Gulfstream: Closer Looks for December 21, 2013

Race 1

D'marin

Just his 3rd race in 16 months; defeated 1 runner combined in 2 losses since the long layoff; 0-for-31-fresh trainer since 2012 does not help the cause seeking a massive-form turnaround; is 1-for-1 on GP dirt graduating at 1.5F longer than this nearly 2 years ago; the 2-back runner-up finisher posted a 91 Beyer speed figure taking an AQU-optional claimer next out.

Uptown Anthem

To race here would have to be scratched Wednesday from a 1M-turf 30K-claiming event where listed at 12-1 morning-line odds; he likes this GP-dirt oval quite a bit with 5 consecutive in-the-money finishes here; best Beyer was on a wet-main track showing his liking to the slop when chasing Poco Man off a 7-week absence getting a 2-pound positive weight swing off the half-length loss; the 2-back show runner Beyered 76 in his next-out GP-OPC win.

Black Karma

Try to catch me off the 10-week absence; raced on the lead in all 3 starts; lone loss was 2 back vs. the winner who finished 5th next out in a GP-optional claimer with a 74 Beyer; he beat the debut show finisher who Beyered 62 next out capturing a CRC-MSW graduation.

Alisa's Engineer

Exits his 1st-exacta finish in a long time; here on a 32-race losing skid; May, 2012, was his last win taking a TAM-8K claimer at 1M and 40 yards on dirt; cuts back to his shortest-distance test since June when rallying well at Calder; the 0-for-16 GP dirt record does not give a lot of confidence he will end the winless drought here.

D'nied Permission

Long absence but for a high-percentage fresh trainer who adds to the appeal; would be a big factor if he remembers his career-best Beyer posted on GP dirt at 7F in February; that big race was 2nd time off a layoff so may be at his best with a race under his belt; the winner from last repeated in a BHP-50K event with a 73 Beyer; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 73 taking a CRC alw. next out.

Baffoonery

9 weeks since finishing evenly; today marks just start 2 on dirt; set the pace in an April 2-turn loss the only other time on the main track; best Beyer was posted at 1.5F shorter than this although recent races suggest 7F is well within his scope; working like he will love the dirt for a 27%-win trainer 1st-time out with newly-acquired runners.

Liberty Wing

8 weeks since the beaten-betting choice on synthetic a surface he has not handled well in 2 losses; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 70 taking a CD-$7,500 claimer next out; his best Beyer was posted on a wet-main track; in his last dirt start in July finished behind the runner-up finisher who Beyered 74 in his next-out BEL-15K-claiming victory.

Poco Man

The long layoff and 2nd-off-the-claim angle worked to perfection catching a wet track to score at a longer distance; won his debut at much shorter than this and appears versatile enough to handle any stamina test today marking his shortest-distance test in 2013; the 3-back show runner Beyered 55 in his next-out KEE-20K-claiming win. - Art Gropper

Race 2

Valid Concept

This will be the first time that he's faced maiden claimers racing over turf and he appears to be well meant with a drop in class while getting a switch to a strong turf rider in Lezcano; his lack of early speed is a concern, but have to view him as a legitimate threat to walk away with the top prize.

Ba Ba Brett

He earned a stakes placing in his career debut and he showed up with a pretty decent performance after taking some time off in his latest outing; feel that he deserves another chance to see what he can do over turf, and note that his one turf attempt was with blinkers.

Green Diamond Cat

Half-brother to stakes winner Italo (3-13, 108k, including 1 of 4 turf starts for 62k) and stakes winner Distinctiv Passion (4-9, 221k, including 1 of 2 turf starts for 62k) earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in his latest outing and feel that he's another in here who might improve over what he showed in his first start over turf.

Scotch Valley

Sire wins with approximately 18% of his turf starters and stakes placed dam won 2 of 6 starts for 35k, including 0-for-2 over turf in North America; this colt is a 1/2 to Milestonemissile (4-29, 109k, including 2 of 19 turf starts for 69k); they were looking to get this colt over turf at first asking.

Strategic Keeper

Have to respect his chances off connections alone as he hails from one of the strongest turf outfits in the country and Castellano has won with 68 of 218 (31%) mounts for this barn in 2013; obviously his debut wasn't much of an effort, but not going to be at all surprised if he looks like a different horse this time around.

Kenai Warrior

He has fine tactical speed and he merits consideration in this spot based on what he's shown us since being placed over turf with the addition of Lasix; prefer to lean in another direction for the top spot, but a spot underneath in the exotics is certainly within reach.

