Gulfstream: Closer Looks for February 27, 2014

Race 1

Bustle

Her career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned in her only start over a synthetic surface, and both of her wins over turf were in pretty soft spots; it might be worth noting the presence of Castellano aboard another in here, even if Leparoux has won with 7 of 22 (32%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Judy G

Her first two attempts against winners have been so-so at best and she looks like she's going to need to produce the sharpest performance of her career to get over on the top contenders in this spot; note that she was beaten by today's rival This Is Nice in her latest outing.

Canny Nanny

She has some pedigree appeal and four of her first six starts have been solid performances; like to see what she did racing over turf in a couple of starts as a 3-year-old and this does appear to be realistic spot for her first start at age four.

Party Starter

She earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in her first start over turf in her latest outing, but that was against it 40-35k maiden claimers, and she's the only one in here meeting up with winners for the first time; prefer to give the nod to others in this one.

This Is Nice (IRE)

Her latest race was one of her sharper performances but it's difficult to recommend her for anything more than a minor award when seeing that she has just a single victory after 20 starts; going to limit her to a spot underneath in the exotics.

Aventurine

She is making her first start in about a year but this has to be considered a favorable spot for her return to action and it looks like she's been training well in preparation for this; winner from latest won next out at Bel on 6/20 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 65k OPC's with a 79 Beyer; Castellano has won with 36 of 98 (37%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Yes It's Pink

She usually shows up and runs her race and she's perfectly capable of dialing up a competitive performance at this level of competition; it's easy enough to forgive the sub par performance in her latest outing when seeing that she raced over a sloppy main track; must consider.

Sweet Tooth Sweety

She finished behind a couple of today's rivals in her most recent start and not sure that this filly is quite at her best at today's 1 1/16m distance; going to look for her to be involved in running early on, but others might have more to offer through the lane. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Tarpy's Goal

Stretches out to his longest-distance test ever off a career-best Beyer speed figure; figures to battle Political Justice for the lead then hopes to hang on late; has not raced past 7.5F yet; sire was a Grade 3-stakes winner at 8.5F on dirt; dam only ran on turf going 0-for-4 in grass routes.

Broome Street

Up-and-down runner finished last 2 back in a key race then drew off like a good thing in last; gets a good-stalking target in Political Justice while projected to save ground; his 2-back defeat looks a lot better since the winner repeated in an FG-Grade 3 stakes with a 98 Beyer.

Officeinthevalley

1st time on dirt for a trainer winless since 2013 turf-to-dirt; recent-dirt workouts were not enticing but last was impressive because it was 1st time in the USA and anywhere but WO; the only other time he raced on less-than-firm turf was a far-back stakes loss but improved greatly off that to win 1st off the claim.

Political Justice

6 of his 7 wins were racing right on the lead; he's raced 1st at the 1st call in 17 of his 34 starts and 4 in a row; try to catch me; snapped a long-losing drought 1st off the claim then produced his best Beyer in one year in the 2nd start for this barn; likely gets pressed by stretchout Tarpy's Goal.

Nevada

2 of his last 4 races were troubled-gate breaks but his normal style is to lay far back then make one run; the 2-back winner captured his next 2-GP-optional claimers with 95-85 Beyers; needs a pace metldown; he doesn't usually fire his very best right off the bench so will be taking a wait and see approach.

Moe Man

Was outfinished for the exacta in latest but has a good-stalking target today in Political Justice; the 2-back show runner Beyered 89 in a next-out TAM-OPC win; last time he raced on a fast track in a non-stakes race was a 40K-claiming win; 98 field-best Beyer was posted August, 2010, a front-running ELP-1Mile dirt OPC romp; just 3 times in 39 races he raced 1st at the 1st call going 3-1-2-0; would like more if he didn't bring a 5-0-0-2 GP dirt record into this.

J B's Unc

Would prefer him to be close to the pace over a track that favored frontrunners last week; have to love his ability to race on the lead or like last 2 starts rally from well off the pace; his 3-back show finish looks a lot better since the winner repeated in a GP-150K stakes with a 105 Beyer. - Art Gropper

Race 5

Sultry Warrior

Miss found the waters vs. winners a little steeper; show horse in maiden breaker took a MSW next out with a 64 Beyer; Rocco got a chance to figure out what's under the hood and would expect rider to be aggressive from the sound of the bell; must turn it around.

