Gulfstream: Closer Looks for December 26, 2013

Race 1

Trio of Mischief

Steadied in the Churchill debut, miss was keen to run in the morning of the 15th; 2 for 8 dam earned over $20K and both wins came at 2; this is her first to race; must be left in the mix.

Fantastic Voyage

Must be given a glance off the drop alone; backers can point to the several multiple race winners in the family and the over $50K earner and there was also a triple juvenile winner; considering the cut back, she could be left with a ton of work to do late.

Sweet Paola

Broken Vow about 12% with juvenile debuters in a 347-runner survey; sire took a G2 was best going long, banked over $700K; dam was unraced; 2 of 3 siblings won, the one that race at 2 was out of the money as a juvenile and both earned over $50K; may need one.

Sawyer

Bothered early at Oceanport and that was pretty much the story; dam was unraced; 2 of 3 siblings won; both cashed at 2 including stakes placed 3 for 20 racer and over $100K earner Jazz; expect better effort here.

Mythic

If you figure she was dead short in the bow you can build a case for a move forward; nothing wrong with the drill here 2 weeks ago and the tactical speed she flashed can only help; dam lost 12 times; 6 of 8 siblings won; 3 won at 2; once banked nearly $250K; trainer solid with these kinds of droppers.

Tina's Coming

Wraps for last pair, now blinks come into play; dam out of the money twice; 1 of 4 siblings won; that race lost twice at 2, earned about $35K in 19 races; could like it here.

Ginebra

Miss has been given time since near 8-length clear debut; show horse in the opener graduated next out in a maiden $25K seller with a 55 Beyer; stakes placed 4 for 23 dam earned over $100K, didn't go at 2; two of 3 siblings won, neither won at 2, one banked about $25K; respect everything from this potent barn. - Brian Mulligan

Race 2

Victorious Won

Speedy filly ran big here earlier in the year and did show good speed before fading at Belmont back in June; she'll get Lasix for her first start in nearly 7 months for a barn that brings them back ready; cut back to this trip should help and the inside draw could give her the jump on her pace rivals; kin to a few millionaire turfers including G1 Breeders Cup Turf Mile winner and 2.6 million earner Miesque's Approval, she's the one to catch.

Rockabye Lady

Makes her local debut after being given some time off the weak effort behind some of these in New York; she does have some early foot and is kin to a surface winner, but she's got some improving to do to step with some of these; passing;

Braided

Beat some of these home when second at Belmont last time; she showed solid early foot from the fence in that one, but with lick inside of her maybe she's able to relax some here; not much surface experience on the dam's sire of the pedigree, but she's shown she can step over it and the shorter trip could help.

Beautiful Miss

Absentee tries the lawn for the first time in her return from nearly 14 months on the shelf; pricey in training buy last spring goes for a top layoff outfit and they do their best work on the green; sire gets about 9% winners from his initial surface runners and the dam's lone foal to try the footing was 0 for 5 over it.

Swan Quarter

Showed little on synthetic footing at Keeneland first tim out and now they'll put her on the lawn; barn doesn't boast any recent luck with fresh runners but her sire does get 11% first surface winners from his offspring and 2 of the dam's 3 wins came on the lawn prior to dropping a turf winner from 2 to try the stuff.

Dreamingofauntrose

Took all the action first out and didn't disappoint on the track but saw her number taken down and now she'll take the free ride on the lawn; barn boasts terrific recent numbers with runners second time out and though this gal's sire gets only 6% winners from his first turfers, the SW dam was a first time surface winner whose 4 other sibs to race never tried the stuff.

Town Tour

Ran ok when second in the Churchill slop at odds on more than 7 months ago and she hasn't been sighted since; she did lose her best shot at the break of her turf debut; dam never tried the green and neither did this gal's lone sib, G2 SP, SW and 140K earner Indian Evening who won 2 of his 3 career starts; top turf pilot takes the call on a filly whose recent breezes suggest a big one is on tap.

Warmhearted Windy

Works aren't much for her unveiling for a barn that hasn't saddled a recent first out winner; sire gets 13% winners from his overall debut runners and 8% from his first time turfers; limited sprint winning dam dropped winners from each of her 4 foals to race including 3 who won on turf, the best of which being SW and 140K earner Uno Caliente.

Forever Road

Cuts back in distance for her return from the freshening after backing up on the Belmont main track; she's got plenty of surface experience and has run ok on the green, but the barn hits at a light clip with its returnees; pace does figure to agree with her, though, and the price should be right.

