Gulfstream: Closer Looks for January 2, 2014

Race 1

Giddyupmyfouronine

3-0-0-0 turf record is not very enticing while fading at longer 2-back the last time racing on grass; stamina is an issue entered in a field loaded with plenty of other gate speed; seeme best on dirt and clearly would not mind this moved to a wet-main track; the 3-back winner and runner-up posted 75-65 Beyer speed figures in next-out CRC-MSW and optional-claiming wins.

Amber Morning

Claimed off a career-low Beyer; clearly there is talent here posting a field-best speed figure in August on SAR grass at longer; the runner-up and 11th-place finishers from last posted 75-61 Beyers in next-out GP-35K-maiden-claiming and CRC-16K-maiden-claiming wins.

Lloyd Harbor

Brief speed in latest when landing behind many of these and the runner-up finisher a next-out 75 Beyer graduate; latest which was her 1st race in a maiden claimer was not very enticing; the 2-back winner and runner-up Beyered 68-65 in next-out AQU-MSW-OPC wins; the debut winner repeated in an AQU-allowance with a 75 speed figure.

Nobody's a Saint

Sire is 35-for-488 with 1st-turf starters; dam went 1-0-0-0 on the grass; none of her foals raced on North American turf; long layoff for a new trainer trying to shake up the form off the trailed-throughout unveiling trouble line; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Guigue's Miracle

Best Beyer was on the lead but with all of the other gate speed signed on here she figures to rally like in the October-exacta finish; way off best form to end her 4-year-old season and would need a massive-wakeup call to make a dent here.

Gift of Speed

Best Beyer occurred at 6F the added distance today is a concern; she is one of the quickest projected from the gate here; sire is 0-for-1 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam; 1 of 3 foals to race on grass is a lawn winner (1-for-15 Sweetsoithernstyle 31K turf).

Bellatara

Best Beyers on turf but seeks her 1st-ever in-the-money finish off latest middle-move fade; her best speed figure was posted at 5F a lot shorter than this; the 2-back winner repeated in a GP-OPC with a 77 Beyer; the 3-back runner-up graduated next-out in a CRC-16K-maiden claimer with a 53 Beyer.

Desert Ruler

Back on turf where she's defeated 1 runner combined in 2 losses; strong trainer winning 34% with runners 2nd time off the bench; she projects to own gate speed in a field packed with other early zip; the winner from last Beyered 55 repeating in a TAM-16K claimer.

Suncadia

Projects to press a hot pace wide; needed last start when tiring at shorter on a synthetc surface that type of oval is where she posted a career-best Beyer to end her 2-year-old campaign; the show finisher from last posted a 62 speed figure in her next-out TP-MSW win; the 3-back winner repeated in GG-OPC with a 69 Beyer.

Go Sandy Go

GP turf is where her career-best Beyer occurred; cuts back to her shortest-distance test since a January, 2013, dirt-sprint defeat; strong race 3 back when edged by the runner-up finisher who Beyered 53 in a next-out CRC-16K-maiden claiming graduation.

Starship O. E. M.

54 days since a last-place finish on dirt; she has been better on turf during career but none of her losses are very enticing; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 62 in her next-out CRC-$12,500-maiden-claiming win; the 3-back victor repeated in a GP-OPC with a 79 Beyer.

Dixiedoodledandy (IRE)

Main concern is some 1st-time Imports run their very-best race 1st time in the USA; adds even more pace here and may be the speed of the speed but would have to beat Desert Ruler out of the gate then hold off the closers; cutting back in distance should help the cause.

Foxy Exchange

Outsider exits a career-best Beyer when easily defeated by Gift of Speed; her sire is 0-for-2 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 4-0-0-1 grass dam (2K); 3 of 7 foals to race on turf are grass winners including stakes winner Class of Seventy (6-for-38 turf 176K).

