Gulfstream: Closer Looks for January 23, 2014

Race 2

Kulboyz

Noteworthy breeze on the morning of 1/11; offspring of Bring the Heat have done very well first time out, winning 22 of 91 attempts; this colt's dam won 8 of 31 and 113K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Gemsum

After flashing fair early speed in his debut in October, he has tailed off considerably; on the plus side of the ledger is that strong workout 12 days ago to consider; the betting value should certainly be there based on the last pair of defeats.

Oration

Speaking of fine workouts, this colt turned in some beauties at Payson during the last 2 weeks; his sire won a G1 and 1.13 million (progeny of Spring At Last have won 11 out of 77 initial races); the dam never raced; winning siblings include 154K earner Indian Gracey.

Puntrooskie

Unlucky gelding has yet to hit the board but can turn things around suddenly with a clean trip; his versatile sire won 1.22 million including G1 success; the dam won 2 of 4 and 91K; among the winning sibs is 44K earner Saber.

Do Not Enter

Fine try in his maiden voyage earlier this month; his sire won a G2 and 322K in total; the dam went zero for 3; winning siblings include 37K earner My Mass Media; obvious true contender but less appealing odds today.

Quarton Lake

Beginner hails from multiple graded stakes winner Graeme Hall who banked 1.14 million (his descendants have won 46 out of 283 debuts); the dam did not compete; winning siblings include 36K earner Holdem Hustler.

Piloting

Raced evenly in his unveiling last month when facing 13 opponents; his sire won a G1 and 557K while the mom won 1 of 16 and 58K; winning siblings include 281K earner Silver Cloud; worth some follow-up this afternoon. - Jim Kachulis

Race 4

High Roll

Tons best of the rest in last; runner has enough speed to gain position early and not get shuffled; connections thought enough of him to try the stakes last year; trainer spotted them just fine last year; major player.

Tenacity

Been given time to recoup from the maiden breaker; there is speed inside and outside of him today; the best California race came in September at Pomona and that form generally does not travel well; would be careful here.

Take Time to Pray

After being put up in April, connections gave him chances in the stakes but he could not respond; nice bit of training to have him set off the layoff last time; place horse in the LRL finale won next out here in a $100K stakes with a 96 Beyer; it can't be easy moving a horse up from a 41% barn; far too sharp not to take seriously.

Atasheen

Soph proved how tough it can be to beat winners right back; runner brushed the gate slightly in last but never got rolling; he has to find a way to turn the tables on rival on the direct inside; would tread lightly here.

Gone Mountain

Life and death for the lone win but he has not been in the same zip code of a winner since; bet a bit in the slop last time but he was only a brief factor; beaten over 13 in the other sprint try; can't endorse.

Twin Distinction

Off a step slowly, colt finally got there but he was losing ground late and now has to go a sixteenth further; apparently not much of a work horse, you could see him in a stalking position early but would not want to take too short a number.

Talented Cat

You have to put them where they belong in this game and the drop worked to perfection last time; like the way he was still inching away late; barn is solid with young horses, gelding is drawn right, and he at least drilled a couple of times since last; don't ignore.

Tea's Two Step

Basically out to prove the 14-1 debut was no fluke; steadied in the stakes, runner never kicked in the local debut and he may have disliked the off going in last; Lopez got a chance to figure him out; backers have to hope the drop shakes him up. - Brian Mulligan

Race 5

Takeoff Your Hat

41 days since a powerul late kick to graduate; today will be able to save every inch of ground then make one run; 1 of 4 exiting maiden graduations to face winners; clearly is on the improve and would not be shocked to see her back in the winner's circle again.

Farewell Kiss

The trainer's 8%-win mark 1st off the claim since 2013 does not help the confidence level that she will repeat on the class raise; sire is 10-for-279 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam; 2 foals went 0-for-3 combined but none raced on grass; beat the 2-back show runner who Beyered 57 in her next-out GP-35K-maiden-claiming victory.

