Gulfstream: Closer Looks for January 12, 2014

Race 2

Lori's Comprise

Eased out of the race when sent on a route mission recently but the return to this sprint setting will probably not matter; doubt that she can show sudden endurance even though she drops a notch; pass until further notice.

Spirited Flight

Decent debut effort recently making a fair middle move before tiring; her sire won 3 of 58 starts while earning 78K; the dam involved was zero for 6 lifetime; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Siren's Secret

Nice finish last time out and the extra distance today should work in her favor; may not receive the same type of pace set-up yet still warrants respect at this reduced level; obvious true contender this afternoon.

Gussie Up

Firster hails from multiple G1 victor Grand Slam who banked 971K and whose progeny have won 107 out of 934 initial starts; the dam won 5 of 31 and 94K; winning siblings include 268K earner Wilentz.

Kikiy's Toni

In need of the last outing, she did not fire her best shot; showed some consistent early speed in her campaign at Indiana and will have to recapture that first gear in order to have any realistic chance against these; tough call.

Broadway Secret

Outside of the fair showing 2 starts back, she has not shown much enthusiasm; did not have any visible excuse in the last trouncing while huge odds; cannot be recommended until more firepower is shown.

Scarlet Dixie

Turning back last time out, she raced fairly evenly while finishing in the middle of the pack; might be able to stay within striking range against this limited lot and work out an ideal stalking journey; not out of the question.

Senorita Sangria

Beginner was sired by G2 type Senor Swinger who won 10 of 37 starts and 964K (his offspring have scored in 1 of 35 debuts); the dam went zero for 7; among the winning siblings is 34K earner Same Old Story.

Race 4

Tex Appeal

Disappointing off-the-board finish 104 days ago when pounded down to under even-money odds; 7%-winning fresh trainer since 2013 does not help the confidence level that she will make amends; 1st start in a maiden claimer today from MSW is considered the biggest-class drop in racing; her best game is gate speed but will have to beat Jojo's Gal and Nora in the the Sky to the front then hold off the closers.

Maid in Heaven

99 days since a career-low Beyer and her worst-finish ever; lone-exacta finish was right on the lead but has Jojo's Gal among others to contend with from the gate here; the debut winner and runner-up Beyered 61-50 in next-out CRC-MSW and allowance wins.

Rainbow At Midnite

Sire is 24-for-216 with 1st-time starters; is out of a stakes-placed dam (2-for-17, 94K) who produced 3 winners from 4 other foals to race including 121K-earner Rock the Rainbow (2-for-30); lone-debut runner gives away experience to each rival.

Trio of Mischief

Great sign that her 1st race off the claim is a career-best Beyer; displayed a style change in latest for the new barn while liking the less-than-fast footing; latest-good effort coincided with the front wraps coming off; hopes to sit just off the speed then run them all down in deep stretch; the pick.

Arissa

Defeated the show and 4th-place finishers from last; they Beyered 49-40 in next-out GP-25K-16K-maiden-claiming wins; the debut winner repeated in a TAM-83K stakes with a 70 Beyer; chance for a pace metldown here and the way she rallied seems the one they all will have to hold off late; the one to beat.

Nora in the Sky

Has to fend off Jojo's Gal from the gate then hold off the closers; 50 days since latest loss vs. Fantastic Voyage; races 1st time in a winning barn who is also a super-layoff trainer; main issue is she likes to be forwardly placed in a field with many other frontrunners.

Fantastic Voyage

Lightest-weight assignment ever racing in just the 2nd-maiden claimer of career; she has competed in 4 stakes; her field-best Beyer was posted on GP-fast dirt at 1 Mile; was screaming out for more distance in latest-even finish at 6F but remains in a sprint for this.

Jojo's Gal

Projects as the one to catch with Nora in the Sky the likely main-pace presser; 100 days since latest-exacta finish at longer on a synthetic surface; has been working well on dirt for this; the debut winner repeated in a SAR-Grade 3 stakes with a 72 Beyer.

Race 5

Magical World

This filly has a quality pedigree, but it is dirt leaning, and her best Beyer Speed Figure was earned in a seven-furlong event over the main track here, something to look out for if this race has to be taken off the turf; she will need to improve over what she's shown in her three turf starts to get the better of this field.

Shaikha

She's performed at a consistent level in her last seven starts going back to May, but she came up short against a field of 40-35k maiden claimers in her latest start, and this is going to prove to be a tougher assignment; prefer to limit her to a spot underneath in the exotics.