Exceed the Limit

Late runner benefits being in a race packed with inside-gate speed; exits the best finish among many of these coming out of the key race where Love That Kelly won; the runner-up and 11th-place finishers from last posted 75-61 Beyers in next-out GP-35K-maiden-claiming and CRC-16K-maiden-claiming wins. - Art Gropper

Race 2

Highdixieibis

Maybe she just wanted a route of ground all the time; this miss has a right to have a very nice career as full brother Spurious Precision was an unbeaten 2 for 2, took a Grade 2, earned nearly $170K; more experienced pilot today, she's drilled sharply for this; repeat well within the realm.

Nutmeg

She didn't get the best of trips in the debut but 3 exited that race to win next out; sire could run all day; dam 'win was a sprint and this is her first to roll; looking at faster splits possibly here; probably needs to improve to repeat.

Another Incident

Miss overcame the wide trip and the mud to win on the drop; valid excuse of the slow start in the debut and note the show horse was clear for fun in last; would lean toward watching a race vs. winners.

Comme Chez Soi

Professional in the win; considering this barn is patient, the debut was all that more impressive; place horse in bow graduated next out in a MSW, then was out of the money in a $40K optional; 7th finisher in bow took a maiden $40K seller next out, 8th finisher beat maiden $30K seller in next; note no published drills in November.

Golden Friendships

This is her distance; she was pushed into the stakes after the win and is trying to get righted; first time offered for sale, you would figure it to be an all out go; back to the original pilot; needs very best.

Stately Defence

Draw a line through the turf races; would expect her to be the stalking component of the Fawkes pair; miss was forced to steady in the stakes outing; look for her to be closer up today; not without a shot.

Penwith

Took overland route in the debut but has been solid since; the blood is there for this gal to be any kind as kin to Grade 1 placed near $450K earner Centring; miss finished the last furlong in :12.65 last time in the tough beat; shorter trip could be just what the good doctor ordered; the one to beat. - Brian Mulligan

Race 5

Candy Crush

Half-sister to stakes winner Seruni (6-26, 351k, including 3 of 15 turf starts for 173k) she's shown a little something in her first three starts and it wouldn't be a shock if she was ready for better in her 3-year-old racing debut with the addition of blinkers.

Seacraft

She has every right to be ready to take a step forward at second asking and this filly is out of a G1 winning dam who won 7 of 27 starts for 546k, including 3 of 16 North American turf starts for 493k.

Katura

Daughter of top turf influence Kitten's Joy deserves another chance to see what she can do over turf and she managed to improve her position late in her career debut after finding herself twelfth and last early on; sharp looking recent workouts and the presence of Rosario help add appeal.

Ramble

Sire wins with approximately 19% of his first-time starters and with approximately 10% of his turf starters, and dam won two of seven starts for 59k, including 0-for-2 over turf; despite recent statistics, this is a barn that can have one ready to go long over turf at first asking.

Inwood Drive

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and this is the first foal form a dam who won once form nine starts for 44k, including 0-for-4 over turf; daughter of top turf influence Giant's Causeway might be looking forward to her first turf test.

Seeking Her Glory

Her form has only been so-so at best through her first four starts, but she has top connnections behind her, and her experience can prove to be a key against this field of fillies with limited starts; Castellano has won with 7 of 25 (28%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Party Now

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and G3 stakes placed dam won 6 of 25 starts for 258k, including 0-for-1 over turf; this filly is a 1/2 to multiple graded stakes winner Criminologist (9-22, 554k, including 8 of 16 turf starts for 495k); her career debut was sharp and she gets Lasix for her first turf start.

Imakittensjoy

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 10 starts for 24k, and she didn't make a start over turf; runner up from latest won next out at Sar on 7/31 going 5 1/2f vs. MSW rivals with a 53 Beyer; Lopez has won with 8 of 30 (27%) mounts for this barn at the current stand.

Dance Craze

She deserves another opportunity to see what she can do and she's out of a dam who won 3 of 13 turf starts for 70k; this filly is a 1/2 to stakes winners Dancing to Town (3-10, 172k over turf), Welcome Dance (4-13, 162k over turf) and stakes placed Frederickburg (3-10, 122k over turf).

