Gulfstream: Closer Looks for February 14, 2014

Race 1

Private Phone

Ignore the failure over the turf, the previous race came up very fast overall; his sire was a G1 sprinter in South America who netted 138K; the dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 41K earner Advise and Consent.

The Culchie

The grey has failed 10 consecutive times yet this trainer has won with a longshot turf-to-dirt runner; the colt races for this low price tag for the first time and perhaps can land a share with a comfortable inside journey.

Gray Day Lover

Although finishing far back in that second attempt, he flashed some very respectable early speed in that performance; his sire won a G3 and 962K while the dam was without victory in 12 attempts; sib to 65K earner Gray Storm A'comin.

Royal Gallant

Raced evenly first time out after breaking slowest of all; his sire won 495K including G2 success; the dam went 5 for 37 and 112K; this is her only foal to make it to the races; can upgrade with an alert getaway this afternoon.

Optionality

What a tough beat last month when he lost by inches despite being bothered; obvious true contender if able to equal or surpass that performance level and he may finally end the drought with a high percentage trainer in his corner.

Tangible Assets

The gelding turned in a fine try in that getaway race last July; the returning breeze pattern is steady but average; should be an early presence at the very least considering this field comes up fairly light; consider.

Put It Forward

Never got untracked in his maiden voyage while high odds; his sire won a G2 and 232K while the dam never made it to the starting gate; among the winning siblings is 379K earner La Chica Sensual; drops in half in search of a wake-up call.

Noble Abode

Perhaps the wet tracks in the last pair of starts prevented him from being competitive; his last try over a fast surface was in a key race and the trainer involved has a solid record with runners turning back in distance; worth some play on that angle alone. - Jim Kachulis

Race 2

Angel's Girl

She has early speed and she sports the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here but this mare is making her first start back from a very long layoff; winner from latest won next out at Crc on 5/26 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 16k OPC's with a 75 Beyer and runner up won next out at Crc on 5/5 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with a 66 Beyer.

Rocksie Lucie

She ran pretty well in her career debut after attracting wagering support, and even though it would've been nice to have seen her show more in her two starts after that, perhaps she can be ready for better after being given some time off; note the drop in class and the addition of blinkers for this.

Adria

She's been beaten by a few of today's rivals in her first two starts and she's going to need to step up her game to prove to be the one in this spot, but at the same time, she's lightly raced and still eligible to have more to show us.

Go Sandy Go

She's seeking her first career win in her 18th career start and she hasn't even posted a runner-up finish from 11 turf attempts; her best race can get her into the mix against these, but it's tough to place confidence in her for the top spot.

Alguna

Her form appears to be heading in the wrong direction but this filly actually sports some of the faster and more consistent form in this race; viewing her in the light of a contender, but she might be the type who hangs around the maiden ranks for a while.

Union Square

She earned her best finish to date in her most recent outing and she looks like a decent fit at this level of competition; feel that it's interesting to see Saez get the call for this.

Amber Morning

She flashed some signs of ability through her first four starts but it's difficult to have confidence in her when seeing what she's done in her three most recent races and she has finished behind a couple of today's rivals in her two most recent races.

Lloyd Harbor

Her two most recent races have been improved performances and it doesn't hurt to see that she earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure with Chamafi aboard two starts back; she has a little early speed and feel that she can prove to be capable of keeping herself involved in the running throughout. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

Coro Coro

Was eased as the favorite while experimenting on the grass in a recent five-furlong dash, which has produced a next-start winner; his dirt form is good, and he's liable to rebound on the drop to this $35K tilt; speed threat under Gonzales, who was aboard for one of his better efforts.

I Want More Candy

Jerkens has a 6% strike-rate with maiden second-timers adding blinkers over the past five years ($0.23 ROI); his opener wasn't anything to write home about, and he's worked slowly since; son of the popular More Than Ready is the first foal from an unraced mare.

