Gulfstream: Closer Looks for January 29, 2014

Race 2

Edie

Don't care to see what she's done in her two most recent starts, but those were sprint events, and she has run well routing over turf in the past; feel that she's eligible to be ready for better while making just her second start for Walder, especially after being given some time off, and viewing the presence of Rosario as a positive indicator; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 1/17 going 7 1/2f over turf vs. 25k OPC's with an 85 Beyer.

Ambitoness

She's done some nice work racing over turf in her career while winning seven of 21 starts, including three of eight starts over this turf course, and she's eligible to be ready to give a good account of herself while makiing her second start back from a layoff;

Jolena Jo

She's been in good form lately, but she appears to be more comfortable sprinting than routing, and without the prospect of an easy early lead, she might find it difficult to keep herself involved in the running through the final furlong.

Sonja's Angel

If this race has to be taken off the turf, this mare will be tough to look past after earning a career best Beyer Speed Figure over the main track here while making her first start for this barn; it looks like the Walder barn will be live in this race regardless of surface.

Blues and Silvers

She's won 10 of 17 career starts, including nine of 15 over turf, and even though she'll need to be careful to avoid an early pace dispute, she has shown the ability to tap the brakes a little bit early on if need be; she's one of two signed on in here for the Hess barn and she commands respect as a top contender.

Susies Gal

She was upset minded in her latest start before coming up just a little bit short and the third-place finisher from that race won next out at Crc on 11/15 going 1m over turf vs. 15k OPC's with an 81 Beyer; you have to go back 13 starts to September 2010 to find her latest victory but she looks like a decent fit with these.

Indian Starlight

She looks like a need-the-lead type, and in a race that figures to have a legitimate early pace, she figures to have a tough time keeping something in reserve for the run through the lane; going to look toward others.

Implied

One of three signed on in here for the Walder barn, with Sonja's Angel being Main Track Only, and it might be worth noting the presence of Castellano as he's hit at a 40% clip for this outfit from limited chances; feel that she needs her best effort to date to win this, but this barn is known for moving them forward after a claim.

Jean's Surprise

She's stakes placed racing over turf and she enters this race after one of the stronger performances of her career, and the runner up from that race has since returned to win next out here on 1/20 going 1m over turf vs. 30-25k claimers with an 80 Beyer.

Memories Made

She finished close behind today's rival Jean's Surprise in her latest start and she's making her first start after a claim for Ramsey and Maker; runner up form latest returned to win next out here on 1/20 going 1m over turf vs. 30-25k claimers with an 80 Beyer.

Dissension

A little concerned about today's 1 1/16m distance for her, but she's been in pretty good form lately and she might be capable of making some noise in this spot whether this race is run over turf or dirt; can't ignore how live this barn has been at this meeting from limited starters.-Brian Pochman

Race 4

Triple Arch

Bulk of her work has come on turf, yes, but note she's 2 for 3 on dirt so she handles this ground; nice 4th in a turf stakes here Jan. 1, not beaten far at all by the talented Tapicat; last couple Beyers hint she's improved and as noted above, she handles dirt.

Ana Luisa (BRZ)

Came from Brazil with a lofty reputation having won her first 3 starts (including a G2 and G3) and then running 2nd in a G1 last June; came to the U.,S. and in her first start here and first action of any kind in 6 months she ran on well for 4th, on turf here; moves to dirt but she handled it well in Brazil (2 for 2), though it's worth noting on both occasions it was on wet ground; so, she's still a question mark on dry land but hey, she's handled wet dirt, heavy dirt, firm turf and heavy turf so odds are she'll handle this.

Giant Cats Eye

You had to be a bit worried when after a smashing win at MTH Aug. 10 she wasn't seen again for over 3 months; let's face it, you don't normally take a horse who seemingly had turned the corner and put her away for that long without good reason; the good news, though, is she came back here with 2 strong outings so that allays the fears over the layoff; handles this track and trip and she's got the tactical speed to be in a good spot from the bell.

Centrique

Looked super winning a stakes here Dec. 7, earning a big Beyer in the process (98); that run looks even better, too, when you note that so far only 3 of the 7 she beat that day have run since - and all 3 won; 2 for 2 here, so the site is no issue and she's responded well before to this kind of freshening.

