Gulfstream: Closer Looks for February 28, 2014

Race 2

Wildcat Creek

There is a long layoff in play, but this multiple stakes placed veteran looks like he can prove to be a player in this spot whether this race is run over turf or the main track; the winner from his latest race returned to win next out at Del on 7/15 going 5f over turf vs. 40k OPC's with a 95 Beyer.

Starship Sulu

He finished behind a number of today's rivals in his most recent start and looking at this as being a difficult spot for him to try to secure his first victory racing over turf; going to look for him to be involved in the running early on, but others figure to have more to offer through the final furlong.

Candi's Halo

He brings a good deal of early speed with him, and he's run pretty well the last two times he's been seen sprinting over turf, but it does look like he's going to have to put together his sharpest performance to date to come out on top in this one.

Drunken Love

You have to go back a long way to find the last time that this stakes winning veteran produced a poor performance and he's gotten the job done in eight of 16 turf starts; he is seeking his first win over the GP turf course, but it isn't like he's run poorly here; Saez has won with 5 of 17 (29%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Didn't Take It

He's been on top of his game lately and this stakes place 5-year-old looks like a solid fit against competition of this caliber; note that he ran well in a race that featured a number of today's rivals in his latest outing.

Rojo Verde

It's interesting to see the rider switch to Leparoux for this, but it does look like this gelding is at his best when he can get involved in the running through the opening stages, and there might be a little more early speed signed on in this race than he'd like to see.

Musical Flair

Maybe there was a time when this multiple stakes winner would have been tough to ignore in a spot like this but it's just difficult to place any confidence in him when seeing what he's been up to lately; prefer to look toward others.

Thomas Hill

This barn has been very live at this meeting and this gelding has come up just a little bit short in back-to-back starts since being claimed by these connections three races ago; he beat a number of these in his latest start and like to see Rosario land here.

Wire Funds

10-time winner has won nine of 21 turf starts, including two of three over this turf course, and he's clearly capable of producing a performance that is strong enough to give him a chance to walk away with the top prize against these; he's tough to ignore while going out for a high win percentage barn.

Ari's Pride

He has run some nice races sprinting over turf in his career, but his recent form hasn't been anywhere near his best, and he has been beaten by a number of today's rivals in his two most recent races.

P J's Magical Wink

There's some solid dirt form signed on in the main body of this race, but this will be a favorable spot for this gelding to drop into if this race has to be moved to the main track, and if he can find his way back to one of his better performances, he'll be very tough to tackle. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Franklin

Homebred regressed after his promising opener at Churchill, which was his lone start over a fast dirt track; the winner of his latest on the grass subsequently ran third in an N1X/optional claimer, and the runner-up came back to graduate with an 85 Beyer; half-brother to G2 stakes winner Thiskyhasnolimit should get back on track after working fast during a recent freshening; contender.

Tiz for Tat

Professional maiden placed in six of his seven outings, and is obviously a must-use underneath in all exotics; the fourth and fifth-place finishers from his last race both came back to beat maiden special company, with Beyers of 75 and 73; his new rider Rosario is 1 for 6 at the meet for this barn.

Easement

Outran Tiz for Tat for second at a big price in a key contest Jan. 19, and is clearly back on track after his botched Dec. 8 try; has since worked twice for the Chief and might not mind the move to a longer sprint, at this stage of his career; should be closing for a slice of the pie.

Mio d'Oro

Spent most of his 2013 campaign on the grass with some success, and had been idle for five months when he was a front-running second here on the dirt Feb. 2; should be on or near what figures to be a moderate pace here under return pilot Rocco, who's 0 for 6 at the meet for this barn; preferred.

Classy Kid

Stamina sire Lemon Drop Kid has sired 9% debut winners; dam, a G3 turf stakes winner who banked $215K, has been a modest producer; Ky-bred has worked quickly at Palm Meadows for a trainer who hit with 8% of his first-timers over the past five years ($1.17 ROI).

