Gulfstream: Closer Looks for January 17, 2014

Race 1

Quick as a Bunny

57 days since the upset-debut win at a half furlong shorter than today's race; closed very well in Kentucky; the added yardage here is a plus; some inexperienced runners have difficulty with the rail draw but she should work out an ideal trip saving ground stalking the projected hot pace set by Doc Galor-Two Step Flor-Crazy Laura.

Doc Galore

Main issue is Two Step Flor and Crazy Laura both want the lead also; gate-to-wire key-race debut winner 197 days ago racing over a synthetic surface at 1F shorter; today is dirt start number 1; beat the show, 4th and 6th-place finishers from last they Beyered 68-60-54 in next-out ELP-30K-maiden claiming, AP-MSW and AP-35K-maiden-claiming wins.

Two Step Flor

Needs the lead to succeed; projects to battle Doc Galore and Crazy Laura for the front; is 2-for-2 when she makes the front and beat 2 runners combined in 2 starts where she did not break on top; the 3-back winner repeated with a 78 Beyer taking a LRL-optional claimer next out; view as a pace presence for part.

Crazy Laura

Perfect 2-for-2 runner has never been headed; figures to be on the pace with Doc Galore and Two Step Flor then hopes to hold off the late runners; 146 days since the victory at today's distance beating the show runner who Beyered 74 in her next-out GP allowance victory; won a key-race debut beating the runner-up and show finishers they Beyered 65-40 in next-out GP-32K-20K-maiden-claiming wins.

Magic Lily

Saved her career-best Beyer for last when catching a wet track landing an exacta finish behind a runaway winner; should work out a good trip here stalking the ton of inside speed signed on for this; the November winner repeated with a 70 Beyer capturing a CRC-starter alw. event.

G P Ricky

The dirt record is superb saving her career-best Beyer speed figure for last in her 1st-GP dirt start; late runner hopes not to bounce here after posting her new speed figure Top with 9 weeks between starts but is back in just 15 days for this; the 3-back runner-up and show finishers both Beyered 47 in next-out WO-25K-maiden-claiming wins.

Girl From Glan

48 days since her 2nd straight-exacta finish although the Beyer regressed 2nd-time out; she is clearly better on a fast track than wet; her debut win looks better since the runner-up finisher Beyered 53 in her next-out CRC-25K-maiden-claiming victory.

Mythic

GP-wet track graduation 3 weeks ago represents a field-best Beyer; most likely the move foward was the 2nd-time out improvement angle adding 18 points onto the debut speed figure; worked well for this for a high-percentage repeat trainer; if fires anything close to last the rest will be running for 2nd money; the pick. - Art Gropper

Race 2

Chispi Affair

The combination of some fair early speed and the descent from special weights should help her money chances today; can be situated right behind the outside speeds who could set her up perfectly; worth some follow-up at this level.

Bullheaded Lady

Firster was sired by G1 sprinter Benny the Bull who banked 2.35 million and whose offspring have won 5 of 17 debuts; the dam won 15 of 48 attempts and 345K; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

Jill's Reflection

Has been granted many chances but did turn in a fair showing at the course and distance recently; will have to step up her game to be the major player today but still warrants some inclusion in your exotic wagering approach.

F Five Movement

Adds blinkers after an encouraging run last month when rallying well despite losing momentum; her sire won multiple G1s and 831K; the dam won 1 of 17 and 45K; there are no winning siblings to highlight.

Go Solo

Came up empty in the last test when facing better stock; previous run was noteworthy when a clear-cut second behind a blowout winner; if she can recapture that performance level, she is a legitimate contender now.

Hugh Achoo

This Canadian lass is one of speeds to consider as she makes only her second start for a tag; was pressured in her last assignment at Woodbine while favored and may have an easier time of it against this caliber.

Go to Work

Makes her initial start for the new barn and did improve significantly in the last showing when attempting a mile; the grey had an excuse when defeated at this distance 2 back and the outside slot can work in her favor today. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Graffitist

He's out of a G1 winning dam who won 6 of 14 starts for 907k, no turf starts, and he's a full to stakes placed Kentucky Reign (2-11, 83k over turf) but he hasn't finished better than eighth in his first three starts, or closer than 10 lengths to the winner.

Gridiron Great

It's tough to back him based on his recent form but he did run some races during his 3-year-old season that are strong enough to suggest that he has the ability to get himself into the mix against these.

Ride a Song

Like Gridiron Great, he ran some decent races is 2013 but it's tough to trust him based on what he's been doing lately; not going to be surprised if he shows up with a competitive performance against these, but prefer to lean toward those with sharper recent form.

