Gulfstream: Closer Looks for February 26, 2014

Race 1

Gifted Ruler

Speedy gray moves to the fence while dropping in half in claiming price following another fade in his turf debut; there doesn't look to be much other lick in here so expect this top new pilot to push him hard from the bell; he'll have an added half panel to deal with today and that may not benefit him, but it looks like they'll have to run him down to win.

Haylen Returns

Offered little in his 2 surface tries here this meeting and returns from the freshening with a couple of easy breezes on his tab; his lone sib was a 3 time turf winner and he did offer some improved lick in his second career start, but he's got a long way to go to step in here; just watching.

Gridiron Great

Gelding has had plenty of chances and has earned some minor awards on this footing; he's run fast enough in the past to get involved here and maybe the last out off the turf sprint helped sharpen his early lick; barn hasn't had a lot of luck at the stand, but this one is worth an exotics look.

Wake Up and Go

New York bred gets Lasix for his return to the lawn after failing to pick up his feet over a wet local main track; he's kin to 3 multiple turf winners including 2 who each banked over 6 figures so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him take a good step forward in his second start over the footing; price should be right and Rosario sticks with him.

To the Stars

Made up some ground late in his second start of the stand while running for twice this price; softer bunch and today's added half panel should help his kick and he doesn't face a particularly tough bunch; he's had his share of chances and the barn isn't going so well here, but he should be rolling in the lane.

Diane's Dannyboy

Five year old makes his surface debut after another lengthy defeat on the Calder main track; barn hasn't had any recent luck moving them to the green and this guy's sire is just 1 for 22 with his initial turf starters; he's the first foal to race out of an unraced dam.

Scorpion Al

Runner up in his last 2 brings solid positional lick to the table after failing to capitalize on solid trip when stretched back out to this level; gelding could find himself tracking the front runner here and that guy has had has stamina issues so maybe he's in the right spot to inherit if he begins to back up; consider.

Ohthgift

Enters this fresh after offering little against MSWs in his first local spin; gelding has never run this cheaply so maybe that proves key as he has earned numbers in Canada that would put him in the mix here; prefer to limit his use to underneath in exotics in this spot.

Trade Rumor

He's had more tries than any of his foes and didn't make much of an impact in his troubled first local try; he does drop in half in claiming price while being offered at a career low level for a barn that's been all around the money without winning at the stand but he'll start from another outside slot and won't have it easy from here.

Succesful Brothers

MTO was beaten chalk in each of his 2 starts at the local stand and now he'll stretch out if the rains come; gelding's career best Beyer did come going long here last winter and maybe he's now set for his best; they'll have him to beat at another short price if this gets moved off the green.-Steve Grabowski

Race 2

Spa City Treasure

Sire Shakespeare gets over 6% debut winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 7 of 8, all on turf, for $1.2 million, won G1 Joe Hirsch, G1 Atto Mile, also a G2 SW; dam has 2 winners from 3 foals; dam was off the board in 2 starts; nice work Feb. 15 and Kassen is 1 for last 3 (33%) first time out, and that win was with a maiden claimer; still, you're always a bit worried when they don't kick off their career until they're a 5yo.

Montesarchio

Tough to be too enthused; yet to make a dent in 10 starts and what's worse is more than a few of those came vs. cheaper than he faces today; freshened and drops a bit and at least Saez sees fit toi ride; 6 of 9 sibs to race are winners including Finn McCool (2 wins, $56K, SP).

K C Wiegmann

Debut wasn't pretty at all but hey, it was just his debut so you can be a bit forgiving; not only did he have an awkward start but it also came vs. $50K foes; so, he now has that run under his belt and a big drop, and there are 3 very works since to encourage; 4 of 5 sibs are winners including Bulaga (3 wins, $65K).