Vale Ridge

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and dam won once from three starts for 27k, including one of two turf starts for 26k; a couple of her workouts hint at ability and this is a capable turf outfit.

Laurensdesanimaux

She's by a fine turf sire and she has every right to be ready for an improved showing now that she has experience to draw from, but she wasn't helped at the post position draw by landing in another outside post; leaning toward others. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Wholelotaroyalty

Have to love runners who pop a career-best Beyer speed figure 1st time for the trainer; which she what she did when when stalking the pace then crushing the field at CRC; should work out an excellent-ground saving trip today behind a Ladyfromhavana-R Next Escapade pace battle; the 2-back winner repeated in a GP-optional claimer with an 88 Beyer; the one to beat.

Ladyfromhavana

Try to catch me; projected to race loose on the lead with R Next Escapade chasing; has never raced past 5.5F which is a big issue as is the declining-career Beyer pattern; front wraps were added for the 1st time in last then delivered a career-low speed figure; know her early but unsure about late.

Currency Union

Benefits from a positive 4-pound weight swing off the neck loss to I Ain't Gonna Lie; she loved 7F in her SAR-August victory stalking the speed; figures for a dream trip setup right behind a Ladyfromhavana-R Next Escapade pace battle; the pick.

R Next Escapade

Debut winner over the GP dirt she likes to race on or near the lead likely chasing Ladyfromhavana from the gate; was claimed off a field-best Beyer speed figure maiden win at 6F on GP dirt gate-to-wire but is 0-for-8 since; she did win on the racetrack 2-back but was taken down for bumping a rival when drifting out at today's 7F distance which seems like the biggest question mark about backing.

Winning for Sarah

Leaves a high-percentage barn which is not a good-win angle; new trainer does not bring strong-fresh win marks in here off an 11-week break; 3-back victory over the track was a career-best effort noting her 3-back loss at 7F is where she lacked stamina so the final furlong here is a concern; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Tap It Easy

New barn hits hard with 1st-time acquisitions; 105 days since posting a career-best Beyer at 1.5F longer than this; a great sign that her debut win occurred at today's distance on GP dirt; willing to excuse the 2-back turf debut when testing the winner who repeated with an 86 Beyer capturing a MTH-61K event.

I Ain't Gonna Lie

Was a Main Track Only entry Wednesday at GP in a 75K turf stakes at 7.5F; this is obviously much easier in for a claiming price today; by 3 pounds 123 is the highest-weight assignment of her career; eyes up 4 in a row not missing a beat scoring 1st off the claim; beat the 2-back runner-up finisher a 64 Beyer CRC-25K-claiming winner; defeated the 3-back show runner a 51 Beyer GP-$6,250 next-out claiming winner; looms a logical contender for win honors.

Wild Kira

Exits her lowest Beyer since March when returning to GP dirt an oval she still hasn't cracked an exacta over; doing the rain dance with a 4-2-1-0 wet-track line including the CRC score 2-back; is eligible to improve 2nd time back off the 135-day absence but has a lot to prove racing on today's oval. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Newspaper Boy

Draws the fence for the stretchout after beatin cheaper on the engine in the local slop; gelding will be gunning early from here but there is other speed signed on and he certainly hasn't run so well over dry strips of late; he'll have to earn this one.

Vero's Hero

Cuts back a panel after a decent effort for third money a week and a half ago; barn hasn't had much recent luck with the move but this guy's most recent score did come at this one turn trip and maybe he'll have a little more to offer late in this one; minor award at best.

J B's Unc

Six year old was beaten just 3 lengths in the Claiming Crown event off the freshening after 4 straight close up scores up North earlier in the year; he likes the trip, is quick enough to mix it up from the bell and the barn's runners have all fired at the stand; outfit's numbers second back from the break are tough to overlook; they'll have him to beat.

Rodan

Makes his first start back under the care of the barn that had him when down here last year; gelding was pretty good in Ohio and that last out Beulah spin earned him a number that puts him right in the thick of this one; speed is his game and he'll see some early company in this heat; won't have it easy and though he likes it here, expect he'll come up short late.