Principessa Gina

Got away with racing close to the pace among slow fractions in first pair but this race has more-serious gate speed signed on which likely leaves her chasing the pace; is 1 of 2 runners in the field who graduated for trainer Pletcher but races 1st off the claim; do not see many taken from Pletcher to go on to win frequently; her Beyers are very light compared to the others.

Aventure Love (FR)

Projects to race on or near the lead with Ultra Violet; faded 1st time in the USA and 1st time racing beyond 5.5F did not produce a good-enough finish; the July winner repeated in a Germany-102K allowance race next out; high-percentage jockey-trainer combo adds to the appeal; know her early then hopes to hang on late.

Chiquiem

Exits a field-best Beyer when racing at today's distance on grass; figures to work out an ideal trip stalking Aventure Love and Ultra Violet; the 2-back winner Beyered 79 in a next-out CRC-65K stakes win; lone win was rallying from far back in October defeating the runner-up finisher who Beyered 61 in her next-out CRC-MSW graduation.

Ultra Violet

Projects to race on or near the lead with Aventure Love while stretching out beyond 7F for the 1st time; her sire is 5-for-102 with 1st-turf starters; 1st foal from the dam who did not race on grass (1-for-5, 12K); the 2-back winner Beyered 70 in her repeat CRC-starter alw. victory; trainer is 0-for-11 with 1st turfers since 2013.

Marnesia Wild Heir

Deep closer projects to break last out of the gate then hopes the speed falters in deep stretch; exits a new Beyer-career Top but the 2 races on the lawn have been outrun efforts for a trainer winless with her last 32-turf starters; would be a complete surprise.

Simple Touch

Should work out an excellent trip stalking the speed of Aventure Love-Ultra Violet; the 1st start vs. winners is often any runner's toughest-class assignment; obviously plenty of upside off the favored-debut win when sneaking through the claim box; the workouts for this are not eye catching but races for a high-percentage jockey-trainer combo.

Raging Atlantic

Does not happen often that a runner is claimed off trainer Pletcher then goes on to stardom; this one was purchased off the maiden breaker as she dominated the field at today's distance; the debut show runner Beyered 73 in her next-out GP-MSW win; the dirt workout for this was dull but races for a high-percentage jockey-trainer combo.

Gdansk

53-day absence for a 9%-winning fresh trainer who is winless with their last 21 synthetic surface-to-turf starters; only grass start during career was poor while her dirt workouts for this have been steady; is sure to lose ground today breaking widest; will be taking a wait and see approach. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Thunder Run

He earned a stakes placing over turf in his second career start at LaD, and although he enters this race after a sub par performance, his overall form has been strong enough to suggest that he can get himself into the mix against these; note that this will be the first time he's faced maiden claimers.

Texas Zip

He's another meeting up with maiden claimers for the first time and he certainly has a live look to him while showing up for a top turf barn after taking a little bit of time off; the 69 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field.

World Changer

Sire is 0-for-3 with his turf starters and dam was unraced; he put together a decent performance when recording a runner-up finish three races ago, but outside of that effort his form has been dull, and not sure the turf is going to prove to be a key for him.

Ringold

Half-brother to G3 winner Bobina (3-3, 128k, including 2-for-2 over turf for 93k) has seen his form improve with a move to turf two race back, but he's still going to need to show more to get the job done in this spot; his dam was a multiple stakes winner while winning 5 of 22 turf starts for 327k.

Life in Shambles

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and dam won 3 of 17 starts for 120k, including 1 of 10 turf starts for 70k; this colt is a 1/2 to Viva Allegiance (2-5, 59k, including 2 of 4 turf starts for 58k).

Ghost to Ghost

Late running type recorded his best finish to date when dropped to this level last out and he has the look of a contender in this spot while going out for a barn that has been hitting at a 25% clip with turf starters; Rosario has won with 5 of 12 (42%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Don Elias

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 6% of his turf starters, and dam won once from six starts for 22k, including 0-for-1 over turf; not wild about Bernardini as a turf sire but this is a barn that can have one ready to go long over turf at first asking.