Three Part Monty

Good news is he comes out of a real nice heat (produced 3 next-out winners); bad news is he was no factor after a slow start (finished 6th of 8) so he might not deserve too many bonus points for exiting a key heat; also, that was Oct. 6 - he hasn't been seen since; at least he moves up in price for his return and there's a snappy :47.80Bg work here Feb. 14 to encourage; 1 of 4 sibs is a winner.

Iskha

Talent shown last summer/fall, though it's worth noting those good races all came on turf, as has all his activity; tries dirt for the first time here but at least is bred for it being by a G1 dirt SW who sired the likes of HOY Rachel Alexandra; in other words, dirt is in the pedigree; back in a hurry, which is a good sign, too; 4 of 6 sibs are winners including Macias (7 wins, $306K, 3 SWs, multiple SP including a G3, all in SoCal).

Tiz Naughty

Sire Tiznow gets over 7% debut winners; sire won 8 of 15 for $6.4 million, won G1 BC Classic (twice), G1 Super Derby, G1 SA Handicap, mulitple G1 SP, was HOY; dam's 1st foal; dam won 4 of 12 for $224K, was G1 SW in Brazil, G2 SW and SP on turf in SoCal; plenty of works so there appears to be a foundation here and it's not as if he's facing any monsters in his debut.-Michael Hammersly

Race 4

Mandola

Colt has trained steadily here for clever barn and the drills are fast for this stable that is overdue to get rolling; winner of last repeated in an N1X with an 85 Beyer; he settled fairly close up in last but may be better served from farther off the pace like the maiden breaker; don't sell too short.

Rakete

It took him what seems like forever to get there but the races vs. winners have been decent; if you figure he just hated the off going of late one can build a case for a move forward; far from disgraced in the grass outing last August; rates legit look here.

Ezzthetic

Hard to be overly positive off the two dull turf tries; there are several grass winners in the family and note this guy did graduate off the vacation; clever barn due for some luck, check out the dozen slices this meet.

Native Gold

He was losing a little ground late in the win at 7 furlongs but has the 2 races to draw from now; runner should have his sea legs under him now, and one can build a case for a nice stalk and pounce journey; rates upset glance.

I'm Star Struck

Only one poor race vs. winners and he caught the yielding course that day; 3 clear last time in the tough beat as he takes a lateral trainer move; the race over the course can only help; respect.

Bea Wildcat

Wildcat Heir about 15% with first-time turfers in a 158-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, took a Grade 1, went on to bank over $400K; dam took 4 sprints, earned about $70K, lost only turf out; there is one turf winner in the family and he graduated on the grass first time he tasted the stuff; another slice.

Our Ritz

Put it Back about 10% with first-time turfers in a 217-runner sample; sire won a Grade 2, never turfed, earned over $200K; dam was 0 for 3; there is a double turf winner in the family that routed on turf successfully and another sibling that banked over $185K; look for rider to send and try to steal it.

Miraculousmo

J Be K zero for 5 with first-time turfers; Grade 2 winning sire took 5 of 9, banked nearly $450K, never turfed; dam was unraced; top kin and half bro Biddy won twice on turf and banked $170K; needs wake up call.

Starship Avenger

Don't be too harsh about last as he could not stand up in the off going; 1/15 show horse won next out in a $20K N2L fray with a 75 Beyer; a repeat of the January efforts and he will be right in the thick of things.

Forever Conga

Proven on the course, wide 2 back but he has the 3 races to build on now; he got kind of a strange trip in last but made a nice middle move to pick up nearly 7 lengths at one point; must be left in the exotic conversation at least.-Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Ocean Seven (IRE)

Half-brother to Goldikova made a favorable impression when getting over this turf course for the seocnd time in his latest outing, but he has been beaten by a few of today's rivals in his two most recent races, and his complete lack of early speed means that he needs to see a lot of pieces fall into place in order to have a say in the outcome.

Global Express

He didn't run poorly in his first start as a 4-year-old in his latest outing and he really didn't finish all that far behind a few of today's rivals in that event; his overall form going long over turf has been solid and like to see that he owns the ability to get himself forwardly placed through the opening stages.