George and John

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; runner-up from latest returned to win next out at Prx on 1/1 going 1m vs. MSW rivals with a 71 Beyer and 3rd finisher won next out here on 12/29 going 7f vs. 12.5k MCL's with a 76 Beyer.

Herecomethehawks

Half-brother to G2 winner Old Time Hockey (3-14, 225k over turf) has run well in his two most recent starts, even if he has been beaten as the favorite in those races, and this looks like a favorable spot for him to get over the Gulfstream Park turf course for the first time.

Jonathan C

He has a fine turf pedigree, but he's also had his chances to show us what he can do, and his best effort doesn't appear to be strong enough to get the better of the top contenders in here.

Fiddlers Tango

He deserves some credit for the way that he outran his odds in his latest start, but that level of performance hasn't been the norm for him, and when considering what he had been doing prior to that, it might not be reasonable to expect that type of effort out of him right back.

Scorpion Al

Scorpion has been a below average influence as a turf sire and this relatively lightly raced 5-year-old must show more than he has in his two most recent races since being returned from a long layoff in order to contend; runner up from latest returned to win next out here on 1/10 going 7f vs. 20k MCL's with a 66 Beyer.

Time Thief Too

Lido Palace has been a poor influence as a turf sire, and not only might this gelding be better off racing over dirt than turf, but he might also prefer distances shorter than today's one mile assignment.

Egolyan

From 17 career starts, including 10 over turf, he's yet to run a race that is strong enough to suggest that he can get the better of these; note that he was soundly defeated by today's rival Fiddlers Tango in his latest outing. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Kaigun

Graded SP gelding tries dirt for the initial time after running out of ground on the local sod when dropped to this level last month; gelding doesn't have any early foot so the inside draw isn't ideal and there doesn't look to be a lot of lick signed on here, but Castellano agrees to take the call so expect this guy will come rolling late today.

Red Hills

Didn't have an impact in the Claiming Crown heat last month and now he'll try allowance runners again; his effort against cheaper 3 starts back was pretty sharp, but note that he got a very quick clip in front of him and hasn't been able to duplicate the try in 2 subsequent moderately paced heats; prefer others on the win end.

Bradester

Adds the hood for his 4 year old debut while returning to the scene of a sharp allowance score just over a year ago; colt brings plenty of early lick with him and he's run well fresh in the past; he likes 2 turn racing and he's been working like he's ready to return from the brief break running; with an aggressive send he could make the lead here and prove tough to run down.

Bobcaygeon

Canadian shipper tries dirt for the first time while tackling better in his local debut; gelding has been in solid form of late and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him run on to grab a minor share as he has been working well over this new footing, but don't think he'll prove good enough to beat all of these home.

Bowman's Causeway

He's another shipping in here from Woodbine, but he has local experience and a win over this strip to his credit; Rosario gets aboard a runner who has been working well for his comebacker, but don't know that he's good enough to beat these in his first start back; looking at others on the win end.

Broome Street

Tries a better bunch after proving no threat to the runaway winner in the last out off the turfer; gelding looked good running away from cheaper allowance runners here 2 back and he was quite sharp in beating weaker than he'll face today last spring; maybe the stretchout helps him sit closer early here and that can't hurt; consider.

Pick of the Litter

Four year old was given some time following the odds on score in his Churchill finale a couple of months back and now he'll return to the scene of his career best Beyer maiden score; don't know that the pace is going to be to his liking here and each of his wins did come going a bit further than he'll go here, but he has run well off a similar freshening and looms the one to fear in the lane.

Red Rifle

Lightly raced colt was impressive in winning first out here last winter and went on to beat winners on the stretchout before a beaten chalk effort in the Belmont turf stake sent him to the bench for awhile; slow break didn't help his return from half a year on the bench and he loses Castellano today; he does have a right to move forward with that one behind him, however, and the Pletcher barn hits at a nice clip second off the break so maybe he has more to offer here. - Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Lady Go Go

Exits a career-low Beyer speed figure in her 1st start ever on a wet-main track; her best Beyer was rallying in a turf sprint but her lone grass route was a dull effort and is back racing long for this; the 2-back runner-up finisher posted a 51 Beyer in her next-out WO-10K-maiden-claiming win; would be a surprise.

Bet On Kitten

A non factor in her 1st ever maiden-claiming start and her 1st GP grass test; adds blinkers a high-win percentage angle for the barn; new rider wins 33% for the trainer at GP but Leparoux is her 5th different jockey in as many races which is not a good-win angle; the 3-back show runner Beyered 64 in her next-out CD-MSW win.