Ah Honey Honey

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and dam was unraced; 4-year-old filly is a 1/2 to multiple stakes winner Bunker Hill (13-43, 448k, including 0-for-1 over turf); this is a very capable first-out barn but this looks like it can prove to be a tough test for a firster.

Stella Cavallo

She showed a little something the first time she raced over turf but she's clearly going to need to step it up over that performance in order to threaten the top contenders in this one; looking toward others.

Too Good to B True

Her form has improved since being placed over turf two starts ago and this filly is a 1/2 to stakes winner Alpha Charmer (3-14, 86k over turf); there is a long layoff in play, but feel that she commands her share of respect against these.

Renards Lapin

Half-sister to G1 winner Dr Fong (5-15, 756k, including 0-for-4 over turf in North America) and multiple group stakes winner Lucky Story (4-9, 337k) has already shown enough in her turf start to be labeled a top contender in here, and now she's making her first start for the Pletcher barn; 3rd finisher from latest won next out at CD on 11/24 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with a 64 Beyer; Castellano has won with 13 of 44 (30%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Bitty Kitty

She might be able to get involved in the running early on but she's going to need a much improved overall performance if she's to threaten the top contenders in this spot; runner-up from latest returned to win next out at Aqu on 11/13 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with an 82 Beyer.

In His Kiss

Augustin-homebred ran well in her career debut and it wouldn't be a surprise to find out that she's ready for better now that she has some racing experience to draw from; that December 31 workouts suggests that she's primed for this.

Pink Nightie

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and dam won once from 10 starts for 25k, including 1 of 8 turf starts for 21k; this filly is a 1/2 to G1 winner Mass Media (6-21, 569k, including 0-for-1 over turf).

Painted Paradise

She ran well in her career debut, but that race was just over a year ago and this is a 5-year-old mare; winner from debut has since become G3 stakes placed racing over turf; a sharp looking workout on January 3 combined with the presence of Lopez helps offer up

Race 6

Predicate

All kinds of trouble when negotiating the straightaway mile at Aqueduct and the return to the sprint setting should help matters; latest blowout is certainly a plus and she seems capable on this cutback.

Innate Grace

Rallied belatedly, behind a lengthy winner, in her first run; her sire won multiple G2 stakes and 728K while the dam was a G1 type who banked 1.49 million; winning siblings include 203K earner Magic Hour; curious item.

In Tune

Newcomer was sired by Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Unbridled's Song who captured 1.31 million and whose progeny have won 117 out of 853 debuts; the dam won 2 of 14 and 69K; winning siblings include 187K earner Affirmatif.

Lady Liana

Did not fire in either performance but she lost serious ground in that turf debut of a month ago; her sire won multiple G3s and 261K while the dam won 3 of 12 and 73K; among the winning siblings is 30K earner Artie's Jasper.

Eilatan

Beginner hails from multiple G3 victor Elusive Quality who netted 413K (his descendansts have won 14 percent of their initial races); the dam went 1 for 11 earning 60K; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Whomping Willow

Beaten favorite shows a steady but moderate work tab during the vacation; she has shown a better first gear in the past than most of her rivals and perhaps can be the main pace player if the newcomers are nothing special; very difficult assessment.

Take Flight

Firster was sired by G2 winner Jump Start who garnered 221K and whose offspring have won 39 out of 371 initial attempts; the dam went 2 for 8 earning 81K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Love You Loads

This grey was sired by Giant's Causeway, who won a slew of Group 1s and 3.07 million (his descendants are 67 for 645 as far as winning their first test); the dam won 483K including G1 success; sib to 190K earner Love Locket.

Loan Guarantee

Sired by the prolific Malibu Moon who won 1 of 2 and 33K but whose progeny have scored in 105 out of 731 initial appearances; the dam won 7 of 212 and 176K; among the winning siblings is 22K earner Constance Spice.

Race 7

Auntie Martha

This filly has a strong pedigree for turf and this looks like a favorable spot for her to meet up with winners for the second time; she figures to appreciate breaking from the rail post after a couple of starts that saw her break from the outside.

Iffraaj Pink (IRE)

Import gets Lasix for the first time and she's a 1/2 to G1 winner Vale of York (3-7, $1.2 million, including 1-for-1 for $1 million over turf in North America); this is a sharp turf barn that does well with imports, and Garcia gets plenty of live calls from this outfit.

Miss Scout

Her best effort is strong enough to give her a chance at the top prize against these and she finished right behind today's rival Abbey Street in her latest outing; the early pace in here figures to be legitimate and that will agree with this late running miss.