Giant Cat

Have a lot of respect for Giant's Causeway as a turf sire, but outside of a start over a sloppy main track here, this colt hasn't shown very much, and that includes a couple of starts over turf; willing to upgrade his chances if he gets to run over a sloppy surface again.

Automatic Jax

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a G3 stakes placed dam who won once from 10 starts for 85k, including 1 of 8 turf starts for 80k; Lopez has won with 39 of 115 (34%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Rockinpop

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; winner from debut won next out at PID on 8/26 going 6f vs. N2L alw. rivals with a 65 Beyer and runner up won next out at PID on 9/17 going 1m vs. MSW rivals with an 85 Beyer.

Ben Jacob

He's by a solid turf sire and he's a 1/2 to stakes winner Lucas Brady (6-28, 184k, including 1 of 7 turf starts for 49k) but he's had his chances to show us what he can do, and it would have been nice to have seen him show more in his turf debut in his latest outing.

Special Ops

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and G3 stakes placed dam won 4 of 14 starts for 186k, including 2 of 6 turf starts for 63k; this is an outfit that can move one up in a big way over turf and Bravo gets plenty of live calls from this barn. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Joh's Gone Wild

Encountered trouble in that second run after a fair debut run in mid-June; his sire won multiple G1 stakes and 1.49 million; the dam involved was unraced; among the winning siblings is 85K earner Go Duke Go.

Runkle

A fine try a month ago when holding on strong for the place; beaten favorite draws a comfortable slot here and seems more than capable of handling the numerical rise for the new connections; worth some follow-up.

Laws of the City

Dons the blinkers after prompting the issue in both appearances this summer; his sire won a G1 and 727K while the dam was zero for 3 lifetime; among the winning siblings is 27K earner Cavalli; moderate breeze pattern of late.

Puntrooskie

Newcomer hails from G1 winner In Summation who notched 1.22 million (his progeny have scored in 2 of 22 debuts); the dam won 1 of 4 attempts and 91K; among the winning siblings is 44K earner Saber.

Donegal Hall

Keeps earning checks and exits an above average race at Calder which featured a blowout winner; descends into the claiming universe for the first time and has legitimate money chances no matter how the early pace unfolds.

Goodboycharlie

See Puntrooskie, above, for information about the same sire; this gelding's dam was zero for 2; among the winning siblings is 292K bankroller Winsome Charm; wheels right back after showing no firepower over the turf.

Aspen Sky

Above average breezes during the last month for this colt; his sire won a G1 and 633K (descendants of Sky Mesa have won 48 out of 363 initial starts); the dam did not compete; among the winning siblings is 28K earner Thano.

Broadway Zen

Despite the fact that he has finished out of the money each time, he has a bit of gate speed in his favor and that should give him the chance to obtain a fair stalking early position here; should be chaser softer fractions today than in the last assignment. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Yari

Like the idea of this stakes placed gelding stretching out in distance for his second start back from a layoff and he has displayed fine route speed in the past, but at the same time, this does appear to be a pretty tough spot for him to land in.

Starship Wildcat

His overall turf form has been solid but this colt does appear to be better off at distances shorter than today's one mile assignment; going to look for him to play a big role in the way that this race shapes up, but others figure to have more to offer through the lane.

Symphony Forty One

Majestic Warrior has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this gelding has yet to run a race that is strong enough to suggest that he can be competitive against competition of this caliber; on a positive note, Lopez has won with 6 of 11 (54%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Hothersal

He's G3 stakes placed racing over the synthetic surface at Woodbine and his turf form has been plenty strong enough to give him the look of a top contender in the spot, and that includes a couple of starts over thsi turf course; add in the fact that he hails from top connections, and there's plenty to be positive about in this direction.

Key to Power

He was on top of his game heading into his most recent start and not going to be at all surprised if this barn has him ready to bounce back with one of his sharper performances after giving him some time off; note that looks like he's been doing some nice work in the a.m. lately.

Kaigun

He took his game to another level when placed over turf two races ago and he deserves a lot a credit for the G3 stakes placing he earned in his latest outing while wearing blinkers for the first time; relatively lightly raced 3-year-old commands his share of respect.

Fredericksburg

He's stakes placed racing over turf but this gelding is going to have to produce a performance that is much stronger than anything he's done to this point in time in order to put any pressure on the top contenders in here.

Where's the Baby

Maybe if he can find his way back to one of his better performances he can have a say in the outcome against these, but his recent form hasn't been anywhere near his best, and perhaps he can benefit from a drop in class the next time around.