Frere Pilgrim

The one to catch but has to fend off the speedy Party Starter from the gate then hold off the closers; exits a field-best Beyer when just missing 40 days ago in her 1st-ever grass race; latest was off a 7-week absence so hopes not to bounce here but clearly has had enough time to regroup off that effort; the 2-back winner repeated with an 80 Beyer taking a GP-optional-claiming race; the 3-back winner and show finisher Beyered 76-72 in next-out WO-MSW and allowance wins; the pick.

Doctor Vickie Lynn

54 days since outfinished on dirt; back to best surface today; her best Beyer and 4 of 5 in-the-money finishes were accomplished on turf although today is start 1 on the GP green; only other start when competing in a maiden claimer was 2-back defeating the show runner who Beyered 71 in her next-out CD-MSW victory; can she get up at 1 Mile is the lone concern; seems the one to beat.

Dont Miss Crissy

112 days since posting a career-low speed figure; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 73-58 in next-out WO-MSW and 40K-claiming wins; her career-best speed figure was 2nd time back off a layoff so will be taking a wait and see approach for this-fresh attempt.

Hit Squad

Late runner has more than 4 lengths to make up on Frere Pilgrim from last while latest is a career-best Beyer it also marked the return to front waps on which is often not a good-win angle; she has been a better runner since blinkers were added 2 races ago; late runner may be better suited for distances longer than 1 Mile.

Party Starter

Sire is 26-for-275 with 1st-turf starters; projects to battle Frere Pilgrim for the lead then hopes to have enough left to hold off the late runners; is out of an 0-for-1 grass dam finishing 6th in an FG-turf alw.; 3 foals to race on North American grass are 0-for-7 combined; the 2-back winner repeated in a LRL-OPC with an 84 Beyer.

Alguna

Lacked stamina when more was expected from last dropping into a maiden claimer for just the 2nd time during career; the 2-back winner repeated with a 77 Beyer capturing a GP-OPC event; new rider is her 5th different pilot in as many races which is not a good-win angle; view as a pace presence for part.

Reign It In

Sire is 1-for-8 with 1st-turf starters; 2-for-19 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 6-for-32 multiple-stakes winning dam (376K) who won 1-of-8 on turf (53K); she produced 2 winners from 2 other foals to race including SP-Delightful Dawn (4-for-30, 166K); but her 2 foals are 9-0-0-1 combined on turf.

Scorpion Aly

Got going too late in the rallying-debut key-race loss; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 75 in her next-out GP-35K-maiden-claiming graduation; she beat the 5th and 11th-place runners from last they Beyered 61-56 in next-out CRC-GP-16K-$12,500-maiden-claiming wins; contender.

Acquisition

5-0-0-0 record without blinkers on but they are removed for this; best Beyer was posted at a much-longer distance than 1 Mile; she was screaming out for more distance in last but remains at 8F; the 2-back winner repeated with a 77 Beyer; others appeal more. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Sleepless Knight

Multiple graded stakes placed veteran might have his faster days behind him, but he didn't run poorly in his latest outing off of a layoff, and feel that he's still capable of showing up with a competitive performance against competition of this caliber; like to see that he's had some success over this turf course in the past.

Kalamos

Stakes placed 5-year-old got the job done in his career debut, but he had a really nice trip after a little bit of a slow start; regardless, he was stakes placed racing over turf in France, and he seems likely to appreciate getting back over turf for this; sharp looking recent workouts help add appeal.

Check Your Soul

Multiple stakes winner might be at his best racing over a synythetic surface, and the long layoff is a concern, but he has some respectable turf form on his card and he looks like he fits in with this bunch; third-place finisher from latest won next out at Wo on 5/25 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 62k OPC's with an 88 Beyer.

Reload

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and multiple graded stakes placed dam won 4 of 14 starts for 203k, and she didn't make a turf start; 5-year-old is a 1/2 to G3 winner Defer (4-18, 260k, including 2 of 11 turf starts for 136k); this looks like a tough spot for his turf debut, but he's an obvious threat if this race has to be moved to the main track.

Bombaguia

He carries multiple graded stakes placed credentials with him, and not only does his best effort make him tough to deal with in this spot, but he might be able to employ his early speed to control the early tempo; he has a live look to him while making his first start since November.

Learn (IRE)

Perhaps he can prove to be an early pace player, and it looks like he did some decent work on turf racing overseas, but he's going to need to be much sharper than he was in his first start in America to beat this field; leaning toward others.

