Gulfstream: Closer Looks for January 18, 2014

Race 1

Rocboo

Sire is 36-for-410 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam; none of her 4 other raced foals competed on North-American grass; icy-GP trainer (off to a 1-for-27 at the current meeting) does well with fresh runners off the 5-week absence; must show more.

Our Wild Won

Projects to be the main speed here after dueling for the front in his career debut which can be excused over a soft-turf course; deserves a chance on firm footing; some runners move forward strongly 2nd-time out and he has plenty of stamina improvement needed for this; know him early then hopes to hang on late for a share.

Dukati

Sire is 26-for-275 with 1st-turf starters; 39-for-395 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 3-for-16 dam (144) who did not race on grass; she produced 2 winners from 3 other foals to race with top earner 125K-Magnici Cat (3-for-16); both winning foals also scored on turf including 79K-grasser Flashy Gal (1-for-8).

Grand Strand

Sire is 28-for-367 with 1st-turf starters; 44-for-599 with 1st-time starters; is out of an unraced dam who produced 4 winners from 6 other foals to race; 3 of 6 foals to race on grass are turf winners including 41K-lawn earner Crepe Myrtle (2-for-12 turf).

Long Water

Sire is 36-for-410 with 1st-turf starters; G1-SW dam did not race on grass; her only other foal to race SW-Long River (3-for-8, 188K) did not race on turf; co-field-best Beyer speed figure on BEL dirt at longer than this posting an even-running show finish in September; the one to beat.

Dolan's Joy

Sire is 47-for-291 with 1st-turf starters; 55-for-336 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 1-for-7 dam (19K) who went 1-for-4 on grass (15K); she produced 2-full winners from 2 other foals to race including 24K-earner High Dollar Kitten (1-for-10; her 2 foals are 9-0-1-0 combined on turf (11K).

Divine Oath

Sire is 44-for-415 with 1st-turf starters; 67-for-614 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal to race out of a 1-for-4 dam (30K) who did not race on grass; hard to ignore the high-percentage debut barn and jockey-trainer combo; contender.

Abundio

Sire is 52-for-546 with 1st-turf starters; 68-for-650 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 3-for-5 dam (18K) won won 1-of-2 on grass (7K) producing 3 winners from 4 other foals to race including 725K-earner G1-dirt SW Eskenderya (4-for-6); 1 of 2 foals to race on North American grass is a turf winner.

Gibson's Bullet

Exits back-to-back co-field-best Beyer speed figures; was outfinished at 1F longer in last; a well-timed ride may be all he needs to graduate against a field mostly of inexperienced runners; could have needed last off the 36-day absence; continues with the rider who's won 4-of-13 for the trainer since 2013; the pick.

Ring Weekend

Sire is 27-for-308 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 3-for-10 grass dam (60K); 1 of 5 foals to race on turf is a lawn winner full-Tap the Magic (1-for-5 grass 21K); Our Wild Won projects to own the best-gate speed but expecting this one to be winging from the gate also; 1st-Lasix start 90 days ago produced a new Beyer-career Top.

Quotient

Sire is 78-for-600 with 1st-turf starters; 105-for-897 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 1-for-4 dam (24K) who did not race on grass; her only other foal to race is 1-for-11 Award (34K) who went 3-0-0-0 on turf; super-1st grass trainer adds to the appeal.

Kato

Main Track Only entry; sire is 51-for-393 with 1st-time starters; is out of a multiple-SW dam (13-for-36, 479K) who's only other foal to race is 5-0-0-0 Queen of Mongolia (2K); was outworked by the other MTO Hurricane Turn.

Hurricane Turn

MTO's sire is 78-for-596 with 1st-time starters; is out of a multiple-SW dam (7-for-23, 263K) who produced 5 winners from 7 other foals to race including G3-placed Marquee Delivery (5-for-23, 264K); has been working like he is ready to fire strongly 1st-time out. - Art Gropper

Race 2

Poor Etiquette

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 14 starts for 14k; this filly is a 1/2 to Son of Danube (6-44, 78k, including 2 of 21 turf starts for 32k); she has some early speed to throw at these after breaking from the rail and this isn't a bad spot for her to make her turf debut.

