Gulfstream: Closer Looks for December 28, 2013

Race 2

Pretty Peggy Fu

Draws the fence for the stretchout to 2 turns in her initial turf spin for an outfit that does well with its new acquisitions; filly has been working sharply of late so expect she'll be more prominent from the fence and her sire does get 13% winners from his initial turf starters; dam was 0 for 1 on the green and her lone foal to try the footing was 0 for 2 over the stuff.

Whistle My Way

She's been idle since earning a solid number when third in her local sprint debut 9 months ago; filly goes for a top turf outfit that excels with its fresh runners and it seems as if she does like this type of footing; winless dam was never sent long and her other foal to race was off the board in all 3 main track route spins; worth considering while returning with claimers.

Ashley's Babe

She's had plenty of chances and her recent off the turf try across town wasn't very good; maybe the move back to the green helps as she wasn't beaten much over the stuff 2 starts back, but it's tough to envision her as a serious threat in here; passing.

Lady Go Go

Canadian shipper moves back to the lawn in her local debut for a new barn that has seen the winner's circle a couple of times at the stand; her sprint try on the Woodbine green last summer was decent and maybe it was just the outside draw that did her in when subsequently stretched out; worth a good look against this bunch.

Hit Squad

Drops in for a tag for the first time following a sharp effort from the outside slot in her local debut run; she earned a big number in that one and she does catch a field that looks to contain some early lick; with Rosario taking the call they'll have to hold off her late run to win.

Sofialeonor

MTO has been runner up in 3 straight and now she'll return from the freshening at this extended trip; filly should offer some early foot in her return and the bigger gals in here all looking for the green so that should play to her benefit; she doesn't have any wet track experience, but in her current form she looms a huge threat.

Ever Awesome

Drop to claimers helped her stay much longer in her second crack off the freshening; she draws much better this time than she did in that one and maybe the slightly shorter trip benefits her; with her last behind her this lightly raced 4 year old looks to be the main danger.

My Cousin Fay

Showed good early foot in her main track sprint debut last month and now she'll give the sod a shot for a barn that doesn't do so well first time on the lawn or with runners who have had a race; filly is by a sire who gets 7% winners from his initial turf starters and the SW dam was winless from 6 turf starts prior to dropping 4 winners including one who was 0 for 3 on the green; expect she'll be close to the top early but don't know that she'll be around late.

Party Starter

Brings some early interest to the table in her return from the brief freshening; filly makes her turf debut for an outfit that boasts solid numbers with the move to the infield; sire gets 9% winners from his first time turfers and the dam was a South American G1 SW who was off the board in her lone turf start prior to dropping foals who were a combined 0 for 7 on the green in the states.

Lori's Image

She's been away a full year and she'll return to make her surface debut; filly goes for a low percentage outfit that doesn't boast any recent luck moving them to the green; sire is 0 for 2 with his initial surface runners and the dam was 0 for 1 on the green prior to dropping a foal who was 0 for 2 on the footing; looms a long price in the comebacker.

Race 3

Image of Lady Rose

Did not race in all of 2012 and she has shown little staying power this year; doubt that the switch to the rail slot will make much difference and she came up empty in her sole try at seven-eighths; pass for now.

Mi Doctora

A clear-cut second in her latest run, a distinct improvement; she was chasing some soft fractions that day and will probably have to rally from much further back today; respect her improvement but conflicting signals remain.

Divine Doll

Firster was sired by G1 Divine Park who won a G1 stakes and 612K; his offspring have done well in their debuts, winning 10 of 46; the dam won 1 of 2 and 20K; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

Alondra Sky

Only one remote showing to her name and that was accomplished in the slop when no match for Mi Doctora; doubt she can turn the tables on that rival yet the trainer has done with some longshots via the turf-to-dirt angle.

Sir Jeffrey Image

Trounced in 2 prior appearances at this oval but that was following an exceptionally long layoff; can earn a minor share at this distance which seems to be her preference; tries yet another apprentice in search of the wake-up call.

Kiss Me Again

Poor record throughout regardless of the distance or surface involved; hit the 200-1 plateau in the last assignment and faces a long road once again; cannot endorse as a major threat under any conditions.

Nay Nay

Respectable showing in that second attempt; her sire won a G1 and 239K while the dam involved was unraced; among the winning siblings is 58K earner Slash Five; seems like a natural fit for seven furlongs.