O'Prado Ole

This colt has a strong turf pedigree and he stepped up his game nicely to close out his 4-year-old season; he figures to appreciate the drop in class for this and the winner of his latest race returned to win next out here on 12/22 going 1 1/16m in a 100k stakes with a 104 Beyer.

Treasury Devil

Not wild about Bernardini as a turf sire but this gelding is out of a dam who was a G1 winner racing overseas, and if he performs the way he did over turf two and three starts back, he can prove to be tough to tackle in this spot; in a race that is likely going to have a very slow early tempo, this gelding has the speed to help give himself a tactical edge.

Dannhauser

Multiple stakes winner will appreciate the drop in class after a long run of stakes attempts, and he is capable of being at his best at today's 1 7/16m distance; like to see the way that he's been forwardly placed early on in his two most recent races as he figures to be involved in a slow early pace today.

Draw Two

Feel that he's one of the more talented performers in this race, and even though it remains to be seen how effective he can be going this far, he has run pretty well in a couple of tough spots going 1 1/4m; a little concerned about him falling too far out of it early on, but Velazquez was aboard for the near-miss performance in his latest start, and going to look for this colt to be in the hunt through the closing stages.

Fear the Kitten

He's multiple graded stakes placed racing over dirt, something to consider if this race has to be moved to the main track, and he hasn't performed badly in his three turf atttempts, all against stakes competition; Leparoux has won with 7 of 20 (35%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Cozy Kitten

He carries multiple graded stakes placed credentials with him, and prior to trying a G2 event in his latest outing, he was a sharp winner over this turf course at today's distance in a race that featured a number of today's rivals.

Wonderful Breeze

Have to respect the form that he's displayed in his last two starts over this turf course and he owns enough early speed to help get himself well positioned in a race that looks like it's going to have a slow early tempo; not going to be surprised if he's involved in the running throughout.

Tattenham

He chased today's rival Cozy Kitten to the finish in his latest start but that was a fine run for his first start as a 4-year-old and he's eligble to be ready to take a step forward over that performance; it looks like he's trained well this month in preparation for this.

State Flag

His best effort doesn't appear to be strong enough to get the job done in this spot, but he is showing up for Ramsey and Maker, and Castellano has won with 19 of 42 (45%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting; prefer Fear the Kitten of the two Maker-trained horses in here.-Brian Pochman

Race 7

Speechify

Draws the fence for his turf debut while also making his first start in the stakes ranks off a couple of sharp main track breezes; his sire gets 12% first surface winners from his offspring and the SP dam never tried the green prior to dropping one foal who failed to hit the board in his first start over the footing; he lures a top pilot and has sharp positional foot but there's a good amount of lick signed on for this one so though he's got some ability he won't have it easy in here.

Varsity

Local trip SW earned a career best number in wiring stakes runners off a freshening from an inside draw here last winter; 7 year old's lick has been dulled a bit of late, but he has shown a solid tracking gear and his affinity for this course can't be denied; off a few solid interim breezes he figures dangerous.

Bold Thunder

Led through swift splits in his stakes debut here earlier in the month but didn't have enough left late and was run past by several of these; maybe he's tighter third back from the break and he did wire a cheaper bunch over the course in his first start of the year; expect he'll again be prominent from the bell, but with other speed in here he'll have to work hard every step of the way.

Travelin Man

Six year old ran big from well out of it after losing his best shot at the break of his surface debut and split a couple of these at the wire; barn's first call pilot will get aboard and the pace in front of him figures to be hot; if he gets off to a better beginning he could find himself in a great spot; contender.

Weekend Hideaway

New York bred makes his first start since the summer at Saratoga from where he sent to the bench off the fade in an overnight stake after taking a similar heat at Belmont in his surface debut; he's working well of late on dirt for his return, but it looks like he wants the lead and that won't be an easy spot to secure in here.