Comancheria

Illinois-bred was beaten in double digits in all three of his starts here last winter, but could be an improved runner after working fast locally of late; his esteemed trainer has posted solid numbers with +180 day comebackers, and he's taking the blinkers off; colt's last race yielded three next-out winners, and the victor subsequently ran third in an optional event; son of Empire Maker is bred to be a late bloomer. - Ron Gierkink

Race 5

Inca Saint

Sire is 3 for 31 with his newcomers and the limited sprint winning dam dropped G1 SP, SW and 172K earner Harlan's Ruby who won going long; barn gets them ready to fire first out and this guy didn't go for much at auction so the fact he's in for a tag first out says he's likely just well spotted; note that he's yet to work longer than half of today's heat's trip.

Strike 'n Spare

Drops a bit in price off a weak, troubled debut run on the local sod; dam did win on the main track and dropped several who won on the main track as well including one who scored routing; outfit boasts some recent luck with runners who have had a race; can go better over this footing and does figure to offer a big price.

High Gauge

Took him a while to get going in his sprint debut and didn't do all that much running; he's worked long twice in the interim and this outfit is profitable of late with its stretchouts; may be worth trying to get into the exotics in this spot.

Oliver Rush

Gelding has been a popular claim of late and now he'll step up to face better of a weak local turf debut; his effort from tracking range at the trip 2 back was very good so he should appreciate the move back to dirt and Rosario takes interest; contender.

World Changer

Colt lures the top local pilot for his second crack at the level after switching surfaces last time; he ran well at the local trip in the fall and maybe a better beginning helps him get back on track in this spot, but he's certainly had his chances; lack of lick could help him sit a better spot early; consider.

Colonel Gian

Sire is 3 for 42 with his first out runners and the G1 SP dam was a 2 time sprint winner who dropped 5 winners, one of whom won routing; recent works are solid and the barn does boast a little luck with its runners right out of the box; pilot named does nice work for this barn.

L. A. Freeway

Tried MSWs without much luck first out but note that he did break from the fence and was slow to get going in that heat; barn boasts some sharp numbers with runners dropping in for a tag and this guy's dam did drop a route winner as well as this guy's 3/4 sister, multiple G1 SP, G2 SW and 795K earner Reneesgotzip; wouldn't be surprised to see him take a big step forward and contend for the top prize.

Flat in Charge

He's done little in his 5 career starts and now he'll also drop in for a tag while turning back to this trip; given his poor breaking habits and lack of any early zip his sharp blowout last week, presumably in the new shades he'll wear today, is of particular note; he owns a back effort at today's trip that does fit with these and if the equipment change is indeed his panacea he could prove a player in this spot.

Life in Shambles

Outside drawn gray took plenty of money first out on the lawn and showed a little bit of run before tiring in that troubled journey; barn does well with its second out runners and though all 3 of this guy's sibs are turf winners, one of them did win going long on the main track; with Lezcano taking the call she can't be overlooked. - Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Senorita Sangria

Connections make a move to an apprentice for this, but this filly will have to show more than she has through her first three starts in order to prove to be a player in this spot; prefer to keep looking around in here.

Kikiy's Toni

Feel that she's an interesting option to consider in here when seeing what she did in her first two career starts over turf and that this will be her first turf start since then; this looks like a pretty good spot for her to get back over grass.

Grimoire

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam was winless from seven starts, and she didn't make a turf start; this filly is a 1/2 to High Post (2-18, 66k, including 2 of 16 turf starts for 62k); this is her first turf test and her dirt form has been poor.

Hidden Intentions

She needs to improve over what she's shown us in her two most recent races, but this filly has produced performances over this turf course that are in the neighborhood of what it will take to get the job done in this spot; it doesn't hurt her to have a strong turf rider in Lopez working with her.

Siyawe

Her two most recent races have been much improved performances and the 59 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest effort is clearly the best last race figure in this field; she commands plenty of respect while dropping down to face 20k maiden claimers.

Jamie's Catch

Sire is 0-for-4 with his turf starters and during his career he was a stakes winner while winning 3 of 43 starts for 197k, including 0-for-4 over turf; dam won 2 of 14 starts for 13k, and she didn't make a turf start; this filly is difficult to recommend.