Dreaming of Sophia

Wouldn't mind seeing some rain as her best race (95 Beyer) came in a the slop here last summer; then came a 1st and a 3rd in a pair of stakes on CRC sod but she hasn't been seen since, so we're talking nearly 4 months off; at least there's no big drop in for a tag; still, it's no easy spot and if you take away that big slop Beyer her other dirt Beyers, all on dry land, leave her with plenty of work to do.

Gamay Noir

Wolfson saw fit to plunk down $100K to claim her, heady stuff; he's 2 for his last 3 (67%) first off the claim, too; owns a wet-track win, but also ran 3rd on fast dirt so she's not out of her element; also nice to see Leparoux takes the call, but her last 2 starts, on turf, likely her best game, don't exactly get the pulse racing, do they?-Michael Hammersly

Race 5

Confident Lady

Ran to the 65-1 debut odds when trailing most of the way eventually beating one runner home; adds blinkers which is an 0-for-13 angle for the trainer since 2013; cuts the price tag in half and hopes to show more interest from the gate with the new hood added.

See Trouble

Never raced this short of a distance while switching trainers for the 1st sprint of career; style suggests 5F would be right up her alley as she races at 122 pounds the heaviest assignment of career; the new barn does well 1st-time out with newly-acquired runners; the 2-back runner-up finisher posted a 64 Beyer speed figure in her next-out TAM-MSW win.

Starship Mystique

Sire is 10-for-279 with 1st-turf starters; is the 1st foal out of an 0-for-1 dam who did not race on grass; was defeated by Dreaminofcarmela C in last while the winner repeated with a 58 Beyer; stamina issues in first 3 races; likely presses Tough to Stop for the front; view as a pace presence for part.

Tough to Stop

The one to catch; posted a field-best Beyer on dirt 3 races ago; new trainer yields 44% winners 1st off the claim; sire is 2-for-52 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 1-for-4 grass dam (13K); her only other foal to race on North American turf is 1-0-0-0 Past Glory; was defeated by Dreaminofcarmela C in last while the winner repeated with a 58 Beyer.

Harley Go Lightly

Sire is 36-for-295 with 1st-turf starters; 67-for-475 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 2-0-1-0 dam who did not race on grass; she produced 3 winners from 3 other foals to race including 66K Queen of Rock (2-for-12); 2 foals to race on turf are 4-0-0-0 combined.

Behappyalex

Sire is 10-for-178 with 1st-turf starters; 21-for-304 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal out of a 2-0-0-0 dam who did not race on grass; quick-3F gate workout suggests she may flash some gate speed at 1st asking but Tough to Stop figures to own the best early zip.

Lady Joyfull

Defeated 3 runners combined in 3 defeats; new rider is her 4th in as many career races which is not a good-win angle but the pilot wins 27% for the trainer at GP since 2013; keeps dropping in class without showing much; removed front wraps in last with a career-best Beyer on turf but still finished far back.

Dreaminofcarmela C

The winner and show finisher from last Beyered 58-57 in next-out GP-35K-maiden claiming, 16K-claiming victories; sire is 0-for-18 with 1st-turf starters; dam went 1-0-0-0 on the green; 2 of 7 foals to race on turf are grass winners including 1-for-10 turfer Take Me to Zuber (38K).

Bachata Dancer

Sire is 42-for-333 with 1st-turf starters; 49-for-467 with debut runners; is out of a 2-for-16 dam (78K) who went 2-for-14 on turf (69K); her only other foal to race 1-0-0-0 Russian Bear who did not race on grass; high-win percentage debut trainer adds to the appeal.

Dunkirk's Best

Outran her 17-1 debut odds when stalking the speed on dirt; doubles the purchase price for the 1st grass attempt; her sire is 1-for-6 with 1st-turf starters; 1-for-4 dam (12K) did not race on grass; 1 foal to race on turf is 2-0-0-0; see plenty of upside today racing 2nd-time out which can be a dramatic form improvement.

Moonlight Time

The 2-back show finisher graduated next out with a 58 Beyer; defeated 3 runners combined in 4 races while the 1st-blinkers and turf debut for last did not produce the needed improvement although it comes back as her best speed figure; would be a shocker.-Art Gropper

Race 6

Gridiron Great

Only a couple of slices since entering this barn; he ran into a roadblock in last and was still over 3 clear; backers can point to the fact that both siblings won, but neither tried grass; last angle to think about: this rider was up for the career best Beyer.