Leap in the Stars

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal from a multiple stakes placed dam who won 3 of 22 turf starts for 153k, including 1 of 16 turf starts for 95k. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Dragon Tail

Deep closer saves every inch of ground then hopes to find that late kick a lot sooner cutting back to his shortest distance test ever; career-best Beyer speed figure was at 10F on turf; the runner-up finsiher from last Beyered 66 in his next-out GP-20K-maiden-claiming win; the 3-back show runner Beyered 56 graduating next out in a WO-8K-maiden claimer.

The Culchie

Has not defeated 1 runner in 2 turf losses but heads back to the green after disappointing in last posting his lowest Beyer since June; his AQU-wet-dirt runner-up finish 3-back looks better since the winner repeated in an AQU-30K claimer with an 84 Beyer; prefer if this gets rained onto dirt.

Solo Approach

Projects to save ground while far back early then make one run; the runner-up, show and 5th-place finishers from last Beyered 67-60-60 in next-out 25K-20K-16K-maiden-claiming wins; the 3-back runner-up won his next 4 races in a row all at MNR (75-72-71-68 Beyers).

Hooping

Deep closer needs a pace meltdown to see very-best form; has much to prove on the grass off his last-place zero Beyer in the lawn debut; the show finisher from his career debut Beyered 77 in his next-out GP-50K-maiden-claiming win.

Rontos' Dream

Shown zero run in last 2 races on GP grass; would move up considerably on a less-than-firm turf course but deep closer was taken out of his element in last when stalking the speed off a long layoff; the 2-back winner and show finisher Beyered 81-65 in next-out KEE-alw. and PID-MSW wins; the runner-up, show and 5th-place finishers from last Beyered 67-60-60 in next-out 25K-20K-16K-maiden-claiming wins.

Swear

Projects to race on an easy lead but obtaining today's 7.5F distance is a concern although posted his best Beyer at 7F on grass; not easy to fall in love with off a career-low Beyer not liking the wet-dirt oval in last; the 3-back winner and runner-up finisher Beyered 72-52 in next-out MNR-MSW and alw wins; trainer is winless with his last 11 dirt-to-turf runners; know him early hopes to hang on late.

Iskha

Figures to stalk the gate speed and improve for a 41%-win trainer 1st-time out with new acquisitions; middle moved in latest a race he needed following a 7-week absence so should be set up nicely to handle 7.5F; good sign that the front wraps were removed for last then had other issues like catching wet turf and being bumped.

Windworthy

Deep closer has not raced this short of a distance since the June-career debut; exits his lowest Beyer since his unveiling when wanting no parts of dirt or a sloppy race track; exacta finish on soft turf at 1 Mile; will be taking a wait and see approach for his 1-for-17 fresh trainer.

Pegasus Star

37%-winning jockey-trainer combo 1st-time Rosario for his 2nd race off the 8-week absence; outfinished at 1 Mile today's 7.5F distance may be a perfect fit; sat close through soft fractions in last but this event likely goes quicker up top; there is talent here his May-9F CD grass defeat is a co-field-best Beyer; the 3-back runner-up and show finishers Beyered 82-72 in next-out CD-HAW MSW wins.

Simon Won't Say

Back on grass after the 2nd dirt start produced another-far back defeat; best Beyers were going longer on turf as he cuts back to his shortest-distance test ever seeking answers; projects to stalk Swear then hopes to find stamina which was missing from last pair.

Judge Lew

Projects to press Swear for the lead; rallied in latest off the bench but his other 3 exacta finishe were when forwardly placed; turf is a major issue off 2 losses combined by more than 34 lengths; beat the April show runner on dirt who Beyered 58 in his next-out TAM-$12,500-maiden-claiming win.