Benny's Babygirl

She deserves another chance to see what she can do racing over turf and she goes out for a barn that is having a strong meeting, and Castellano has won with 19 of 47 (40%) mounts for this outfit at the current stand; runner up from latest won next out here on 2/23 going 1m vs. 12.5k MCL's with a 35 Beyer.

Senorita Divina

Her first two starts over turf haven't been all that strong but this really isn't a bad spot for her first start since the first week of January; third-place finisher from latest returned to win next out at Crc on 1/24 going 1m over turf vs. 25k MCL's with a 53 Beyer.

Felicidades

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 16 starts for 61k, including 1 of 4 turf starts for 24k; not thrilled with what she's shown us from nine dirt starts, but she doesn't find herself facing a tough bunch in her first turf start.

Cocoa

She looks like a decent fit at this level of competition and this is the first time that she's been dropped in with 20k MCL's; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 2/12 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 25k MCL's with a 61 Beyer. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Hard Not to Like

Proven locally, miss should appreciate this company after being on a stakes diet for years; granted, this race does not come up like an ordinary optional but this miss is a Grade 3 winner on the course off the layoff and the SAR finale came back live; the winner repeated in the G1 Flower Bowl and the place horse won next out in a G3, then ran out of the money; should sit a super stalk and pounce trip; look out.

Reconnect

Beat 5 in the lone win last year; she ran well in defeat in the return situation last May; 9/29 show horse cashed next out in an N3L allowance, and then won again in an N1X; it's been awhile since she has won on grass; lean toward watching one.

Street Gem

Like fact she has speed but doesn't need the lead to win and she catches a group pretty much devoid of true zip; like fact she graduated off the pine, nothing wrong with winning half the races and her local defeat came back live; could get brave with a lonely lead.

Unbelievable Dream

Hung wide when shades added last time; note she won in the second off the layoff run just 367 days ago; Rocco got a chance to figure her out and miss will need to improve; look for her late if at all.

Millennia

Toss last when she was hopped in the air; she has drilled solidly since the last effort and note she was 12-1 when she won on this course; decent move on the 16th, but she can be her own worse enemy since she has limited speed; hard to adore.

Royal Fury

At least mare got a feel of the course; if you figure she needed last, you can make a case for a move forward; Saez got a chance to figure her out; note she rail poorly in that July race and then won next out with a nice trip; look for her be close up early and get first run on the deep closers.

Floral Romance

Steadied two back; toss it; in contention early last time but she may be better served settling, trying to save ground and then making the one run; note she has won for this pilot; expect much better effort.

Black Bird Rock

Like the series of drills since the last outing; miss has some semblance of speed, but not sure she can clear here; note she was beaten less than a length in the stakes in 2012 and if she shows the kind of zip she flashed in the last sprint, she could have a theft on her agenda; clever barn due to get rolling, check out the 12 slices.

Mystic Love

Only one solid race since the last win and that was in the small field; miss has been versatile enough to be placed anywhere and still fire but she doesn't run them alike; must pick it up.

Sonja's Angel

Mare has a penchant for finding the wire; some may not have handled the going last time as the runners were spaced out; only 2 poor efforts since entering this stable; threepeat well within the realm. - Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Twigazuri Strait

His two most recent races haven't been a couple of his better performances, but he's clearly capable of producing a competitive performance at this level of competition on his best day, and perhaps it's worth noting that he's being reunited with Velazquez when seeing the sharp performance that he was aboard for three races ago.

Just Foolin Around

This gelding has a little bit of turf on the bottom of his pedigree, but he had to be dropped in with maiden claimers to earn his first career win in his latest outing, and he's going to need to find a way to take his game to another level in a hurry if he's to get the better of this bunch in his first attempt against winners.

Alke John

He surprised a field over this turf course at today's distance two races back, but that was against 16k claimers, and he's going to find it to be much more difficult to jump up on this field of starter alw. rivals; note that he was beaten by a couple of today's rivals in his latest outing.