Hurricaner

Was beaten in double digits in each of his last two outings against tougher, and is dropping to where he could sneak into the tri or super; the winner of his last race was subsequently competitive in N1X allowance company, and the fourth horse returned to beat $35K maidens.

Bob's Grand Slam

The late, great Grand Slam notched his debut at 2 and has sired 11% debut winners; unraced dam has produced two foals to race--both were cheaper sprinters; trainer/rider duo is 0 for 6 at the meet, and Romans scored with 13% of his maiden-claiming firsters during the last five years ($1.17 ROI).

Browns Gap

The best measure of his ability is his fourth-place finish vs. $50K maidens at this distance Jan. 11; he failed to stay a mile on the turf most recently, and his trainer has won at a 20% clip with turf/dirt starters in the past five year ($1.10 ROI); could do some damage with the addition of blinkers and Rosario.

I Feel Great

High Cotton, a G3-winning router, has sired nearly 13% first-out winners; dam, who banked $46K as a sprinter, has dropped three winners, most notably the versatile Max Cooper ($109K), a debut winner at 2; trainer hit with 18% of his maiden-claimer firsters over the last five years ($3.45 ROI). - Ron Gierkink

Race 4

Goodtimehadbyall

Sharp outfit drops this guy out of the stakes ranks while cutting him back to the trip of his career best Beyer score over the track a couple of months back; he's shown enough lick to stay within touch of the pacesetters and there's no shortage of early foot in this heat; he's a threat to get back on track in this spot; contender on the drop.

Political Justice

Gray took a good step forward while making his first start off the barn's claim in the local slop a couple of weeks back; he brings plenty of early foot to the table, but he'll face a much tougher bunch than he's used to and the outfit's numbers second off the break are weak; have to side against the repeat.

Tiz Liberty

Just missed going a bit longer in the local slop last time and now he'll step up the class ladder for his first off the barn's claim; nice to see a top pilot take interest in a gelding who ran big on dirt out West late in his 4 year old season and though he's only run a few times since he does enter this in solid form; price should be right.

Sir Edgar

Eight year old has plenty of early foot and it figures to be on display in his return to the main track over which he fought off pace pressure to score 2 back going longer; don't know that he'll be able to go on with this quicker set and still have enough left to fend them off late, but he should be rolling from the bell.

Bernie the Maestro

Gelding was in a bit over his head while chasing the defending Breeders Cup Classic winner at a 9 panel trip here last month and now he'll show up in a more reasonable spot; he's certainly good enough to step at this level and the barn's numbers with turnbacks are terrific; his best game is speed and there's a lot of that commodity in here, but he doesn't need the lead to fire and maybe the recent route tries will temper his early interest enough to sit a tracking trip today; consider.

Dream Maestro

Ran ok for second money against much weaker in his return to this barn's care; maybe he's better with his first start in 8 months behind him, but his career slate suggests he's much more comfortable settling for minor placings than he is in winning; nice to see his pilot stick, but have to look at others on the win end.

Evolution Rocks

He's been a new runner since taken by this outfit last summer in Jersey and his crosstown stakes score a few weeks back was his best yet; things seem to be stacked up against this speedster as he'll pick up plenty of weight and move to the outside slot in a field that contains a lot of lick; his better efforts have come at shorter trips and all things considered he may be worth trying to beat at the expected short price, but in his current form they'll have him to beat. - Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Grip Hands

Even efforts in last pair, but at least he has the 2 races to draw from now; runner has much more speed than he just flashed and note he was troubled two back; there are others with designs on the top here, but Leparoux got a chance to figure him out and would expect this runner to be forwardly placed; must be left in the mix.

Hey Leroy

Runner obviously likes this layout but with his style, he is pretty much at the mercy of how the race sets up and if he can find a lane to rally into in time; wide in 2 of 3, would expect rider again to let this guy settle, try to save ground and try to reel them all in.