Wicked Tune

Local lover took down stakes foes after sitting a nice trip in his return to the stakes level in his second start of the year; 7 year old continued on a nice run once he broke through here last winter and maybe he's set to do the same in this spot, but he'll pick up weight and the guy he just held off last time can't help but have better racing luck today; siding against the repeat.

The Brothers War

Gets Lasix for the first time while returning from 7 months on the shelf; colt ran well fresh in France last year and his lone stateside start at Saratoga was compromised by a rough start; pace should be right up his alley and a top surface pilot will get aboard for the comebacker.

Fiddlers Patriot

Eight year old makes his first start in over 19 months after a career best triple digit Beyer sent him to the shelf; New York bred has more than held his own in graded stakes company and he'll get the services of a top pilot for his return; he's working well and has done some of his better running fresh, but it's hard to imagine he doesn't need one off this long hiatus.

Partyallnightlong

Wasn't beaten much behind some of today's foes over a course with some give in it last time; he was sharp in an off the pace victory over firm footing 2 back and maybe he's set to get back on track given a similar surface condition and a solid clip in front of him; worth a look at a price.

Determinato

Outside drawn gelding wasn't good enough late after pressing the pace from a similar starting spot earlier in the month and finished behind a couple of today's foes; his better tries have come on the lead and from out here he could find himself stuck chasing in a wide spot which wouldn't make it easy for him to go on in the lane; keeps the pace going but don't think he'll prove a big threat at the finish.-Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Love Doctor Bill

Won his career debut on grass which is why we were expecting a lot better effort in his green return for last when checking in behind Dreamalot; win rider and pilot of last sides with Rapacious for this; the 2-back runner-up finisher posted a 70 Beyer speed figure in his next-out CD-$7,500-claiming win.

Birimbao

Cuts back to his shortest distance on turf trying to hang on late; 6-year-old's raced on the lead in all 4 career starts; Face the Race and Start Up both both want the lead which doesn't help his victory chances much; the debut win at 6F on dirt was the winner beating the runner-up finisher who Beyered 47 in his next-out TDN-$7,500-maiden-claiming win.

Happy Runner

Stamina has been lacking since the October-stalking trip at 2F shorter on dirt; projects to stalk the speedsters to the front then hopes to get 1st run on the closers; one good sign is latest was 1st start ever without front wraps; view as a pace presence for part.

Celtics Stride

Sire is 1-for-17 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam who produced 2 winners from 3 other foals to race but none competed on grass; was outfinished in last at shorter which makes his-longest distance test ever today a huge-stamina concern.

Start Up

Another runner with stamina issues noting his only win was on the lead; a speed duel with Face the Race and Birimbao is possible which wouldn't help either frontrunner but would aid the closers; lost to Face the Race in most recent while in this field projects to be part of a hotly-contested pace.

Fiddlers Tango

Saw none of the closing kick in last he displayed vs. maidens winning his 12th try; removed the front wraps for last off the graduation score but he did not fire at all in last seeking the right level again today; beat the 3-back show finisher who graduated next out in a CRC-25K-maiden claimer with a 66 Beyer.

Rapacious

Needs to bounce back big 2nd time off the layoff to make any impact here off recent form; is a closer in a race loaded with gate speed while the rider keeps the faith when having another optiion here; his field-best Beyer speed figure was following a 59-day layoff at longer on GP grass which is why we expected a lot more run out of last; returned for last with front wraps on then delivered his 3rd straight off-the-board finish; the 2-back winner repeated in an IND-optional claimer with an 87 Beyer.

Giddy Up Amigo

Primed for this at longer; he is 0-for-4 in races at 1 Mile or under while stepping up in claiming price off a loss is not a good-win angle; only time he raced on turf flashed speed at longer but ended up 8th; would have to be considered an outsider here.

