Gulfstream: Closer Looks for December 29, 2013

Race 1

Hobson's Choice

Three clear in bow and daylights clear last time; dam was unraced; long sibling was third in best result; gelding has trained solidly for this; don't ignore.

Papy

Dynaformer about 10% with his firsters in a 873-horse sample and about 14% of his first-time turf runners in a 789-horse study; sire could carry speed on grass; stakes placed 5 for 37 dam earned nearly $200K, lost twice on grass; lone sibling took debut at 2, lost twice on grass; drills ideally spaced.

Leader Avenue

Educated in the New York sprint in a live fray, like the way he was getting to the winner in last; Grade 3 winning 8 for 19 dam banked over $350K, was grass only; 2 of 4 siblings won; both tried grass to no avail, one earned almost $250K; 5th finisher in last took a maiden $75K claimer, and 12th finisher took a MSW at Pimlico; rates long look in all the slots.

Charlie's Picnic

Maybe he just wanted grass all along; several siblings tried grass to no avail but top kin Divine Park took a Grade 1, banked over $600K; could see him sitting 4 or 5 off the pace, primed to pounce; respect.

Shatak

Debut solid as he was right there at the top of the lane; dam took 4 sprints, never turfed; this is her first to race; must find a way to turn the tables on the arch rival on the direct inside.

Graffitist

Third new bug as blinks added to the equation; Grade 1 winning 6 for 14 dam banked over $900K, never turfed; the sibling that won cashed twice on grass, banked $85K; could muddle the pace, not sure he will be around at the end.

Franklin

Smart Strike about 12% with first-time turfers in a 613-runner sample; sire won 6 of 8, a Grade 1, over $330K; dam out of the money thrice; 4 of 5 siblings won; all tried grass to no avail but kin Thiskyhasnolimit earned nearly $800K; look for Garcia to send hard on the stretch out and try to steal it.

Easement

Colt did not look like a happy horse in last when he bolted; lone half bro was 2nd in best result; back to the original pilot for this; should be pushing the issue from the sound of the bell.

Pernicious

With his style, he needs plenty of help up front; 4 for 18 dam banked nearly $300K, lost 7 times on grass; one of 3 siblings won; that runner never turfed and was one for 32; may need a race or two.

Standup Paddle

Gelding has trained solidly for this including the second best of 42 spin on the 15th; backers can point to the fact there is a double turf winner in the family; place horse in last took a MSW and the winner repeated in an $25K optional; in good hands as Prado re-hired; must hurry.

Skip's World

Beaten double digits the last time in this league; Benson thought enough of this runner to take him back, runner off a career Beyer, but he still may need maiden claimers to shine.

March Reward

Soph has more speed than he just flashed; colt can give you a sub :47 half if in the mood; he s caught off courses in last 3; maybe he just needs to hear his feet rattle to show top talent.

Clever Story

Forced to steady as the beaten chalk; dam out of the money in only out; the blood is there for him to thrive still as top sibling Yes It s True took a Grade 1, earned over a million; a player if he suits up.

Birds Gone Wild

Birdstone about 9% with debuters in a 232-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, disappointed many when shocking Smarty Jones in the Belmont; dam was unraced; lone half sis took 3 sprints, earned just over a grand a start; drill on the 11th screams off the canvas.

Lincoln Law

Return not all that bad considering he was getting mud kicked in his face; dam took one sprint; lone half bro to race took 2 routes in the minor leagues; look for him to show zip if he goes.

Game Day

Tiznow about 7% with first-time grass runners in a 365-runner sample; sire did not race at 2, earned over $6.4 million as a double BC Classic hero, never tried grass; dam took 3 sprints, was out of the money in only turf out; this is her first to race; the beat in the maiden $15K claimer is a blemish on the slate. - Brian Mulligan

Race 2

Didn't Take It

Stakes placed 4-year-old sports solid overall turf form but he's probably going to need to see a number of these show up with less than their best to have a shot at the top prize; looking toward others.

Gentlemans Code

A little concerned when seeing that he didn't flash his usual early speed in his latest start, but he's tough to ignore while dropping in class, and given an alert break, he figures to be invovled in the running throughout; Davis has won with 25 of 88 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Bergerac

Multiple graded stakes placed veteran is light on recent winning form and he hasn't been on top of his game in his last two starts but he figures to appreciate getting back over turf for this; feel that he's still capable of being competitive at this level of competition.

