the SA Derby and the dam's sire was inches away from completing the Triple Crown; add the 35%-winning 2nd start trainer to the mix and she's the one to catch and beat.

Keen Katana

2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle; sire known for sprinting; lacked the finishing punch at shorter after stalking the speed; likely sits just off Laura Golightly from the bell then hopes to find the missing stamina off the 34-day absence. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Claiming Victory

42 days since she did not fire on a wet-main track; 1-for-1 on grass which appears to be her preferred surface beating the show finisher on the lawn who posted a 73 Beyer speed figure in her next-out AQU-16K claiming win; best races are when she races on or near the lead but catches a field top heavy with gate speed; has not won past 7F so the final yards here are the biggest concern.

Katie It's Fine

Have to go back to her 2nd-career start August, 2011, an FE-MSW event at 4.5F to see the only dirt start of her career finishing 3rd-beaten more than 8 lengths; the winner and 6th-place finishers from last Beyered 77-60 in next-out WO-16K-8K-claiming victories.

Jill's Image

Wants to be forwardly placed although in the graduation score she sat just off the speed; the 1st start facing winners is often any runner's toughest assignment while this one snapped a 26-race losing skid in last; view as a pace presence for part.

Sonja's Angel

Loves GP dirt; her last 2 races here were both blowout wins; adds more gate speed in a race loaded with other gate speed; 115 days since defeated by the winner who repeated with a 100 Beyer in a next-out LRL-starter allowance win; she beat the 5th-place finisher from last a next-out 62 speed figure-MTH-12,500K-claiming winner.

Black Ana Splash

1st time on GP dirt since a Feb., 2012, show finish in a 30K-maiden claimer in the slop; likes to be forwardly placed she figures to be in the pace mix early but hopes to sit just off the inside speed then get 1st run on the closers; 59 days away noting her last victory occurred off a similar 51-day freshening.

Secret Memory

Pressed the pace in sprints; her lone Mile race was dull and likely chases the inside speed with serious stamina concerns for this; latest had to help making her 1st start in 7 weeks; know her early but unsure about late.

Don't Tell Patti

Picked up her game since the August claim noting the 2-back career-best Beyer at today's distance on a fast-GP main track; figures to be rallying strongly into a hot pace; the 3-back winner handled her in latest start as well; see lots of upside for an improved effort after breaking slowly again.

Senora de Lujan

She's won on the lead and from off the pace; likely did not want to race as far back from the gate as she did in latest but rallied well and a similar trip could produce a major share here; the 2-back winner and runner-up Beyered 78-71 in next-out GP-optional-claiming and CRC-25K-claiming wins.

Negrita Tata

0-for-11 dirt record which makes an outsider today facing main-track winners; faded 2-back when last seen on dirt and is drawn outside of a slew of other frontrunners likely leaveing her pressing the pace wide while losing ground; beat 1 runner home the last time seen on GP dirt in Feb.

Pinafra

60 days since latest rally was too late; 6%-winning fresh trainer since 2012 does not add to the appeal but she is a deep closer in a race packed with gate speed so seemingly has the right style to do damage today; the 3-back runner-up Beyered 77 in a next-out GP-starter alw. win.- Art Gropper

Race 7

Two Step Flor

Clever stable took a shot in the stakes last time so there must be some inkling of talent; she has much more speed than she just flashed; winner of the Maryland finale repeated in a $40K optional, then ran out of the money in a $100K stakes; she has the speed to flee the fence; expect much better effort.

Maura's Purse

Pushed into the stakes after the maiden breaker and rather dull since; this youngster just went off form badly after the July effort; she scurries up the claiming ladder here off a very dull effort; why?

Ultra Violet

Professional in the maiden breaker and don't be too harsh about last as it s never simple to beat winners right back; winner of the Calder finale repeated in a $40K starter, then ran out of the money in an $83K Tampa stakes; must find a way to turn the tables on Artsy among others.

Indubitably Ellie

Two excuses in last, the poor start and the off going; back to the original rider, if this gal breaks with her field it could be a whole new ballgame; not a ton of speed in this field, look for rider to put her into the race early and hope for the best; don't ignore.