English Progress

This is his toughest test to date, but he's three-for-three since being placed over turf and he commands his share of respect in this spot, especially with Rosario at the controls; however, he does like to do his work from off the pace and there's a chance that a slow early tempo will be established.

Hamp

He earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in his latest outing while making his first start over this turf course and he finished in front of today's rival Sleepless Knight in that event; that said, he's probably going to need to see a few of these show up with less than their best to get the job done. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Full of Sugar

Stretches out a bit in her first local start after working a sharp half mile at Palm Meadows on New Year's Eve; all 5 of her sibs are winners and 2 of them won going long so maybe the added ground helps bring some more out in here and a top pilot does stick with her.

She's Not Here

She's shown pretty good speed in each of her 2 starts and now she'll turn back to a slightly shorter trip; barn is profitable with its fresh runners and this gal is the second foal to race out of a turf SW router; one to consider at what figures to be an improved price.

Lucky for You

Sat a wide tracking spot after taking all the money first out sprinting here last month and proved little match late for the runner up who returns in this spot as well; barn excels with its runners who have had a race and this gal's SW dam did won going long on the main track; both sibs won their races on the green; expecting she'll have more to offer with the initial experience behind her and even a slight move forward would make her a huge danger.

Queen of the Spa

Wasn't able to get to a couple of the gals who return here as well when off the board in her first crack on dirt here last month; maybe getting off the fence helps and her pedigree suggests she could become a solid miler; she breezed well at Palm Meadows last week and figures to offer some value.

D' Orsay

Sire gets 10% first out winners and the dam was a multiple G1 SW in her native Argentina prior to dropping a 2 time route winner in South America; barn doesn't do particularly well right out of the box and the recent drills are all breezes.

Bird Rockette

Didn't offer much in either of her Churchill tries in the fall and now she'll make her local debut with a couple of solid recent Palm Meadows breezes in tow; her lone winning sib was a multiple route winner so maybe the stretch back out helps, but she's got some improving to do to step with some of these.

Spring Blossom

Barn's second runner in here went for big money at auction as a baby and encountered some early trouble while tackling some of these in her sprint debut here last month; filly is the first foal to race out of a G2 SW sprinter who also won routing while banking over a million in her career; expecting better from her today.

Rumba

She took a good step forward second out in the Churchill slop and now she'll stretch out to this flat mile; she does boast a couple of solid, but spaced interim Palm Meadows drills, and the barn hits at a decent clip with its fresh runners.

Tiz Windy

Didn't take to well to the lawn when last sighted at Churchill but her prior effort sprinting on dirt was pretty good; lack of lick doesn't help but she does figure to appreciate this one turn trip and she lures a top pilot here; contender.

Money Game

Last out runner up has made up ground in each of her 4 local spins at shorter trips so she'll likely appreciate the stretchout in this spot; she does own the field's best lifetime Beyer and expect she'll find herself a lot closer to the top than usual early in this spot; she's kin to 2 multiple route winners including one who won 23 times going long.

Secret Someone

Gets Lasix for her second start after failing to go on at the trip in her troubled debut run; filly is bred to love routing and she does boast a solid interim breeze so she has a right to move forward with the initial experience behind her; SW dam won 4 times going long and banked 212K prior to dropping 2 route winners; figures to bring more to the table in this one.

House Rules

Outside drawn filly turns back following a solid placing in her initial route spin; she returned to work a sharp 5/8s here last week so expect she remains on her toes and she could have move to offer late at today's shorter trip; giving her the nod as the one to beat. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Longing for Quiet

Mare double jumps off the game win; the place horse 10/5 won the drop into a $7500 N2L seller, then ran out of the money; show horse 10/5 cashed next out in a $16K starter, lost next 3; she has to prove she can put wins together and we really don t know how much the last race may have taken out of her; will be in the picture late if at all.

Bella Promessa

Hung wide two back and she reared at the break and lost all chance in last; show horse 11/15 won next out in a $16K starter, then won a $16K optional; mare has more speed than she just showed; capable barn due to get rolling; needs a rebound run.

Guava Girl

Respect this gal's speed; she has to prove it on grass; miss took big action on the double drop in last but never kicked; 11/14 place horse cashed next out for $16K, then lost in a $40K optional; show horse 11/14 took a $10K claimer, then was out of the money for $12.5K; more experienced pilot takes reins; would be careful here.

Urquia

Two regressions since the all out game win off the layoff; steadied two back when beating a pair home but she was never in the hunt at this very distance in last; needs a rebound run.

Dance With Gio

Mare can be her own worst enemy at times since she has limited speed; apparently not much of a work horse, she didn't really threaten the winner when boxcars two back; things have to break just right.