Gridiron Great

Projects to sit far back early then make one run; co-field-best Beyer was in May when just missing at 1F longer than today's event; looked like in latest he was screaming out for more distance but remains at 7.5F; the December winner repeated with a 74 speed figure taking an AQU-20K claimer. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Bob and the Gang

Lone start of the meet left much to be desired; he didn't show his customary speed and ended up losing by 33 lengths; connections add blinkers and Bravo is sure to get to get him involved early - as this horse has only won on the lead; prefer others.

Duty Blues

Didn't do much at Tampa recently with a fifth place finish; he ran much better two back when second to the classy Apriority; hasn't won since 2012, however and is just 4 for 33 lifetime - not a good record for an allowance horse/optional claimer.

Padilla

Hit the brakes for no apparent reason Dec. 27; he was up close for a half mile, almost six furlongs - and then stopped; cutting back in distance may help but he was able to get a mile previously when he raced on turf; encouraged by the blistering works since that last-race debacle.

Capital City

Woke up in his latest with a third against much better at 64-1; even so, he was 3 1/2 lengths behind Speechify, the runner-up, who is back in this spot; makes his second start off a layoff and the class drop should aid his chances; fits off that last run.

Closerwalk

This speedster stayed on a little better in his last two once dropped in for a tag; even so, he could only muster a 4th and a 3rd against similarly-priced claimers; ran well over this track last year with a win and two seconds in three starts; but must shake off the rust from a short layoff.

Don't Say No

Won nicely in an off-the-turf race for Servis, though in a race depleted of some of its talent when it was moved from turf to dirt; high-percentage connections in his corner; second selection.

Speechify

Could not suit the conditions any better; his three sprints have been fine efforts and now he drops from a N2X allowance into a N3L with a lower optiona; claiming price; outside stalking style figures to put him right behind a contested pace; short-priced standout. - Byron King

Race 9

Roars More

His most recent start after a layoff can serve as a useful conditioner for this and he's going to appreciate moving from post 11 to the rail; going to look in another direction for the top spot, but wouldn't be shocked if he was able to sneak his way into the exotics mix.

Timark

He has just a single victory next to his name after 21 career starts and he's seeking his first 1-2-3 finish over turf; the drop in class won't hurt him as he gets ready to make his secpnd start for this barn, but still feel that a minor award is probably the ceiling.

Top Excitement

His complete lack of early speed is a concern, but this race does figure to come up pretty soft if it has to be moved to the main track, and at the very least, he has to be considered a threat to land a spot underneath in the exotics.

Love Doctor Bill

His sharpest performance to date was in his career debut, his only turf attempt, and that effort helps give him appeal as he gets ready to make his second turf start; runner-up from latest returned to win next out at CD on 11/7 going 1m vs. 7.5k N3L claimers with a 70 Beyer.

Il Volo

This colt has been in good form lately, and he looks like a decent fit against this group of 16k N2L claimers, but he's another in here with only one win next to his name after more than 20 career starts, and that alone might be a reaosn to limit him to a spot underneath in the exotics.

Cairo Six

Like to see that this stakes placed gelding took a step in the right direction while making his second start back from a layoff in his latest outing, and if he's ready to regain some of his better form, he can prove to be tough to deal with in this spot.

Defiant

He has turf form on his card that is strong enough to suggest that he can show up with a competitive performance at this level of competition but have to be at least mildly concerned when seeing that he was eased in his first start after a claim in his latest outing, even if that was a dirt attempt; Lopez has won with 3 of 5 mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Ayrton

This is the softest spot he's been entered in over turf since breaking his maiden, so looking at this as a good spot for him to get back over the green stuff after staying in an off-the-turf event in his latest outing.

Phineus (ARG)

He's actually been in pretty good form lately while facing the lesser north of the border but he is going to need to show more than the has in his six turf attempts if he's to prove to be the one in this spot.

