Gulfstream: Closer Looks for January 24, 2014

Race 2

Rachel's Ticket

The 97-day layoff is a concern for an 0-for-10-fresh trainer since 2013; she has not raced past 7F yet; sire was a stakes winner at 8.5F on dirt; dam's only start was at 6F on dirt a 7th-place finish; the 3-back show finisher posted a 36 Beyer speed figure in her next-out GP-16K-maiden-claiming win.

Seduccion

Projects to save ground racing from midpack then make one run; exits the best finish of career now gets in with the lightest-weight assignment ever; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 61 in her next-out CRC-MSW win; the debut winner is now 3-for-3 Beyering 75-67 in next-out GP-allowance and optional-claiming wins.

Benne First Baby

Was screaming out for more yardage in last and gets it here; she has not raced past 7F yet; sire never raced beyond 7F; dam won her career debut at 8.5F on dirt and is 1-for-5 in routes; the 2-back show runner Beyered 39 in her next-out GP-$12,500-maiden-claiming win.

Runaway Bridle

2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle; passed rivals nicely in last while 2-back chased the show runner who Beyered 39 in her next-out GP-$12,500-maiden-claiming win; owns an improving-Beyer pattern; has some upside.

Indygo Red

New rider is her 6th in as many career races which is not a good-win angle; easily her best start was at shorter on a wet-CRC main track 2-back when beating the show finisher who Beyered 42 in her next-out CRC-$12,500-maiden-claiming win; the 3-back show runner Beyered 40 in her next-out graduation for a $12,500 price tag; has something to prove on GP dirt.

Jojo's Gal

Projects to race loose on an easy lead playing catch me if you can; trying to remember her field-best Beyer speed figure career debut on CD dirt vs. the winner who repeated in a SAR-Grade 3 stakes with a 72 Beyer; likely needed last off the 100-day layoff and should take these a long way up top.

African Spring

Some runners improve dramatically 2nd-time out and she has plenty of room to move forward off the debut defeat; 4%-win trainer in 2013 is 0-for the last-15 with similar-maiden-claiming starters; dam's sire won the Kentucky Derby but overall but would be a complete surprise.

Felicidades

Co-career-best Beyer 2-back at today's distance when tiring; figures to sit just off Jojo's Gal then get 1st run on the closers; this 3-time beaten-betting favorite during career was claimed off a high-win percentage trainer which is not a good-win angle; the show runner from last Beyered 60 in her next-out GP-20K-maiden claiming win while the 5th-place finisher posted a 42 Beyer winning a GP-$12,500-maiden claimer next out. - Art Gropper

Race 3

Prado Dash

Over 4 times as many nibbles as wins; he has some semblance of speed but can't see him clearing here; capable barn due to get rolling; another slice?

Dream Maestro

Would love to see this guy somehow find the killer instinct but that's not happening at 9; 5 wins and 32 slices makes him a tough on top only ticket to sell; 5/17 winner took an N2X next out, lost next several; 3 of his wins have been here; must be left in the exotic conversation.

Holdin Bullets

Two of the 3 wins here but gelding is looking for the first score for this barn; nice try in lone effort at this demanding distance and the 12/13 place horse took an N1X at Calder next out with an 88 Beyer; note show horse in last was over 10 clear; probably from a bit off the pace on the cut back.

Tarpy's Goal

Wonder if that Tampa win in 2012 just knocked the starch out of him; he was gone for a long time and has not been sharp since; this is his distance, but would get out the fine tooth comb for a paddock inspection.

Powerlope

Pro has a nice turn of late foot at times and he doesn't have to be 11 back this time; place horse in last cashed next out for this very price with a 73 Beyer; with his style, backers would like to see a hot and heavy pace.

Jersey Blue Giant

Been a long time between drinks for this guy but he ran well in defeat when nostrilized in the return effort last May; 10/6 place horse took a $16K optional next out; nice move last Saturday; respect everything from this stable.

Belief System

Gelding has been in some potent stables; race over the track can't hurt, he was clear last time and like this draw; the bug will not have to gun early at all costs but can see how the race is unfolding; must prove he can beat rivals other than Empire-breds. - Brian Mulligan

Race 5

Celiac Cause

Son of strong turf influence Giant's Causeway was much improved at second asking with a move to turf, and even though he loses the services of Lezcano to another in here, he commands some respect in his first attempt against winners off of that performance.