South Shore

Mirror races in last pair and neither was pretty; she did graduated off the vacation and she has drilled solidly since the last effort; would like to see her into the bit earlier; respect everything from this barn.

Starship Jodi

Proven in his league but she is out to prove the 40-1 shocker was no fluke; 12/1 place horse cashed next out at this level with a 78 Beyer; the 12/7 race came back ultra live and the winner repeated in a $55K classifed spot and was third in the Grade 2 Fritchie on Saturday; love fact she can win on the lead, tracking or from left field; respect.

Jolena Jo

Four times as many slices as wins makes her a tough on top only ticket; back on her preferred surface here; mare has :45 and change speed to draw from and would expect rider to be aggressive from the sound of the bell; could get brave with a lonely lead.

First Acquital

At least she was inching toward the winner last time; key off the 2014 opener and she is a legit player; Jersey-bred is stakes placed and she has a decent turn of late foot; backers have to hope they go bonkers early and the race falls apart.

Theatre Star

Miss may have hated the yielding course in the opener; don't be oversold by the margin in last as it was slop aided; two clever drills since her last race suggest she is feeling pretty good about herself; could envision her in a stalking spot here; three-peat well within the realm.

Divine Luck

Mare got away tracking the moderate pace in the lone win; she did graduate in the return spot but she has Starship Jodi to deal with among others; 1/12 winner repeated in a $62.5K optional with an 82 Beyer; she still has a shot to have a decent career as kin Pick Six was G2 placed at 6, banked over $325K.

Ardingly (IRE)

She beat the big field for the win but must prove she can handle grass; love the spacing of the return drills but she has only beaten one horse since the maiden breaker; distance should be of no concern; may need an outing.

Sweet Shirley Mae

Filly got away with the pedestrian splits 2 back and still could not close the deal; she only beat 4 for the lone win but she can give you a :45 and change half if in the mood; maybe she just needed the last; will be forwardly spotted if she suits up. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Burn the Mortgage

Stakes placed 5-year-old equaled a career best Beyer Speed Figure in his latest start in a sharp winning performance and it's worth noting that was only his second start for owner/trainer Maker; this is a tougher test, but a logical step up in class after a performance like that, and Castellano has won with 20 of 48 (42%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Star Channel

Multiple stakes winner has won seven of 21 over turf and it doesn't hurt to see that he boasts the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here, and he earned that figure over this turf course and at today's distance; he has the look of a top contender while going out for a barn and rider that team up with success.

Hard Enough

Maybe he just needed his latest start after taking some time off, but in a race where the winner is likely to earn a Beyer Speed Figure in the upper 80's or lower 90's, this colt has topped out at 84 through his first 17 starts; his overall form has been solid, but this might prove to be a tough spot for him.

Cummings Road

It might be worth noting the presence of Lezcano aboard another in here, but this son of Speightstown enters this race off of back-to-back wins, and he earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in his latest start while making his first start routing; he's won half of his eight starts and can't be ignored.

Bellefire

His better races have been run over dirt and it's hard to believe that he hasn't been given more opportunities racing over dirt lately; not that his turf form has been bad, but feel that his best effort over turf is short of the mark of what it will take to win this.

Mucho Mas Macho

He's a G2 winner racing over this turf course and it looks like he's rounding into top form as he gets ready to make his third start of 2014; he's obviously a threat on his best day and like to see blinkers going back on for this.

Zane

He enters this race off of a useful performance after a layoff but he's really going to need to step it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in order to have a say in the outcome against these; winner from latest won next out here on 2/9 going 1 1/8m over turf in a G1 with a 98 Beyer.

Hobbs

Multiple stakes winner has shown the ability to put together a pretty strong performance on his best day, but his recent form hasn't been his best, and he can't afford to show up with anything less than a top try against this tough bunch.