Divine Luck

A little concerned when seeing that she's light on winning form after 14 starts but she's been a consistent performer and she's clearly a good fit at this level of competition; have to respect her chances with Castellano in the pedals.

South Shore

Like what she did two and three starts ago after moving into this barn and this is a top turf outfit that is more than capable of having one ready to run well when fresh; Bravo is a go-to rider for Clement.

Starship Pleasant

Her better Beyer Speed Figures have been earned racing over dirt, something to take into account if this race has to be moved to the main track, and feel that her turf form has been so-so at best; prefer to look toward others.

Broomsage

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this filly is 1/2 to Coturnix (6-18, 119k, including 5 of 13 turf starts for 100k); runner up from latest won next out here on 12/26 going 1 1/16m vs. 25k OPC's with a 78 Beyer.

Abbey Street

Have a lot of respect for Street Boss as a turf sire and this filly has turf form on her card that is strong enough to give her a competitive look in this spot; her recent workouts look sharp, and perhaps the assignment of Rosario is a sign that her connections feel that she's ready to give a good account of herself.

Claiming Victory

Although against 25k claimers, she got the job done in her only start over turf, and this miss is out of a multiple graded stakes winning dam who won 8 of 21 turf starts for 595k; she looks like she can prove to be a player whether this race is run over turf for the main track.

Antonia Autumn

One of two signed on in here for the Clement barn and this mare is a 1/2 to multiple G1 winner Gio Ponti (12-29, $6.1 million, including 11 of 24 turf starts for $4.4 million); she has a live look to her in this spot and she figures to appreciate getting back over turf after staying in an off-the-turf event in her latest outing.

Akron Moon

She's stakes placed sprinting over turf and have to respect the early speed that she brings with her but maybe she'll be worth looking out for with a turn back in distance the next time around; winner from latest returned to win next out at Wo on 10/2 going 6f in a 102k stakes with an 88 Beyer.

Seattle Me Up

The addition of Lasix and blinkers helped her to a victory at second asking but this filly is making her first start since April and she's really going to have to step it up over what she's shown so far in order to contend.

Oceano Gatto

It's safe to say that she outran her odds in her most recent turf start two races ago at Calder, but that race was probably the sharpest performance of her career, and she's going to have to do better than that to beat this field.

Wholelotaroyalty

There are a few horses in the main body of this race that have shown the ability to run well over dirt but this looks like it will be a favorable spot for this filly to land in if this race has to be taken off the turf; she made it look easy in her latest outing while making her first start for this high win percentage outfit.

Race 8

Charm Cat

Drops in price while moving to the fence after tiring late at a slightly shorter trip last time; she does have some early foot so expect she'll be able to sit a ground saving spot from here, but a minor award will likely prove to be her ceiling.

Snit Fit

Speedy gray set soft splits when failing to hold on in her return from the freshening; don't know that she's as good as some of these, but she does enter the heat in solid form and could get in the mix for a share of the pot.

Elusive Design

Steps up following the popular score from an outside draw in her first local spin; filly goes for an outfit that's profitable with its last out winners and maybe her last was the confidence builder she needed, but she'll need to keep improving to have a say in the outcome today as the pilot from her last opts to go next door.

Sense of a Woman

Makes her first start off this outfit's re-claim while returning to the lawn for the first time since a poor try on the Belmont lawn in the summer; she's been facing open claimers in her last couple so maybe she finds these easier and she will go back to Castellano who was aboard for her most recent score; consider.

Magical Powder

Ran a big one in her return to the green 2 starts back before taking a step back behind a slow clip against better last time; drop to this level benefits her and she is a local 2 time winner; bounce back type of effort makes her a contender.

Dream With Us

Three time local sod winner drops to straight claimers after tiring late at Calder in her return from 11 months on the shelf; figures to be tighter with her last behind her and she's got early foot so she should find herself in the thick of this one from the bell; with a switch to a top pilot she's the one they'll have to beat.

Expropriate

One run type came up just short against a bit cheaper in her second local sod start of the season; maybe she gets some more pace in front of her here, but she settles for a lot of minor awards and could well have traffic issues to overcome in this one.

Double Berg

Didn't have much impact in her return to the local sod though she didn't get a lot of pace in front of her in that one; last time she did get fractions to run at was 3 back in New York and it resulted in her best figure in some time; still, given her style a minor award looks to be her ceiling.

Double the Lead

Moves back to the lawn and she's winless from 11 surface tries in her career including 4 over the local sod; numbers she's run over the footing at late don't stack up so well with the bigger gals in here; looking elsewhere.