Longhunter (GB)

The class is there for all to see; just check out the solid third in the Nearctic; the place horse that day is 3 for 3 since including a win in a $100K stakes; winner 10/13 took a $100K stakes next out, then was 3rd beaten a half in a Grade 2; repeat well within the realm.

Manzutti

This is not the easiest spot for just a double winner; totally extended in last and we really don't know how much it may have taken out of him; he has shown versatility, but will likely come from off the pace here; would think long and hard before taking too short a number.

Key to Power

This guy has a penchant for finding the wire; he was losing a little ground in last and now has to go a sixteenth farther; that was a nice middle move to go from 6th to the lead; not impossible task.

Going to Market

Gelding kind of just went through the motions in last; he has at least drilled a couple of times since and he doesn't have to be 2nd to last early on today; runner got a taste of the surface but needs to pick it up.

Franklinpark

This guy just has lacked the killer instinct; check out the 16 slices; never in the money locally, and apparently he is not much of a work horse; can't endorse.

El Uno

This guy wins his share; proven locally, but he has to figure out a way to deal with Longhunter; winner of the Tampa finale cashed next out in a $16K starter handicap; should be around the wire once again.

Serious Indeed

Back on preffered surface today; he has trained steadily for this and the 11/17 winner repeated in a G3 with an 88 Beyer; runner got away with a pretty soft pace in last and the splits should be hotter here; looking elsewhere for a key top horse.

Twin

Got to lugging out and the stewards got involved; he has not had any luck locally; runner was pushed along in last but he may be better off settling, saving ground and making the one run. - Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Ladyfromhavana

So which gal do we get, the one who blitzed state-bred optional claimers here Jan. 2 by 9 3/4 lengths or the gal who hit the brakes pretty firmly in stakes try here Jan. 18?; well, there's the rub; good news is her first 4 starts were all pretty good - it was just that last stakes try that wasn't very pretty so could be those waters were too deep; that means today's drop helps but remember, she's facing some stakes types here, too, so it's not as if she's dropping a bunch; came back with a super :59B work here Feb. 8, too (2nd fastest of 46 that day).

Calistoga

Made quite an impression in her first 2 starts for Mott, both here last winter, when seh blasted maidens and blasted optional claimers; that was enough to earn a shot at the G3 Eight Belles on the Ky. Derby undercard last May 3; broke miserably that day, was well back, came with a strong, menacing move into the lane but couldn't sustain it; hasn't been seen since but has been working lights-out (4 bullets in last 5 drills) for Mott who, of course, is suiperb off the bench.

Jolena Jo

Toss that 5th on turf here Jan. 20 and you're left with 10 straight top-3 finishes; set the pace before finishing a well-beaten 2nd here Jan. 29 but that was not only her first try on this track but it came routing and in slop; moves to what may be a better distance but even so she likely has to run a race she hasn't produced yet if she's to win this.

Mass Invasion

Good news is she comes out of a key heat (produced 2 next-out winners); bad news is she ran 5th, beaten 20 3/4 lengths so she likely doesn't deserve too many bonus points for exiting a key heat; that was also nearly 2 months ago and she hasn't run since; won her lone prior 7f try, though she's done nothing but run longer the past 13 months or so; and while she's got some good races showing this may be the toughest spot she's seen, or at least as tough as that Dec. 29 stakes try here.

Sky Skier

Smashing debut win at MTH last July 20 (won by 14 1/4 lengths) hinted she could be pretty darn smart; it hasn't translated into stakes action yet but after that came 3 straight 2nds and then a nice win going a mile here Dec. 20; that shows she handles this track and since she's run big going 6fs and a mile you'd expect that this trip, splitting the difference, will be right up her alley; even so, she's got some work to do if Calistoga comes back at full strength.