Russian Greek

Maybe his chances can be upgraded slightly if this race has to be moved to the main track, but it's difficult to envision him having a say in the outcome based on what he's shown in his two turf attempts; respect the fact that he brings some early speed with him, but going to look in another direction.

Bingo Bango Bongo

He equaled a career best Beyer Speed Figure in a tough spot while making his first start back from a layoff in his latest outing, and even though he's dropping in class for this, it does look like he'll need a career best effort to get the job done in this spot.

Majestic Express

Perhaps a horse like Bellefire can prove to be a threat to this runner if this race has to be moved to the main track, but this looks like it will be an ideal spot for this horse-for-course to land in; runner up from latest won next out at Crc on 2/22 going 1 1/16m vs. 100k OPC's with a 94 Beyer. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Smashing

Much improved breeze from the gate turned in a week ago; her prolific sire won 1 of 2 and 33K (offspring of Malibu Moon have scored in 105 out of 745 initial attempts); the dam went 4 for 21 earning 101K; among the winning siblings is 232K earner Holiday Runner.

Vita Vittoria

Legitimate excuse to that last defeat while going to post as the public choice; was in need of that start anyway, and should give an improved performance here in light of a fair half-mile maintenance breeze; consider.

Madgi

Rested since a nice effort at Belmont last spring when closing with a rush to capture the place despite a poor getaway; her sire won a G2 stakes and 254K; the dam went 2 for 8 earning 41K; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

Unbridled Steel

Set a decent pace in her maiden voyage last month before tiring; her sire won multiple G1s and 1.65 million while the dam involved never raced; winning siblings include 27K bankroller Chart Topper; may get away with softer fractions here.

Renards Lapin

Twice a beaten chalk on the turf, she can be a major presence now despite the surface switch; shows a pair of above-average breezes this month and certainly has champion rider in the irons; can atone.

Pink Spun Rose

A clear-cut second at Tampa in her only run and she may appreciate the extra furlong today; her sire won a G1 and 2.67 million; the dam won 3 of 14 and 83K: among the winning sibs is 32K earner Cascade Rose.

Previous

Curiously, exits the same dated race as Madgi where she was also backed; her sire won the Belmont Stakes and 1.98 million overall; the dam was unraced; sib to 38K earner Argumentative; solid breeze pattern at Payson is a plus.

Atlantic Dream

Makes her belated main track debut after flashing some ability at various distances over the grass; upgraded in the latest half-mile breeze; likely to be reserved for one late charge and must be respected. - Jim Kachulis

Race 8

Eternal Ruler (IRE)

Positive-trainer change claimed off a 4%-win barn into a trainer's hands dominating at 31% at the current-GP meet with a rock-solid 22% winners 1st off the claim; slammmed right back in the same spot in an event where he just missed; gets a sizzling-GP rider for the 1st time when projected to rally into a hot pace while saving ground; field-best Beyer speed figure was a 7F-grass loss in June; the pick.

Saturday Special

Lacked the finishing punch to beat similar rivals while he is winless on grass; his last victory was a CRC alw. October, 2012, 1-Mile score over a sloppy-dirt oval; he is doing the rain dance for this; both of his wins were via stalking trips which is the type of journey he received in last; have ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Logan Street

Has raced best with 30 days or longer off and has 33 days idle for this; was purchased by a trainer who rarely claims without a 1st-off-the-claim starter since 2013; consistent Beyers and form on display; returns to the distance of his 3-back win; was necked 2-back by the winner who repeated in a 16K claimer with an 85 Beyer; contender.

Dysprosium

Little question who the pacemaker is on the lead in all but 1 race and that was his lowest-Beyer performance ever; has to fend off Roman's Aveneue early then the closers late; a stakes winner at today's distance in his 2nd-career start he has not displayed a lot of stamina since winning 1st pair; know him early but unsure about late.

Mutasadder

Ranked as an outsider off latest when outrun throughout vs. this same group; both-USA wins at today's distance on grass but his 3-back win here was for nearly half today's elevated-price tag; the September winner repeated in a HAW-25K claimer with a 73 Beyer; will be backing others.