Bling Bang

Gelding ran ok for second money while rallying in a wide spot in his local return last time and his score over claimers 2 back in the slop earned a solid number; there's some speed in here for him to track and he does figure to find a spot within tracking range of the front runners today; consider.

Razzo Succo

Hood comes off for the drop out of a Claiming Crown stake in which he didn't have much to offer; gelding was much better earlier in the year while tackling other surfaces, but he's won on dirt a few times in the past and his recent bullet drill suggests he may just be rouding back into form; solid clip in front of him and a nice price on the board make him one to take seriously in this one.

No Act

Gelding took a step back last time after running them down in his second start back from 5 months on the shelf; maybe he's set to bounce back with the regression behind him and the pace scenario fits his style, but he'll need to improve several lengths off what he's been running to fit with these.

Spiro Tune

Cuts back a panel after coming up empty late when given Lasix for the first time; colt's 2 wins both came sprinting but he doesn't look to be a serious player with this field and the barn has had a rough go of it at the stand; have to pass on him. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Matar

Style suggests a lot more distance than 5F would be needed to see very-best form; 74 days since the even finish on turf; his last 5F-grass try was a dull-fresh effort and his lowest 2013 Beyer speed figure; the 3-back winner repeated with an 87 Beyer taking an AP-optional claimer.

Stormy Rush

Not a great sign that the 2nd race off the claim was his lowest speed figure since October 2010; offered brief speed 55 days ago in a key race; the 5th and 7th-place finishers from latest Beyered 90-84 in next-out WO-optional-claiming wins; a tough call.

Mish Mosh

Have to go back to September, 2010 to see his last grass race a runner-up finish in a KD-6F turfer; 82 days since claimed off a high-win percentage trainer which is not a good-win angle; defeated the runner-up finisher from last who Beyered 97 in his next-out CD-OPC win.

Console

Class relief here off 3 stakes 2 graded; the 2-back show runner Beyered 98 in his next-out LRL-100K stakes win; 61 days idle for a high-percentage fresh trainer; great sign that his last win was following a similar absence; lone-GP turf race was dull to end his 3-year-old season when landing behind Forward March who won next out in GP-OPC with a 95 Beyer.

Awakino Cat

Today's 114-pound assignment is the lightest weight of his career; was purchased by a high-percentage 1st off the claim trainer off a strong near-miss finish; 71 days since the buy noting his September, 2012, win was following a similar freshening; have to go back to August, 2009, to view his co-field-best Beyer stalking the speed leading into a 73K-SAR turf stakes win at 5.5F.

Pirates Vow

89 days since posting his lowest Beyer since October, 2010; when he makes the lead can be a tough customer; owns his best Beyer speed figures on synthetic surfaces; would have to outbreak Bold Thunder to make the frontend here; view as a pace presence for part.

Starship Wildcat

Reunites with the win rider at much longer than this and over a less-than-firm turf course gate-to-wire; Pirates Vow-Bold Thunder both project to possess superior-gate speed and he hasn't shown a lot of spark from the gate in last pair; others appeal more.

Nova Light

Graduated on less-than-firm turf but shown nothing in 2 other green races however his last turf start was vs. stakes company; cuts back to the win distance; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 99 taking a GP-OPC win next-out win.

Bold Thunder

2-for-2 on firm turf; projects to own the best gate speed in a field top heavy with other frontrunners; 76 days away is a big concern for a 9%-winning fresh trainer; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 93 in a next-out LRL-OPC win; beat the 3-back show runner a 74 Beyer-LRL-next-out 25K-claiming winner.

Trev

Would not mind this moved to a wet-main track off latest career-best Beyer win; 8 weeks away for a high-percentage-fresh trainer; he is a tough customer when making the lead; would have to fend off Bold Thunder and Pirates Vow from the gate but most likely will be pressing those 2 wide; know him early then hopes to hang on late.

Night Officer

Lone 2013 win was posted 1F longer; may need more yardage to get up in time; 80 days since an even finish at longer; have to go back to April when freshened up and stakes-placed to see a race as short as 5F; exits a key race noting the 4th and 5th-place finishers from last Beyered 92-90 in next-out BHP-GP-OPC wins.