Sweet Dixie Gal

Displayed early speed over the slop second out after a first run that featured a slow getaway; her sire won multiple G2s and 441K; the dam went 2 for 13 earning 47K; there are no winning siblings to mention; gets in light.

Late to the Party

She got into a duel with the previous runner earlier this month and faded; may change tactics here; her sire won a G1 and 450K while the dam scored in 3 of 20 appearances earning 35K; this is her sole foal to compete

Race 4

African Spring

Spring at Last 8 for 53 with juvenile debuters; Grade 1 winning sire didn't race at 2, took his debut at 3, banked over $1.1 million; 1 for 18 dam cashed long once as older horse; several multiple race winners in the family, several cashed at 2 including a debut winner and top earner banked over $130K; never easy winning long at first asking.

Tracy's Treasure

Youngster triple drops off yet another double digit defeat; pushed into the stakes after the nice try the first time for a tag and she has not looked sharp since; could flash speed on the stretch out, not sure she'll be around at the end.

Lori's Comprise

Once they start piling up 10 or 12 defeats, the wind generally goes out of the sails; beaten over 40 lengths the other time she raced long; can t endorse.

Jill's Reflection

In the money to kick it off, has not been about to repeat that feat; there is a juvenile winner in the tree but family on the weak side; more experienced pilot takes the call here; not sold on chances.

Go to Work

Been a bad actress at the break so far; 7 for 61 dam was third in only out at 2, banked nearly $160K; 3 of 5 siblings won; one cashed at 2; top kin Wriggle banked over $200K in a long career; blinks, Lasix, and Lopez, who is 23% for this barn; don't ignore.

Seduccion

She has beaten 5 horses in her career; dam out of the money twice; lone half sis was one for 20 and the win came sprinting as an older horse; needs a total reversal of fortune.

Indygo Red

She goes second time Lasix after tough beat; miss got a boost when the show horse in last graduated in a maiden $12.5K seller; 5th new rider takes the reins; far too sharp not to take seriously.

Runaway Bridle

Must pick it up after two crush jobs; 2 for 8 dam didn t go at 2, banked over $40K; lone full bro to race Wild Perfection won twice as older horse, earned nearly $40K; capable barn overdue to get rolling.

Race 5

Dillon's Actor

Best Beyer speed figure was accomplished at a much shorter distance than this while his lone-route test was a dull effort when no match for Golden Nugget; offered brief speed in latest and figures to be a pace presence here with Texas Tex in a field lacking defined-early zip.

Golden Nugget

Longer than 1 Mile may be his best game which is the main concern for this; like last start which accounts for his 1st-ever exacta finish will be able to save ground from an inside draw then make one run; not thrilled with an icy-jockey-trainer combo 0-for-15 at GP since 2012.

Sunshine King

Ran to his 44-1 debut odds when breaking slowly then never making any impact; his sire was a G2-SW at 9F; dam went unraced; the worktab for this does not stamp that a significant improvement is on the way for this although some runners improve dramatically 2nd-time out.

Sea of Faces

Nightmare-debut trip a rare Pletcher 1ster who did not get hammered at the betting windows for their 1st try; the trainer nails 35% second-start winners while drops from MSW-to-maiden claiming another high-percentage win angle; lone knock is wish his worktab for this sparkled more.

Texas Tex

Dueled into defeat the 1st time ever on dirt in latest; pace presence with Dillon's Actor; caught wet footing for last so deserves a 2nd chance on a fast track; the 2-back winner and show finishers Beyered 70-66 in next-out RET-75K stakes and GP-30K-maiden-claiming wins.

Caminito

The winner and runner-up finishers from last Beyered 85-63 in next-out GP allowance and CRC-MSW wins; sired by a Grade 1-dirt router; dam was a G3-turf Miler and a G1-dirt router in ARG; improvement expected for a 27% win trainer 1st-time out with newly-acquired runners.

Oliver Rush

Bullet workout after screming for more distance 2nd-time out off the 59-day layoff with a co-field-best Beyer attached; he gets the extra distance here; his sire was a G2-dirt router; dam never ran past 6.5F; high-percentage 2-year-old trainer adds to the appeal but she is winning at just 7% since 2012 with sprint-to-routers.

Race 6

Mesa Way

They were looking to get him over turf for his career debut, and he responded over with an improved effort over turf at second asking with the addition of Lasix; however, this does look like a tough step up in class for him.

Wild Z Z Z Z

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; turf is a question, but he's quick enough from the gate to play a role in the way that this race shapes up and he figures to appreciate stretching out in distance while moving to an inside post.