Banzai Charge

Respect the presence of Castellano, but this colt is meeting up with winners for the first time while making his first start in six months, and he shows up for a barn that hasn't been doing their best work with turf sprinters.

Drunken Love

Stakes winning veteran has 20 wins next to his name and he's seeking his fifth consecutive win; however, he is taking a tough step up in class after getting the better of a field of 10-8k claimers when last seen; third finisher from latest won next out at Lrl on 12/7 going 6f vs. 5-4.5k N1Y claimers with a 61 Beyer.

The Green Cougar

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 15 turf starts for 72k; his lack of early speed is a cocnern in his first start sprinting over turf, but this is a very good turf barn, and it doesn't hurt to see Lezcano show interest.

Dedicated to Bob

Speedy colt will need to produce the sharpest performance of his career to get the better of this field and he's likely going to find himself involved in a fast and contested early pace; others entice more.

Off the Page

Ramsey-owned 3-year-old might be ready to deliver a sharp performance while making the third start of his current form cycle and his best effort can get him into the mix against these; note that a couple of his better starts were his two starts over this turf course.

Fast Time

Maybe the long layoff is a concern, but this 5-year-old hasn't run a bad race sprinting over turf and he fits right in against competition of this caliber; winner from latest won next out at Del on 7/15 going 5f over turf vs. 40k OPC's with a 95 Beyer; going to look for him to give a good account of himself off the long layoff.

Goodtolook

His one start sprinting over turf wasn't a poor performance, but he's going to need to produce an effort that is much stronger than anything he's done to this point in time to get the better of this field.

King Solomon

He's another who can add fuel to the early pace fire, and not only does it look like this race will shape up against his front running style, but he'll have to show up with an improved overall performance to find himself in the hunt nearing the finish.

Pirate's Pleasure

This colt has a nice pedigree for turf and he's flashed ability in his first three starts racing in Southern California; oddly, he enters this race off of a one mile workout, but he has a live look to him with Rosario getting the call.

Evolution Rocks

If this race has to be moved to the main track, this gelding becomes a top contender, and he enters this race off of one of the sharpest performances of his career; add in a high win percentage barn that has been live at this meeting, and there's plenty to be positive about.

Don't Say No

He's going to need to see a scratch from the main body of the race in order to draw in, and even though he's run some nice races sprinting over turf in the past, he's going to need to really step it up over what he's been doing lately in order to have a say in the outcome. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

Little Jimmy

Hood goes on for his local return after tiring from his pace efforts as the chalk at Churchill in his first off this sharp outfit's claim; he moves to the fence for this but there's not a lot of other speed in here and the barn has had plenty of recent luck with the change in equipment; with Rosario getting aboard they'll have this guy to catch and beat.

Dark Winter

Boasts a couple of well spaced, ugly running lines and now he'll stretch out a panel; that return from 14 months on the shelf was pretty weak and there's not a lot to suggest he's going to move forward enough to threaten in here; can't back this longshot.

Gargamellow

Beaten last out Tampa chalk looked pretty bad in that shorter sprint heat and now he'll make his local debut; he's yet to run a number on the main track that would threaten the bigger guys in here; maybe a wet track helps, but it's tough to make much of a case for him today.

Van Nistel White

Cuts back a panel after catching slop second off the break; New York bred has had his stamina issues, but maybe the shorter trip does make him a little tighter late in this spot for a barn that boasts nice numbers with runners shortening up; can get in the mix for a share.

Judge Lew

Fresh gelding returns from better than 5 months on the shelf to make his local debut; he brings a little early interest to the table and he's shown he can handle any main track condition; barn boasts a winner from limited local starters and this gelding will get a minor weight concession with the capable bug named; consider.

Private Phone

Switches surfaces for the drop in price after a weak spin from an outside slot over the local sod; he didn't have much to offer late in his dirt debut at Penn National in the fall but the barn does boast solid numbers with runners switching surfaces and maybe this guy has a little more to offer late at a nice price.