Whisper Onthe Wind

His lack of early speed is eligible to leave him with a lot of ground to cover when he hits the top of the stretch and he's likely going to need to see a complete pace collapse to have a chance at rallying himself into the mix against these.

Goodtolook

Not sure how much stock to put into the big figure he earned against four rivals in his latest outing, but he does show up for a barn that has put a lot of live horses on the track at this meeting, and although it was sprinting, his one start over turf was a solid performance.

Eriugena (IRE)

He's run well in three of his four starts since moving into this barn and he shows up for a barn in rider that have teamed to win with 19 of 47 (40%) starters at this meeting; he has to be viewed in the light of a contender.

Happy Fella

He's shown the ability to put together a pretty decent performance on his best day but it does appear that he's going to need a career best effort to get the better of this bunch; runner-up from latest returned to win next out here on 2/22 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 25k OPC's with an 84 Beyer.

Greengrassofyoming

Don't like to see that he hasn't been shy about settling for minor awards in his career, but he does have some solid turf form on his card to consider, and it's interesting to see blinkers going back on for this, especially when considering that he showed decent early speed early on in his career.

Mega Boom

This is a barn that has done some strong work with turf starters over the years, but they have been having a quiet meeting, and it doesn't look like this 5-year-old is quite capable of producing a performance that is up to the level of the top contenders in here; winner from latest returned to win next out here on 2/14 going 1m over turf vs. 25k OPC's with a 100 Beyer.

El Jefe Grande

He's one of three in here with just a single win next to his name, and when seeing what he's done in his two most recent races since being returned from a layoff, it's difficult to give him a favorable push against these.

Make It Gold

Both of his victories have been earned when he's been allowed to get comfortable on the early lead and it does look like there's enough early speed in this race to make this a tough test for him; respect connections but leaning toward others.

Great Rising Star

There are a few horses in the main body of this race who have shown the ability to put together a decent performance racing over dirt, but this 6-year-old has run well in back-to-back starts since moving into this barn, and this will be a good spot for him to land in if this race has to be moved to the main track. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Diabolical I P A

Beaten last out chalk at the level was nosed by one of these for the place while sitting in a wide spot in his return to the main track; gray worked well here last weekend and Castellano sticks as he moves to the fence; doesn't have much early lick but there are several in here who like the front end and maybe that sets things up for his kick; they'll have to hold him off.

Ucanchangethename

Returns in a protected spot after recovering from a rough break to get second money from a wide spot; maybe he goes better second time in shades and there's some speed signed on for this, but he's going to have to run a lot faster than he has in order to have a say in the outcome today.

Goodboycharlie

Last out graduate tries winners for the first time for a barn that boasts some recent luck second off the freshening; gelding is quick enough to secure a spot on the front end and he does draw inside the others in here who have early aspirations so they may have him to run down.

Tell Me a Joke

Ran big when dropped to this level in his return from the freshening, earning a career best number that fits rather well in here; gelding showed solid tracking foot last time and with speed drawn to both his inside and out that could put him in a good spot from the bell; main threat.

Rodriguez

Gelding is entered for the optional tag while stepping back up to a level at which he failed to compete first time over the track; he's another whose numbers don't stack up so well in here and the barn hasn't had much luck at the local stand; prefer to side with others.

Little Tom

He's only run a few times and he did respond to the class drop and new shades to score in his return from the freshening; gelding tackles winners for the first time here and there again looks to be some company for him on the front end; he'll have to earn the repeat.

No Fruit Degroote

Stakes placed sophomore draws the outside slot for his first start in nearly half a year; he was right there in each of his 2 starts on dirt and he did win right out of the box so we know he's capable of firing off drills; training ok over the track for a while now, he's worth a look in his local debut. - Steve Grabowski

Race 10

Lador Vador

On the lead 2-back and dueled for the lead 1st turf in September; he figures as part of a hot pace chasing Caminito to the front; cuts back to his shortest-distance test ever on the lawn but showed nothing on dirt at 7.5F two back; the runner-up finisher from last posted a 70 Beyer speed figure in his next-out GP-75K-maiden-claiming win.

