Gulfstream: Closer Looks for February 16, 2014

Race 2

Explosive Image

Never fired over a sloppy strip for the second straight time last out off the claim by Handy; merits consideration for the lower rungs of exotics here if the track is fast; like the rider switch to the capable bug Davis.

Horned Frog

Improving 5yo placed in each of his last two outings, both in optional starters traveling a mile around one turn; 11-time winner is 6 for 10 going a mile and a sixteenth; Maker is 13 for 31 at the meet when using top jock Castellano; major player.

Hold That Camera

Has really struggled since he put up an 89 Beyer while crushing $25K conditioned stock Oct. 25 at Calder; 6yo is shareless over the Gulfstream main track, and has done the bulk of his damage on the grass; doubtful.

Liberty Wing

4yo is dropping to a new low off a series of fringe finishes, over Keeneland's Polytrack and here on the dirt; his last race here Dec. 21 has yet to produce a next-out winner; has won going long on the dirt in the past, but is seemingly out of his league with these.

He's So Proud

The probable favorite earned a juicy 90 Beyer in his gate-to-wire score in a one-mile optional starter 11 days ago; rejuvenated 6yo has maintained solid form since the fall, and has proven to be well worth the $6.25K he was claimed for Jan. 5; hard to go past, even while returning to action on fairly short rest.

Red Hills

Finished up the track in each of his four most recent appearances, which included two stakes here going a mile and a sixteenth; 10-time winner is cheapening up while retaining Saez, who's 1 for 4 at the meet for this trainer; appears to be over the top. - Ron Gierkink

Race 3

Law Dog

He has run some nice races sprinting over turf in his career but he must find a way to improve over what he's been doing lately in order to have a say in the outcome and he's likely going to feel heavy early pace pressure after breaking from the rail post.

Drama Coach

He's the only one in here making his first start against winners, and he had to be dropped in with 25k maiden claimers last time, but his two turf starts have been respectable performances, and Castellano has won with 13 of 31 (42%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Mr. William

When looking at what this lightly raced 5-year-old has done in his three starts sprinting over turf, the turn back in distance can prove to be a key, and the winner from his latest race returned to win next out here on 1/3 going 1 1/16m vs. starter alw. rivals with an 85 Beyer.

At Large

Have to respect the ability that he's shown in two of his first three starts sprinting over turf, and perhaps he can prove to be capable of even better if he can get away from the gate in better order; feel that he merits contender status.

Red Roncho

He's run pretty well in four of his five starts over turf and it doesn't hurt to see that both of his starts at today's distance have been solid performances; feel that he's another in here that can't be counted out of it.

Imperial Robyn

Not wild about Imperialism as a turf sire, but this 5-year-old has already demonstrated the ability to produce a competitive performance against competition of this caliber, and he hauls the best last race Beyer Speed Figure into this event; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 2/8 going 5f over turf vs. 25k OPC's with an 85 Beyer.

Bear's Big Boy

His overall form has been solid and perhaps he just didn't care for the dirt surface beneath him in his latest start; note that he didn't finish all that far behind one of today's key rivals in Imperial Robyn two starts back.

Alpha Slew

He's another in here who commands some respect for what he says shown himself to be capable of sprinting over turf, but in a race that has a good deal of early speed in it, he might have a tough time avoiding ground loss after breaking from the outside post. - Brian Pochman

Race 5

Eye of the World

Have to wonder about the drastic drop in class for him, and his complete lack of early speed is obviously a concern, but his best effort is clearly strong enough to make him a player in this spot; winner from latest won next out at FG on 12/27 going 1m 70y vs. N1X rivals with a 90 Beyer.

Twin Engine Jet

He produced his best performance to date with the move to turf in his latest outing, but he was beaten by today's rival Layover in Tokyo in that race, and it's still tough to give him a favorable push against these.

Layover in Tokyo

He's run well in back-to-back starts to begin his career, including a turf start in his latest outing, and this has to be considered an ideal spot for him to get over the Gulfstream Park turf course for the first time.