Roman's Avenue

Both wins on the lead; has to fend off Dysprosium early then hold off the closers; has raced well from off the pace but clearly his best game is on the front; last time on turf 2-back beat the show finisher who Beyered 75 in his next-out GP-20K-claiming win.

Tinitus

Not a great sign that his 1st race off the claim represents the 2nd-lowest Beyer of his career; another layoff for this does not help the confidence level for a 7%-winning fresh trainer since 2013; was purchased off a 2-back career-best speed figure when beating the show finisher who Beyered 81 in a next-out MTH-25K-claiming win.

Colorado Daydream

Outsider was outrun by this same bunch at long odds in last; his most-recent win was battling for the lead at shorter but in recent races has shown none of the gate speed displayed when he was at his best; would be a complete surprise.

Trading Secrets

Most runners move forward 2nd time off a layoff and his barn yields 40% winners with this angle since 2013; main knock is he is winless on grass; worked a dirt-bullet for this; the 2-back winner repeated in a GP-OPC with an 85 speed figure; posted a career-best Beyer on the main track off a 48-day layoff and is back in 35 days for this trying to avoid a bounce.

Newfound Zapper

Middle moved then fell back to beat 1 runner home in a key race; the winner and 4th-place finisher Beyered 98-82 in next-out GP-Grade 1 stakes and 50K-claiming wins; seeks his 1st GP-grass exacta but finsihed 3rd in a stakes here in 2012; certainly exits a strong event. - Art Gropper

Race 9

Charlie A

Impressed in running down and then getting away from her rivals after breaking from a tough draw first time out on the lawn last month and now she'll try both dirt and winners for the initial time; barn boasts some recent luck on the surface switch and this gal's immediate male pedigree influences suggest she'll have little trouble handling the new footing; there's a stretchout sprinter in here who could have things her own way and she'll need to over come that, but she'll get some added ground here and the price figures to be right.

Comme Chez Soi

Didn't take so well to the slop when stretched out to 2 turns and finished well behind a filly who also returns in this spot; her local one turn debut at the level was quite good, however, and though her G1 SW dam's career pinnacle may have come at one turn out West, she was G2 SP going long out there a couple of times so she deserves another shot at the trip over a dry strip; figures to offer some value.

Lady Paradime

Tries dirt for the first time since the facile maiden score against an overmatched bunch in Delaware back in early fall; her turf return try over the local sod wasn't very good but this outfit does boast impressive recent numbers on the surface switch; dam was a 4 time main track route winner, but this gal still has quite a bit of improving to do to step here.

Rosalind

Two time G1 SP router makes her first start of the year after being given time off the beaten chalk effort in the G1 Hollywood Starlet; maybe the new equipment helps this classy filly get more involved from the outset here and she does own a huge edge in company lines against this bunch; concern is that this allowance heat is obviously not the season's goal for this gal and is merely a starting point with which they'll experiment; off what she's shown thus far she's certainly good enough to dust these and she worked well earlier in the month for the comebacker, but her eye is clearly more focused down the road.

In Tune

Took all the money and didn't disappoint in her local sprint debut run on the engine; gray showed solid early foot in that one and she's been working well in the interim for a barn that does a great job with its stretchout; dam dropped G2 SP route winner and 160K earner Chitoz as well as SW turf router and 187K earner Affirmatif, so this gal shouldn't have a problem handling the added trip; without much early competition signed on in her first with winners she figures to be able to have things her own way from the bell; they'll have her to run down.

Naughty Holiday

Looked pretty good taking the Ocala stake in her first 2 turn spin while returning from 4 months on the shelf; Castellano sides with the Pletcher filly drawn to the inside of her here and she'll get yet another new pilot for this one; improving filly handled the local dirt well in her maiden score early last fall but she'll need to take another good step forward to have a shot at making it 3 straight in here and given the barn's numbers with runners second off the break that may not be so likely; prefer others on the win end.

Bird Maker

She was no match for the runaway, undefeated winner here late last month, but she did hold the place rather easily in her sloppy return from the short break and should be better with the effort behind her; she's G2 SP going long and though this outfit hasn't gone so well here they do solid work with runners second back from the break; expect she'll be able to get first run on the classy absentee and that could make her tough to down.