Gotaheartofgold

She was in tough last time in the hardest spot of her career on a new surface; fit enough to drill a couple of times since the lasts effort, winner of the 9/15 race cashed next out in a $40K N2L, then was a well beaten third in an N1X; considering the cut back, she could find her self behind a wall of horses turning for home

Artsy

Miss has been given time since the clever debut; the race came back live as the place horse took a MSW next out, show horse beat $50K maiden claimers and 4th finisher won against $25K maiden sellers here 10/20; homebred must be respected.

Solitary

Steadied in that second start on the wrong surface and she has not been in the hunt since; trainer tinkers with the blinkers after a poor effort on the cut back; in light here, not sure that is the cure all.

Nothin' But Tough

Miss is looking at a bit more speed this time and she will have a hard time clearing; she has trained fast for this and is drawn right where rider does not have to commit early but can watch how the race is unfolding; will at least muddle the pace.

You Never Learn

Only one off effort and she was hooked wide that day; like the way she fought and gutted out the win in last; the 10/12 place horse graduated next out, then repeated in an $83K stakes at Tampa; handled easily by the Tortora runner two back but note the renewed energy in the drill 6 days ago; valid threat.- Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Workin for Hops

Respect his speed but there are others with designs on the top; proven locally, he ran well from the Arlington rail in May; unprepared for the break in last and this is the preferred surface; respect.

Chairman Garey

Tough spot for just a maiden winner; the win was local and he has run well since being distanced at Tampa; published moves on the light side, Rocco got a chance to figure him out; needs very best.

Whisper Onthe Wind

Erratic in the lane two back and the stewards got involved; don t be too harsh about last as he could not stand up in the off going; gelding did show more energy in the drill 6 days ago; he did only beat 5 runners in last, look for him late if at all.

Fightingforfreedom

Decent effort in last considering the layoff and the off going; in the exacta in 4 of 5 at this distance, and apparently he is not much of a work horse; contender, far from a cinch.

Midnite Silver

Veteran has a penchant for finding the wire and nothing wrong with hitting the exacta in 21 of 37; no kick in the shore finale but you really don't want to be outside on that course; the hotter the pace the better for this guy.

Citrus Drive

Grass debut was decent; gelding has more speed than he just showed and he s drilled solidly for this; place horse in last took an N1X at Laurel next out and 12th finisher took a $5K claimer there; 11/14; fact he ran so well in the debut gives him a right to fire fresh; homebred rates long look in all the slots.

Silver Freak

Can't fault those that give him another shot at glory after failing as chalk; this guy has talent, ran well at first asking and the move on the 11th is eye catching; gelding has more speed than he just flashed and he has a right to have a nice career as kin to Grade 1 winner and over $500K earner Santa Teresita.

Bold Dance

Proven locally, but he went off form in that second try vs. winners; shades off, just like they were for the lone win; Mills exited the last race to beat N2L allowance foes next out and the show horse took a $35K optional next out; runner has natural speed but he has proven he can beat horse and he has a right to grow into his skin kin Saint Liam took the BC Classic at 5 on way to near $4.5 million career.

Town Extension

Colt took awhile to figure it out and we really don t know how much the last race may have taken out of him; homebred has limited speed and will be at the mercy of how the race sets up and if he can find a lane to rally into in time; would be careful here.

Hey Leroy

Maybe he just wanted grass all along; gelding settled nicely on the stretch out and just ignited when it counted; far too sharp not to take seriously.

Transcend

He looms the stalking component of the Lynch pair; all out in the heater in last and he was not flattered when Professor Midnight returned to run 6th; passing.

Mega Boom

Post 13 seemed to hurt him in last; he was in a steady run and was right there at the top of the lane before reality set in; out of the money in the local try and he has had issues at this distance; still has to be left in the mix.

Great Rising Star

Only in the money once since the maiden breaker; off slowly in last and that has happened before; one for 34 is a tough number to bet into no matter how you slice it.

Playing a Joke

Poor trips in the last 2 efforts; his versatility could be his best asset; he has won on the lead, from just off of it and from left field; last angle to think about: this rider is 24% for Cibelli in the last year or so.

