Gulfstream: Closer Looks for December 27, 2013

Race 2

Resistivity

Sharp effort while bet down to favoritism at Churchill and if she can break alertly from the fence today, she should be a major player once again; her sire won a G1 and 1.56 million; the dam was unraced; winning siblings include 157K earner High Quail.

Exclusive Ute

Newcomer hails from Exclusive Quality who won 3 of 4 and 92K (his descendants have won 17 out of 102 debuts); the dam scored in 4 of 15 appearances earning 101K; among the winning sibs is 99K earner Perfect Cherokee.

Secret Someone

Some mighty fine workouts for this beginner; her sire is the brilliant A.P. Indy who amassed 2.97 million (his offspring have scored in 94 out of 826 initial starts); the dam won 5 of 19 and 212K; sib to 108K bankroller Profetiza; respect.

Bird Rockette

Came up empty when turning back in distance last month but the sloppy track could have been the primary reason; her sire won multiple G1s and 1.57 million; the dam went zero for 4; among the winning sibs is 48K earner Hawk Talk.

Skidmore

There are some excellent gate breezes on display; her sire won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 1.05 million (descendants of Stevie Wonderboy have scored in 8 of 80 debuts); the dam won 2 of 11 and 89K: sib to 51K earner Kamchatka.

Latin Tudor

Flashed improved speed behind a repeat winner in her second venture; her sire won a G1 and 1.08 million; the dam won 1 of 7 and 74K; this is her sole foal to compete; dangerous if the early pace is geared down.

Joy's Kitten

Sired by G1 turf star Kitten's Joy who won 2.07 million and whose progeny are 54 for 328 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 2 of 10 and 102K; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

Awesome Nicole

Caught wide in her first attempt at this distance last month, she could not threaten; her sire won a G1 and 2.87 million while the dam won 1 of 4 and 8K; winning siblings include 75K earner Awesome Preacher; blinkers can help her focus. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Little Sandy

A little concerned when seeing that she took a step backward with the addition of blinkers in her latest start, and not sure how she's going to respond to the added distance, but but she has put together a couple of decent performances in her two attempts sprinting over turf.

Jean's Surprise

Stakes placed filly is capable of making noise in here if she can find her way back to one of her better performances, but her recent form hasn't been her best, and she was beaten by a couple of today's rivals in her latest outing.

Urquia

The 73 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field, and perhaps her connections are looking for her to be able to reproduce that level of performance as they see fit to call upon Castellano for this.

Lady Raven

She looks like a solid fit at this level of competition and she moves back into the high win percentage barn of Jamie Ness for this; she'll have to be careful to avoid an early pace dispute, butt going to look for her to be involved in the running throughout.

Oasis At Midnight

If this race gets moved to the main track, she's probably going to need to see a few of these show up with less than their best to have a shot at the top spot; runner up from latest won next out at Prx on 11/12 going 6 1/2f vs. 25-20k claimers with a 74 Beyer.

Memories Made

Not wild about the time off she's needed between starts lately, but she's only two races removed from a level of performance that would play well against these, and she's clearly comfortable racing over the Gulfstream Park Turf course; feel that she deserves to be listed among the contenders.

Zulbaby

Some of her recent form sprinting over turf has been solid, but feel that it is fair to question her ability at today's one mile distance; going to look for her to be involved in the running early on, but not going to be shocked if others have more to offer through the lane.

Magical Powder

She responded in a positive way when placed back over turf in her latest outing, and note that she finished right behind today's rival Urquia in that event; she's out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 8 of 25 turf starts for 270k.

One Wild Kitty

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam won 8 of 32 starts for 183k, including 0-for-2 over turf; she's going to need to show up with a career best effort to get the better of this field and not sure that the move to turf is going to prove to be a key for her.

Putitinmypocket

With the exception of a race that saw her outrun every step of the way three starts back at Calder, her recent form has been solid; feel that her best effort makes her a threat and she can prove to be a player in this spot whether this race is run over turf or the main track.

Win for Kitten

Her most recent start wasn't one of her better performances, but her overall turf form has been strong enough to give her a competitive look in this spot, and when seeing that she's two-for-two over this turf course and getting a rider switch to Rosario, she appears to be well meant.

Charm Cat

She finished behind a few of today's rivals in her most recent start and she's going to have to take a noticeable step forward off of that performance if she's planning on reversing that decision on those foes in this one. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Kikiy's Toni

Used up in a pace battle in mid-October, she faded from view; might get away with a much softer early pace here and move forward in a big way; see how inside speed has fared thus far and adjust your play.