Saint Speedy

Beaten odds on chalk took a big step back while catching slop in his 12th career try and now he'll cut back to the trip of his 2 back placing; gray has had plenty of chances and his lack of lick will be even more magnified given the pace scenario of this heat; spots his main rival a big tactical edge but should be coming hard late; main danger. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

V V Goodnight

Half-sister to G3 winner Gleam of Hope (8-33, 468k, including 3 of 15 turf starts for 178k) didn't run poorly in her turf debut in her latest outing, and she's still elgible to have more to show us with only three starts behind her; a top turf barn helps add appeal.

Blush Again

Sire wins with approximately 16% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and dam won 3 of 15 starts for 69k, including 1 of 6 turf starts for 25k; she's a full to stakes winner William's Kitten (2-28, 210k, including 1 of 7 turf starts for 26k) and G3 winner Derby Kitten (5-33, 430k, including 3 of 20 turf starts for 188k).

Miss Lech

Like to see the improvement she displayed at second asking when getting over turf for the first time and that level of performance looks like it will play well in this spot; Castellano has won with 68 of 223 (30%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Saratoga Karaoke

She put together a decent effort the first time she raced over turf but she hasn't been able to build on that performance in two turf starts since then; she benefits from the services of a hot rider, but looking toward others.

Freethinker

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and minor stakes placed dam won 3 of 16 turf starts for 83k; this filly is a 1/2 to Virtual Image (1-7, 36k over turf); she has some turf in her pedigree and they were looking to get her over turf in her career debut.

Gamblers Rose

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam was winless from three starts, including a turf start; 200k purchase has shown a little something in her first three starts and she might be looking forward to getting a chance to see what she can do over turf.

Calm Water

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam was winless from six starts, including four turf starts; this filly is a full to multiple G1 winner Emollient (5-11, $1 million, including 1 of 3 turf starts for 332k).

Rubindy

It looks like the Brown barn will have a live one to send out in this spot whether this race is run over turf or the main track, and this miss is a 1/2 to multiple G1 stakes placed Beautician (3-17, 636k); Castellano has won with 68 of 223 (30%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Chika

Bernardini has been a poor influence as a turf sire but this filly is out of a multiple graded stakes winning dam who won 7 of 28 turf starts for 777k, and this filly is a 1/2 to Don'twait Toolong (9-62, 269k, including 8 of 43 turf starts for 222k).

Justanewkidintown

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his first-time starters and with approximately 14% of his turf starters, and dam was winless form eight starts, including three turf starts; this barn isn't best known for first-out success, but a few of her workouts hint at ability.

I Am Now

Sire wins with approximately 7% of his first-time starters and with approximately 11% of his turf starters, and dam won once from 10 starts for 57k, including 0-for-2 over turf; she has top connections behind her and this barn is more than capable of having one ready to go two turns and 7 1/2f at first asking.

Top Spin

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and G2 winning dam won 7 of 22 starts for 604k, including 0-for-1 over turf; this filly is a 1/2 to G1 winner Centre Court (6-13, 788k over turf). - Brian Pochman

Race 5

Rock On Baby

Deep closer hopes Courtney Ryan and Sweet N Discreet duel each other into defeat because she will likely be last in the early stages saving all the ground; the main knock is her 0-for-2 dirt record; her last start on the main track was an 8th-place finish September, 2011, in an 8.5F CRC-MSW defeat.

Devil's Cave

Style suggests the added yaradge today will not be a problem getting her 1st stamina test beyond 6.5F; sire never raced beyond 7F; dam never competed beyond 6F; her 3-back exacta finish looks better since the winner repeated with a 77 Beyer taking a CRC-optional-claimer.

Mass Invasion

88 days since crushing PEN alw. runners returning to GP dirt for the 1st time in one year since losing in a claimer here sprinting; defeated the 4th and 6th-place finishers from last; they Beyered 71-68 in next-out CT-PEN allowance wins; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Courtney Ryan

Projects to race loose on the lead with Sweet N Discreet the likely one pressing for the front; tough beat 2-back; the race looks better since the winner repeated in a GP-103K event with a 71 Beyer; have to go back to July to see a bad race on her form; the one to catch and beat.

Princess Malia

Career-best Beyer/last win was accomplished over a sloppy race track; caught wet footing 3-back but did not show that same type of speed and stamina; reunites with the win rider but clearly has been best at CRC with plenty to prove over the local-GP strip.