So Cozzy

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 3 of 40 starts for 63k, including 1 of 15 turf starts for 31k; it looks like he recorded a decent four-furlong workout over turf on January 22 in preparation for this.

Bythe Grace of God

Leading the Parade has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this gelding has been outrun at every point of call in his first two starts; he has the look of an outsider.

Rontos' Dream

His best effort is fast enough to make him a player in this spot, and seven of his eight turf starts have been over this turf course; a little concerned when seeing that he's seeking his first win in his 13th start, but this does look like a decent spot for him to land in.

Magnificent Moon

He's run races over turf in his career that are plenty strong enough to suggest that he can make things tough on these on his best day, but he's still a maiden after 19 starts, and it would have been nice to have seen him show more in his first start back from a long layoff in his latest outing.

Dragon Tail

He's winless after 23 starts and he's going to need to find his way back to one of his better performances if he's planning on having a say in the outcome against these.

Bahia Via

Not only is he making his first start since September 2012, but he really didn't show all that much in his first two starts; a few of his recent workouts look okay, but prefer to look toward others.

Blockade Runner

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam was winless from five starts, including three turf starts; he's making his turf debut for a top turf barn and Castellano has won with 13 of 31 (42%) mounts for this outfit at the current meeting.

Windworthy

Late running type had every right to need his most recent race while making his first start back from a layoff, but it does look like he's going to need to step up with a career best effort if he's to have a chance at something more than a minor award. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Another Blue

Upbeat breeze pattern for this beginner; her sire is sprint champ Midnight Lute who won a total of 2.69 million and whose offspring have won 8 out of 104 debuts; the dam was unraced; winning siblings include 47K earner Wall Street Miss.

Little Miss Brown

Had a difficult first time out while favored at Saratoga last summer; her sire won two-thirds of the Triple Crown and 3.61 million; the dam won 4 of 13 and 83K; sib to 143K earner She's an Alpha Gem.

Richiesredhothoney

Respectable showing first time out while failing to maintain a straight path in the stretch; her sire won 1 of 2 and 33K while the dam did not compete; winning siblings include 26K bankroller Pleasant Vow.

Predicate

Granted many chances but earned a personal best Beyer when outfinished by Whomping Willow last month; might be able to turn the tables if the early fractions are much more heated this afternoon.

Secret Someone

Sheds the blinkers after being caught up in a speed duel in that second try at a mile; her sire is multiple G1 giant A.P. Indy who captured 2.97 million; the dam won 5 of 19 and 212K; winning siblings include 111K earner Protetiza.

Charlotte's Quest

Stayed on with the pace until mid-stretch in her first route attempt last month; her sire won a G1 and 1.13 million while the dam won 1 of 5 and 17K; winning siblings include 113K earner Merryland Moon; can improve on this cutback.

Lady Marian

Best effort was 2 back when a respectable fourth; failed to make an impact when negotiating 2 turns for the first time thereafter; she breezed in improved fashion 8 days ago but is another member of this line-up who needs a strong pace in order to have a realistic chance.

Money Game

Took a while to get into gear in her last assignment but finished deceptively well behind a blowout winner; was a clear-cut second in her previous sprint try and might prove one of the strongest ralliers from midpack this afternoon.

Whomping Willow

Game in defeat in her only start since October, she is one of the obvious true contenders today; ran into some superior groups at the beginning of her career at Churchill and appears nicely spotted this afternoon; latest half-mile breeze was solid.

Lucknow

Newcomer hails from Medaglia d'Oro, winner of multiple G1s and 5.75 million (his descendants have won 10 percent of their first races); the dam was a G2 winner who netted 248K; sib to G1 victor Better Lucky who earned 858K.

Hanalei Hailey

Progeny of Malibu Moon, who won 1 of 2 and 33K, have scored in 105 out of 742 initial starts; the dam won 3 of 11 and 298K; among the winning siblings is 168K earner Scampering; excellent trainer/jockey combo at the controls. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Timark

Sheds some weight with the capable bug named after getting beaten just a few lengths in his local debut; gelding did earn a number in that one that fits here and there is a little bit of speed in here to set up his run; consider.

