Gulfstream: Closer Looks for January 25, 2014

Race 3

Storm Viper

Exits a quick turf sprint where he lost all chance when rallying wide; the return to the main oval and today's distance brightens his money chances if breaking alertly from the rail; worth some follow-up with this surface switch.

Lovefindsaway

Used up in a speed duel while the 6 to 5 favorite last summer at Monmouth; his sire won multiple G1s and 3.07 million; the dam won 1 of 4 and 14K; among the winning siblings is 45K bankroller Smoke Alley; can atone at a better price.

Anchor Down

Beginner was sired by G1 victor Tapit who captured 557K and whose offspring have won nearly 11 percent of their debuts; the dam won 2 of 3 attempts and 110K; among the winning sibs is 693K earner Sweet Lulu.

Endowment Manager

Thrice beaten favorite will likely be the public choice again; waited in the gate a long time in the last run when facing 13 opponents before rushing to the lead, a respectable effort; dangerous if able to clear Lovefindsaway in the opening strides.

Tuneintobow

The outside slot prevented him from working out a better trip in his maiden voyage earlier this month; the grey's sire won 12 of 28 and 242K; the dam won 1 of 12 and 32K; there are no winning siblings to mention; improved in that latest half-mile breeze.

Rachel's Quest

Raced evenly while favored first time out but encountered only 3 rivals that day; his popular sire won 1 of 2 and 33K while the dam won 1 of 5 and 16K; winning siblings include 132K earner Starleena; nice a.m. move on 12/31.

Hurricane Turn

Firster was sired by multiple G2 winner Northern Afleet who notched 626K and whose progeny have won 78 out of 597 initial races; the dam went 7 for 23 earning 263K; winning siblings include 264K earner Marquee Delivery. - Jim Kachulis

Race 4

We're All Set

Career-best Beyer speed figure for last when passing a few runner but overall was a non-impact 4th; lone win was around 2 turns at CRC at shorter when rallying from far back; hopes someone goes after Surfing USA early while he saves all the ground from the rail then makes one run.

Top Billing

Field-best Beyer speed figure was posted 1st-time ever on GP dirt when just missing at longer than this; can he get up in time is the lone issue; was not bowled over by the worktab for this but this trainer's runners often improve after a few starts; is the one they all have to hold off in deep stretch.

Surfing U S A

Projects as the one to catch but he has not raced past 7F yet; sire was a Grade 1-stakes winner at 9F; grandsire won the Ky Derby; dam was a G3-SW at 9F on turf; defeated the 4th and 12th-place finishers from last; they Beyered 76-69 in next-out AQU-GP-MSW wins; 27%-repeat trainer yields 23%-sprint-to-route winners; has been working steadily for the 3-year-old sessonal debut.

Rockford

Today is his 1st start on dirt with 2 main-track bullets on display for a 30%-win trainer 1st-time out with newly-acquired runners; the winner from last 7 weeks ago is now 3-for-3 Beyering 86 in his next-out 100K-staks win; he beat the 2-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 64 in his next-out GG-MSW win; the debut winner repeated with a 65 speed figure capturing a. GG-OPC then made it 3 in a row with 73 Beyer taking a FNO-67K event.

Grand Arrival

Hard to ignore the trainer's 0-for-17 record since 2013 with blinkers on; the workouts for this do not leap off the form at you as some runners do when using the hood for the 1st time; exits his 2nd-lowest Beyer ever which was not a great sign racing 1st time over the track; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 88 in his next-out AQU-G2 stakes win.

Hesinfront

Another who makes the dirt debut in a small, but sharp field; the trainer's superb 29% win mark with turf-to-dirt runners adds to the appeal; wish the dirt workouts off the 5-week absence were more eye catching; the debut runner-up and show finisher Beyered 98-69 in next-out FG-CD-MSW wins.

Monopolize

1st time going long was a victory showing his versatility by racing well on both fast and wet-main tracks; has to avenge the sprint-debut defeat when closing too late vs. uncoupled barnmate Surfing USA: have mixed reviews from the worktab for this and not the best of signs that his Beyer speed figure regressed 2nd-time out. - Art Gropper

Race 5

Starship Wildcat

Not only might his best effort be short of the mark of what it will take to win this, but he hasn't been at his best in his last six starts; his early speed can play a role in the way that this race shapes up, but prefer to look toward others for the top spot.