Spirited Flight

Beginner is among the first crop to race from Believe I Can Fly who won 3 of 58 and 78K; the dam involved was zero for 6 in her career and this is her only foal to start; moderate breeze pattern is on view.

Reina Mary

Did not factor while huge odds in her first run; her sire won 5 of 15 and 192K while the dam won 7 of 38 and 124K; among the wiining sibs is 125K earner Crazy Luke; switches to a rider who has booted home some longshots for these connections.

Scarlet Dixie

After a respectable first pair of performances, she has seemingly tailed off with no known excuse; returns to the sprint scene and drops way down the ladder; mixed signals for this daughter of Broken Vow.

War Blush

Went to post at even money in her debut and had a troubled beginning; the 2 starts thereafter showed little even with the introduction of blinkers but both of those efforts were against far better stock than this; difficult to unravel today.

Sweet Kaleah

Improved at giant odds 2 weeks ago to capture the slow; will more than likely have to deal with a much swifter early pace today and that will compromise his chances; may earn a thin slice but cannot vote for the top spot.

F Five Movement

Forgive that first run where she did not recover from a slow break; her sire won multiple G1s and 831K; the dam won 1 of 17 appearances and 45K; there are no winning siblings to mention; nice upbeat gate breeze on 12/11 is duly noted.

Ready to Lead

She has shown a bit of gate speed in her career, something lacking in this field; descends to this low level for the first time and perhaps can make an impact if the early fractions are ordinary; puzzling possibility.

Bright Promise

That wide post last time prevented her from being a major threat; turned in a pair of fair showings prior to that and perhaps can obtain comfortable stalking position here; would appreciate some key late scratches to the left.

Felicidades

Decent try when stretching out for the first time earlier this month; returns to the proper level and distance and is a legitimate trifecta threat although she certainly does not warrant odds-on status which was the case 2 back.

U S Rockette

Firster was sired by U S Ranger who netted 481K and whose progeny are zero for 22 first time out; the dam won 1 of 9 attempts and 19K; this is her only foal to start; note steady progression to the work tab, all at the same distance. - Jim Kachulis

Race 6

Renzo Bertoni

Makes his local return while dropping back in for a tag off the freshening; gelding doesn't have much early foot which doesn't figure to help him from this inside slot and he hasn't run as fast as many of these; have to look elsewhere for the winner.

Dad'z Laugh

Failed to go on after being afforded the top through soft splits in his local return; sophomore does drop in to face an easier bunch in this spot and he doesn't need the lead to be effective; barn isn't going so well at the stand and they hit at a light clip with their newly acquired runners, but this could work out a nice trip from here.

Presumptive

Fresh gelding has been working regularly of late for this sharp return outfit that has gotten off to a great start down here; he'll switch back to a top pilot who was aboard for his most recent score and now he'll be offered for a straight tag; he owns a solid effort over the local sod and looms a threat for all the money.

Sammy Alexander (GB)

Removes the hood for his return to a course over which he just missed in each of his tries against better last year; it's been a while since he's won but he's yet to race this cheaply in North America and he does lure a top pilot; contender.

Lonesome Street

Late runner has been facing better than this for a while now and he did score in his lone local spin; he hasn't been as good as he was earlier last year and his lack of lick doesn't look to benefit him much, but given his back class it wouldn't be a surprise if he were to get in the mix for a share of this.

Joes Blazing Aaron

Speedy gelding stretches out to 2 turns while dropping in to face straight claimers in his second back from the freshening; this trip may be pushing the envelope a bit for him, but a top pilot gets aboard and the lead does figure to be his for the taking; working well, if he's able to set up shop on the front end he could prove tough to run down late.

Days Ride

He was out of his element when sent to post at 136-1 in the Claiming Crown stake and proved little threat late; maybe the return to claimers helps as he did go well the last time he was in for a tag on the green, but he looks to have his work in for him here.

Dr. Goldfarb

He's another who didn't have much of a shot in the Claiming Crown event off the brief freshening; gelding was ok from close range on the lawn in Jersey this summer and he won twice here last season but if some of these bring their best he's going to have a tough time stepping with them.