Shakesperian Dream

She was well backed in her career debut and feel that performance can be viewed in a positive light; she's out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 4 of 41 starts for 248k, including 2 of 26 turf starts for 140k; she's eligible to be ready for better now that she has some racing experience to draw from.

Great Cross

She's a full to Sassy Kitten (1-2, 45k over turf) and this filly might be ready for her best effort yet while getting back over turf for this; she boasts the best last race Beyer Speed Figure and feel that she can top that performance in her second turf attempt.

Sweet Paola

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this filly is a 1/2 to Saturnus (1-10, 20k over turf); obviously she has to show up with a much improved performance in order to prove to be a player in here.

Dun Won

Sire has won with 1 of 6 (17%) turf starters and dam won 6 of 60 starts for 134k, including 2 of 14 turf starts for 40k; this filly is a 1/2 to Kiss of Thunder (4-17, 91k, including 3 of 11 turf starts for 71k); she's another who has to do better in her turf debut in order to contend.

Addar

This looks like a good spot for this filly to drop in with 35k claimers for the first time, and if she can regain the form that she displayed in a couple of starts back in October, she can have a legitimate chance at the top spot; she appears to be well meant while getting a rider switch to Lopez.

Brenna's Song

Her turf form has clearly been better than her dirt form and this will be the first time that she's faced maiden claimers over turf; however, she is going to need her sharpest performance to date to get the job done in this spot.

Royal Spaces

She's been outrun at every point of call in her first two starts, and that's after being cold in the wagering; it's tough to give her a favorable push based on what she's shown so far.

Fly in for the Win

Sire wins with approximately 5% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a G3 stakes placed dam who won 4 of 17 turf starts for 253k; not wild about Birdstone as a turf sire, and it might be worth noting the presence of Lopez elsewhere in here, but she showed good early speed in her career debut and that race was originally scheduled for turf.

Punteada

Maybe she deserves another chance to see what she can do over turf, and perhaps the addition of blinkers will help her, but she's another in here who must take a noticeable step forward in order to put pressure on the top contenders.

Cocoanut Row

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; she finished behind today's rival Great Cross in her latest outing, but that wasn't a poor performance while wearing blinkers for the first time, and that January 13 workout looks improved. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

Merilore

Steps up to this level in her return to the local lawn after running away from 4 foes in the local off the turfer; off the pace type did break her maiden over the local sod last winter but given her recent figures, don't know that she fits so well at this level; siding against the repeat.

Love to Score

Gets back in with older after the rough trip at 60-1 in stakes company while returning to the local sod; she has speed and maybe that helps her work out a trip, but her more recent surface efforts aren't good enough to get involved in the outcome today; passing.

Perfect Package

Got her nose down sprinting in her first with winners and now she'll stretch back out on the rise to this level; she came back to beat maidens going long 2 back so the added ground doesn't figure to bother her and this has proven to be her preferred course; early foot should have her in the think of it from the bell.

Ceci N Red

Gets post relief after tracking from a couple of outside draws in her 2 local starts to end last year; she did run well in the career best Beyer placing last time and should find herself in a decent spot here; one to consider.

Sustained

Fresh filly makes her 4 year old debut in her return to allowance company after tracking a slow clip and fading in the Keeneland graded stake last fall; big number she earned in victory in New York may have been a product of the hot pace in front of her; have to limit her use to underneath in exotics in this spot.

Seanchai

Didn't have enough late when beaten at odds on at Tampa last month; her effort 2 back at Keeneland was excellent and she will stretch out half a panel for this one which looks to be to her benefit; switching to a top pilot for this, she's a contender.

Celestial Kitten

Just missed at Calder before hitting the bench for 3 months; mare returns for the optional tag in this spot and she's winless over the local sod, but the barn's winning clip off the break is little short of insane; though she's settled for plenty of minor awards, can't count her out.