Otto The Great (GB)

Not wild about what he's shown us in his six starts since arriving in America, including three over turf, but he did earn his best Beyer Speed Figure to date in his latest outing, and maybe the addition of blinkers can help him along.

Cozzetti

Grade 3 winner is capable of dialing up a pretty sharp performance on his best day, and he can prove to be a player in this spot even if this race has to be taken off the turf; he is light on winning form after 19 starts, and he enters this race off of a layoff, but not willing to count him out of it.

Upgrade

Really like the idea of this G3 winner dropping in class and getting back over turf, and feel that he's at his best at distances between seven furlongs and a mile; he's proven that he's comfortable racing over this turf course and going to look for him to be in the hunt through the final furlong.

Alley Oop Oop

He was going strong at this time last year, and if he can regain that form he's capable of making noise in this spot, but not sure that it's reasonable to expect that level of performance when considering what he's been doing lately; looking toward others.

Abtaal

Obviously there's some concern with regard to the long layoff, but this 5-year-old clearly has a good deal of ability and he's a 1/2 to G1 winner Vacare (8-14, $1.2 million over turf); he gets Lasix for the first time and the winner's from his last two starts both won G3 events in their next start.

One More Cat

He's another who doesn't appear to be entering this race on top of his game, but he did run some nice races over turf as a 3-year-old, including earning a stakes placing, and maybe his most recent workout is a sign that he's ready to get things turned around.

Ledokol

Purge has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this colt has yet to produce a performance that is strong enough to suggest that he can threaten the top contenders in here; he's a possible early pace player, but he has the look of an outsider.

Hamnet

Lightly raced 4-year-old has strung together three quality starts to begin his career and he goes out for a top turf barn with a go-to rider assigned; this isn't a soft spot for his first start of the year, but have to respect the potential for better that is living here at the moment. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

L. A. Freeway

Firster is by a sire who gets 12% winners from his debut runners; barn does ok first out and this guy's 3/4 sister is multiple G1 SP, G3 SW and 795K earner Reneesgotzip, so he does have a right to have some ability, but he may be better a trip shorter than he's asked to negotiate today.

Russian Humor

Goes back to the barn that had him during the summer after a couple of weak efforts across town; the stretch out could help as he's kin to a couple of route winners, but he doesn't have much early foot and looks to have quite a bit of improving to do to factor in here; just watching.

Woodfield Springs

Offered a nice run when third in his turf debut and he broke from a tough post in that one; G1 SP, G3 SW dam banked 594K and did most of her damage on the lawn, but she also won routing on the main track so don't think this guy will have much trouble taking to this footing and he does start from a much better spot today.

Arch Avenger

Sire gets 10% winners from his debut runners and this colt is the first foal to race out of a limited route winner; pricey yearling buy lures a top pilot and the Pletcher barn excels right out of the box; recent breezes on his tab are solid; must be considered.

Big Guy Ian

Colt didn't do much running after getting caught in a wide spot in his sprint debut; barn boasts a couple of recent second out winners so maybe he's got a move forward in him; this guy's G3 SP dam was a 327K earner and 8 time sprint winner who dropped a 12 time route winner.

Hot Springs Road

Sire gets 9% winners from his debut runners and the limited route winning dam dropped 2 winless foals who were a combined 0 for 12 going long; works aren't much, but the barn does nice work right out of the box and the top pilot who gets aboard hits at a nice clip for this outfit.

I'mbetterthangood

Took a big step forward to just miss in his second career start off the short break; he'll get off the fence for this one and the barn hits at a big clip with runners second back from the break; he's kin to a 2 time route winner and he'll switch to Rosario for this; pace in front of him is a concern, but they'll have him to beat.

Holy Wildcat

Barn's second runner in here has their top pilot named for his unveiling; sire was certainly a talented router, but he is just 2 for 50 with his newcomers and the SP dam's 6 wins all came sprinting prior to dropping foals who are a combined 0 for 3 going long.

Fearthefalcon

New York bred makes his first start for a new outfit after running ok in his sloppy 2 turn debut run across town; barn has been white hot here and they usually move their newly acquired runners up significantly; wouldn't be a surprise to see him get involved in the outcome here.