Dancing Lounge

Enters his local return fresh for a barn that hasn't had any luck with limited starters at the stand; he ran ok on the lawn up North this summer, but he's been off the board in all 3 tries over this course and hasn't run so well fresh; prefer others.

Dr. Chase

He was yet another big price who failed to impact on Claiming Crown Day and now he'll drop back in for a tag; outside draw doesn't look to do him any favors and his best recent number came in an off the turfer; looking elsewhere for the winner. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Sombrero de Copa

Tries the lawn for the initial time after a much improved effort when dropped in for a tag at Woodbine last month; gelding goes for an outfit that's profitable with its first time surface runners and this guy's sire gets about 9% winners with that type; he's the first foal to race out of a dam whose 2 wins both came on the green.

Win Exchange

Hood comes off after understandably tiring late in his first start back from 20 months on the shelf; gelding returns in just a few weeks and may still be feeling the big comeback try but there doesn't look to be a whole bunch in here; consider.

Gridiron Great

Local return wasn't much but he was returning just 9 days off the New York sprint try; he's run ok on the green in the past and maybe a better beginning helps make the difference, but this outfit has been blanked at the current stand.

Profound

After a handful of turf tries and now being dropped in for a cheap tag it's safe to say this 925K yearling buy isn't as good as his G1 Breeders Cup Distaff winning dam or his handful of stakes kin led to G1 Breeders Cup Mile winner and 1.1 million earner War Chant; barn does well with the move to this level and maybe the softer company helps but this guy hasn't shown much of anything thus far.

Ingenuity

Ran better when able to make the lead in his second local spin over a course with some give to it; he is tactically inclined so expect he'll be close up early here and that's not the worst place to be in a cheap maiden field; can get in the exotics mix.

Dardanian

He's another dropping in for a tag after being given time off the Belmont fade first time on the green; gelding is kin to G3 SP, SW turfer and 208K earner Left a Message so maybe he improves enough second time over the footing to have a say with this cheaper bunch.

McIlroy

First crack with older at Belmont earned him a decent number and he's been away 3 1/2 months since; gelding goes for a barn that excels with its fresh runners and a top pilot does get aboard; outfit always takes money but this guy is a contender.

Ride a Song

Beaten last out chalk had a little bit of trouble but came up empty when asked in the Laurel slop; maybe the hood helps and he has run well on the lawn in the past, but don't know that 2 turns is going to be his best game; nice to see Castellano take interest, however.

Hooping

Drops in price for his first turf spin down here after offering little in his sprint debut in New York last month; maybe the new shades help, but the barn is winless of late with both its initial turf starters and those going second time out; sire gets 10% first turf winners from his offspring and both the dam and her other foal to race were 0 for 2 on the green.

Minstrel Road

Tracked and backed out of it while making his debut on the Aqueduct lawn last month; barn boasts excellent numbers with its runners who have had a race and they do nice work with turfers; don't know that he's going to take a big step forward here but he does get the services of a top turf pilot.

To Dare Is to Do

Made a nice run to the lead in his return from the break but was done in by the wide trip on the class relief earlier in the month; maybe he goes better second time over the local footing and he has run well going long on the green in the past; worth a look.

Sneaky Blowout

Things haven't worked out the way this barn aniticipated when taking this guy out of the Saratoga main track sprint heat this past summer and now they'll put him on the lawn while dropping him below the price they paid for him; dam and her lone foal to try the green were both 0 for 1 over the stuff and this guy's sire gets about 9% winners from his offspring trying the footing for the first time.

Catholic Cowboy

MTO stretches out a bit if the rains come and he has run ok over a surface with some moisture in it; expecting he'll be close early and his Palm Meadows drill last week indicates he's on his toes for an outfit that does well with its stretchouts.

Round Midnight

MTO was given some time off a nice late running finish while sprinting over a good local main track; he owns back route efforts that would fit well with these and even though he's probably not that good anymore he can certainly have a say in the outcome if this gets moved off the green.

P T L George

AE will start from a tough spot if he gets to make his first try for a tag in here; his lone turf start came from an outside slot and though he was in with better, it wasn't much at all; can only watch him if he gets to go.

Haylen Returns

AE did very little when in for a tag in his debut here a couple of weeks back; he'll be stuck on the outside if scratches do allow him to go, but his sire was a good one on the lawn and the dam's other foal to race won 3 times over the footing so maybe he does better second time over the stuff. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Golden Lad

Pushed wide from slot 12 to kick it off but has been solid since; 6 clear two back and note the show horse was also by himself; professional in the victory in last and he settled and rallied and he has a right to have a solid career as kin to Grade 2 winner and over $500K earner Broadway's Alibi; major player right back.