Tonight We Dance

Ships down here from Canada off a couple of recent short priced placings on synthetic footing; filly does enter this in solid form, but she hasn't been a serious threat in any of her 4 career turf spins and she'll start from a tough spot.

Bala Roja

Outside drawn mare hasn't been close in her last 4 starts over the local lawn and owns a pretty weak career slate here; tough to make much of a case for this big longshot having a serious say in the outcome.

Race 9

Branded Hand

He's run well with the addition of Lasix in his two most recent races and he might not have cared for how far out of it he found himself through the opening stages in his latest outing; not going to count out the possibility of this colt still having more to show us.

Quasar Power

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and stakes winning dam won 5 of 9 starts for 163k, including 1-for-1 over turf for 36k; this colt is a 1/2 to stakes placed Moro Tap (3-8, 114k over turf); feel that he's eligible to be ready for better in his first start as a 3-year-old, but an improved performance is a must against these.

The Battle Is On

He was beaten by today's rival Branded Hand in his latest start, and although he ran pretty well the first two times he raced over turf, he is going to have to show more in order to get over on this field.

Medal Count

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and G3 stakes placed dam won 4 of 16 starts for 216k, including 2 of 7 turf starts for 98k; he's a very interesting player when seeing that he's already shown that he has some ability and that they were looking to get him over turf in his first two starts.

Angry Moon

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and stakes palced dam won 3 of 18 starts for 203k, including 3 of 11 turf starts for 163k; runner up from latest won next out at GP on 1/1 going 1m in a 100k stakes with a 92 Beyer.

All Tied Up

He stepped it up nicely along the Beyer Speed Figure scale when breaking his maiden in his latest outing and have to respect the fact that Castellano lands here; Castellano has won with 13 of 44 (30%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Pachanga Party

Feel that it's fair to question the dirt form that is lined up in this race and this will be a favorable spot for this stakes winning colt to get to make his first start as a 3-year-old if this races gets taken off the turf; Davis has won with 7 of 27 (26%) mounts for this barn at the current stand.

Patent

He closed out his 2-year-old season with a couple of much improved performances and this half-brother to multiple graded stakes winner Tizaqueena (8-18, 654k, including 4 of 12 turf starts for 462k) commands respect as a top contender in here off of those performances.

Meuser

Although against maiden claimers, he's done little wrong in his first two starts, and his current connections saw fit to take him for 75k from his latest race; not willing to count him out of it in his first start against winners.

Scorched Cat

Half-brother to stakes placed Performing (5-20, 166k over turf) ran to his backing in getting the job done at first asking, but he's obviously going to need a much sharper performance to get the better of this group.

Drover Road

Simply feel that his best effort isn't up to the level of the top contenders in her as he's likely going to need to produce a performance that earns him a Beyer Speed Figure that is approximately 20-25 points higher than his previous best in order to have a say in the outcome.

Race 10

Lina Picky

Basically got revenge on Repentless Lady with the win in last; like fact runner has natural speed but doesn't need the lead to win; note place horse in last was well clear; miss seems comfortable for this claiming price; must be left in the mix.

Don't Tell Patti

Game last time and note runners in the company line were clear; the 12/7 winner repeated in a $16K optional at Calder with a 74 Beyer; back up for sale today, but note she was taken for just $6250; could need softer to shine.

Daddys Jewel

Three of her 8 wins have been local; mare was around the wire several times last year but could only greet the cameraman once; and we really don't know how much the last race may have taken out of her; would not want to load up on too short a number.

Marija's Wish

Can't be thrilled with the local slate; last 2 victories came against much softer; 10-pound bug got a chance to figure her out; needs very best to make an impact here.

Kellster

Mare has done a little bit of everything in her career; maybe she was intimdated by the rail in last; she has speed but can also come from left field and get the money; miss did drill well 9 days ago; has to pick it up.

Repentless Lady

Proven for this price, she handles any kind of going and she comes to the race relatively fresh; she seems to be getting used to the route game but miss can be her own worst enemy at times since she has limited speed; must be left in the exotic conversation.

Pinafra

She beat the smallish field in the freak job 3 back; she caught fast splits last time and just could not keep up; she has shown the ability to rebound off poor efforts in the past; don't ignore.

Courtney Ryan

Pinballed at the break in last and she never got rolling; nothing wrong with being in the money in 9 of 14 at this distance; key off the tough beat in the stakes two back and this gal fits very nicely; look out.

La Stupenda

Protected in the Keeneland finale, miss could sit a nice stalk and pounce trip today; mare goes inside to the outside; look for rider to try to get her to settle a bit, sneak over and save a bit of ground, then try to get first run on the deep closers.