Pontual

Offered early lick after drawing the fence in his return to the green but had little left late; he'll again start from a post that should allow him to flaunt his lick, but he'll encounter other speed in this heat and will likely again find it tough to go on in the lane; keeps things going up top.

Saturday's for Fun

Fresh gelding doesn't have much early lick and it's been quite a while since that maiden score; his more recent tries don't suggest that he's going to show up with enough to threaten the bigger guys in here; have to pass on him in this spot.

Get Back

Wasn't a threat at the level in his second start off the freshening; pilot sticks with a runner who had run well here last year and when right he does possess the positional foot to secure a spot tracking the pacesetters; may be set to take a step forward at an improved price.

No Appreciation

Hasn't been close in a while and his last on the main track at this level was pretty poor; gelding failed to lift a hoof while sprinting 2 back on the Calder green and it doesn't look like even on his best he's a fit in this spot; tough to make a case for this longshot.

Ingenuity

Eighth time proved the charm as he wired maidens over a wet track a few weeks back; he's got speed and that should help put him up with the pacesetters early and he has run pretty well over the green; last local sod effort in late fall was sharp and if he runs back to it he could prove to be the one to beat here.

Profound

Pricey yearling buy came around when dropped in with cheap claimers on the local lawn 11 days ago, showing early foot he hadn't previously; colt may be ready for another good one now that he's figured the game out, but he'll tackle winners here and the presence of other lick won't make things easy for him; have to side against the repeat.

Catduel

Wide trips hurt him in his last 2 starts, but none of his handful of starts prior to that was much at all; barn will return him quickly to try the lawn and they've had some recent luck on the surface switch, but he looks to be in tough today and looms a long price.

James Jingle

Hood goes on for his first local start under a new barn's care after being given time off his most recent poor effort in new York; he may have been facing better up there but it's been quite some time since he's shown much of anything; barn does boast a recent winner with this type but can only watch this statebred from out here today.

Il Volo

Took a step back last time after earning a series of competitive numbers over the local sod this season; like most of these he's settled for a lot of minor awards and he starts from a tough draw, but his off the pace style should get a decent set up; contender. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Sorocaima

1st Lasix, 1st Turf and 2nd-time out produced a 43-point Beyer speed figure increase but was still outrun throughout; cutting back in distance for this late runner would not appear to benefit; 32-day absence for a 1-for-21 fresh trainer since 2013 suggest to take a wait and see approach.

Rumble Time

His Jan 24 turf workout suggests we will see a big race on the lawn today; sire is 6-for-65 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 3-for-12 grass dam (144K) who produced 78K-turfer Canadian Flag (2-for-8 grass); educational unveiling off slowly from the gate; most runners improve 2nd-time out while adding Lasix with 120 days away to regroup for a 12%-fresh trainer.

Ben Jacob

1st-off-the-claim 1st-Lasix race comes back as a career-best Beyer; did not finish better than 6th in 3 other grass races so returing to the green today brings obvious concerns including the barn's 0-for-11 record with the dirt-to-turf angle since 2013.

Reach for Yield

Sire is 10-for-53 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 1-for-6 grass dam (9K); 5 of 9 foals to race on turf are grass winners including 123K-turfer Lucky Pulpit (2-for-14 grass); MSW-to-maiden-claiming drop angle yields 28% winners for his trainer; owns many-strong win angles.

Boss Man Mike

Is the one to catch here; he may end up racing loose on the lead; near-miss finish in his 2nd-career start at 1MIle on grass is a field-best Beyer speed figure but has defeated only 3 runners combined since; his debut loss saw the winner and runner-up Beyer 77-70 in next-out KEE-Grade 3 stakes-MSW wins.