Thunder Run

He's earned a stakes placing racing over turf and like the idea of him getting back over turf after trying dirt in his latest outing; he has the look of a legitimate player in this spot and he looks like he'll prove to be very tough to keep out of the exotics.

Morning Calm

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and dam won 3 of 15 starts for 32k, including 1 of 6 turf starts for 7k; this is a demanding distance for a firster but it's tough to ignore those sharp looking recent workouts.

Our Wild Won

Sire wins with approximately 16% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and multiple stakes winning dam won 9 of 26 starts for 450k, including 1 of 3 turf starts for 48k; this gelding is a 1/2 to stakes placed Miss Dolce (5-21, 148k, including 0-for-1 over turf).

Gara Gattino

It would have been nice to have seen this runner show more the second time around but he ran well in his career debut after attracting wagering support and he commands some respect against these based on that performance.

Aheadofthecurve

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his first-time starters and with approximately 5% of his turf starters, and minor stakes placed dam won 4 of 22 starts for 187k, including 0-for-7 over turf; this colt is a 1/2 to stakes winner Salsa Bullet (2-3, 80k, including 1 of 2 turf starts for 65k).

School Yard

Half-brother to Astute (4-22, 80k, including 3 of 17 turf starts for 59k) took a step in the right direction at second asking with a move to turf and the addition of Lasix; it looks like he's trained well since his last start and this is a barn that is known for improving them with experience.

Bracigliano

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and stakes winning dam won 6 of 29 starts for 355k, including 0-for-4 over turf; he ran well over the synthetic surface at Keeneland in his career debut and perhaps he's looking forward ot getting to see what he can do over turf.

Pilatus

He finished sixth in his career debut, but that was a pretty encouraging performance where he only finished 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner; not going to be surprised if he's ready to take a step forward at second asking.

Woodfield Springs

Sire is 0-for-5 with his North American first-time starters and he's 1-for-14 (7%) with his North American turf starters, and this is the first foal from a multiple graded stakes winning dam who won 4 of 23 starts for 594k, including 3 of 21 turf starts for 559k; he has good looking workouts, pedigree appeal, and Lanerie is a go-to rider for this barn.

Reach for a Kitten

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 11 starts for 45k, including 2 of 8 turf starts for 44k; he's a full to G1 winner Admiral Kitten (3-10, 609k, including 2 of 8 turf starts for 596k); Castellano has won with 62 of 211 (29%) mounts for this barn in 2012.

Boss Man Mike

Like the effort he showed up with at second asking but that performance is sandwiched around two poor performances and it might be worth noting the presence of Lanerie aboard another in here.

Waco

He improved along the Beyer Speed Figure scale at second asking but this colt has yet to show up with a truly competitive performance from three starts and he's going to need to show more to get the better of this field; an outside post adds to the level of difficulty.

Private Label

He put together a decent performance against a solid field of maidens in his career debut and he'll merit respect as a top contender off of that performance if this race has to be moved to the main track; Castellano has won with 68 of 222 (31%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Race 8

Mr. Online

This guy can run; although he has had no success on this course, he has won at a number of different venues; far from disgraced in the last 2 stakes tries and he could be on the muscle on the stretch out; the winner of the Woodbine finale repeated in a $100K stakes, then was third beaten a half-length in the Grade 2 Kennedy Road; nice move last Saturday; respect.

Empire Builder

Colt has repaid his $10K claiming price 20 fold; it has been well over a year since he has scored but he was just a neck out of the trifecta in this race last year; hard to be overly positive after the last fiasco.

Coalport

Bothered at the break in last and runner just never recovered; game win in the $123K stakes in September stands out and he sure didn t duck anybody trying the Grade 1 at Keeneland; the last 2 victories were taxing and you have to wonder if they just took a toll; drilling well for solid barn, don't ignore.

Hobbs

Proven locally, gelding can be placed anywhere and still perform; show horse in the Delaware finale cashed next out in a $60.4K NC allowance, then ran third twice; 10th finisher in last took a MSW and the winner repeated in the Grade 3 Red Smith; the drill on the 16th screams off the page; look for runner to be keen to roll with the shades today.

Grand Tito

Colt did something that is not easy to do and that s beat winners right back in a stakes here; tough beat in the October race and the 11/10 place horse cashed and was out of the money in $62.5K optional claimer since; needs very best.