Race 11

Favorite Ketch

Last victory was from a similar-rail draw where he stalked the speed while saving ground then rallied home the best; knocking on the door on GP grass in recent-exacta finishes; the 2-back start saw him defeat the show runner who posted a 67 Beyer speed figure in his next-out TAM-16K-claiming victory; high-percentage jockey-trainer combo adds to the appeal on the pick.

Have the Last Word

Posted the 2nd-lowest Beyer of his career in the only turf start of career January, 2013, on TAM-green in a MSW 7th-place-24-length loss; good-wet-main track race 1st off the claim; was unable to repeat the 2-back career-Top speed figure when beating the runner-up and show finishers (59-57 Beyer next-out CRC-10K-$6,250-claiming winners).

Financial Pathway

9F-TAM-2012 turf winner graduating in a 16K maiden claimer; was no match for Fire Mission the last time racing on the grass; last victory was on a wet-main track but got that type of oval in last and was a non-factor; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 86 in his next-out CRC-16K-claiming win.

Fire Mission

Last win occurred on a less-than-firm turf course then ran very well in defeat when getting that type of surface for last when posting a career-best Beyer; tall task here trying to avenge the GP-turf losses vs Favorite Ketch; the 3-back show runner Beyered 67 in his next-out TAM-16K claimer.

Foolish Tiger

48%-win rate for the trainer 1st off the claim suggests a big improvement is on the way; 11-0-1-1 record with blinkers on they came back for last and remain on for this; the 2-back DQ'd winner posted an 83 Beyer winning a next-out AQU-alw; the September winner repeated in a BEL-alw. with an 88 speed figure.

Fort Boonesborough

Winless on grass; his best Beyer was posted on a fast-main track; was screaming out for more distance in latest at 1 Mile but remains at today's distance; the 3-back winner and runner-up finishers Beyered 98-95 in next-out PRX-OPC and stater alw. wins.

Tiz Ready

Long layoff for a trainer 0-for the last-11 with similar-fresh runners; massive-class drop competing in stakes pre-rest now in a race where he can be claimed; last turf start was a loss for today's price tag; the 2-back winner, runner-up and finishers Beyered 103-97-93 in next-out RP-175K-MNR-200K and MTH-G3 stakes wins; beat the 3-back show runner who Beyered 80 in a next-out PRM-OPC win.

Mr. Baker

Off the sprint starts figures to be part of the pace in an event lacking defined-gate speed; sire is 1-for-58 with 1st-turf starters; dam did not race on grass; her only other foal to race on the lawn went 0-for-5; just 1 race competing at 1 Mile represents a career-low Beyer;

Malibu Way

Not a good sign that his 1st race off the claim is a co-Beyer speed-career low; likely needed last start off the 100-day layoff for a barn known to win 2nd-time off the bench; debut winner at 1M on GP grass so we know there is some talent here; overall have mixed feelings.

Thundering Waters

99-day layoff for a high-percentage fresh trainer; the last time racing off more-than-a 45-day layoff was a blowout victory over a wet-turf course; was edged on less-than-firm turf 2-back so clearly does not prefer firm green; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 92 in his next-out WO-OPC win; wish he showed more run in his 2011-GP-Mile turf test when trailing throughout.

Seven Ten Split

Stalked the pace in his-career best efforts but is 4-0-0-0 since the June-career-best Beyer performance; the 98-day layoff is a major issue for a 9%-winning fresh trainer since 2013; the 3-back show runner Beyered 78 winning a next-out PRX-alw.; the July winner repeated in a PEN-OPC with an 86 Beyer.

Exeter Road

Last victory was a deep-closing score on GP turf to end his 4-year-old campaign but was blanked in 2013; wanted no parts of a less-than-firm turf course in last when racing wide; another ground-losing trip is projected for this; the August winner repeated in a MTH-$12,500 claimer with a 79 Beyer.

Megalith

Is 0-for-6 during career in races at 1 Mile or longer; Main Track Only entry's field-best Beyer in July occurred on today's GP oval over a sloppy-race track at 6F; last time racing at 1 Mile represents a career-low Beyer; beat the 3-back show runner who Beyered 79 in his next-out CRC-allowance victory.

Bashful Bandit

The Beyers have declined since the September claim; was entered in a tougher spot Friday at 7.5F on turf in a 30K claimer listed at 20-1-morning-line odds; stamina has been the major issue off the purchase; know him early then hopes to hang on late.