My Little Jet

Passed a few at longer while tests the GP grass for the 1st time ever; today is the shortest-distance test of his career; when he has hit the board the gate break was sharper and will need an alert beginning to make any impact here; the show finish Nov 30 on wet turf looks better since the winner repeated with a 77 Beyer taking a GP-optional claimer.

Grizzle

Trainer has just 1 other 1st-off-the-claim starter since 2013 and that one was a winner; his slop-show finish looks better since the runner-up finisher graduated next out in a GP-25K-maiden claimer; gets the lightest-weight assignment and shortest-distance test ever for this trying to pay immediate dividends for the newest connections.

Ellie's Prince

Sire is 2-for-51 with 1st-turf starters; 7-for-106 with debut runners; is out of a 2-for-8 dam (31K) who won her 4th-career start and finished 6th in her only grass start; she produced 2 winners from 3 other foals to race with top-earner 52K-One That Got Away (6-for-12); her 2 foals to race on grass are 0-for-3 combined. - Art Gropper

Race 9

Pecky's Boy

The 79 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field, and this veteran sports some of the faster and more consistent overall turf form in here; note that he's won 5 of 10 over turf, including 4 of 7 over this turf course.

Straight Town

He displayed some solid form racing over turf in 2013 but he does have to be approached with caution when seeing what he's done in his two most recent races; not going to be surprised if he runs well in this spot, but he does have a shaky look to him.

Hugo Light

There was a time in his career when he would have looked very good in a spot like this but it's difficult to place much confidence in him when seen what he's been up to lately; note that he's winless from 13 starts over this turf course.

Troubles Comin

He does own a win routing over turf, but it just looks like he's more effective sprinting, and without the possibility of an easy and uncontested early lead, this might prove to be a tough assignment for him.

Tapit's Brew

He doesn't look like a bad fit at this level of competition but he is probably going to need to see a few of these take a step backward in order to have a chance at the top spot; it might be best to limit him to a minor award.

Dreaming of Danny

This gelding appears to be taking a sensible drop in class for a capable turf barn and like the idea of him stretching back out in distance after trying a turf dash in his latest outing; feel that he deserves to be listed among the contenders.

Mean Sax

Stakes winning veteran ran some nice races at this level of competition in 2013 and feel that he's eligible to be ready to give a solid account of himself while making his second start of 2014.

Kentucky Hero

His turf form hasn't been all that bad, but the Gulfstream Park turf course hasn't been all that kind to him, and he will need to step it up over his previous best performance to have a say in the outcome.

Beer Garden

He has some back class to call upon, and it was nice to see him show up with a better effort while making his second start for this barn in his latest outing, but he must improve over what he's been doing lately in order to contend.

Money in Motion

Although he has just a single victory in his last 29 starts going back through 2012, this really doesn't look like a bad spot for him to make his first start back from a layoff and his first start for a new barn; interesting to see Leparoux get the call for this. - Brian Pochman

Race 10

Gamay Noir

This race has been won by some nice horses over the decades including Awesome Maria (twice) and champ Royal Delta last year; toss last as she could not stand up in the off going; she got a feel of the strip but has arch rival in Arch to deal with among others; clever barn due for some luck, check out the 21 slices this meet.

Rose to Gold

Love the fact she has speed but doesn't need the lead to succeed; she got good for about a month at Oaklawn last year; she beat a nice horse last time as the place horse was coming off a win in a $300K stakes at Zia; she has put wins together before; respect.

Kipling's Joy

The other Wolfson, this miss has to prove she can win on dirt; she was losing a bit of ground late in the last try on dirt when she caught the mud; nice move to pick up 5 lengths to the top of the lane in last; may need softer to shine.

Sweet N Discreet

Would expect this one to have the rabbit duties of the Pletcher runners in here; she did settle nicely in last but can also give you a sub :45 half; she seems comfortable routing and note place horse was well clear in last; another threat with slight improvement.

Triple Arch

This is an ambitious placing; she has never won a stakes and now tries the Grade 2; the place horse 2 back cashed in a $62.5K optional next out with a 90 Beyer; respect barn, but she may be biting off more than she can chew here.