Industrial Policy

She's hit the board in each of her 9 career spins and the last 2 of them came on the lawn with winners; New York based filly will make her local debut while stepping up to this level for her first start in 3 months, but the sharp outfit excels off the break; will need some help up top, but she always fires and should be coming hard late.

Gathering

She was no surprise in her stateside debut at Keeneland last spring and offered a big kick after encountering early trouble in that cheaper allowance heat; she subsequently had little resistance for her pace challengers on the stretchout, but that came against graded stakes runners and she'll catch a softer bunch in her first start since; proven fresh, they'll have her to beat.

Black Bird Rock

Makes her local return after wiring a route field at the level in her Woodbine synthetic finale; she'll move back to the green for this but hasn't had much impact over the footing in some time; nice to see Lezcano take interest, but don't think she'll have a big impact in here.

Ann of the Dance

Drops out of the stakes ranks after the rail draw put her in a tough spot in her local return; mare doesn't have much early foot and the outside draw in a big field could put her in a wide spot, but she'll get a weight break with the capable bug named and should be doing her better running late.

Harbingerofthings

Starts from the outside slot in her second start back from the freshening after a weak wide trip effort against stakes runners; she'll need to step things up from a figure standpoint in order to step with some of these; prefer others.

Sonja's Angel

MTO enters this off a career best number in her first start since the summer; she'll tackle a better bunch if the rains come here, but it will consist of turf meant foes and she has had plenty of time to get over the big try; with speed and a top pilot returning, she's dangerous if this gets moved to dirt. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Tonalist

Respectable first run at the straightaway mile at the Big A; his sire won the G1 Wood Memorial and 557K; the dam won 1 of 19 attempts and 71K; among the winning siblings is 118K earner Elkhorn Creek; upbeat Payson Park work tab is on view.

Awesome Sky

Adds blinkers for the first time after a respectable showing in a G2 affair last season; his 2-turn experience should come into play here and he should be a major presence from this advantageous starting position.

Rompin Reid

Could not serious threaten in his first when after being bothered at the start; his sire is multiple G1 winner Medaglia d'Oro who notched 5.75 million; the dam won multiple G2s and 725K; winning siblings include 36K earner Couture Cat.

Cosmic Coincidence

Lost serious ground in his only attempt a month ago and returns now with an important equipment change; his sire won a G1 and 616K while the dam was without a victory in 4 attempts; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Hurricane Ray

One of several in this field donning blinkers for the first time today; his sire twice won the Breeders' Cup Classic and 6.42 million; the dam went 5 for 32 earning 74K; winning siblings include 497K earner Appealing Zophie.

Global Strike

Solid first performance when facing a dozen opponents on the turf; his sire won a G1 and 337K while the dam won half of her 10 starts and 86K; there are no winning siblings to mention; very strong possibility under a top rider.

Sheket

Did not break alertly in either start and thus the blinker addition; his sire won multiple G1s and 698K; the dam won 4 of 11 and 113K; among the winning siblings is 156K earner Silent Moon; switches to apprentice handling.

Souperfast

Very fine placing last fall at Belmont Park; his sire won a G2 and 725K while the dam won 3 of 6 attempts and 81K; among the winning siblings is multiple G1 star Uncle Mo who banked a total of 1.6 million.

Barley Twist

Nothing to write home about up to now; the son of Bernardini did show progression in the latest workout at five-eighths but still seems a bit of a reach; cannot recommend until more firepower is shown.

Palace Gate

If he can learn how to break alertly, this colt could threaten; his sire won multiple G1s and 3.07 million; the dam won 6 of 18 tries and 246K; among the winning siblings is G3 victor Excited who compiled 244K.

Daring David

Closed with a late burst to capture the show here recently but makes his first try around 2 turns on the main oval; might be caught up in a logjam in the back of the pack with so many confirmed ralliers in attendance here; difficult call.

Saa Mi

Made a nice middle move before steadying in his September getaway race; his sire won a G1 and 1.08 million while the dam was zero for 4 lifetime; among the winning siblings is 157K earner Carried Interest. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Sweet N Discreet

Pletcher bagged a double on Wednesday, and has fared well when using a fairly hot Joe Bravo; 4yo is moving out beyond a mile for the first time in this nine-furlong test, and is bred for the task at hand; sib to G2 stakes winners Travelin Man and Discreet Dancer should be prominent from the outset.