Gift of Speed

Nice ride in last; rider coaxed her along, then responded to be inching away late; in the money in 8 of 9, would have liked to have seen more of a winning style and it's never simple to beat winners right back; looking elsewhere for a key top horse.

Brandys Secret

Shorter trip could be just what the good doctor ordered; any horse that can win 20 of 43 is a friend of mine; she likes this layout, and she has won several races in her career from just off the pace; Castellano has had a knack with this miss; could be long gone.

Feelingbettertoday

Miss has some semblance of speed but can't see her making the lead; she does have much more speed than she just flashed; if you figure she needed the last, then you can make a case for a more forward; drill last Saturday is a positive; toss anything from this kind of a potent barn at own risk.

Dissension

Dibona has a good eye for a buy as he s 28% off the claim in the last year or so; guess somebody had to run third in the small field in last but the blowout here on Sunday should have her on her toes; place horse in the last win took a $16K optional with a 76 Beyer; don't ignore.

Ambitoness

Try to get a good look at this gal on the track; after being vanned off in the 2013 opener, miss took the long vacation and has not been all that sharp since; her versatility could be her best asset; due to beak through.

Negrita Tata

Three regressions since the hard-fought win in September; she has also been handled by a couple of today's foes; she got away with the pedestrian splits three back and still could not close the deal; passing.

High Tee

Hard to be thrilled with this runner the way she ran in the lone grass out; 10/23 place horse cashed next out in an N1X with a 75 Beyer; could see mare pushing the issue, just not sure she will be around when they take the snapshots.

Sonja's Angel

Bet like a good thing and she proved she could take the heat of speed duel and still rule the kitchen; winner of the Philly finale took an $8K starter next, then ran second beaten 3 in a $16K starter; Walder can keep a horse going good once he gets good; a player if he goes. - Brian Mulligan

Race 10

Lemonsrgoodongrass

She ran well enough in her first two career starts over turf to merit respect in this spot, but even though she ran well in a turf sprint at first asking, feel that this runner might be better off with more distance to work with the next time around; third place finisher from latest returned to win next out here on 2/15 going 1m vs. MSW rivals with a 55 Beyer.

Street Trick

This filly has a good deal of turf in her pedigree and she's run well in three of her first four starts; however, she goes out for a barn that hasn't made much noise over the past year; third-place finisher from latest returned to win next out at Sar on 7/29 going 5 1/2f over turf vs. MSW rivals with an 86 Beyer.

I Want the Roses

She's the speed nearest the rail and her most recent start was her sharpest performance to date, but she's going to need to be ready to take her game to another level while stepping back up in class to meet maiden special weight competition.

Braided

Like to see that she's beaten a number of today's rivals in her two most recent races, and that includes a start sprinting over turf two races back at Belmont Park; Darley-homebred has displayed sharp early speed and going to look for her to be involved in the running every step of the way.

Rockabye Lady

Not wild about what she's shown us in her first four starts, including her turf debut in her latest outing when finishing behind a couple of today's rivals; this is only her second start for a barn that does nice work with young/lightly raced turf horses, so an improved performance isn't out of the question, but others entice more.

Zamquick

She showed up with a fine performance in her career debut in a six-furlong turf dash, and she might be ready to bounce back to that level of performance while turning back to a sprint distance for this; this is a solid win-early barn and like to see Lezcano aboard again.

Victorious Won

This filly has a good deal of turf on the bottom of her pedigree and have to respect the performance that she showed up with in her turf debut over this course last March; her recent workouts look sharp and Bravo is a go-to rider for this barn.

Town Tour

Half-sister to stakes winner Uno Caliente (3-23, 140k, including 1 of 8 turf starts for 65k) deserves another chance to see what she can do racing over turf after a couple of improved performances in off-the-turf events in her two most recent starts.

Warmhearted Windy

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam won once from five starts for 20k, and she didn't make a turf start; she was beaten by a couple of these in her career debut and her connections will hope for better with a move to turf.

Secret

She's a half to multiple stakes winner Inspired (8-22, 439k, including 6 of 15 turf starts for 360k) but it's tough to build a favorable case in her direction based on what she's shown in her first three starts.

So Royal

Chapel Royal has been a below average to poor turf sire, but this filly is out of a dam who won 7 of 26 turf starts for 212k, and this miss has shown enough in her four turf attempts to be labled a contender against these.

Sweethots

Sire wins with approximately 6% of his first-time starters and with approximately 17% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal from a dam who won 2 of 13 starts for 93k, and she didn't make a turf start; it is interesting to see Rosario land aboard this firster. - Brian Pochman