Looking Cool

Repeatedly proven fresh, key off the second in the $100K stakes in April and he has to be left in the mix; place horse in last cashed next out in the Grade 3 River City with a 98 Beyer; a bit more keen to drill on the 17th; contention goes deep.

Hakama

Overcame trouble for that lone grass victory; he came back to earth in the stakes in last; he has been around the wire a lot, 9 of 17 in the exacta and the last race came back live as the 5th finisher took a G3 next out at Calder and the 8th finisher took a $62.5K AQU optional claimer; troubled when beating 3 in the last return effort; would be careful here.

Alley Oop Oop

Only a brief threat in the stakes last time; he had been very consistent this year up until that debacle; inching toward the winner despite the poor trip two back, runner has a penchant for finding the wire and he was game in that last victory; needs a rebound run.

Nikki's Sandcastle

Pro has used the same stepping stone coming to this race as he did last year and that worked out well; a bit more into the bit in the effort two back, and the drill on the 15th is a positive sign; if you toss the Arlington efforts this summer, the form brightens; can t fault those that back on him defending his title.

Guys Reward

The back class is there off the Grade 2 win last year; pro has not had great success on this course but he obviously needed the last effort; guess somebody had to be third in the small field last time but the race came back live; the 5th finisher took a $62.5K TAM optional claimer in next, place horse took a $50K Turfway stakes and the winner repeated in a $125K stakes here; another slice?

Salto (IRE)

Veteran comes to the race fresh and gameness was on the display for all to see last time; wonder if connections just penciled in this race after the last score; revenge is a motive as he was the beaten chalk in this event in 2012 and he has tactical speed which will give him first run on the deep closers; contention goes long.

Philly Ace

Pennsylvania-bred is proven off the pine in a $100K stakes; nothing wrong with winning half of the starts, he has shown time and time again he can be in a fight early and still live to tell about it; note Bravo was up for the maiden breaker; respect everything from this barn.

Riding the River

A Grade 2 winner this year, beaten only just over 7 by the classy Wise Dan and he has more speed than he showed in last; he s run well off the pine too; note he was bumped in that return in May; another contender in a good betting race.

Lea

The year started out promising enough but he could not build on that victory; runner had dead aim in last but he lost ground when it counted; back on the preferred surface and maybe he just hated the synthetic surface in last; needs very best.

Majestic Express

Game in the sloppy win last time, this guy obviously likes this strip and note place horse was 7 clear in last; Rocco knows this runner, the bullet drill last Sunday says he is feeling pretty good about himself and the last race came back fine as the 4th and 5th finishers took $16K optionals next out; gets the acid test here.

Utley

Note he won fresh here off a longer vacation; between horses early in last and he never got untracked; apparently not much of a visible work horse, but Sheppard can get them fit in his own unique and successful way; last angle to think about: this rider up for the last victory.

Race 9

Fort Loudon

Didn't have much to offer behind one of today's foes while returning from 5 months on the shelf here 2 starts back but he did take a step in the right direction last time; 4 year old did take the local G3 Sprint Championship last winter but he draws the fence once again in here and that starting slot has posed him some trouble.

Trinni Heart

Returns quickly off a troubled try against preliminary allowance runners across town; sophomore did break his maiden over the track, but he's never run a number that would put him in the same zip code as most of these at the finish; looms a big price.

Star Harbour

Mott barn gave up on this quick 5 year old at Saratoga in the summer but he's since shown he's got some run left in him; local try against statebred stakes foes a few weeks back was quite good and his speed should have him in the thick of this one from the bell; shorter trip should also be to his benefit; contender.

Upgrade

Shipper steps back up to the stakes ranks after a solid effort first time off this barn's claim in Kentucky; gelding was good enough to be tried in the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint last year and his recent efforts suggest he's rounding back into form; don't know that he's as good as some of these, but maybe he's able to rally for a minor share at a decent price.

Travelin Man

Local lover looks to have gotten a useful tightener out of his local return last month for a barn that moves them forward second time back from the break; outfit's top pilot gets aboard and this 5 year old was big in victory here earlier in the year and should get some pace to run at; may prove to be the value play.

Singanothersong

Sophomore has been pretty good in his 2 starts here this year but now he'll step up to face a better bunch in his return to stakes company; gray ran well at a big price in the G3 Swale here last winter and his early interest should help him be prominent from the outset, but don't know that he'll be good enough to fend some of these off late; maybe for a share.