Magic Mesa

Continues her good form; finished in the exacta in all 3 local starts and she's proven effective on dry land or slop so the surface won't matter; note a big 87 Beyer when 2nd here Dec. 6 - hey, that at least puts her in Calistoga's neighborhood so if she can duplicate and say Calistoga doesn't quite come back at full strength, well, stranger things have happened, right?

Salamera

G2 SP at SAR at 2 in 2012 and they thought enough after that to ship to SoCal and try a G1; that didn't go so well, then came a duel and fizzle in a G3 at DED and THEN came 13 months on the bench; that type of layoff is certainly worrisome but her 2 return tries this meet were solid (3r din each) and it's nice to see there's no layoff; has the versatility to give her rider options, too, and with 2 races under her belt after that long vacation could be she's ready for her top try - though whether that's enough to beat Calistoga is another matter. - Michael Hammersly

Race 9

Love Stanza Chance

Like to see that she's earned three wins racing over turf and she figures to appreciate getting back over grass after staying in an off-the-turf event in her latest outing; this barn has been live at this meeting and Lezcano has won with 3 of 6 mounts for this outfit at the current stand.

Stars Collide

Late running filly showed up with one of her better performances in her latest outing, but that was against 16k N2L claimers, and this is likely going to prove to be a tough step up in class for her; respect what she's done racing over this turf course, but leaning toward others.

Glorious Chant

Not only does she have a fine pedigree for turf, but she ran pretty well in her three starts over turf as a 3-year-old, and the winner from her latest race returned to win next out at Bel on 6/16 going 1 1/8m over turf in a 90k stakes with an 80 Beyer; recent workouts suggest that she's ready for her return to action.

Celtic Arch

She really hasn't run a bad race to date, but her one career victory was earned as an odds-on favorite, and she was beaten by today's rival Jade's Rainbow in her latest start; she has her share of appeal while going out for top connections, but prefer to look in another direction for the top spot.

Intelyhente

Full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Bel Air Beauty (2-9, 380k, including 1 of 5 turf starts for 128k) has flashed some ability through her first five starts and she looks like a decent fit at thsi level of competition, but she needs to avoid falling too far out of it through the opening stages to have her best chance.

Naples Gold

She's two-for-two in the quality start department to begin her career and she might be ready for her best performance to date while making her second start against winners and her second start for this barn; Bravo has won with 5 of 19 (26%) mounts for this outfit at the current meeting.

Jean's Surprise

She's done some nice work from 13 starts over turf while winning three of them, but she is one of three in here being sent out with a price tag attached, and it's tough to give her the nod over some of these when considering the upside they possess.

Clearbrook

Nicely bred filly is out of a stakes winning dam who won 4 of 12 turf starts for 158k, and this miss has shown enough in her four turf attempts to give her the look of a strong contender in this spot; Pompa-owned filly has a live look to her with John V. at the controls.

Jade's Rainbow

Her recent form has been her best, and she beat today's rival Celtic Arch just two starts back, but still having a tough times giving her a push for anything more than a minor award against these; it might be worth noting the presence of Saez aboard another in here.

Iffraaj Pink (IRE)

She made a favorable impression in her first start in America and this filly is a 1/2 to G1 winner Vale of York (3-7, $1.2 million); judging from her starts overseas, she owns better early speed than what she showed us last time, and going to look for her to be tough to deal with in this spot.

Indian Starlight

Her best effort appears to be strong enough to get her into the mix against these, and in a race that isn't loaded with early speed, she figures to be involved in the running right from the bell; not going to be surprised if she's in the hunt through the final furlong.

Win for Kitten

The 80 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field, and have to respect the fact that this filly has gotten the job done in three of four starts over this turf course.

Running Debi C

She's out of a multiple graded stakes placed dam who won 4 of 19 starts for 348k, including 3 of 12 turf starts for 246k, but this miss is going to need to show up with a much improved performance to get the job done after breaking from an extreme outside post. - Brian Pochman

Race 10

Blackstone

Sire is 1-for-52 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 2-0-0-0 grass dam; her only other foal to race on turf is 1-for-8 grasser Tevez (14K); won at longer in last when sitting just off the speed; she is likley to be forwardly placed on the price hike today; the 3-back runner-up finisher posted a 55 Beyer speed figure in a next-out TAM-16K-claiming win.