My Pal Chrisy

Ran well in defeat when shipped to New York for latest facing Grade 2 company; she defeated Fla.-bred friends 2-back at longer; her field-best Beyer was posted on GP dirt but at 6F; have to go back to March to see a bad race on her form; stalks the speed then hopes to show up with the big stretch kick displayed in her 3 GP wins since the summer; the pick.

Sweet N Discreet

Exiting sprints she figures to race close to the lead but has the speedy Courtney Ryan to chase from the gate; sire was a G1-SW at 1 Mile; dam's lone win was at 7F but she went 4-0-0-0 in races a 1Mile or longer; beat the 2-back runner-up finisher an 80 Beyer next-out CRC-25K-claiming winner; beat the 3-back show runner who Beyered 83 taking a GP-OPC victory next out. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Poor Etiquette

Thrice beaten chalk gives the level another crack in her local return; her career best effort in the fall did come at this trip and though her early interest may be tempered some here she does still figure to be within striking range of the front runners; contender at an improved price.

Farewell Kiss

Cuts back a bit after tiring from her pace efforts and settling for third money a couple of weeks back; filly drops again for this one and she did run well from off the pace a few starts back, so maybe she responds to less aggressive handling in this pilot's second go with her; can get in the mix for a share.

Tough to Stop

Earned this field's best career number when second against better over the track in her first start in 5 months; she took a step back after forcing the pace from a wide spot last time, but she'll catch a softer bunch in this spot and should be set to move forward; one to beat.

Starship Mystique

Offered little in her 2 starts here and now she'll cut back for the drop to this level; she did show improved lick over a wet track last time and maybe the shorter trip helps, but off what she's shown so far for this slumping outfit she'll need to improve quite a bit to threaten.

Formal Quality

She's in for her lowest price after another weak effort, this time on the cut back in her initial crack with claimers; addition of the hood didn't seem to do much for her and now she'll get another rider switch; can only watch her today.

Dreaminofcarmela C

Took all the money first out against cheaper and nearly got the job done after fighting on the front end a good part of the way; she'll tackle better in her first off this outfit's claim but she does return pretty quickly and does have good speed so maybe she's able to keep going and take a step forward for this new barn; there's other speed in here but she looks plenty scary off that debut run.

Siren's Secret

Outside drawn filly tries dirt for the first time in her return from the short break; she worked quite sharply from the local gate last week and there is some speed for her to track; at a much improved price and with some speed to track, she's worth a long look in this spot. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Touchdown Tom

Did not have a smooth trip in either race while giant odds; his sire won his only start and 25K; the dam involved went zero for 6; there are no winning siblings to mention; can improve from this slot with trouble-free getaway.

Twin Distinction

Races with blinkers for the first time after flashing decent early speed in the last pair of efforts before fading; his only exacta finish was at the course at distance during the summer and perhaps the return to six furlongs can do wonders.

Cannwyll

Canadian invader has shown little firepower thus far but equipment change can help turn that around; his sire won multiple G1s and 2.87 million while the dam won 4 of 26 and 121K; this is her only foal to compete.

Storm Haboob

Sharp debut effort last month where he might have been best; his sire was unraced; the dam scored in 2 of 16 appearances earning 13K; among the winning siblings is 83K earner Power Emblem; obvious true contender.

Ray's Back

Drops way down the hierarchy today after facing far better at Woodbine; his sire won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 1.58 million; the dam won 1 of 30 and 46K; sib to 93K earner Cherokee Mystery.

Double Click

Chased the pace in every start, the last time fading behind Now Hear This; could be an entirely new ballgame today if the grey can obtain an early daylight advantage; the betting value should certainly be there.

Now Hear This

Another runner who changes equipment today; his sire won 6 of 37 and 599K while the dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 14K earner Say Grace; latest half-mile breeze was modest in nature.

Sea Zar Run

Continues the them of this race, a runner with some fair early speed but not enough endurance; this colt should have gained some valuable conditioning racing over a tiring turf course earlier this month; would appreciate some key late scratches to the left.

Supreme Privilege

Decent blowout from the gate 2 weeks ago for this son of Northern Afleet who won 5 of 21 starts and 626K (his offspring have scored in 78 out of 594 debuts); the dam was zero for 4 and there are no winning siblings to mention. - Jim Kachulis

Race 9

Coarsegold

66 days since a near-miss finish/career-best Beyer speed figure in New York; back to GP green where she owns both win pictures and reunites with the win rider for this; likely will work out an ideal trip stalking the speed while saving groung from the hedge draw; the pick.