Zamquick

Four year old faces a field full of sophomores in this spot; she made a nice late run to get third money in her sprint debut in New York and the outside draw and added ground proved too much for her when subsequently stretched out to 2 turns up there; her sharp pilot sticks with her as she boasts a quick Palm Meadows drill for her local debut and she does figure to get a quick clip in front of her; consider. - Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Le Mans

He ran well as a heavy odds-on favorite over turf two starts ago at Mnr but it's just difficult to recommend him for anything more than a minor award with Major Marvel signed on in this spot.

Et Al

He owns a win at today's distance and he can prove to be an early pace player, but he does appear to be much more comfortable sprinting than routing; prefer to look in another direction.

H M S Anniversary

Not only does his best effort appear to be short of the mark of what it will take to win this, but he hasn't been anywhere near his best in recent races; his lack of early speed makes him a candidate to be outrun every step of the way.

Major Marvel

Forget about his 'A' race, even his 'C' race looks good enough to get the job done in this spot, and he's going to be a heavy favorite to make this his ninth win in 10 starts in 2013; multiple stakes winner is tough to look past.

Hopefully Lucky

His form took a noticeable turn for the worse at the end of 2012 and he's needed a lot of time off between starts since then; maybe moving back into this barn can be viewed as a positive, but others entice more.

Decaf Again

He's another in here who hasn't been on top of his game lately and this is a runner who has posted just a single victory form 24 turf starts; late running type has only recorded one win and one runner-up finish in his latest 30 starts going back through 2012.

Spiro Tune

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 5 of 27 starts for 92k, including 0-for-6 over turf; runner up from latest won next out at Crc on 12/6 going 1 1/16m vs. 16k N3L claimers with an 86 Beyer.

Northwood Bully

If he feels up to one of his better performances, he can have a shot to round out the exacta behind Major Marvel, but since a couple of decent efforts at Monmouth Park, his last three starts haven't been anywhere near as sharp.

Don't Slip

He earned his career best Beyer Speed Figure racing over turf at AP back in July, but he usually doesn't show up with that level of performance, and that effort isn't even strong enough to come out on top in here.

My Sonny Boy

Stakes winning veteran has been performing at a consistent level and he figures to appreciate getting back over turf after staying in an off-the-turf event when last seen; note that he's making his first start for a barn that has been hitting at a 36% clip with new acquisitions.

Tinitus

He's one of two signed on in here for the Iadisernia barn and this son of top turf influence War Front has seen his game take a turn for the better since being placed over grass two starts ago; third place finisher from latest won next out at Mth on 8/23 going 1 1/8m over turf in a starter hcp with a 75 Beyer.

Tiz Liberty

A lot changes if this race has to be taken off the turf and this veteran is capable of dialing up a performance that is strong enough to make him a player in this spot; however, his two most recent races give him a shaky look.

Box Office

He's run some nice races over dirt in his career and he made it look easy in his first start for this barn in his latest outing while making his first start over this surface; Lopez has won with 9 of 27 (33%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Three Part Harmony

10-time winner has had some success racing over the main track here and not going to be surprised to see him bounce back with a sharper try after a sub par performance in his latest outing, especially if he gets a fast main track to work over.

Sir Edgar

His early speed can't be denied, and even though he might be better off sprinting than routing, he's tough to ignore while going out for a barn that has hit at a 42% clip in 2013; Calabrese-owned veteran commands contender status.

Broome Street

Nicely bred gelding regained some of his sharper form in his latest start, and if he's ready to come right back with that level of performance, he'll be tough to tackle; he owns the ability to adapt to any early pace scenario, and with a good deal of early speed signed on, he'll likely employ rating tactics. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Bright Guy

Has to fend off Rontos' Code and Time Thief Too to make the lead here; adding blinkers is a high-win percentage move from the new trainer who hasn't done as well with runners 1st time in the barn (2-for the last-78); leaves a high-win percentage trainer which is not a good-win angle.

Time Thief Too

Has Rontos' Code and Bright Guy to contend with for the lead here; trainer has a sensational record winning 2nd time off a long layoff; cuts back in distance which likely only helps the cause; the 2-back winner repeated in a TAM-32K-claimer with a 67 Beyer; view as a major-pace presence.

Majestic Hollywood

Showed zero gate speed in the grass debut which does not bode well for the distance cutback; displayed some flashes of speed in some in the pre-race dirt workouts giving signs of hope her will like the main track; obviously hopes to break a lot better but will be taking a wait and see approach.