Twigazuri Strait

Both wins came off the layoffs; nice; despite being rank in last, runner hung in there and was 3 clear; proven locally, decent move 6 days ago; another threat in an absolute scramble and he could thrive with time as kin Futural won a stakes at 7, banked over $800K.

Stallwalkin' Dude

Hard to get excited about either turf out; he could be closer early here, note he was just 2 off the pace in the sprint win; would think long and hard before taking too short a number.- Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Chiquiem

The turf graduation 3-back was at longer and when in the mood she has a big late kick; today figures to save every inch of ground behind a hot pace then make 1 run; getting up in time seems the biggest concern but also seems to fit well here.

Sea Bubble

74 days since finishing last when badly overmatched vs. Grade 3 company showing none of the gate speed possessed in first trio; has been working steadily for the return to the Mile-win distance; hopes to break sharper but then catches a field top heavy with gate speed which seems to compromise her chances.

Hardly

Benefits being a late runner in a race loaded with gate speed; needed longer than 1 Mile to earn her diploma in last while troubled in the debut vs. the show finisher who Beyered 63 in a next-out AQU-MSW win; good sign that her high-percentage repeat trainer won with his 1st-GP starter at the current-winter meet.

Ready to Act

Exits a field-best Beyer when pressing the pace in the Breeders' Cup filly Turf; looked like she was about to win 2-back when she ducked in dropping the jockey after the rider hit her right handed; reunites with the debut-win rider and clearly is a major pace presence in her easier spot since the unveiling-sprint score.

Aventure Love (FR)

By 11 pounds races with her lightest-weight assignment ever for this; 93 days since her front-running show finish sprinting; major-distance test and her style of being on the lead may be compromised by several other sharp-gate types signed on for this; 3-back winner took a GER-100K alw. race next out; sire went 0-for-3 in Mile-turf races; dam finished far back in her only Mile test.

Duff One

53 days since outrun while competing in her 3rd straight stakes; she should appreciate the class relief given today; the August wet-main track graduation looks better since the show runner graduated in a SAR-MSW event next out with a 66 Beyer; doing the rain dance for this to be moved to the main.

Dream Come True

Deep closer in a race top heavy with gate speed adds to the appeal for her high-percentage repeat barn; main knock is she cuts back in distance and her only win was accomplished on dirt; figures to be flying late hoping to get up in time.

Tres Hermanas

Not easy to win at 8.5F in the debut which is exactly what she did 76 days ago on BEL grass; cutting back might be an issue as she rallied strongly with tons of upside for a high-percentage repeat trainer; wish the worktab sizzled a bit more for this but looms as a major player after showing immediate talent.

Araksia

Sire is 56-for-635 with 1st-turf starters; 5-0-0-1 dam (5K) did not race on grass; both of her foals to race on turf are grass winners including 239K-turfer Storming Off (6-for-25); faded in her only dirt route 3-back finishing behind the runner-up who Beyered 77 in her next-out CD-62K stakes victory; view as a pace presence for part.

Signofaffection

Sire is just 1-for-56 with 1st-turf starters; 2-0-0-0 dam did not race on grass; her only other foal to race 1-for-7 I Give (17K) did not race on turf; 2nd-time Long can be an improvement angle and she has plenty of room to move forward; the 3-back show finisher Beyered 74 in her next-out GP alw. win; 7 weeks away for a high-percentage fresh trainer while 1st time for PLopez to ride who is sizzling at the current meet.

Fingers Crossed

53 days away for a high-percentage fresh trainer; improving Beyers culminating in the diploma earner rallying well at longer; the debut runner-up Beyered 70 in her next-out BEL-MSW graduation; worked a bullet for this and while must pass the class test owns many positive angles for this.

Backstretch Lady

Another recent graduate however she needed maiden-claiming company to graduate; she learned to rate from off the speed in latest but clearly has to pass the class test while cutting back in distance with a wide draw sure to lose ground.