Daddy's Kid

Half-brother to Poetic Kid (6-19, 242k, including 4 of 10 turf starts for 121k) has a chance to prove to be a sharp 35k claim for his current connections after making it look easy against 11 rivals in his turf debut in his latest outing; however, this does look like a tough spot for him to meet up with winners for the first time.

Branded Hand

He's run well enough in his five turf starts to be given the look of a contender in this spot and he beat a couple of today's rivals when breaking his maiden three starts ago; this is a top turf barn and Lezcano knows him well.

Meuser

He really hasn't run a bad race to date and his connections will hope that the addition of blinkers can help make him a little bit sharper from the gate; Lopez gets a lot of live calls from this barn and not going to be at all surprised if this colt is involved in the running through the final furlong.

Telcontar

His form did improve with a move to turf three races ago but he must dial it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in order to threaten the top contenders in this one; looking toward others.

I'm the Lucky One

Half-brother to stakes placed Blazen (8-45, 243k over turf) was beaten by a couple of today's rivals three races ago and his form hasn't been quite as sharp since adding Lasix two starts back; this might prove to be a tough spot for him to get over the Gulfstream Park turf course for the first time.

All Tied Up

Like the improvement that this colt has shown since his career debut and he's a 1/2 to stakes winner Probation Ready (8-35, 289k, including 3 of 12 turf starts for 72k); the 75 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field.

Racetrack Romance

Pompa-owned colt ran well to get the job done in his career debut, even if it was against 65k MCL's, and feel that he's eligible to show up with an improved performance while making his first start since August and his first start as a 3-year-old.

Contributor

He stepped up with an improved performance at second asking when placed over turf for the first time, but he did benefit from a comfortable early pace against that field of 35-30k MCL's, and he needs to take a noticeable step forward in his first start against winners.

Party Ruler (IRE)

Respect the presence of Rosario aboard this import, and the addition of Lasix, but it looks like this gelding displayed so-so form at best racing overseas and this will be the first time that he's raced beyond seven furlongs. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Coarsegold

Both wins have been local but note she only finished in front once; miss ran very well at this level 2 back and there are several in here that have speed, so she may get a set up; could see her sitting 4 or 5 off a legit pace, trying to save ground, and then making the one run.

Ready Signal

If you figure she was just dead short in last, then you have something to work with here; note she had the lead at the top of the lane in the mile win three back and she can be right there early if they go in :45 and change; move on the 16th suggests she is feeling pretty good about herself; needs to rebound.

Lil Red Cozette

Red Bullet Racing was named as owner for the first 3 starts; Henny Hughes about 13% with first-time turfers in a 109-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, won a couple of G1s, banked over $1.1 million, never turfed; dam out of the money twice; 5 of 7 siblings won including multiple grass stakes winner and near $250K earner Cosmic Kris; don't ignore.

Big Brown Brookski

Pushed into the stakes in the June swoon and she has not looked the same since; like fact she beat 10-horse fields and she was forced to steady in last; the hotter the pace the better for this gal.

Ceci N Red

Even after the tough beat 2 back, fans didn't exactly embrace here at 10-1 and they were wise; note she pushed along the pedestrian splits two back and still could not close the book; not sure she was beating anybody in that last win; the place horse that day was out of the money next out in this very league.

Revenue

Hot claim box item has had several chances to win in this league; she dropped for Mott in the win in July and had to come from second to last; game in the Belmont finale, but she has lost ground late in the last pair; could need softer to show top talent.

She's Spooky

We've seen this movie before; miss will be rolling early, will be trying to steal it, but she does have the tendency to get late; note she went a little faster 3 back when cashing going longer; the show horse in that 11/3 win cashed next out in a $16K Calder optional, lost next several; catch her to cash.

Four Aria

Racer got good for about a month last year; 5 clear two back and she was hung wide in last; 11/17 place horse cashed next out in a $100K stakes here with a 92 Beyer, then was 2nd beaten a length and a half in a $294K stakes on Sunshine Millions Day; she has a right to take to grass as kin to Sola Gratia, who won 5 times on the lawn and banked nearly $180K; can't be dismissed.

Will to Shine

Four for 6 since entering this barn and in one loss she was bumped around; she has repeatedly proven she can put wins together, she is proven at this level and she was boosted a bit when the winner 8/16 cashed next out in a $75K Delaware stakes, and then won again 12/29 at Tampa in a $100K optional; threepeat well within the realm. - Brian Mulligan

Race 7

Florida Sun

Commendable first run when staying on well vs. 11 opponents; her sire won a G3 and 127K while the dam won 1 of 7 and 11K; among the winning siblings is 46K earner Southern Review; can make the surface switch a winning one.