One More Cat

The improvement was noticeable when he was placed over turf back in June and he earned a stakes placing over turf at Saratoga, but his latest effort wasn't one of his better performances, and this looks like a tough spot for him to get over the GP turf for the first time; respect the presence of Rosario, but others entice more.

Eternal Ruler (IRE)

Like to see that he has run well when fresh in the past and that he's had some success over this turf course, but still feel that this is a pretty tough spot for his first start since the end of July; winner from latest returned to win next out at Sar on 8/26 going 1m over turf vs. 25k OPC's with a 96 Beyer.

Cozy Kitten

Multiple graded stakes placed veteran has run some nice races over turf in his career but he really hasn't done anything in the past year to suggest that he can get the better of this field; prefer to give others the nod in this one.

Malibu Way

He's done some nice things over turf through his first nine starts, including recording a stakes win, and he's making his first start after a claim for a barn that has been known to move them forward; the outside post isn't ideal, but not willing to count out this Ramsey-owned colt.

Dysprosium

He was a sharp gate-to-finish in his first two career starts, and he even earned a stakes win at second asking, but not thrilled about what he's shown in his two most recent races; note that he finished behind today's rival Hothersal in his latest outing.

Dr. Chase

His career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned racing over a dirt surface and he's going to need to really improve over what he's shown in his six turf starts in order to contend; the fact that an outside post awaits only adds to the level of difficulty.

Bellefire

Multiple stakes placed colt hasn't run poorly over turf while recording a couple of wins from nine starts, but to this point in his career, his better races have been run over dirt; feel that he'll merit contender status if this race has to be moved to the main track.

Master Achievement

Like to see that he's gotten the job done in five of 15 starts over turf, including two of five starts over this turf course, but you have to go back more than a year to find his stronger performances, and his recent form just hasn't been up to the level of what it will take to win this. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Little Daniella

Blinkers brought out some early foot in this gal in the local slop and now she'll try the lawn second back from the break; sire is 0 for 21 with his initial turf starters but the dam dropped 3 surface winners including SW and 199K earner Gadir so maybe she has more to offer on this footing.

Camryn's Gem

Gets Lasix for the turn back to sprint in her local debut after arguing the fractions from an outside draw on the lawn in New York; gray's main track sprint cracks weren't much; her dam did drop a surface winner but she's going some improving to do.

Yemanja

Just missed on the Kentucky Downs lawn while blowing a clear midstretch lead 2 starts back; fresh filly has breezed well this month at Palm Meadows for her return and if she runs back to that last turf spin she could prove to be a big threat in here; with a top turf pilot taking the call she's a contender.

Starship Journey

Drop to claimers brought out some early lick in her second time out but didn't have much to offer late in that sloppy heat; sire is 0 for 20 with his initial turf starters and this gal is the first foal to race out of a dam who was off the board in her lone turf start.

Shot Girl

Her most recent gate drill was pretty solid and the barn is capable of firing with a newcomer; sire gets a terrific 23% first out winners from his offspring and is 3 for 36 with his initial turf starters; limited sprint winning dam's 3 foals to race are winners, but none tried the lawn.

Shudaboughther

Ran big going long first time out on the local lawn but took a big step back from a similar tracking spot subsequently; she'll get a big rider switch for the turn back to sprint and her SP dam was a sprint winner so maybe today's trip agrees with her; consider.

Artillera

Sire gets 13% winners from his newcomers and 12% from his intiial turf starters and the G3 SP dam was a 203K earner who was 0 for 1 on the green; one of his 2 sibs to race was juvenile SW and 126K earner Mack the Slew who never set foot on the lawn; barn boasts some recent luck with debut runners.

Slews Golden Rule

Tired from her pace efforts going long on the green in her return from 4 months on the shelf; filly gets off the fence for the turn back and maybe that helps her settle early; she's kin to SW turf sprinter and 188K earner Slew's Exchange; expecting she'll be more involved in the lane today.

More Than a Party

Makes her first start back from 4 months on the shelf while trying the lawn for the initial time here; speedy filly has burned plenty of money in her 2 starts, but her sire gets 13% first time surface winners and though the dam was a 6 time sprint winner she failed to hit the board in 2 surface spins; she is kin to SW and 421K earner Partyallnightlong who won on the green; with Castellano taking the call she'll likely have to be run down.

Bonnie Breeze

Boasts just one listed drill for her unveiling for a barn that has had some recent luck with its newcomers; sire is 3 for 24 with his debut runners and 1 for 13 with his initial turf starters and the unraced dam's lone foal to race won twice on the green while earning 94K.

Chief Dante

Addition of the hood on the stretchout helped her offer more early foot in her turf debut; she'll get Lasix for this while switching to a top pilot; dam was 0 for 1 on the green and her other foal to race also lost his lone start over the footing; just watching him today.