Decisive Edge

Went for a pretty penny in training last year but it took them until the last day of the season to get him on the track; he took plenty of tote support in that Laurel heat but he did lose his best shot at the break; his interim breezes are solid and this barn does great work with second out runners so have to think improvement is on tap.

Kato

Sire gets 13% winners from his debut runners and the multiple SW dam banked 479K while earning 12 of her 13 wins sprinting; his lone sib to race was winless from 5 starts and was never sent long on the main track; he'll get Lasix for this but the worktab doesn't offer many clues and the barn hasn't had any recent luck right out of the box.

Hallowed

Debut run wasn't much but he was caught chasing in a wide spot in that sprint heat and from the look of Wednesday's drill the new shades really agree with him; colt's 2 sibs to race in the states are route winners so the added ground should agree with him and there's not a lot of lick signed on so he should be prominent early; can't be overlooked. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Resistivity

The move up from her maiden victory to this G2 fixture is steep, but she's kept some tough company--the sharp foe she finished second to Nov. 30 at Churchill came back to land a $120K stakes at the Fair Grounds with a 93 Beyer; she recently zipped a bullet five-eighths at Palm Meadows, for a trainer who sports impressive stats with turnbacks.

Aurelia's Belle

Was along for some black type without threatening the top two in the G3 Old Hat in just her second start ever; she worked fast the other day, and moving out from six to seven furlongs might to this well-bred filly's benefit; great to see money rider JR back in action.

Onlyforyou

Unbeaten daughter of Malibu Moon is the one to knock off in her first start beyond three-quarters; possesses an edge on her opposition in the Beyer department, and her stalking style is ideal for the task at hand; Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher has a fine record in graded stakes.

Stately Defence

Competed over a mile in each of her four most recent excursions, which featured two solid efforts here around one turn on the dirt; was softened up in a speed duel in her latest, but managed to put up a 76 Beyer after fading to third; logical for the bottom of vertical wagers.

My Dear Regina

Defeated two next-out maiden special winners when she graduated second-time out traveling a mile around one turn at Churchill; trainer's 61-180 day comebackers don't win all that often, but this one can fire adequately while fresh; maybe for a piece.

Flash Encounter

Only got a 64 Beyer in her recent triumph at Calder, from which the third horse exited to post an upset here in an allowance/optional event; homebred was previously an even fourth going seven-eighths in another N1X across town; seems dicey at this distance, and would be a surprise. - Ron Gierkink

Race 8

Oasis At Midnight

Sweet Shirley Mae might prove to be tough to tackle in this spot if this race has to be moved to the main track, and this miss might need to show up with her sharpest performance to date to land a spot underneath in the exotics; prefer to look in another direction.

Shop Gal

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and stakes placed dam won 4 of 19 starts for 203k, including 4 of 18 turf starts for 201k; this filly is a 1/2 to Sustainable Forest (2-10, 87k, including 1 of 5 turf starts for 22k); her most recent workout looks sharp and it's interesting to see Rosario take the call.

Apologize

Her one start over turf wasn't a bad run at second asking, and when considering her improved recent form, she has at least mild appeal while giving turf another try; she's a 1/2 to Agapantha (1-8, 21k over turf); third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 1/3 going 7 1/2f over turf vs. 25k OPC's with an 84 Beyer.

Negrita Tata

She's been at her best racing over this turf course, and she's eligible to find herself involved in the running through the opening stages, but she'll have to produce a performance that is much sharper than anything she's done through her first 30 starts to threaten the top contenders in here; outsider.

Sweet Shirley Mae

Grade 1 stakes placed miss hasn't been at her best in her two starts over turf, but she is out of a stakes winning dam who won 5 of 12 turf starts for 220k; she goes out for a barn and rider that have been winning a lot of races together, and she gets a big upgrade if this race gets moved to the main track.

Forget That Gal

Three of her four wins have been earned racing over synthetic surfaces and this filly appears to be much more comfortable at distances shorter than today's 7 1/2f assignment; she can add fuel to the early pace fire, but going to look for others to have more to offer through the lane.

Wholelottashakin

Connections might opt to send her out in a Grade 3 event at Tampa today, but this appears to be a favorable spot for this multiple stakes placed New York-bred to go after her first win since June; a little concerned with how quiet this barn has been for the past year, but she's clearly a top contender against these.