Dreamalot

Should get a dream setup being a closer in a field top heavy with suspect-stamina runners including 3-pure-speed runners in Face the Race, Birimbao and Start Up; 1st time for this price tag at the distance was a solid-rallying effort while 2-back the show runner Beyered 75 in a next-out GP-20K-claiming win; he beat the 3-back show runner a next-out 70 speed figure GP-16K-maiden-claiming graduate; the pick.

Steel Guitar

Not a great sign that in his 2nd race off the claim he posted a career-low Beyer; perhaps he needs to return to the 5F or 5.5F trip to see best-form again?; lone win with blinkers on and they are back for this trying to wake up his form; the 2-back runner-up Beyered 84 in a next-out GP-optional-claiming win; on synthetic 3-back was necked by the winner who repeated in an AP-16K claimer with an 80 speed figure.

A Nice Rendition

Have to rank him a notch below the top contenders off recent losses when lacking stamina; graduated on the lead at today's distance but does not project to get the front here with face the Race, Start Up and Birimbao signed on for this; the 3-back winner repeated in a GP-OPC with an 86 Beyer.

Face the Race

1st blinkers is a high-percentage win move from the trainer; exits his best race since the January claim; was purchased off a career-best Beyer when 2nd best vs. the winner who repeated in a GP-16K-claimer with an 82 speed figure; main concern is being used on a hot pace; has speed in a race filled with it including Birimbao and Start Up.

Kiton

Main Track Only entry with Start Up the major-dirt danger owning strong-main track Beyers; Face the Race beat him on turf 3-back as they chased an 82-Beyer repeat winner; seeks the right level off the wet-track stalking-trip win 2-back; figures to be doing the rain dance for this; clearly has something to prove racing this far (0-for-6 in races at 7.5F or longer during career).

Defiant

Adds more-gate speed if gets in off the also eligible list; have 3 pure-speed runners breaking inside of him although cutting back to 7.5F isn't a bad idea noting his maiden breaker at 7F; best Beyer occurred on a yielding-turf course but hasn't fired anywhere close to that effort in subsequent grass losses.

Ayrton

A lot to like if gets in; exits a career-best Beyer when closing well when reuniting with win rider Zayas who is back for this; gets a hot pace to rally into; obviously the main concern is if he can get up in time noting his lone win at 1F longer than this.-Art Gropper

Race 9

Sharp Words

This filly can run some; forced to steady in the debut, she looked good stretching out and she had the excuse of the slop last time; it's also never simple to beat winners right back; 2 solid drills since the last effort and the move last Wednesday should have her on her toes; expect rider to be aggressive and send hard here to avoid getting shuffled.

Gdansk

One of 3 in the field that have won twice, miss nearly overcame the slow start in last but she had broken poorly in the past; there seems to be enough speed in here to help promote the kick and would expect hot rider to get miss to settle, try to save ground, make the late kick; Castellano had 6 happy endings Saturday and won 8 races over the weekend.

Hard Knocking Lady

She got a feel of going long in last but was only a brief threat; note she was getting a little tired in the lone sprint win; she has to prove she can go this far but half sister Tantaliza did win routing; look for her late if at all.

Gotaheartofgold

Youngster came back to drilled decently since winning at this very level; she was extended and we really don't know how much it may have taken out of her but she had a right to have a decent career and sibling Our Tune took a stakes, banked nearly $250K; too sharp to ignore.

Another Incident

Only a brief threat in last but maybe she didn't like the slop; she graduated in the mud but all off surfaces are different; decent move 8 days ago as a more experienced pilot is hired; homebred should offer value but will have to hurry.

Run Hide My Girl

Nice middle move to pick up nearly 10 lengths and then she just kept going in the debut; miss kept to her task in last despite possibly not caring for the slop; fit enough to drill a couple of times since hooking the Collazo runner and must be at least left in the exotic mix again.

Ultra Violet

Bothered early on a surface she may not have cared for 2 back, youngster was keen to run last time and just kept going; she was getting late and now has to go a furlong farther; 11/17 winner repeated won twice since, the last in a $25K claimer here with a 78 Beyer; probably has to improve to repeat.