Fan Base

Today by 1F is the shortest-distance test of his career; 53 days since tiring at much longer vs. the runner-up finisher who Beyered 76 in his next-out GP-OPC win; finished a close 4th vs. the 3-back runner-up and show runners they Beyered 86-84 in next-out LRL-BEL-OPC wins.

Dreaming of Neno

Finished 2nd best vs. the winner from last who Beyered 99 in his next-out GP-Grade 3 stakes win; very simple his game is racing right on the lead and when he does not make the front has fired some of the worst races of career; Main Track Only entry's co-field-best Beyer speed figure was posted on a wet-dirt oval doing the rain dance for this.

Harbor Breeze

MTO with 125 days away for an 8%-winning fresh trainer; he has raced well off prior freshings but likely to see best form with a race off the layoff noting the May-MTH win was 2nd time off the bench; the 2-back show runner Beyered 85 in his next-out MTH-OPC win; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Uno Caliente

Last win was accomplished on turf over a yielding-turf course; soft footing clearly moves him up; the 5th-place finisher from last Beyered 96 in his next-out GP-OPC win; he beat the 9th and 10th-place finishers from last they Beyered 91-89 in next-out GP-OPC and CRC-alw. wins.

Candi's Halo

Has gate speed in a race top heavy with other early zip; last-place finish in his only GP-turf start but won his last-grass try in June at CRC on less-than-firm green; the 2-back winner and runner-up Beyered 85-77 in next-out GP-starter alw. and CRC-OPC wins. - Art Gropper

Race 9

All Knight

Can't be thrilled with the local grass slate; he ran his eyeballs out in defeat two back and may have just been overmatched in last when out in post 13; he doesn't have to be 10 off the lead this time but must find a way to turn the tables on the Maker runner.

Imperial Robyn

Veteran hooked the freak two back but then was never into running; this is his preferred surface and you always have to respect :44 and change speed; he has the two races to draw from now and is fit enough to win since the last effort; look for rider to try to steal it.

Franklinpark

Never in the money locally; that s a hard fact to get over; valid excuse of slop the last time in town and he was inching toward the winner in last; apparently not much of a work horse, would expect him in the picture very late if at all.

Master Wesley

Veteran is fresh and dangerous; 9th finisher in last took a $10K Penn National claimer next out, place horse won next vs. $20K claimer and 3 others from last race ran in the money; runner likes his layout, has a nice turn of late foot and you can build a case for a nice stalk and pounce trip; respect.

Majestic Express

Game in the sloppy win and note the place horse was 7 clear; some may have just not cared for the going; 4th and 5th finishers in last took $16K optionals next out; runner has natural speed but doesn't need the lead to win; he should be in striking distance from the get go and you can never dismiss anything from a 41% outfit.

Ayrton

This is a very tough assignment for just a maiden winner; life and death for the diploma but he regressed badly in last; can't endorse.

Political Courage

Gelding can be his own worst enemy at times since he has limited speed; note Rocco won with this guy last year and the pace should be hot enough to help promote the kick; he also may not have cared for the soft going when losing ground late two back; must be left in the mix.

Wonderful Breeze

It can't be easy moving a horse up from a 30% barn but this guy looked good winning in last; no apparent excuse in the 2 losses on grass but at least he has a local work under the girth; would lean to watching a local outing.

Hey Leroy

Gelding drew off vs. conditioned claimers two back but can down to earth in a thud last time; only a double winner, he is facing a few here that have been around the block and back; not sold on chances.

Sinorice

Three times as many slices as wins; connections thought enough of him to try the stakes in last but runner was just the brief threat; his positional speed should put him in the right spot early on if this race comes off the grass; would not be shocked if he rebounds in a big way.

Major Marvel

Look up win machine in the dictionary and find this guy's picture; the 11/9 place horse cashed next out 12/21 at Turfway in a $50K stakes; this is just one gritty senior citizen; he dares his opponents to beat him and his style is kind of like the legend John Henry; he can lead or sit just off the pace and he's consistent as the day is long; one to beat.