Kipling's Joy

She's stakes placed racing over turf, and when seeing that she's making her first start for a high win percentage barn that does well with new acquisitions, it's probably a good idea to take her chances seriously; a sharp looking recent workout and the presence of Castellano add further appeal.

First Acquital

She enters this race off of the sharpest performance of her career and it's interesting to see that she ran that race in her first start over this turf course; it is worth noting that she loses the services of Lezcano to another in here, but she still merits her share of respect.

Sultry Warrior

Majestic Warrior has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this filly will need to be ready to take her game to another level while meeting up with winners for the first time; third place finisher from latest returned to win next out at CD on 11/24 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with a 64 Beyer.

Running Debi C

She has some turf in her pedigree, and her dam was a stakes winner while winning 4 of 19 starts for 348k, including 3 of 12 turf starts for 246k, but this miss has had five chances to show us what she can do over turf, and she needs to show more to threaten the top contenders in here. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Joy's Kitten

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 2 of 10 starts for 102k, including 1 of 6 turf starts for 56k; her career debut wasn't a bad performance and it wouldn't be a shock if this daughter of top turf influence Kitten's Joy improved with a move to grass.

Color Me Flying

This race doesn't have to fall apart if it has to be taken off the turf and this filly will merit her share of respect if she gets to compete in this spot; this barn isn't usually looking to crack at first asking, so improvement can be expected this time around; runner up from debut won next out here on 1/17 going 1m vs. MSW rivals with a 76 Beyer.

Innate Grace

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and multiple G1 winning dam won 8 of 23 starts for $1.4 million, including 3 of 6 turf starts for 667k; she showed improved early speed at second asking and like the idea of her stretching out in distance and getting over turf.

Hunting Hill

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and multiple G1 stakes placed dam won 3 of 19 starts for 318k, including 0-for-1 over turf; this filly is a 1/2 to Pebble Hill (1-6, 25k, including 1 of 5 turf starts for 25k).

Archangelus

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and dam was unraced; this filly is a 1/2 to Canticle (4-15, 126k, no turf starts); this barn can have one ready to go long over turf at first asking.

Russian Night

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this filly is a 1/2 to stakes placed Royal Dream (8-21, 114k over turf); looking at this as being a tough spot for her to get over turf for the first time.

Calm Water

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam was winless from six starts, including four turf starts; this miss is a full to multiple G1 winner Emollient (5-11, $1 million, including 1 of 3 turf starts for 332k); have to respect her chances with a move to turf and the addition of Lasix.

Guard the Lines

Her career debut wasn't much to look at but she's by a strong turf sire and she's a full to G1 winner Data Link (8-16, 828k over turf); like the addition of Lasix and feel that the added distance can be a key for this runner; winner from debut won next out here on 1/11 going 7 1/2f over turf vs. 75k OPC's with a 79 Beyer.

Vale Ridge

She showed some early interest in her career debut after breaking from an outside post but she is going to need to step up with a much sharper performance in order to get the better of this feild at second asking.

Miz Lee

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his first-time starters and with approximately 9% of his turf starters, and G3 stakes placed dam won 4 of 21 turf starts for 173k; this filly is a 1/2 to Judy G (1-10, 72k over turf).

Whispering

Her experience can prove to be a key against this field of lightly raced runners but she was beaten by today's rival All Star Kitten in her latest outing; winner from latest won next out at TP on 12/30 going 1m vs. 50k OPC's with a 52 Beyer.

All Star Kitten

She clearly took a step in the right direction at second asking and this filly is out of a stakes placed dam who won 2 of 9 turf starts for 87k, and this miss is a full to stakes winner Empire Builder (5-25, 212k, including 3 of 14 turf starts for 122k); top connections help add appeal. - Brian Pochman

Race 10

Coup de Grace

Runner will be going 2 turns for the first time here and how he does will determine Triple Crown future; the pedigree is there to suggest he can get 2 turns as several siblings won routing including one that won at a mile here; he beat a promising horse in his debut as the place horse that day graduated at Fair Grounds next out by almost 12 lengths on a glib surface with a 98 Beyer; trainer can keep a runner going good once he gets good as he is 30% in the last 5 years with last-out winners; Velazquez up for January 19 spin and trainer was pleased, Brown: "Johnny seemed to get along with the horse well, and he said he learned a couple of things, and that was the reason he was on. All systems go."