Believe in Charlie

Both wins were on the lead and wants to play catch me if you can here but has Will to Shine to battle with from the gate; in 2 other races at 1 Mile she was defeated by more than 30 lengths combined; hopes to pass the stamina test; the show runner from last Beyered 80 capturing an AQU-95K stakes next out; view as a pace presence for part.

Floral Sky

58 days since a career-low Beyer on dirt; her best Beyer was in a turf sprint; the winner, show and 10th-place finishers from last Beyered 89-80-63 in next-out DED-75K stakes and CD-TP-optional-claiming victories; needs a wakeup call.

Feelingbettertoday

Likes to be forwardly placed but latest win was when rallying from midpack showing a lot of versatility; 84 days since her 6th exacta in a row beating the 5th and 7th-place finishers; they Beyered 77-65 in next-out CRC-OPC and GP-25K-claiming wins; would have to be scratched Saturday from a CRC-Mile turf OPC where part of an 8-5-morning-line favored entry.

Interesting (IRE)

The worktab and the trainer's 0-for-6 record with 1st-time Imports since 2012 suggest we take a wait and see approach off the more than 9-month absence; has never raced past 7F; sire won twice in Mile turfers and took the Breeders' Cup Classic at 10F on synthetic; dam did not race past 7F.

Malibu Red

Rematch on turf vs. Will to Shine 2 back; exits a dull effort when overmatched vs. stakes runners; is doing the rain dance her field-best Beyer was a front-running mud victory a race originally slated for the turf; she is now 2-for-2 on wet-main tracks.

Love Stanza Chance

All 3 wins posted occurred on less-than-firm turf courses; 79 days since claimed off a tiring 5th-place finish vs. NY breds; 10%-winning fresh trainer does not add to the appeal; latest defeat looks better since the show runner Beyered 80 in a next-out AQU-OPC win; the 2-back winner repeated with an 87 Beyer capturing a BEL-200K event.

Glamour N Glory

Exits her lowest Beyer since February, 2012, when racing on GP dirt; late runner needs a pace metldown to score while cutting back to the Mile distance does not add to the appeal; her 9 minor awards during career suggests when she does fire well it often produces a minor award.

Affair Dabbler

Exits a career-low Beyer when racing back on GP turf the surface where she captured an April, 2012, allowance at longer than 1 Mile; deep closer was badly outrun in latest off the 50-day absence and is eligible to move forward for this; overall others appeal more.

Will to Shine

3-for-5 record since the March claim; 112 days since her gate-to-wire win; she has to beat Believe in Charlie out of the gate then hold off the stretch runners; the 2-back winner repeated in a DEL-75K event with an 83 Beyer; she beat the June runner-up a 79 Beyer next-out MTH-OPC winner; try to catch me.

Ceci N Red

Like many of these enters off a poor effort posting her lowest Beyer since February; was a little too anxious early in latest when pressing the pace; figures to chase Believe in Charlie and Will to Shine to the front; graduated here at longer when stalking the speed; must show more.

Quality Kitten

Figures to be a pace factor with Believe in Charlie and Will to Shine; new trainer off a career-low Beyer when competing on a wet-turf course for the 1st time; was clearly best in her 2-back synthetic-surface romp defeating the runner-up finisher an 81 Beyer next-out TAM-allowance winner.

Four Aria

Main Track Only entry with stamina issues stretching back out to 1 Mile; the only time traveling 8F during career was a last-place finish and career-low Beyer; likes to race on the lead but Believe in Charlie and Will to Shine among others figure to make this pace hot which compromises her upset-win hopes.

Creative License

Been best at longer distances than 1 Mile but graduated at today's distance; latest was her lowest Beyer since May not firing again on GP grass; she has been far off best form since going gate-to-wire here but today catches a field top heavy with other early zip which compromises her win dreams.

Sharapova Slams

Both GP wins at longer than 1 Mile but her 2-back win occurred at today's distance; overmatched vs. stakes company in last; her 2-back win looks better since the runner-up and show finishers Beyered 77-68 in next-out CRC-OPC and starter alw. wins. - Art Gropper