Harmony Place

Some fine a.m. drills on view for this beginner; her sire was unraced but offspring of City Place have scored in 21 out of 130 debuts; the dam did not compete and there are no winning siblings to mention.

My Novena

Disappointed while heavily favored in her July getaway race; returning breeze pattern has shown some progression and perhaps she can shake off the rust and return to the performance level of 2 back where she was an excellent second.

Fantastic Voyage

Confirmed closer takes a while to get into gear and makes the difficult return to the special weight class; several of her defeats, however, were in added money events and perhaps she get motivated earlier today.

Remarkable Teresa

Newcomer hails from speedball Concorde's Tune who won 12 of 28 starts and 242K (his progeny have won 10 percent of their first races); the dam won 1 of 6 and 16K; among the winning siblings is 202K earner Shimmering Tina.

Signora Gina

Steady workout pattern for this firster, daughter of multiple G3 winner Belong to Me who banked 261K (his descendants have won 78 out of 692 initial starts); the dam won 13 of 29 and 110K; among the winning sibs is 155K earner Setting the Rate.

Daring Kathy

Nice improvement to the latest breeze at five-eighths; her sire won 424K including G1 success (offspring of Wildcat Heir are 51 for 303 as far as winning their first race); the dam was without a tally in 6 attempts; sib to 231K bankroller Zeb.

Souper Scoop

She was bet into the ground in her unveiling last June but lost plenty of energy prior to the start; her sire won a G1 and 557K while the dam won a G3 and 337K; winning siblings include 283K earner Coolwind; hard to pinpoint.

Harbor the Dream

Intrigued by the latest half-mile breeze; her sire won a G2 and 342K in total (progeny of Rockport Harbor have won 11 percent of their first attempts); the dam won 3 of 16 and 111K; winning siblings include 47K earner Flashy Flirt. - Jim Kachulis

Race 8

Mo's the Man

Quiet American has hit with about 7% of his first-time turfers in a 489-horse sample; sire was a Grade 1 winner, earned over $750K, was zero for 3 on grass; dam's lone win was a dirt sprint; the sibling that won cashed 4 times, once on grass; in light, fits in the Beyer department, may like it here.

Bestofthebabies

Even on the drop in for a tag last time, fans didn't bite to the tune of 12-1 and they were on the money; stakes winning 3 for 9 dam earned over $360K, never turfed; all 5 siblings won; 4 tried grass to no avail; top kin Missile Motor won 20 times, earned nearly $500K in a long career; must show more.

Our Mystical Man

Was an ice cube on the tote and ran like it; dam just one for 31, a sprint; lone half sister lost 17 times; homebred has some things to iron out.

Pared

Colt goes from one good barn to another and he has more speed than he just flashed; connections would love to see him start acting like top kin, 4-time turf winner and near $500K earner Spice Island; place horse in last took a MSW at Calder with a 61 Beyer next out; respect.

Larcenyinmyheart

He got a feel of the surface now; clever try in Jersey finale but sometimes when late-running sprinters go long, they are closer early and don't have the same kick; like last time; there is some turf success in the tree and kin Midnight Express won almost $300K; could rebound here.

Giant Cat

Grinder may need softer as a $14K purchase; no help from 2 siblings that are a combined 0 for 12; a slice may be the ceiling.

Honey Again

Awesome Again about 10% with debuters in a 554-runner sample, about 6% with first-time turfers after 340 runners; sire did not race at 2, won in second start, earned $4.3 million, never turfed; dam was 0 for 7; 3 of 4 siblings won; 2 won on grass including double stakes winner and near $180K earner Mutak Gold; colt seems realistically placed.

Kenai Warrior

Toss the dirt races and the form brightens; he has had aim at the top of the lane a few times now, just must carry on with the momentum; at least there is a turf winner in the family; legit player here.

Green Diamond Cat

Yet to run in the money on grass; he has a shot to grow with grace as top kin Distinctiv Passion won on grass and banked nearly $225K; not thrilled with fact pace was slow in last and he still wilted. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Transcend

Lone win at longer can he get up in time at today's distance?; one of the deepest closers in the field; he hopes someone goes after Chairman Garey early to help the late runners; the 5th and 6th-place finishers from last posted 89-84 Beyer speed figures in next-out GP-optional-claiming and 30K-claiming wins.