Kiton

Has never this short of a distance so figures to save as much ground possible then make one run; his field-best Beyer was going 1 Mile on turf; has something to prove on dirt off the GP-21-career debut Beyer speed figure.

Rontos' Code

Projects as the one to catch with Bright Guy and Time Thief Too the likley pace chasers; improved races since the claim when front wraps came on which is usually not a good sign; 32 days since blowing a big lead up top; seems the one to catch and beat.

Put It Forward

Sire is 53-for-408 with 1st-time starters; is out of an unraced dam who produced 5 winners from 6 other foals to race including multiple-stakes winner La Chica Sensual (5-for-8, 379K); is the lone debut runner so will be giving away seasoning and experience to each opponent.

Montesarchio

Rontos' Code handled him in the recent-GP races while his best Beyer occurred from a turf race; seems best when showing gate speed but hasn't been any match from the gate from runners he faces again today; would be a complete surprise.

The Culchie

Figures for an excellent closer's trip with a lot of gate speed Rontos' Code signed on and others; today is the shortest-distance test ever so getting up in time is the main issue; 7 weeks since chasing a strong winner who repeated in an AQU-30K claimer with an 84 Beyer; he defeated the 7th-place finisher a next-out 54 Beyer AQU-25K-maiden-claiming winner; the pick. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Gaining Ground

The introduction of blinkers 2 races back seemed to help this colt who ran an excellent second thereafter at huge odds; even if there is not a sloppy surface for today's action, he has a chance for a share at a square price.

Daring David

After a fine first run at the course and distance during the summer, he has some up empty twice; latest breeze from the gate, and equipment change, can help him return to his better form; remains a difficult runner to assess.

Juba

Respectable showing at the Big A nearly a month ago, just missing the place; his sire won the G1 Wood Memorial and 557K; the dam won 1 of 19 races and 68K; winning siblings include 423K earner Saint Anddan.

Aggrandizement

Flashed only brief speed in his second outing; his sire won multiple G1s and 3.63 million; the dam was zero for 3; among the winning siblings is 28K earner Counselor Cabot; switches to a high-percentage rider.

Street Chief

Deceptively strong debut last month at Churchill; his sire won the Kentucky Derby and 4.38 million; the dam went 1 for 26 earning 32K; sib to 210K bankroller Allicansayis; extra distance today should help his prospects.

Commandment

Closed with a rush in the same race as the previous runner; his sire won a G1 and 633K; the dam scored in 7 of 18 appearances earning 260K; among the winning siblings is 42K earner Bluegrass Lucy.

First Bid

Raced evenly first time out when losing significant ground; see Street Chief, above, for same sire information; the dam involved won 1 of 8 and 44K; among the winning sibling is 22K earner Etar.

Tapicero

Despite trouble, he ran a fine second in his debut in an added money event; see Juba, above, for information about the same sire; the dam went 1 for 7 while earning 33K; winning siblings include 75K earner War Wolf; intriguing possibility.

Tout

First-timer hails from multiple G1 star Medaglia d'oro who captured 5.57 million (his offspring have won approximately 10 percent of their first races); the dam won 2 of 7 and 61; winning siblings include 998K earner Congrats Oz.

Sorocaima

Moderate workout regimen on display; his sire won multiple G1s and 1.87 million; descendants of Rock Hard Ten have won 31 out of 248 initial attempts; the dam was without victory in 6 tries; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Acaramelao

Upgraded in the latest a.m. move; his sire is champion Holy Bull who won 2.48 million and whose offspring have won 58 out of 811 initial starts; the dam was zero for 4 lifetime; sib to 162K earner Mr. Bowie.

Harpoon

One of the main speeds to consider today especially with the scheduled blinker removal which may grant him a chance to relax better in the early stages; lost to a good one 2 starts back at Belmont and looks well-positioned this afternoon.

Flat in Charge

Showed a bit of late kick in his maiden voyage last month but the subsequent effort here was empty; his sire won 4 of 6 and 148K while the dam won 10 of 25 and 150K; among the winning siblings is 44K earner Kristy N Change.