Apriority

Jumped up with a big one in his local return in which he got the jump on Travelin Man who returns in this spot as well; 6 year old doesn't win very often, but he's kept some pretty good company from coast to coast over the past couple of years and he clearly loves it here; can't count him out.

Black Diamond Cat

Statebred found himself fighting for the lead while fresh on the cut back across town a couple of weeks back and he paid the price for it late; his local efforts going longer prior to that here were excellent and he does figure to be tighter with his return to the races behind him; the trip may be a little short of his best, but they'll have to hold him off.

Race 10

Ambitious

Projects to race on or near the lead; faded when favored at today's distance; stamina is the biggest issue about backing; the 3-back runner-up finisher graduated next-out in a LRL-MSW event with a 75 Beyer speed figure; 0-fo-16 GP-jockey-trainer combo the past 2 seasons; know her early then hopes to hang on late for a share.

Minx

Doing the rain dance; her 3-back BEL-wet-main track exacta finish represents a co-field-best Beyer; grass debut was poor and the blinkers added 2 races ago did not produce the desired/improved results; the runner-up finisher from last posted an 82 Beyer in an AQU-next-out MSW graduation.

Atlantic Dream

Career-low speed figure was posted with blinkers on however they are quickly removed for this; ran well in defeat on GP green; the Feb. runner-up finisher Beyered 77 in her next-out GP-MSW win; co-field-best Beyer was for the previous trainer in January at a half furlong shorter than today's event.

First Romance

112 days since rallying too late at longer; super-fresh trainer goes 1st-Lasix after showing an improvement when blinkers were added; the 2-back show runner Beyered 74 in her next-out PRX-40K-maiden-claiming victory; can she get up in time is the lone concern.

Wine Burglar

The winner from last repeated in a BEL-88K event with an 83 Beyer; she defeated the 5th-6th and 7th-place finishers from latest they Beyered 84-77-64 in next-out BEL-65K-maiden-claiming, CRC-MSW and 40K-maiden-claiming wins.

Egot

Major-wakeup call 2nd-time out when catching a wet-turf course; now has a long layoff to contend with for the return to GP green; working like she could fire another big race however her trainer yields just 4%-green winners since 2012.

Tapitinsilver

73 days since a dull effort on the race track 1st time away from the Mott barn but the speed figure comes back as a career-best; the show finisher from last Beyered 58 in her GP-25K-next-out-maiden-claiming graduation; the 2-back winner and runner-up Beyered 94-87 in next-out LRL-alw. and BHP-MSW wins.

Beat the Drums

Sire is 71-for-613 with 1st-turf starters; G1 dam did not race on grass (7-for-14, 1.9M); no foals raced on turf; is the only runner in the field without any grass experience; has been working like a huge-2nd race improvement is on the way.

Too Good to B True

Projects to race on or near the lead; the 3-back DQ'd winner repeated with a 68 Beyer; wish the trainer was not 1-for the last-16 with long-layoff runners; steady worktab posted but stamina is the biggest issue about backing; know her early but unsure about late.

In His Kiss

4-1 morning-line odds on Friday Dec 27 TAM 9 a MSW turf event at today's distance; took-strong debut-betting money in the LRL unveiling then finished evenly; high-percentage fresh trainer off the 38-day absence adds to the appeal; worked better pre-race then post.

Gold Empire

The winner and runner-up finisher from last Beyered 90-80 in next-out GP-OPC and BEL-MSW wins; she beat the 4th-place finisher a 64 Beyer-GP-35K-next-out-maiden-claiming winner; projects to race on or near the lead then hopes to hang on for a share.

Pleasant Cat

Exits her lowest Beyer since January; lone-GP turf start was a dull effort 1 year ago when testing the runner-up finisher who graduated next out in a GP-MSW with a 79 speed figure; the trainer is 3-for the last-140 with MSW starters.

Civility Pledge

Favored in last 2 defeats will be trying to make amends; the main concern is that she has often been outfinished at shorter than today's 8.5f distance; obviously is a major-pace presence if in noting her best Beyers posted were on less-than-firm turf courses.

Secret

Added front wraps for latest then showed nothing; 15-1 morning-line odds on Friday Dec 27 TAM 9 a MSW turf event at today's distance; offered zero stamina in the 1st-turf route test on GP green; the added yardage here does not bode well for backing.

Best Try

Outran her 28-1 debut odds when flying too late; the extra yardage for this and a 2nd-time out improvement suggest she would be a major player if in; wide trip expected again for an 0-for the last-30 GP jockey-trainer combo.