Toasting

Put up a 98 Beyer in her heartbreaking loss to the once-beaten favorite Wedding Toast in the G3 Comely at this distance, from which the third horse exited to take a $95K stakes at Aqueduct (95 Beyer); the capable Jose Ortiz retains the mount, and should have her closing for another high placing if sufficiently cranked up off the short layoff; preferred.

Dreamlicious

Her recent form is more appealing if you ignore her turf races, but she only got a 73 Beyer for running second in a recent optional event on the dirt; trainer/rider combo is a frustrating 0 for 25 at the meet (11 of those runners made the board); overmatched.

Devil's Cave

Dueled through fast fractions before drawing clear late to win her first middle-distance start going a mile around one turn in a recent restricted stakes; has the speedy Sky Skier to deal with here if she employs an aggressive approach, but she can put that one away before holding on for a share.

Sky Skier

A hot Paco Lopez was aboard when she led throughout a Dec. 22 optional claimer traveling a mile around one turn; possesses a blend of speed and stamina in her pedigree, and may be hard-pressed to stay the nine furlongs, even if all the other speed is withdrawn.

My Pal Chrisy

Checked in third behind two of her current rivals in a recent stakes for Florida-breds, from which the fourth horse exited to land an optional starter with an 80 Beyer; horse-for-course earned Beyers in the high 80s and 90s while hitting the board in a series of stakes over a variety of distances since the spring; Gonzales rode her when she captured three straight stakes; big shot.

Burning Truth

Chestnut has run hot and cold since the spring, and the majority of those poor performances came in stakes; has done her optimum running on the lead, and the other front-runners in this field are better than she is; she worked a bullet the other day at Calder, but is hard to recommend otherwise. - Ron Gierkink

Race 6

Parranda

Multiple stakes winner is a bonafide horse-for-course and she beat a number of today's rivals two and three starts back; she's shown the ability to adapt to any early pace scenario and she should be able to manage a comfortable trip after breaking from the rail post.

Sharapova Slams

This is a barn and rider that team up with success but this filly has yet to produce a performance that is up to the level of the top contenders in here; she looks like more of an outsider; Saez has won with 5 of 13 (38%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Wishing Gate

Multiple graded stakes winner is tough to ignore this spot, and if she brings her 'A' game to the table, she will make one of these have to jump up to beat her; she hails from a strong turf outfit and Stevens has become a go-to rider for this barn.

Nicki Starshine

In a race where it looks like the winner will earn a Beyer Speed Figure in the upper 80's or low 90's this filly sports a career best figure of 80; respect the fact that she's a multiple stakes winner, but this does appear to be a tough test for her.

Silsita

She's a G3 winner racing over the synthetic surface at Turfway Park, and she gave a fine account of herself when chasing today's rival Parranda to the finish in her latest start; Castellano has won with 16 of 53 (30%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Creative License

She looks like another in here who is going to have to find a way to take her game to another level in order to prove to be a threat for the top spot, but on a slightly positive note, she has given a decent account of herself against a number of today's rivals in the past.

Millennia

She's a stakes winner racing over this turf course but she was beaten by a couple of today's rivals two and three starts ago, and with Wishing Gate signed on, this becomes an even tougher assignment; feel that a minor award is likely the ceiling.

E B Ryder

Stakes winning filly has run a couple of the better races of her career when fresh, and it's worth noting the success that this barn has been having when returning horses from this type of a layoff; feel that this is a tough spot for her, but it's probably a good idea to look for her to be ready for a top try. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Salamera

Showed quality as a younger filly with a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Adirondack to Kauai Katie, who would develop into one of the better 3YO female sprinting of 2013; subsequently this miss bomped routing, but her comeback in an allowance here was a good in light of how long she had been away; picks up Castellano; still not sold on her being ready to defeat fillies of this caliber until she gets a few more starts under her belt.