One Golden Road

Likely breaks last or next to last; hopes to save ground then run past the speed; last loss was 3-back vs. the winner who repeated in an AQU-OPC with a 93 Beyer; high-percentage jockey-trainer combo suggests the win rider not being here is not a concern.

Lochte

Have to go back to July to see a bad race on his form; consistent sort made the transition nicely to face winners for the 1st time posting a new Beyer Top; hopes to stalk Chairman Garey then get 1st run on the closers; cuts back to the 2-back win distance; there is a lot to like.

Zane

100 days since his blowout synthetic-surface win; has been all-or-nothing on turf during career finishing last in August the last time seen on grasss; graduated at longer one year ago on GP green; the 2-back winner repeated in a LRL-100K stakes with a 90 Beyer.

Chairman Garey

Projects to race loose on the lead for the 1st time in career after chasing hot-early fractions in last in this paceless event; would likely have to fend off United States Won early then hold off the closers; his career-best Beyer was on a less-than-firm turf course and that type of grass condition would move him up; should improve today racing 2nd time back off a 57-day absence.

United States Won

Figures to battle Chairman Garey for the front; saved best race for last posting a career-Top Beyer on GP grass; 2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle but stretches out an extra half furlong after losing the lead in deep stretch at shorter; the 2-back winner repeated in GP-OPC event with an 86 Beyer; the 3-back runner-up captured a TAM-alw. next out with an 86 speed figure.

Newfound Zapper

Huge race on less-than-firm GP green facing stakes rivals back in December, 2012; exits a co-Beyer Top when winning at TAM; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 93-80 in next-out CD-alw. and TAM-50K stakes wins; if doesn't bounce off latest-big fresh Beyer has every chance to repeat.

Belvin

The runner-up finisher from last Beyered 88 in his next-out CRC alw. win; the 2-back show runner Beyered 79 in his next-out CRC alw. win; the May winner repeated in a BHP-Grade 2 with a 99; his sire is 26-for-257 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam; 3 of 10 foals to race on grass are turf winners including stakes-placed British Attitude (4-for-17 turf 115K); will be trying to remember his May-field-best Beyer for the previous trainer racing on a synthetic surface at 1.5F shorter than this. - Art Gropper

Race 10

Big John B

Maybe he's not the most talented performer in this race, but he is a tough competitor and he was game in victory while recording his second win over this turf course in his latest outing; he should have every opportunity to negotiate a comfortable trip after breaking from the rail post.

Political Courage

He finished behind today's rival Hey Leroy in his latest start, but this late running gelding is clearly a good fit at this level of competition, and it does look like there's enough early speed signed on to give him a favorable setup.

Mr. Online

He's G1 stakes placed racing over turf and he earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in his latest start over this course and at today's distance; he owns excellent tactical speed and going to look for him to be involved in the running every step of the way.

Master Wesley

He finished behind a couple of today's key rivals in his most recent start and he loses the services of Rosario to another in here; he has posted a couple of victories over this turf course from four starts, but looking at this as being a tough test for him.

Fan Base

He appears to be well meant while stretching out in distance for his second start back from a layoff, but even if he does produce one of his better performances, it looks like a minor award is probably going to be the ceiling.

Gentleman Jackson

He ran well the last time he was seen racing over turf, so getting back over turf for this can be viewed as a positive, but he's probably going to need to see a few of these show up with less than their best to have a chance at the top spot.

Concert Stage

Consistent performer has gotten the job done in seven of 18 turf starts, and a few of his better performances have been run over the Gulfstream Park turf; however, after getting the better of a field of 25-20k claimers, this might prove to be a tough step up in class for him.

Live in Joy

Don't care to see that his two most recent races haven't been a couple of his better performances, but this is only his second start since being claimed by Ramsey and Maker, and he was in a very tough spot when last seen; Rosario has won with 5 of 13 (38%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Dr. Goldfarb

He has been at his best racing over this turf course in the past, but his recent form hasn't been his best, and he's going to have a tough time getting the better of this field even if he does show up with one of his better performances.

Madris

He's another in here who might have a tough time trying to keep up with the top contenders but he does figure to appreciate getting back over turf after staying in an off-the-turf event in his latest outing.

Dr. Chase

His career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned racing over dirt, and from nine starts, he's yet to run a race over turf that is strong enough to suggest that he can jump up on this field on his best day.

Hey Leroy

Two of his three starts since being placed over turf have been sharp winning performances and like to see the way that he stepped it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in his latest outing in a race that saw him beat a couple of today's rivals; the outside post isn't ideal, but he has the look of a contender. - Brian Pochman