Orient Harbor

Sire gets 8% first out winners and 10% first time surface winners from his offspring; dam was a G3 SW turfer and 274K earner and this is her first foal to race; barn doesn't usually ask for their best first out but she gets in light with the bug named and does have a right to run some.

Pieces of Speight

Showed some speed on dirt in New York when shades were added second time out after offering little in her turf debut; barn does so a nice job with its turf sprinters but this gal's sibs are a combined 0 for 3 on the green so don't know that she's going to move forward enough on this surface to contend today.

Benny's Babygirl

Sire is 5 for 16 with his newcomers and 0 for 3 with his first time turfers and the dam was a limited sprint winner who never tried the green; 2 of her 3 sibs are multiple winners and a combined 0 for 4 on the lawn; barn gets them ready and a top pilot does take the call.

Boom Boom Vroom

MTO showed good speed as the chalk in the Spa slop while finishing well behind one of the better juvenile fillies in the country; she did offer some improvement in her return from the break on the lawn; barn does nice work second off the layoff and she is kin to 6 main track winners including G3 SW sprinter and 330K earner Sindy With an S so she has a right to move forward on this footing; contender if this gets moved off the lawn.

Ascot Momma

MTO didn't do much on the green first time out and now she'll look to move to the dirt; she's kin to 4 main track winners including 326K earner Five Star Momma who took a couple of ungraded sprint stakes including one over a wet track. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Giant Cats Eye

Former connections thought enough of her to try the Graded stakes; toss the stakes and the off track efforts and the form brightens a bit; like fact she flashed good speed in last and note the show horse was well clear; race over the track can only help and he fits nicely in the Beyer department.

Love to Score

In kind of tough on the cut back and he caught legit splits; Gonzalez got a chance to figure him out and would expect pilot to be aggressive right back here; there are others with designs on the lead though; can't fault those that give her another shot at glory.

Danalake

Stablemate on the inside seems more potent; note she was pinballed on the gate in the Blue Hen and she has not been all that sharp since; only a brief threat on the grass in last; needs a rebound effort.

Pixie Devil

Runner has trained well in Florida; she has positional speed, has only one poor effort on the slate and she may have just been short that day; like fact she has natural speed but doesn t need the lead to succeed; respect.

Profetiza

Youngster hooked the clear winner in the Saratoga finale; she also tried hard on the cut back in last and that after the poor start; this rider up for the last score and would expect Lezcano to be sending at the sound of the bell; fresh and dangerous.

Arriba Anna

Versatile and connections have options with this runner; off poorly in the first try vs. winners but she sure made up for that mistake with the freak job in last; she seems comfortable with the surface and it's probably a good thing the stablemate has enough speed to push the issue; should be making some serious noise late.

Burning Truth

Toss the stakes attempts and the form looks better; she was extending on the slop aided track in last and she seems to move up in the off going; she is looking at faster splits this time and if she can't keep up, that's a valid concern; needs very best.

La De Andrea (VEN)

A winning machine in local land but it's not easy to determine who she was facing; the winner 9/14 was beaten 23 lengths in her next start; mare was getting out in last, never a comfortable thing from a betting standpoint; lean toward watching until she identifies her proper level. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Imaginethatmom

Imperialism has been a poor influence as a turf sire, and even though this gelding made a decent late run in a race that was kind to speed in his only turf start, feel that it is fair to question the strength of the Beyer Speed Figure he earned for that performance; looking toward others.

Pleuven (FR)

He's a stakes winner racing in France, and when seeing that he's making his first start in America with the addition of Lasix for a barn that can have an import ready to fire, it's tough to ignore him in this spot; however, it is interesting to see Castellano aboard the other Brown-trained colt in here.

Request

He ran to his backing at first asking and feel that race is even better than it looks on paper when considering that he made a sharp wide run into contention before wearing down the two-three finishers through the lane, and note that he beat today's rival Mr Speaker in that race; 400k purchase commands plenty of respect with Castellano aboard.

Cabo Cat

He's by a fine turf sire and his dam won three of nine turf starts for 92k; he was a sharp winner in his career debut and his connections remain confident in him after a dull showing in a stakes at second asking; winner from latest won next out here on 11/30 going 1m in a 100k stakes with a 67 Beyer and runner up won next out at Wo on 11/16 going 1 1/16m vs. N1X alw. rivals with a 63 Beyer.