Sweet N Discreet

Finished a head in from of My Pal Chrisy when they met going a mile, turning in a runner-up finish; cutting back to six furlongs figures to benefit her; she has recorded all three of her victories at GP at this distance; for the second straight race, she returns a little quicker than Pletcher prefers to return his stakes horses.

My Pal Chrisy

Has performed at a high level for Wolfson; she rattled off three straight wins before a pair of thirds in her last two; doubt the cutback in distance matters much to this honest mare; she's won from 6f to 1 1/16m for her current connections, and there is an abundance of speed in this lineup; Wolfson goes back to Gonzales, who is 3 for 3 on this miss; 11-time winner ranks as the choice.

Ullapool

This speedster was away for over a year heading into the fall, but it never showed in her two performances since; she romped off the bench and then repeated in the Garland of Roses; blazing speed is obviously her strength; she figures to come out firing and take these as far as she can; presence of fellow speedsters R Free Roll, Ladyfromhavana, and Classic Point mean she won't get a free ride.

R Free Roll

Nearly won the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl but was run down in the closing yards by the sharp Heart Stealer; style is very similar to Ullapool, though this one might not be quite as quick; at her best over her home surface of Calder but showed last out she can run well here, too.

Ladyfromhavana

She's a talented sort and making her third start off a layoff after a dominant win; but bear in mind that she only defeated state-bred N1X runners last time; now she's taking on more experienced, accomplished mares; expecting her to back up in the drive.

Classic Point

Lacked her customary speed in the Sugar Swirl and didn't run as well;t herefore expect Solis to put her more into the race even though there is other speed in the lineup; this miss just runs best up close; capable of a strong race on occasion, such as when coming close to beating Dance to Bristol in the Honorable Miss. - Byron King

Race 8

Tiz Gianni

Stakes winning veteran has been in fine form lately, and his overall work racing over turf has been solid, but this has to be considered a very tough spot for him to land in after being claimed away from the Jacobson barn for 30k from his latest start.

Spring Up

He's gotten the job done in four of his last six starts and he has stepped up his game since being placed over turf three races ago; he is meeting stakes competition for the first time in his career, but feel that he merits some respect based on his sharp recent form.

Blameshifter

Like to see that this stakes placed veteran has had success from seven starts over this turf course, but when seeing what happened the last time he met up with Bad Debt, it's tough to recommend him for anything more than a spot underneath in the exotics.

Hobbs

It would've been nice to have seen him show more in his latest outing after a layoff, but maybe the yielding turf had something to do with the sub par performance, and if he can bounce back with one of his better performances, he's clearly capable of having a say in the outcome.

Star Channel

It's interesting to see that he's making his first start for the Kenneally barn, and not only has this stakes winning performer won two of three turf starts over this turf course, but he has beaten one of today's key rivals in Bad Debt in the past; runner up from latest won next out at CD on 11/23 going 1 1/8m over turf in a G3 with a 98 Beyer.

Tune Me In

Multiple graded stakes winner has been known to be a tough out on the front end on his best day and have to respect the fact that he's making his first start for a top turf barn that does well with new acquisitions; a little concerned when seeing that he hasn't been at his best over this turf course in the past, but feel that he merits respect as a contender regardless.

Bad Debt

Multiple stakes winner has been on top of his game in recent starts, and as long as he maintains his current level of form, it looks like he's going to be tough to tackle; note how well he performed over this turf course with Rosario aboard just two starts ago.

Bim Bam

He's another multiple stakes winner to look at in here and it certainly doesn't hurt him to have the services of Castellano; however, he has just a single victory in his last 12 starts going back to October 2011; prefer to look in another direction.

Racing Aptitude

His career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned racing over a synthetic surface and don't want to ignore that he's exiting the Baffert barn; however, his recent form over turf has been solid and he was last seen a very tough spot; winner form latest won next out at BHP on 6/29 going 1m over turf in a G1 with a 107 Beyer, and 3rd finisher won next out at BHP on 7/5 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. alw. rivals with a 94 Beyer.