Rule Number Six

Runner got good for about 5 weeks last spring but was dull in the May finale and has not been sharp since; he was inching toward the winner in last and at least he has the several races to build on now; would still tread lightly.

Megalith

Gelding must prove it at this distance; show horse in the last win cashed next out in an N1X at CRC with a 79 Beyer; this guy has a penchant for finding the wire, he s proven in this league and he was caught wide in last; note runner did get to lugging two back and he has been challenged at this distance.

Uptown Anthem

Capable barn due for a little luck, check out the 9 slices; toss the October finale when just over his head; life and death for the lone win vs. winners and that was a smallish field; a slice may be the ceiling here.

Matty's Trail

Reformed $17.5 claimer has run only one big race in the last 5; proven locally, he did have the excuse of the slop in last; trainer has spotted them just fine as the 2013 slate shows and note this rider 6 for 11 for this outfit in the last year or so. - Brian Mulligan

Race 10

Stormin' Jorja

Despite a favorable early pace scenario, she did take a step in the right direction in her turf debut at second asking, and this filly is a 1/2 to Bellaridge (8-36, 232k, including 4 of 18 turf starts for 120k); note that she finished behind today's rival Al's Gal in her latest start.

Starship Sassy

Her lack of early speed is a major concern and she is going to need to produce her strongest performance to date to get the better of this field; viewing her as being more of an outsider.

Theresas Candyrose

Although she was disqualified, she ran well when finishing first against five rivals in her career debut, and that performance was without Lasix; her most recent workout looks sharp and she appears to be well meant with Leparoux getting the call.

Addar

Daughter of strong turf influence Kitten's Joy has raced alright in a couple of her turf attempts, but she looks like another in here who is going to need to dial it up a notch or two in order to keep up with the top contenders in here.

Al's Gal

She showed up with an improved performance at second asking while getting a rider switch to Rosario, and that level of performance can play well in this spot; she's by a fine turf sire, and with only two starts behind her, there's reason to believe that she still has more to show us.

Love My Empire

She's run well in back-to-back starts to begin her career, and she was particularly sharp in her career debut; she's out of a G2 winning dam who won one of six turf starts for 125k, and Lopez has won with 8 of 30 (27%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Big N Toasty

She showed a little improvement the first time she raced over turf, but she gave up a long late lead in that race, and she's going to need a much sharper showing to threaten the top contenders in here.

Rose of Harlan

She's another who is going to need to show up with a performance that is much sharper than anything she's done to this point in time in order to contend; it's probably worth noting the presence of Leparoux elsewhere in here.

Ruby On My Mind

Willing to give her the benefit of the doubt for the ordinary run against stakes competition in her turf debut two starts ago, but it would have been nice to have seen her show more in her second turf attempt in her latest outing when dropped back in with maidens.

Raging Atlantic

Daughter of top turf influence Stormy Atlantic is out of a stakes winning dam who won once from 10 turf starts for 89k and she has to be respected as a top contender in here while dropping in with maiden claimers; Castellano has won with 7 of 25 (28%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Rather Beautiful

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his first-time starters and with approximately 10% of his turf starters, and G3 winning dam won 5 of 10 starts for 194k, including 3 of 5 turf starts for 140k; top turf barn is more than capable of having one ready to go long over grass at first asking.

Giant Shadow

Half-sister to G1 winner Officer (6-9, 804k, no turf starts) can be ready for better at second asking with the addition of Lasix, and Saez does get his share of live calls from this barn.

Jojo's Gal

She brings a good deal of early speed with her and she'll merit respect as a contedner if this race has to be moved to the main track; her most recent workout looks lively and Davis is a go-to rider for this barn.

See Trouble

She's obviously going to need an improved performance to beat this field, but respect the presence of Lezcano and this miss is a 1/2 to Umbraggio (4-13, 72k over turf); runner up from latest won next out at Tam on 12/22 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 64 Beyer. - Brian Pochman