Financial Mogul

Youngster has been on the bench since running second in the Nashua and note needed slop and 7 furlongs for the lone victory; dam took 2 sprints and was third in her only route attempt but she dropped several successful routers including Grade 1 placed over $200K earner Bear in the Woods; expect his rider to take a hole, try to save ground, and then come running.

Best Plan Yet

This guy has the win edge on the field and is also unbeaten at this trip; he draws some class from the bottom side as the dam won routing twice and banked over $300K; and she dropped several routers that earned over $500K; one could envision him pushing the pace, but not sure he'll be around at the end.

Almost Famous

He hopped in the air last time but righted himself quickly; second start came back solid as the show horse Ride on Curlin beat entry level allowance horse at Oaklawn just 13 days ago and the place horse took a $50K since; runner's millionaire dam was sprint only but she invented ways to win; Byrne is 2 for 26 or 8% with last out winners; Respect this guy.

Our Caravan

Racer was totally dismissed on the toteboard in his racing debut but he got the last laugh; tTere was a lot of speed in the first race and it kind of just stopped in front of him; trainer Dilger has not saddled many in the last 5 years but he has won with 3 of his 6 last out winners and 2 ran second; this is an ambitious spot and he may be giving up too much experience.

Mr Speaker

Talented runner is out to prove he can win on conventional dirtl sire won the Fountain of Youth at this track, his Grade 2 placed dam graduated in a route and banked over $100K and she is also a daughter of the unbeaten champion Personal Ensign; wheeled back in 3 weeks for the graduation party, he proved it was no fluke winning the Grade 3; McGaughey, down this road last year with Kentucky Derby hero Orb, this racer has the right to be any kind and should be a handful; trainer had this to say in the Gulfstream notes, Shug: "He's trained good on dirt. I think he's equipped to to make the jump; he s already done it on turf from a maiden to a Grade 3.

Cairo Prince

Colt ran his eyeballs out in defeat in the Remsen when wide on both turns but he was giving the winner 6 pounds; the race was live as the show horse took the Grade 2 Jerome next out and the 5th finisher won a $134,000 stakes at Woodbine since; the one to beat; the 1/19 wor was by design according to his trainer, McLaughlin: "He had a couple of works of 59 and change, so we wanted to go a little easier this time, and he went perfect."

Wicked Strong

Like fact has trained cleverly for this and was set down last Sunday with the 1:00 4/5 workout; interesting that Castellano opts for this runner instead of the rail; colt broke a little awkwardly in the Remsen last year, but finished quick and considering the half mile that day was in :51.74, the rally was all that more impressive as he got his last furlong in :11.37; another threat in a good race; trainer lends his thoughts, Jerkens: "People still don't know how to gauge the Remsen because it was so slow, the pace was so slow. He was going faster than all of them, he's a nice colt, he's good and strong and he doesn't cheat on the track.

Conquest Titan

It's nice to have different directions and he opened up his options last time; owners thought enough of him to give him a shot in the Breeders Cup Juvenile but he was only a brief threat; he showed his agility last time to overcome losing his footing early before looping the field and that was the trainer's plan to take him back and let him make the one run; he also was flattered when the show horse in last won next out here in a $100K stakes with a 92 Beyer; in his bullet work on January 4 he drilled in company with Coastline, who was third in the Smarty JonesMonday; no reason he won't take to distance as his sire won the Belmont.

Big Bazinga

Outsider has trained steadily for this event but he has some things to prove; he overcame trouble in his debut to shock 10 rivals, proved it was no fluke with a third in the Grade 3 Grey before a press and fade 7th in the Delta Jackpot; 6th finisher in the Jackpot beat MSW foes next out in Tampa and the 4th finisher won next in a $75K Delta stakes; both siblings have won including a double dirt route winning stakes winner; still may need softer foes

Intense Holiday

Only beat 5 rivals in his second start at the shore; he got an easy pace and was still losing ground in the lane; youngter didn't get the best of trips in the Nashua 2 races back and one could make a case that he could have been second that day; Pletcher has put 4 moves into him of late but this marooned post could compromise him; non-winning dam dropped one other foal but that runner lost 7 times; must hurry. - Brian Mulligan