Highdixieibis

Main Track Only entry graduated 1st time at 1 Mile while 2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle; raced right on the lead in last after rallying in the debut but has both styles available in her arsenal; adds 5 pounds for the class test with winners; none of these have done much on dirt other than Dream Come True and Duff One; would be a major player if in. - Art Gropper

Race 10

Sweet Gator Girl

Beaten last out chalk returns to the lawn over which she ran ok behind an easy winner 3 starts back; number she earned in that one puts her in the mix here and the drop to this level can't hurt, but she's hit the board in 5 straight without winning and looks best suited to a minor award here as well.

Uptown Charmer

It took her 27 cracks to finally break her maiden and she did it over the local main track; filly has been ok on the lawn in the past, but she'll need to take a big step forward off what she's been running to have a say in the outcome here; like the fact a top turf pilot takes the call, but have to side with others on the win end.

Aunt Anna

Gets back to the green after a weak try in the local slop; her effort on the lawn first time in blinkers 2 back wasn't much and her prior cracks over the footing weren't anything special either; have to side with others for the money spots.

Seattle Me Up

Ships down here to try winners for the first time under this new outfit's care; lightly raced filly did take a good step forward on the class rise when shades and Lasix were added second time out and maybe the time off has helped her grow into her sharp route pedigree; top pilot sees fit to take the call; one to consider.

Bahia de Oro

She was beaten just a few lengths over the course at the level 2 starts back and now she'll look to get back to the footing; she doesn't have any early foot, though, and that could be a big liability in a bulky field such as this one; may find herself with too much to do late.

Lady Budapest

Makes her first start on the lawn after failing to offer much in the local slop here a few weeks back; barn boasts some nice numbers with its turfers and this gal's sire gets 9% first time surface winners with his offspring; dam was a 2 time route winner who never tried the green and her lone foal to try turf was 0 for 1 over it.

Henin

Late running shipper makes her local debut after making a decent late run in her return to the races in Maryland; filly has shown she can handle the footing at times, but she's not consistent and her style makes her susceptible to both pace and traffic issues; nice to see Rosario take interest, though; prefer to beat her on the win end, but using her underneath.

Catira Valen

She's run ok both on the lawn across town and in Jersey and should be tighter with the slow starting local slop return behind her; filly has shown some speed in the past and maybe a clean start helps her sit closer and given the lack of lick in this heat that's not a bad place to be; price should again be big; warrants a look.

Queenie's Gold

Barn excels with the move to the lawn and this gal showed plenty of early foot before getting run down late in the Hawthorne mud last time; expect she'll find herself close up early in here and her maiden score did come fresh; with a top pilot taking the call she's a contender.

My Curlina

Makes her first start since the summer while dropping in half in claiming price; filly was pretty solid in the maiden ranks over the local sod earlier in the year and maybe the return to this footing helps perk her up some; can get in the exotics mix.

Bold Street Cat

Offered little early foot while making her local debut from the fence and had little to offer thereafter in the slop; barn hasn't had much luck moving them back to the lawn but his gal wasn't bad over the weeds during the summer at Arlington and he doesn't catch the toughest of fields here.

Stars Collide

Beaten last out chalk drops again in her return from the freshening; she'll run into a gal who necked her in that last one and her running style could leave her with a lot to do late as well as traffic issues, but she owns some of the better numbers in here and must be respected.

I Can See My Dream

MTO stretches out and picks up a lot of weight if this one gets rained off; filly does own some solid efforts over wet tracks so that would warrant her some consideration, but it has been quite a while since the maiden score and her route efforts earlier in the year were nothing special.

Windsor Garden

Late running AE will start from a tough draw if a scratch allows her to meet the starter here; filly did break her maiden over the local sod 3 starts back but she was no match for a couple of these subsequently in her first with winners.

Charade

AE enters this one fresh after offering little late against Parx allowance runners; she breezed well at Palm Meadows for this a couple of weeks back and her efforts on the lawn in the maiden ranks earned numbers that are more than good enough to handle these claimers; one to beat if she gets to go.

Elusive Design

AE is mired on the list and not likely to go, but she does have a top pilot listed for what would be her local debut; she ran ok against better on the green earlier in the year and certainly fits well in this spot; with her speed sharpened from the last out sprint in New York she could find herself in a good tracking spot here; contender if she finds a way to meet the starter. - Steve Grabowski