Who's Mary's Daddy

Was claimed off a career-best speed figure by a high-percentage 1st-off-the-purchase trainer; defeated the 5th and 7th-place finishers from last; they Beyered 75-66 in next-out GP-25K-16K-claiming wins; the 3-back winner repeated with a 77 speed figure taking a PID allowance.

Quality Kitten

The 1st start for a new trainer and 1st time on GP turf produced a fade vs. quicker has 47 days to regroup for this; her-KEE 8.5F synthetic-surface victory in October represents the field's best Beyer speed figure beating the runner-up finisher who Beyered 86-83 in next-out TAM-Grade 3 stakes and alw. wins.

Lily Hannah

Won fresh here January, 2013, but today's layoff is much longer; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 85 taking an AQU-optional-claimer next out; her November win was in a key race defeating the runner-up and show finishers; they Beyered 66-65 in next-out CD-15K-claiming wins.

Raro

Exits her lowest Beyer since May, 2012, exiting a loss where overmatched vs. stakes runners; nearly 10 weeks idle for a high-percentage fresh trainer adds to the appeal; the show finisher from last Beyered 85 taking a GP-OPC next out; the 3-back winner repeated in a GP-OPC with an 88 speed figure.

Viva Allegiance

Needed last start off the 46-day absence; hopes to turn the tables on Who's Mary's Daddy who beat her in last but she defeated the 5th and 7th-place finishers from last; they Beyered 75-66 in next-out GP-25K-16K-claiming wins; main issue is her career-best speed figure was sprinting.

Negrita Tata

All 3 wins on less-than-firm grass courses; her last time racing on wet turf was her September gate-to-wire win at longer than this; the 3-back victor repeated in a GP-OPC with a 90 Beyer; gets the highest weight assignment in 2014 today; view as a major pace presence.

Susies Gal

Beat the show runner from last who Beyered 81 in a next-out CRC-OPC win; leaves high-win percentage trainers which is not a good-win angle; 0-for-15 turf record is not easy to take but has raced well in defeat in several of her lawn losses; 103 days since the near-miss finish rallying at longer; 13 races ago was her last win September, 2010, on PID synthetic at 1 Mile in a 25K claimer.

Bend a Silver

Sandwiched 3 dismal efforts with 2 wins in last 5 races; which mare shows up for this?; 1st time racing on GP grass is a concern for a 5%-winning turf trainer since 2013; graduated at 1 Mile on grass stalking the speed; have mixed feelings.

Sense of a Woman

Claimed from 6 straight starts her form is so-so she must look great on the racetrack; faded in latest when purchased from a high-win percentage trainer which is not a good-win angle; the 2-back winner repeated in a DED-OPC with a 79 Beyer; the October runner-up finisher Beyered 61 taking a CD-20K-claimer next out.

Rewarding Moment

11-0-0-0 record since the August, 2012, gate-to-wire Mile win on MTH grass; long layoff for this does not help the cause likely to flash gate speed then hopes to hang on late for a share; the 3-back winner repeated in a DEL-25K claimer with a 72 Beyer.

Gran Sabana

Trainer fares well with similar-fresh runners; she is here off a 104-day absence; defeated the show runner from last who Beyered 64 in her next-out TAM-16K-claiming win; the 3-back show runner Beyered 63 in her next-out CRC-16K claiming victory.

Putitinmypocket

Main Track Only entry races for a high-percentage 1st-off-the-claim trainer; owns her best speed figure on a wet-main track; a TAM-2013 stakes winner at 7F on fast dirt; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 80 taking a GP-30K-claimer next out; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 78 winning a GP-OPC in her next start. - Art Gropper