Timeless Indy

Hung wide in last and he may have just been overmatched; runner that was placed second in the shore finale took a $22K optional next out, lost next several; runner has natural speed and being fresh, would expect him to be on the muscle early; expect much better effort.

Valid

Don't get oversold about the margin two back as it was slop aided; and sometimes those efforts are more taxing then they look; nice try in the Hooper and the show horse was clear; figures in the first flight from the sound of the bell; a repeat of the last effort makes him a tough customer.

Padilla

Soph showed talent from Day One; he was forced to steady in the only poor effort in the Needles; 10/12 show horse cashed next out in a $32K optional, then ran out of the money; the sprint last time could have honed his speed and note he won on the stretch out and the surface switch in August; don't ignore.

Tiz Bobby

Only 2 poor efforts and he may not have cared for the Pimlico or Delaware surfaces when off poorly and fractious; he got away pressing the pace last time but pace should be quicker here; runner seems to have taken to this surface though and the spin last Friday screams off the canvas; contention goes deep.

Isutalkintome

The last time he was offered for sale he drew off at will as chalk; fully extended for that last win and we really don't know how much it may have taken out of him; trainer has spotted them just fine this year and this rider was aloft for the last 2 victories; look for him late if at all.

Tulira Castle

Colt caught career speed last time and he could not keep up; far from disgraced in the Swale and note he won in the second career outing; Garcia got a chance to figure him out; he has a shot to grow into his skin as kin to G3 winner and near $750K earner Mountain General; look for rider to send hard and hope for the best.

Viramundo

In good hands as he is seeking his first stateside victory; High Native Fly exited the 10/9 race to take a $16K Tampa optional next out and 7th, 9th and 10th finishers beat claimers in the very next start; the place horse in the last win ran poorly in next but then won a $59.5K stakes by over 11 lengths; rates upset glance.

Where's the Baby

Would like to see him find that killer instinct; note 4 times as many slices as wins; 10/12 place horse cashed next out at this level at Churchill with a 97 Beyer; he's been pretty dull since being pushed into the Grade 1; would be careful here.

Red Rifle

Hung wide in last but he still ran solidly; The winner of last took a $100K stakes next out, 6th finisher took a Grade 3 in Chicago in next and 8th finisher took an N1X at Monmouth in next; the fact he won the debut gives him a shot to fire fresh; both Pletchers look live.

Desvelo (ARG)

Would lean toward watching to see where this guy belongs; note sure he was beating anybody in native land; place horse in the last win returned to run 4th and is still a maiden; drills are steady, tab tote action.

Cocktails With Dan

Nice bit of training to have this guy set off the layoff in last; he has a shot to get the trip as kin Lucky Empress graduated routing on grass; note this rider was up for the maiden breaker; look for Rocco to be aggressive from the sound of the bell.

Twin Engine

Colt nearly blew up the trifecta number at 62-1; place horse in last cashed at this very level next out with an 89 Beyer; he has much more speed than he just showed and he could be set to roll as he did break maiden at first asking; nice move on the 19th suggests he is feeling pretty good about himself. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Jamaican Smoke

Grade 1 stakes placed filly looks like she'll find herself in a favorable spot if this race has to be moved to the main track and she'll be looking to take it right at this field after breaking from the rail post; Lezcano has won with 17 of 59 (29%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Allwewantforxmas

This filly has developed a nice level of consistency to her game but it's safe to say that she's going to need to produce a career best effort if she's to come out on top in this one; prefer to look toward others.

Shrinking Violet

She was last seen earning a G3 stakes placing, and when seeing what she was doing sprinting over turf prior to that, she has to be regarded as a top contender in this spot; her dam was G3 stakes placed while winning 5 of 28 turf starts for 177k, and Desormeaux has won with 6 of 20 mounts for this barn in 2013.

Unhedged

Stakes winning filly didn't run poorly in her turf debut against stakes competition when last seen and the winner of that race returned to win next out here on 12/15 going 7 1/2f over turf in a 100k stakes with a 90 Beyer; that said, this has to be considered a tough spot for her to be seeking her first turf win.

Trippin' Along

She was soundly defeated by today's rival Madame Giry sprinting over turf at Keeneland in her latest outing and this late running filly will likely need to see a complete pace meltdown to have a chance at reeling in the top contenders through the lane.