Yes I'm Lucky

He's out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 14 of 26 starts for 425k, including 11 of 19 turf starts for 369k and he's going to be looking to employ his sharp early speed to take it right at this field from the bell; he looks like he might be better of sprinting, but look for him to take this field as far as he can.

Bon Accord

Showing Up is off to a positive start as a turf sire and this G3 stakes placed 2-year-old was last seen finishing a clear fourth in the BC Juv. Turf, and that was a race that saw him race 3 wide around the first turn and 3-4 wide around the second turn; must consider.

Mr Speaker

Have to respect the improvement he's shown from start-to-start to begin his career and the runner up from his latest race returned to win next out at Aqu on 11/16 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 77 Beyer; however, Castellano has ridden this horse in two of three starts, and he piloted today's rival Request to a win over this colt two races back, and he's aboard that one today.

Here's Johnny

Multiple stakes placed gelding hasn't run a bad race to date and like to see what he's done in his two most recent starts routing; despite breaking from the outside, he might fall into a good spot early on behind the early speed of Yes I'm Lucky; Desormeaux has won with 6 of 19 (32%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Hesinfront

He's by a strong turf sire and he's run well in back-to-back starts since being placed over turf; respect the fact that this lightly raced runner is still plenty eligible to have more to show us, but an improved performance is a must, and this is a tough test for his first start against winners. - Brian Pochman

Race 10

Alicantino

Gelding has more speed than he flashed in last; the wins this year vs. claimers came vs. softer foes; he has had several chances to win off a layoff but has yet to score off the vacation; snappy move last Wednesday screams off the page; look for rider to send hard and hope for the best.

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; he could thrive with time as kin Futural won a stakes at 7, banked over $800K.

Shotinthefog

Runner was 10th beaten over 11 lengths in the lone effort on this course; he has never been a win machine with over 3 times as many nibbles as wins; this is his preferred surface; must be left in the exotic picture at least.

Aripeka

Soph was between runners in the lone grass out; he beat the short field for the victory and last race came back okay as 7th finisher took a $30K N2L fray and the winner repeated in a $62.5K optional; winner of last repeated in a $62.5K optional with a 93 Beyer; look for pilot to be aggressive here.

He's a Cyclone

Don't be too harsh about last as few runners want to go that far; best when sent along and he could be on the muscle fresh; trainer has been sending out live stock consistently; last angle to think about: this rider is 31% for this stable in the last year or so.

El Duro

Tapit about 9% with first-time grass runners in a 303-runner sample; sire was unbeaten in 2 juvenile starts, banked over $550K taking 3 of 6, was never on turf; dam took 5 sprints, earned over $400K, never turfed; 2 siblings tried grass to no avail; toss last, he could not stand up in the off going; after being eased, try to get a good look at him on the track.

Forever Conga

Spotty race record is a concern; 7th finisher in last took a $25K op Spotty race record is a concern; 7th finisher in last took a $25K optional next out and the 9th finisher took a $20K N2L event in next; proven locally, runner has tactical speed and note this rider was aloft for the lone score; expect much better effort.

Ayrton

Life and death for the win, then pushed into the stakes; show horse in last took a N2X fray in next, 5th and 6th finishers took optional claimers in next; looks like trainer is trying to get some speed into him with the several blowouts on the tab; would tread lightly here.

Sierra Alpha (GB)

The extended layoff is a legit concern; 4th finisher in last took a $30K optional in next and 8th finisher took a maiden $10K fray; needs very best.

Greengrassofyoming

Was fairly close to the lead in the lone win but has not been able to maintain contact since; proven locally, note he has lost ground in the lane in the last couple of races; another slice?

River Lemon

Would love to see this guy somehow find that killer instinct; check out the 15 slices; place horse in the Chicago finale cashed next out in a classified allowance with an 89 Beyer; nearly 3 clear in last and he may not have cared for the yielding course; the hotter the pace the better for this runner.

Screenplay

These are his friends; he s comfortable with the course, and his versatility could be his best asset; Saez got a chance to figure him out and could see this guy sitting a nice stalk and pounce trip; repeat well within the realm.

Middleburg

Only one off effort and he may have just been dead short that day; proven locally, he ran too good to lose in the March finale and note he was forced to steady in last; back to favorite pilot; this guy is live.

Vanquisher

Senior citizen can still roar back at times and give you a glory days run; two regressions since cashing off the claim; needs a rebound run on the double class jump.

Three Part Harmony

Maybe he just hated the off going in last; he is 0 for 3 on the wet stuff; nothing wrong with hitting the exacta half the time he comes to this race relatively fresh, his positional speed will give a shot to control his own destiny more often than not; respect everything from this barn. - Brian Mulligan