Stately Defence

Connections thought enough of her to try the stakes in the third start and she was not disgraced considering the new surface and the fact she was steadied; the winner of last repeated here last Saturday in the Grade 2 Davona Dale with an 84 Beyer; she comes out of the best race, toss the grass efforts and the form brightens; could see her sitting a nice stalk and rally journey; expect much better effort.-Brian Mulligan

Race 10

Workin for Hops

Once upon a time knocked heads with some real toughies; alas, time has finally caught up to this guy but the 7yo still has spunk; after all, he just won here a month and a half or so ago and was a solid 4th in a spot like this here Feb. 2; Symphony Forty One and All Knight ran 2nd and 3rd in front of him, but they didn't beat him by much at all so he still fits.

Sleepless Knight

Like the rail horse there was a time this guy faced some real toughies; in fact, just last summer/fall he was running in stakes; things haven't gone too well, since, however; does drop a bunch today but a class drop last time didn't exactly snap him back to life; in his defense, he was still facing some very tough customers in that Feb. 1 race; nice to see Lanerie stays with him, too.

Symphony Forty One

Set the pace and stayed on well for 2nd at a hefty 37-1 in a race like this here Feb. 2, beating a few of these in the process; could be that's a sign he's found his proper level; after all, his prior 2 weren't pretty but those also came vs. tougher; Trujillo stays put and this guy's best work has come when they put him right up on/near the pace.

Key to Power

Not only looked good beating $20K foes here Jan. 26 but Tomlinson saw fit to claim him AND nearly doubles him in value for his first start for him; that type of class hike is most encouraging - it speaks of confidence and tells others that if they want to claim this guy (who is royally bred) that the price of poker just went up; toss those 2 efforts Oct. 11 and Dec. 21, which sandwich a layoff, and you're left with a string of good outings.

Countryman (GB)

Interesting new face; invades from England where he did some good work; gets Lasix and blinkers for this first U.S. start, and it's noteworthy, too, they unveil him in a spot where they can lose him via a claim; something of a puzzle.

All Knight

Ran on well for 3rd at 35-1 in a spot like this here Feb. 2; was only a lip behind Symphony Forty One, too; winless in 9 starts here but he's got a couple good local outings showin in the past few months; lack of speed usually means he's playing catch-up, however.

Rule Number Six

Tough to build a case; had things going wonderfully last spring as he rattled off 3 straight wins including a dirt SW at CRC; alas, things have gone south since; in fact, he really hasn't been a factor his 9 starts since that winning streak; dropped in for $50K here Feb. 7 but was nowhere at 77-1 for a 3rd straight dull outing and now drops further; can another drop snap him back to life, hmmmm?

Big John B

Game beating optional claimers on this course Jan. 11 and was claimed by Trombetta; he next tried him vs. $50K foes here Feb. 7 but that didn't go so well; remember, though, not only were those tougher but he had a brutal post; back down in price today but he remains above his claimed level and Bravo sees fit to stay.

Renzo Bertoni

Won for $30K here Jan. 25, yes, but those were also restricted foes (N3L); he then tried $50K open foes here Feb. 7 and was no factor; did have some trouble that day and this time he's cown in price, though he must still deal with open foes; but hey, toss that Feb. 7 run and things look better and you'll also note a nice rallying 4th at 27-1 (beaten just 1 1/2 lengths) in a race just like this here Dec. 27.

El Uno

Only dull outing in his last 4 starts came in a stakes here Dec. 7 when he was very slow into stride and very wide, too, so you can be forgiving; got no help from the draw but he's got the speed and versatility to give his rider options and avoid getting hung out to dry; no match for Longhunter here Jan. 16 when 3rd (beaten 7 1/2 lengths) but that guy would likely toy with this bunch, too.-Michael Hammersly