Camille Claudel

Makes her first local start after being freshened off the fade in the Aqueduct inner track stake early last month; gray ran big in that Laurel maiden score first time in blinkers, but that did come at one turn over a wet track; nice to see a top pilot take interest and she's been working well of late, but she's got a lot to prove over dry footing.

My Dear Regina

Outside drawn filly drops out of the stakes ranks after proving little match for the money finishers in a heat from which the winner returned to take the G2 Davona Dale here last weekend; she got up to run down maidens in a one turn mile at Churchill and the effort suggested she'd appreciate the stretchout to 2 turns; kin to a 4 time route winner and residing in a barn that excels with its runners second back from the break, she's worth an exotics look while getting Lasix for the first time today. - Steve Grabowski

Race 10

Theatrical Girl

This mare has a penchant for finding the wire and nothing wrong with hitting the exacta in 13 of 25; repeatedly proven for this price, she brings a super stalk and pounce style to the party and Ness is good with new stock to the tune of 30%; last angle: this rider is 21% for this barn.

Jane's Heir

In good hands, protected in the last pair and like the fact she has speed but doesn't need the lead to win; note she improved 14 Beyer points in the last second off the layoff run; race over the course can only help; respect.

Ambitoness

If you figure she just needed her last than a case can be made for a move forward; proven for this price in California, the spotty race record is a concern but she fits on her best day; show horse in last cashed next out on the drop to a $16K claimer with a 78 Beyer; don't sell too short.

Longing for Quiet

Maybe she was intimidated by the rail in last; like fact she beat the big field in the win on the course and she's come back to run decently since the last fiasco; could see her sitting mid-pack trying to save ground, and then making the one run.

Dissension

Toss last, she could not stand up in the off going; third of 6 the last time for this price, miss has much more speed than she just flashed; best of 13 bullet in the holster for good barn; rates upset glance.

Dance With Gio

Can't be thrilled with the local slate; pushed into the stakes after the last victory and she has not been able to close the deal since; apparently not much of a work horse, lack of speed is a genuine concern.

Sapphire Blue

Troubled in the debut but the rest of the races have been solid; she may not have cared for the slop two back and like the way she was inching away late in last; 12/28 winner repeated for this price at FG with a 71 Beyer; repeat well within the realm.

Gran Sabana

The blinks and move to Olivero worked to perfection last time; lack of speed is a concern but the show horse in the last win cashed next out in a $16K N2L fray with a 64 Beyer; barn riding nice wave of the Fountain of Youth victory, look for this miss late if at all.

Miss Tatey Cat

Steadied and move up a slot in the lone grass run; sire carried speed successfully, dam dam's lone win was a sprint, and the lone sibling to run cashed 3 times, all sprinting on dirt; still, look for rider to send hard and try to steal it.

Elusive Design

Miss showed talent from Day One and she has solid tactical speed, which should give her first run on the deep closers; 12/19 place horse cashed next out in a $16K N2L, lost next pair; could need softer to shine.

Lucky Liberty

Proud Citizen about 9% with first-time turfers in a 197-runner sample; sire took a G2 on way to near $650K bankroll, never turfed; dam was unraced, this is her first to race; the hotter the pace the better here.

Phoenix Court

Runner got good for a month last year; he has more speed than he showed in last and that race came back okay as the 6th finisher took a $16K seller and the winner repeated in an $8K starter; lean toward watching a local race.

Wild Horse Annie

Since catching the slop in July, miss has been off form; she caught legit pace last time and just could not keep up; needs a rebound run.

Putitinmypocket

She goes from one good barn to another and Walder has a good eye for a purchase; like the way she has been put through her motions since changing barns; after the tough beat her in September, connections gave her shots in stakes but she could not respond; 12/1 place horse took a $25K optional next out with a 78 Beyer; don't ignore.

Helluva Hunch

Tough beat in last and note show horse was well clear; proven here for this price, the 12/20 winner repeated in a $25K optional with a 79 Beyer; these are her friends, don't ignore. - Brian Mulligan