Madame Giry

She's gotten the job done in seven of 15 turf starts, and if this multiple stakes winning filly feels up to one of her better performances, she can prove to be tough to deny in this spot; like to see that she ran well in her only start over this turf course prior to this.

Lignite

It looks like the Ward barn will have a live one to send out in here whether this race is run over turf or dirt and this filly will be an interesting player to consider while getting over dirt for the first time since breaking her maiden as a 2-year-old; Davis has won with 25 of 88 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Cor Cor

Have to be at least mildly concerned when seeing that she's needed time off between recent starts and that her two most recent races haven't been anywhere near her best, but this multiple stakes winner does have some strong form on her card to consider, including a sharp win sprinting over turf; Leparoux has won with 3 of 5 mounts for this barn in 2013.

Peggy Joyce

She's run well in back-to-back starts since being turned back in distance but this has to be considered a very tough spot for her to make her first start since the middle of October; prefer to give others the nod in this one. - Brian Pochman

Race 10

Quantity

February, 2012, winner at today's distance in a 50K claimer on GP turf; is 5-0-0-0 since the August claim while switching trainers for this seeking answers; the DQ'd winner from last posted an 83 Beyer speed figure taking an AQU-alw. next out; the 2-back winner repeated with a 78 Beyer scoring a 20K-claiming victory.

Runyon Humor

55 days since another good effort while 2-back snapped an 0-for-7 GP-turf streak at today's distance; the 114-pound assignment would be the lightest weight of career; his last start off a freshening on dirt was far off his best form when finishing behind the runner-up who Beyered 96 in his next-out CRC-optional-claiming win.

No Play

Same-layoff setup as his near-miss career-best Beyer on GP turf; a 9F-GP turf graduate February, 2012, taking a 35K-maiden claimer he hasn't won since a sloppy-main track to end his 2-year-old season; the 2-back runner-up Beyered 99-97 in next-out MNR 150K stakes and alw. wins.

Fourseventeen

Exacta finish on GP turf December, 2011, was at today's distance on less-than-firm turf the type of surface for his last 2 wins; has not won past 1Mile yet despite a style suggesting today's distance is well within his scope; the 3-back winner repeated with an 80 Beyer taking an AQU-20K claimer.

Cytherean

Hard to ignore the trainer's .400 batting average 1st off the claim since 2012; consistent sort has fired strongly in 7 straight including latest-career-best Beyer at today's distance on GP green; can race on the lead or from off the pace; great sign that the rider of last stays right here despite the barn change; the pick.

Rose Brier

9 weeks since a key-race victory defeating the show and 6th-place finishers next-out CRC-OPC and 25K-claiming winners (both 75 Beyers); ran very well the last time freshened up but that was off more than a 1-year layoff; has gate speed in a race lacking defined pace; seems the one to catch and beat.

Storm Warnings

Doing the rain dance as the last victory and field-best Beyer was posted on a sloppy-race track an off-the-turf CRC event at today's distance; up-and-down recent form racing well in defeat 2-back then troubled when far back in last; the 3-back winner and runner-up finishers Beyered 88-84 in next-out GP-100K stakes and OPC wins.

Macho Coach

The only other race on GP turf was March, 2012, in an optional claimer finishing 8th at today's distance; exits his lowest Beyer since June when off slowly from the gate vs. the show finisher who Beyered 79 in his next-out CD-25K-claiming win; the 3-back show runner Beyered 82 taking a KD-20K claimer next out (82); has a to prove on the local course.

Concert Stage

6%-winning 1st-off-the-claim trainer off the long layoff; tired pre-rest when testing the runner-up finisher who Beyered 88 in his next-out GP-25K-claiming win; last time off a 53-day freshening he posted a career-best Beyer and SAR win.

Gibson County Line

Projects to press the pace outside while today's distance is a concern; was claimed off a dull effort flashing gate speed in recent losses; last win at shorter than this on fast dirt; his only turf victory was in February gate-to-wire at 1 Mile in a TAM-25K claimer.

Volcano Run

9 minor awards with 3 wins he often races well in defeat; 71 days since latest on synthetic his last 3 turf routes at today's distance were not his best races while a wide-ground losing trip breaking widest is projected for this; the 2-back turf-sprint winner repeated in BEL-15K claimer with an 83 Beyer. - Art Gropper