Giant Cat

Career-best Beyer accomplished over a sloppy track so is doing the rain dance fo this; reunites with the rider from his best speed figure for this; he is a late runner in a race with projected strong-gate speed but his stretch kick did not materialize in last.

Lincoln Zypher

Another runner with stamina issues who could put early pressure on the likely pacesetter Caminito; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 55 in a next-out GP-25K-maiden-claiming win; exits her 2nd-lowest Beyer ever after 3-back was a career-best number; know him early but unsure about late.

Headwing

Defeated 2 of these in last when middle moving; obviously a well-timed ride is needed to produce best placement; the runner-up finisher from last posted a 70 Beyer speed figure in his next-out GP-75K-maiden-claiming win; hoping he can time his run better at 7.5F?.

Skarabajo

Dueled for the lead 2-back; could be part of the pace today with Caminito among others; 6 races produced 6 double-digit length losses; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 60 in his next-out CRC-MSW win; would be a surprise.

I'm Just a Myth

Sire is 0-for-5 with 1st-turf starters; 1-for-21 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal to race out of a 3-for-32 dam (131K) who went 2-for-18 on turf (106K); is the only runner entered without any racing experience; have mixed reviews from the worktab.

Dig Alittle Deeper

Prior connections had high hopes for this one racing in a stakes and Grade 2 event at WO as a maiden; his field-best Beyer speed figure was on turf at 1 Mile; Mott's 6% win stats with blinkers on since 2013 is noted; way off best form 27 days ago when favored then faded but Johnny V stays here a 32% win rider for the trainer at GP; contender.

Caminito

Claimed off Mott who has Dig Alittle Deeper here; exits a pace-setting show finish vs. the winner who repeated in a GP-optional claimer with a 69 Beyer; sire is 17-for-198 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 1-for-5 grass dam (97K); her only other foal to race Genten went 1-for-4 on turf in Japan; the 2-back winner and runner-up Beyered 85-63 in next-out GP-allowance and CRC-MSW wins; seems the one to catch and beat.

Leathers Slappin

Sire is 9-for-124 with 1st-turf starters; dam did not race on grass (5-for-17, 92K); her 2 foals to race on turf went 0-for-2 combined; exiting sprints and today is in with the lightest-weight assignment ever would think she would be a pace presence then hopes to hang on late.

Slickorrego

Has a lot of good-wakeup angles off the distanced-troubled debut on soft turf; the winner from last repeated in a GP-OPC with a 77 Beyer; have not been overwhelmed by the worktab off the bench but goes 1st time out for a high-percentage fresh barn and with newly-acquired runners for career 2 which can be a dramatic-wakeup effort; takes the MSW-to-maiden claiming biggest-class drop in racing angle while facing a field lacking superstars; the pick.

Pep the Champ

Sire is 23-for-159 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam; 2 of her 3 foals to race on grass are turf winners including stakes-winner Fair Weather Stan (7-for-31 grass 252K); tariner is 1-for-20 with 2nd-time maidens and 1-for-17 first turfers since 2013.

Livingston

55 days since necked for the exacta by the runner-up finisher who Beyered 60 in a next-out CRC-MSW win; wish the trainer yielded better than 7%-fresh winners since 2013 while his published workout for this did not impress; must overcome a wide-ground losing post but wouldn't be surprised if he was around the exotics.

Super Summation

Defeated 4 runners combined in 2 losses; cuts back to his shortest-distance test ever but has been outrun throughout in both-GP grass losses; the trainer is 1-for-63 on turf since 2013 and 0-for-38 to begin the current-GP meet; would be a shocker.

Dukati

Main Track Only entry exits a key race; the winner, runner-up and 5th-place finishers from last Beyered 84-81-79 in next-out GP-optional-claiming and GP-SA-MSW wins; 41-day absence for an 0-for-13 fresh trainer since 2013; Caminito and Giant Cat seem the runners to beat on dirt. - Art Gropper