Devil's Cave

She tried hard but could not hold off the Pletcher last time; this youngster turned to corner once she got off the grass; could see her getting a nice stalk and rally trip this time; last angle to think about: this rider is 36% in the last year when getting a leg up from Wolfson.

Angelica Zapata

Must respect her consistency; she just shows up, punches the clock and goes to work; her tactical speed will give her first run on the deep closers and note she won the last time she was on dirt; contention goes deep.

Private Ensign

Precocious early in her career, connections thought enough of her to try the big gals last year and she came back running to open up 2014; show horse in last cashed next out in a $40K CRC optional; the winner of her May finale won 3 times since, the last in a Grade 1 at KEE with a 95 Beyer; a move forward and she will be a valid factor. - Brian Mulligan

Race 11

Little Zoe

Looked good last spring at a 2yo sale in a :10.60 workout for one-furlong as she showed a long, smooth stride; her sire was 0 for 1 on turf but he is 12% with grass winners/starters and 8% as an overall debut sire; barn recently had a smart debut winner.

Ready Player One

Her experience and her recent race on the grass will make her one of the popular ones with bettors; she was a bit too eager early in the race then lost ground on the last turn before closing very nicely behind a well regarded winner; like the quick workout time on the 7th; a player.

Purrfect Ride

Bred by the owner, she is by a hot sire who is above average at 14% with debut winners from starters; the sire is also above average with turf winners from starters at 15%; unraced mare is out of a 2yo champion filly Silken Cat; has any number of super workout times; respect.

Blush Again

Blinkers will be this well related gal by a hot sire; she had a rough beginning to her career and then faded in her grass debut; trainer has a high rate of winning when he puts on blinkers but a 3rd different rider is aboard and she seems to have work to do.

Little Gidding

Mineshaft is just 6% as a debut sire and he is average at 10% with grass winners from starters; this is the first foal of a mare who was 1 for 16 on turf (2 for 11 on other surfaces); has some nice prep times.

Camryn's Gem

One of 2 for the trainer in the race and she looked like she was on her way to a win last time after a tough journey; she was steadied at the start and then checked hard into the first turn; she made a long, sustained run to the lead down the backstretch but then was overpowered in the stretch; this could be her day.

Itsreigningkittens

She is a homebred by the top sire who is well above average as an overall debut sire (16%) and he's a strong turf sire too; 1st foal of a mare who won 2 races, both on the grass; barn and jock are a deadly combo.

Lusaka

Her sire is 16% and above average as a debut sire and he is 15% as a grass sire; the mare was 3rd in her only race as a 2yo; from the top stable that has had turf debut winners at the meeting this year.

Queen's Parade

She is by an 11% debut sire who is better at 15% as a grass sire; this is the 1st foal of a well bred mare who was placed in the slop; jock gets a rare ride for this barn.

Annie Walker

Annie is by a very good grass debut sire - he clicks at about 14% with such winners from starters; mare was a stakes winner who loved the grass and she has a Mizzen Mast foal who won on turf; trainer Hushion is 31% winning with 2nd time starters in last 5 years, 13% with 1st time turf but 0 for 12 when putting a horse on grass for the first time in its 2nd race.

Gamblers Rose

Pulpit is an average grass debut sire at 10% and the mare was unplaced in 1 grass race, 2 dirt races; mare has had 4 turf starters, no winners; has shown lots of promise on the dirt but not sure about the grass.

Cinnamon Spice

Another beginner by this hot sire who is above average as a debut and grass sire; sprint winning mare has had 2 other foals: Grade 1 winning 2yo Violence, who won his career debut and Canadian debut winner Laertes, who won that debut on grass; from a good barn and has to be included.

Dharana

Street Cry is a low percentage sire of debut winners from starters but strong as a grass sire at 16% winners/starters; 1st foal of a Grade 1 winning mare (she won the Frizette as a 2yo) but Sutra never tested grass; tough post but big prep times for top stable.- Jennifer Morrison