Old Time Hockey

When looking at the sharp and consistent form he displayed in 2013, it's hard to believe that he didn't record a 1-2 finish; G2 winner shows up for a strong trainer/jockey tandem and he's clearly capable against competition of this caliber on his best day; runner up from latest won next out at BHP on 12/14 going 1 1/8m in a G3 with a 92 Beyer. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Happy My Way

Win rider from last and his March-win piot takes Ribo Bobo for this; was never better than latest posting a career-best Beyer speed figure when stalking the speed; will be able to save ground today behind a likely hot pace; working well off the 5-week rest scoring latest victory following a similar layoff; contender.

Grande Shores

Won 3 in a row at Calder but has not offered the same sparkling races on today's GP dirt; doing the rain dance as his career-best Beyer was over a 'good' race track; negative 4-pound weight swing off the more than 5-length loss 3 races back vs. Black Diamond Cat; is ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Ribo Bobo

Projects to own the best gate speed but has Star Harbour likely battling him for the front; won a key race 6 weeks ago on GP dirt at today's distance defeating the show and 9th-place finishers they Beyered 84-78 in next-out GP-CRC-optional-claiming wins; view as a pace presence for part.

Black Diamond Cat

June was the last time he was in with such a low-weight assignment; loves a wet track which is why latest was disapponting vs. similar rivals rallying too late also suggesting he needs a lot more distance than 6F to see very-best form.

Fort Loudon

Grade 3-stakes winner on GP dirt at 7F which was his last victory and nearly 1 year ago since his last-win picture; wokeup on a wet track in last but lost to similar rivals in December which leaves him ranked a notch below the top contenders for this.

Bear Tough Tiger

The trainer does not claim much and he is just 0-for-3 first off the purchase since 2013; this one must have shown him something to make the buy; exits a good victory 1st time ever on a main track but would need a signigicant Beyer boost to make an impact here on the major-class raise.

Star Harbour

Win chances are compromised projected to get caught up in a speed duel with Ribo Bibo; if you are willing to dismiss his wet-track GP defeats his stakes win 2-back was very strong; win rider Lopez takes Ribo Bobo for this; know him early then hopes to hang on late.

Apriority

4-0-0-0 wet-main track record so willing to dismiss latest when landing behind similar rivals; his field-best Beyer speed figure was posted March, 2011, on GP dirt winning a 6.5F-fast dirt optional-claimer; exits his lowest Beyer since January, 2012, when finishing 7th in this event; his 2-back fast win was superb and should work out a strong mid-pack trip with Star Harbour-Ribo Bibo setting a hotly-contested pace; on a fast track is the pick.

Close It Out

Finished 4th in this event in 2013 when breaking next-to-last then rallying wildly; last year's event was contested over a wet-main track where he is winless; postive 2-pound weight swing from his 2-back defeat vs. Star Harbour; was primed for this at CRC posting his best Beyer since June when rallying too late; his last win was at 6F so can get up in time with the right pace flow; the one to beat. - Art Gropper

Race 10

Decaf Again

Wasn't a factor against considerably easier in his last few, and hasn't cracked 70 on the Beyer scale since April; 8yo has seen better days, and it would be shocking to see him hit the board in this lucrative restricted stakes.

Joshua's Comprise

The second Rose trainee in the lineup hasn't been an impact player in local stakes dating back August, when he notched a one-mile optional claimer around one turn; plodder is shedding the blinkers, and figures to be no more than a bit player.

Rule Number Six

Has competed predominantly on the grass since the spring, yet one of his better performances during that time was a belated fourth in a nine-furlong stakes on the dirt; his new rider is 0 for 4 at the meet for this trainer, who's been shut out at this stand; don't like his chances.

Mucho Macho Man

Last year's BC Classic winner is meeting a bunch of tomato cans in a race he won in 2012; was pulled up over a sloppy track in last year's renewal, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him scratched on such a surface; champion 3yo Will Take Charge and Game On Dude exited the G1 Classic to run one-two in the G1 Clark; the Classic also produced G1 Cigar Mile winner Flat Out and G2 Hawthorne Gold Cup winner Last Gunfighter; very hard to go past.