Proud Maxx

Beginner was sired by 638K winner Proud Citizen whose progeny have won 11 percent of their first attempts; the dam went 1 for 10 earning 52K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Condestable

Improved in the latest showing at Calder but that was against mid-range claimers; makes the difficult climb to the special weight class but has been unlucky in all 3 starts and may obtain a clean stalking trip from the outside today if escaping AE list. - Jim Kachulis

Race 8

Cage Fighter

Colt has fired every time including the debut when repeatedly forced to steady; three exited the 9/18 race to graduate next out and note Maker can keep them going good once they get good to the tune of 27%; cozy slot, note show horse in last was 4 clear; like fact he got a local drill under the belt; repeat well within the scope.

Great Rising Star

Troubled in last 4 and he was beaten by the clear winner in last; one for 34 is a hard number to even think about betting into but veteran has some speed and is in good hands; he's trained steadily for this; would still need a juicy price to lay it in on him.

Able Baker Charlie

Turf to dirt did the trick for this guy but he has not been in the money since; he has a shot to get the trip as the lone kin only won once but it was a route; off poorly in 3 of last 4 and if that happens again, it could spell doom and gloom.

Runs Like a Kitten

Hung wide in debut, more keen to run in last, like the way he acted professionally in last; 6/22 place horse took a MSW next out, was 2nd beaten 2 and a half in a $35K optional 11/15 at AQU; he seems to have improved since starting the career for a tag and nothing wrong with the drills this month; respect everything from this barn.

Charismatic Pulpit

Pulpit about 10% with first-time turf runners in a 436-runner sample; sire won debut by over 7, won 3 of next 4 including the Fountain of Youth and Blue Grass, never turfed; dam took a couple of stakes, earned over $150K, never turfed; lone sibling to race lost 9 times; colt has trained well since getting out badly; maybe he hated the surface that day; 7th finisher One Golden Road exited the last race to finish 1st in a $30K N2L fray and the winner repeated in a $62.5K optional; best of 15 bullet locked and loaded; look for rider to send and try to steal it.

Crafty Unicorn

The fact he won his debut gives him a chance to fire fresh; first time for sale so you would figure it will be an all out go; April 5 place horse won twice since, the last in a $25K optional with a 101 Beyer at Calder and the winner 4/5 has won and finished 2nd a nose in $25K optional company since; out to make amends for flop as chalk.

E Biscuit

Lone win came off a July to December layoff here in a $75K maiden claimer on turf with a 71 Beyer in 2011; it s been a sad story since; blinks added last time to no avail; needs a major reversal of fortune.

Defiant

Second time in the maiden claimer did the trick for this guy; he pushed along the slow pace last time and still had nothing left; even if you figure he was dead short, those splits were pedestrian; race over the course can't hurt; must improve.

Uncle Gare

Colt has some semblance of speed but doesn t need the lead to win; show horse in last cashed next out in a $16K optional in Jersey with an 82 Beyer; this guy is fresh and his speed makes him dangerous; nothing wrong with the blowout on the 15th and he has a right to have a decent career as kin to over $170K earner Wind Caper.

Stallwalkin' Dude

Bothered in the first effort vs. winners, he flashed some semblance of speed in the grass bow but gave way on the cut back in last; snappy blowout 8 days ago is a positive sign and would expect rider to be aggressive; 4 siblings tried grass to no avail. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Memories Made

Perhaps she needed her latest race after a layoff and the effort she showed up with just two starts ago is strong enough to get her into the mix against these; that said, she's a stone-cold closer in a race that doesn't seem likely to have a fast and contested early pace.

Correspondent

She's displayed good form in her last four starts going back to June and she's making her first start for a barn that shows hitting at a 36% clip with horses making their first start for them; runner up from latest won next out at Aqu on 11/15 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 30-25k claimers with a 75 Beyer.

Sultry Warrior

She surprised a field with an improved performance to break her maiden in her latest start, but she's going to need an even sharper performance if she's to beat this field in her first attempt against winners; third finisher from latest won next out at CD on 11/24 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with a 64 Beyer.

Dreamlicious

She enters this race off of a performance that was well below par for her and she's probably going to need to bounce back with a top try while seeing a few of these show up with less than their best if she's to have a shot at the top spot.

Merilore

In a race where it looks like the winner will earn a Beyer Speed Figure in the upper 70's or low 80's, this filly has topped out at 73 through her first 14 starts; she'll have to find a way to step up her game to get the job done in here.

Moon Angel

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this filly is a 1/2 to Cute N Sassy (2-6, 86k, including 1 of 2 turf starts for 31k); her lack of early speed is a concern, but she's two-for-two in the quality start department to begin her career, and this isn't a bad spot to find out what she can do over turf.