Mad Patriot

Sire wins with approximately 6% of his turf starters and dam won once from 13 starst for 23k, including 0-for-1 over turf; he's yet to run a race that is strong enough to help give him a competitive look against these and it isn't like his pedigree is crying out for turf.

Solicitation

His best effort can get him into the mix against these but it's tough to trust him for the top spot when seeing his 1-for-31 race record, including 0-for-23 over turf; working in his favor is that he has some early speed in a race that looks like it will have a slow early pace.

Cash Your Ticket

He's run well enough in his last four starts over turf to merit contender status in this spot and he moves back into the high win percentage barn of Jamie Ness for this; third-place finisher from latest won next out at Aqu on 1/10 going 1m 70y vs. 12.5 N2L claimers with a 67 Beyer.

Round Midnight

If this race has to be moved to the main track, this can prove to be a favorable spot for this gelding to meet up with winners for the first time, and he goes out for a barn and rider that win their share of races together. - Brian Pochman

Race 10

Shindig Inthe City

Indygo Shiner 6 for 102 with debuters, 2 for 47 with first-time turfers; sire won at 2, took a Grade 3, won twice on grass, banked nearly $450K; 4 for 15 dam won twice at 2, earned nearly $100K, was turf only; 3 of 4 siblings won; 2 won on grass and both earned over $195K; she seems realistically placed.

Siyawe

Troubled in the sloppy debut, at least she got a feel for the course now; dam was unraced; all 5 siblings won; top earner Eighteenthofmarch took debut at 2, won 5 times on grass, banked nearly $300K; capable barn due to get rolling.

Showtime Samurai

First Samurai 11 for 104 with first-time turfers; 5 for 8 sire took juvenile debut, won Champagne and Hopeful, never turfed; 1 for 23 dam did win on grass; both full siblings won; both won at 2 including a debut winner; Grade 3 winning top kin Northern Passion won twice on grass, banked nearly $550K; has to hurry.

Ruby On My Mind

She showed ability here last year but the grass efforts leave much to be desired; the sibling that won twice was far from a monster; looking elsewhere for a key top horse.

Secret Sea

Cowtown Cat 4 for 21 with first-time turfers; Grade 2 winning sire took 4 of 16, banked over $550K, never turfed; dam was unraced; 3 of 5 siblings won; one cashed on grass the first time she tasted the grass and top kin Pirate Saint took a stakes, earned over $100K; may forget to stop.

Great Cross

Three clear in the grass debut, miss has shown a nice turn of late foot; 3 for 22 dam earned over $100K, won on grass once; lone full sibling to race Sassy Kitten won debut at KD on grass with a 74 Beyer; major player.

Defying Gravity

Miss pushed the moderate splits but had nothing left when it counted; dam out of the money in only out; this is her first to race; has a right to run better.

Starship Marquis

In close quarters last time but she kept to her task; 9 for 73 dam won 5 times on grass, banked over $250K; 5 of 7 siblings won; 4 tried grass to no avail; top kin Absinthe Minded won 3 stakes, earned over $600K; trainer nearly 50% first off the claim.

Singing Soul

Perfect Soul about 8% with debuters in a 261-runner sample, about 7% with first-time turfers in a 180-runner grid; 7 for 21 sire was grass only, took a G1, banked over $1.5 million, didn't run at 2; dam was unraced; lone half sis won once sprinting on dirt; homebred may need one.

Senorita Sangria

Senor Swinger 3 for 25 with first-time turfers; Grade 2 winning sire won debut at 2, won 8 times on grass, banked over $950K; dam was 0 for 7; 3 of 4 siblings won; one took debut at 2, none tried grass; could need softer to shine.

Slews Golden Rule

Miss caught the fast splits and could not keep up in last; 1 for 9 dam graduated on grass; 3 of 5 siblings won; 3 won on grass including near $300K earner and G3 winner Globetrotter; if she can run at all, she should show it here. - Brian Mulligan