Bernie the Maestro

Bernie seems capable of making the running under Rosario, who's 5 for 10 at the meet for the high-percentage Maker barn; four-time stakes winner was surprisingly flat as the favorite in a recent stakes at this distance, but should fare better now in his second start after a two-month break; definitely in the hunt for second or third.

Gourmet Dinner

The 2010 Delta Downs Jackpot winner has been putting up Beyers in the 90s, while earning his keep in stakes and allowances in the mid-Atlantic region; ships in from Fair Hill, where he worked thrice during the past month for a trainer who doesn't start many horses; a must-use underneath in all exotics with leading rider Castellano taking over. - Ron Gierkink

Race 11

Ca Va

Dixie Union about 12% with first-timers in a 552-runner grid, about 8% with first-time turfers in a 310-runner sample; sire was precocious enough to win debut at 2, took 7 of 12 including multiple G1s, earned over $1.2 million, never turfed; Grade 3 winning dam won 4 times on grass, banked nearly $400K; lone half sis cashed once and it was on grass; don't ignore.

Ready Player One

She has been a bad actress at the gate so far; stakes winning 7 for 29 dam earned over $425K, won 4 times on grass; this is her first to race; back to the original pilot.

Blush Again

Kitten's Joy about 16% with first-time turfers in a 291-runner sample; sire won twice at 2, won multiple G1s on grass, banked over $2 million; 3 for 15 dam won on grass first time she tasted the stuff; all 3 full siblings won on grass including over $430K earner Derby Kitten; nice move on the 7th.

Bonnie Breeze

At least she got a feel of the surface; dam was unraced; lone full bro Valter won thrice, twice on grass, banked nearly $100K; can't be dismissed.

Chief Dante

Miss caught the fast splits and could not keep up; dam out of the money twice; lone sibs lone win was a dirt sprint; 4th new pilot takes the reins.

Saratoga Karaoke

In the money only once, could need maiden claimers to shine; would have expected her to flash more speed in last; must pick it up.

Gauge

War Front about 13% with first-time turfers in a 122-runner sample; sire was out of the money in lone start at 2, won 4 times including a G2, banked nearly $425K, never turfed; dam was unraced; all 4 siblings won; 3 won on grass including G2 winner and over $700K earner Brilliant; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one.

Camryn's Gem

Fresh Lasix didn't help last time, but she got a feel of the course; both of dam s wins were dirt routes; the sibling that won once on grass banked nearly $150K; she did just post a career Beyer.

Easton Arch

Arch about 10% with firsters in a 410-runner sample about 10% with first-time turfers in a 329-runner sample; Grade 1 winning sire graduated in juvenile debut, took 5 of 7, earned almost half a million, never turfed; dam 0 for 2; 3 of 4 sibs won; 2 won on grass including an over $200K earner; rates upset glance.

Miss Lech

Don't be too harsh about the debut as she may have just disliked the off going; she seems to really enjoy the grass; 2 of dam s 3 wins came on grass on way to over $100K career; all 3 sibs won; one cashed on grass, another took a G2 and banked over $270K; all systems go.

Charlie A

Curlin 10 for 96 with debuters, 7 for 48 with first-time turfers; sire didn t race at 2, won a ton Grade 1s as a double Horse of the Year, banked over $10 million, was 2nd in only turf out; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; could need experience.

Shot Girl

Considering the traffic jam, the debut was solid; dam s lone win was a dirt sprint; all 3 sibs won, none tried grass; it could be a new ballgame with a clean trip.

Freethinker

Empire Maker about 10% with first-time turfers in a 255-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, won Belmont on way to near $2 million wallet, never turfed; SP 3 for 17 dam earned about $85K, was turf only; both siblings won on grass once in the minor leagues; don't ignore.

Joy's Kitten

See Blush Again for sire stats; hung wide in bow, could be looking at the same fate from marooned slot; dam won twice, once on grass, banked over $100K; this is her first to race; must pick it up. - Brian Mulligan