Kitty Wine

The long layoff is an obvious concern, but this is a filly who hasn't run a bad race from seven turf starts and her best race is clearly strong enough to make her difficult to deny in this spot; this is an outfit that can have one ready to run after a long absence; winner from latest has since become a multiple graded stakes winner.

Wholelottashakin

Multiple stakes placed miss appears to be one of the more legitimate options to consider in here and she's been sharp in her six starts over turf in New York this year, including a strong runner-up finish to Dayatthespa; third finisher from latest won next out at Aqu on 12/1 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. N1X rivals with an 88 Beyer. - Brian Pochman

Race 10

Fly in for the Win

Sire is 4-for-98 with 1st-turf starters; 10-for-122 with 2-year-old debut runners; is the 1st foal out of a stakes-winning dam (4-for-20, 256K) (4-17 turf 253K); high-percentage debut trainer adds to the appeal; she has been working well for the unveiling; prefer 1sters breaking outside rather than bogged down along the rail but would not count out in a race lacking superstars.

Go Solo

2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle; much to prove on turf off the 2-back debut last-place finish; clearly 1st Lasix and the 2nd-time out 32-point Beyer speed figure improvement adds to the appeal that she might be able to move forward again; contender.

Slazarra

Sire is 23-for-349 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 2-0-0-0 grass dam; 2 foals to race on the green are 0-for-5 combined; adds blinkers trying to shake up the form off the favored-dirt loss to Go Solo; view as a pace presence.

Charanga

Sire is 1-for-4 with 1st-turf starters; 0-for-1 dam did not race on grass; 1 of 3 foals to race on turf is a grass winner (2-for-24 Imperial Strike 59K lawn); last-place finish for an 0-for-21 first-turf and 1-for-19 second-start trainer; others appeal more.

Brenna's Song

Stamina has been lacking and even in latest at a shorter distance than 1 Mile she faded again 1st time with front wraps on which is not a good-win angle; clearly returning to turf is a plus but would have to show a lot more resistance in the lane to hang on for a share.

Dun Won

Sire is 1-for-5 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 2-or-14 grass dam (40K); 2 of 3 foals to race on turf are grass winners including 71K-turfer Kiss of Thunder (3-for-11 grass); adds blinkers after beating 2 runners from first pair; would be a shocker.

Secret Sea

The runner-up and 4th-place finishers from last Beyered 67-58 in next-out GP-MSW-50K-maiden-claiming wins; sire is 4-for-21 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam; 1 of 3 foals to race on grass is a lawn winner (1-for-3 Navy 10K turf).

Cocoanut Row

Sire is 9-for-166 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam; 4 foals to race on grass are 0-for-16 combined; another adding blinkers in need of a serious-wakeup call; adds more gate speed here as the Mile distance is a stamina challenge to many of these.

Punteada

The 4th and 5th-place finishers from last Beyered 54-50 in next-out IND-30K-15K-maiden-claiming wins; solid 2nd-start trainer stretches her out off the 99-day absence; most runners move foward 2nd-time out and she has plenty of room to improve.

Rimini Rose

26%-winning 1st-Lasix trainer suggests the much-needed strong improvement could be on the way; the debut winner repeated with a 66 Beyer taking a LRL-optional-claimer next out; MSW-to-maiden claiming is the biggest-class drop in racing; some serious win angles working here.

Shindig Inthe City

Sire is 2-for-46 with 1st-turf starters; 4-for-61 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a 4-for-15 dam (93K) (4-11 turf 83K) who produced 3 winners from 4 other foals to race and 2 turf winners including 142K-grasser Trix in the City (3-for-13).

Great Cross

Clearly more was expected 83 days ago from the 4-1 bet debut loss where she was outrun throughout; the trainer rarely connects with 2nd-time starters or with runners coming off similar layoffs; will be taking a wait and see appproach.

Royal Spaces

Cuts the price tag sharply after finishing last at more than 112-1 odds; did not get off to a great gate break 1st-time out hoping to come out sharper than 9th; some runners improve greatly 2nd-time out and she has plenty of room to move forward for this.

Poor Etiquette

If in off the also eligible list brings a field-best Beyer posted in his 2nd-career start in a GP-dirt sprint; her sire is 18-for-211 with 1st-turf starters; dam went 2-for-13 on European turf (14K) including a win at 8.5F; 1 of 3 foals to race on turf is a grass winner (2-for-21 Son of Danube 32K turf). - - Art Gropper