Bythe Grace of God

Walked out of the gate, now double drops; dam was unraced; 4 of 5 siblings won; 2 tried grass to no avail; one banked over $150K in a long career; looking at a pretty big number here.

Minstrel Road

Stalked to no avail but at least he got a feel of the footing; dam lost 10 times; lone half sis to race Carmen G. took 4 of 30, earned less than a grand a start; slight drop can't hurt, in good hands, major threat.

Ingenuity

Must respect his speed but he has lost ground in the lane in 6 of 7; 12/14 show horse graduated next out in a maiden $16K claimer here with a 70 Beyer last Thursday; Ortiz takes reins and would expect him to send hard and try to steal it.

Not Welcome

With Distinction about 11% with debuters in a 254-runner sample; Grade 3 winning sire earned nearly $450K; stakes placed 7 for 49 dam earned over $150K; lone half sis to race took 2 of 31, earned nearly $50K; not the 3-week gap in published moves till 11/21.

Raging Mane

Purim 7 for 78 with first-time turfers; G1 winning sire didn t race at 2, took 9 of 23, banked over $900K, won 6 times on grass; dam 0 for 5; both siblings won multiple times; both tried grass but failed on turf; one banked over $100K; he has some degree of speed here but can't see him clearing.

The Best Monkey

Colt has some semblance of speed, probably enough to give him first run on the deep closers; backers can hang hat on fact a couple of siblings won; needs a turn around after the last fiasco.

Discreet Ed

The extended layoff is an obvious concern; 1 for 2 dam cashed on grass first time she tasted the stuff; 5 of 6 siblings won; several tried grass to no avail; if you figure he just needed the last, you can make a case for a move forward.

Wake Up and Go

Barn is on the patient side so don't be too harsh about the debut; and he was rank and not keen to run early to boot; dam 0 for 8; 3 if 5 siblings won; all won on grass including 4-time grass winner and near $180K earner Stormy Relations; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one.

Chevron Light

Okay, it was in MSW, but he was crushed the other time in town; backers can point to the fact a couple of siblings did win on grass; homebred may need even softer to shine.

Dardanian

Capable connections may be trying to coax some speed from him with the shades today; dam won only start; it came on grass going a mile at Suffolk in a MSW with a 57 Beyer; both siblings won including turf stakes winner and over $200K earner Left a Message; Rocco got a chance to figure him out; must pick it up.

To Dare Is to Do

That Delaware race 4 back is scary as he went through the rail; sometimes races like that take a toll; he's had his chances 12/6 winner repeated in a $16K N2L claimer here, then took an N3L for that price last Saturday with an 82 Beyer; the good news for backers is there is turf success in the tree; been around the wire several times, is due to close the deal.

Noble Abode

Gelding goes from one potent barn to another and Pino obviously has an eye for a claim to the tune of 32%; that 11/15 race came back ultra live as 4 exited the event to win next out; he has a shot to grow with grace as kin to near $250K earner Coax Liberty; it could be a new ballgame on a glib surface.

Succesful Brothers

Hung wide when inching toward the winner on a surface he may have disliked; the bug has had good success for Ward, who is winning in bunches; look for him to be more engaged early on; rates long look in all the slots.

Jim Jamm

Spotty race record is a concern; can't be thrilled with the beat vs. softer 2 back; go way back to July of 2012 and the place horse that day won 3 times since and was 2nd a nostril in a $16K claimer here 12/13; the sibling to win was dirt sprint only; try to get a good look at him on the track before taking a swing.-Brian Mulligan

Race 7

Mandola

Returns to the lawn for his local debut run while going without shades for the first time in his career; new barn is going so well here but they hit at a nice clip with newly acquired runners and this guy has shown a little ability on the footing in the past; lack of lick and the rail draw in a big field are far from ideal, but he's worth an exotics look.

Able Baker Charlie

Hasn't been much of a factor since shipping down here last month and now he'll drop back in with conditioned claimers while moving back to the green; his 2 turn spin over main track against better 2 back earned him a pretty solid number and he's run ok from off the pace while sprinting on the lawn in that past.

Great Rising Star

Exits a sharp late running try in the local off the turf route against better last month in his return from the break; 6 year old wasn't bad on the Santa Anita lawn last winter and he will lure the top pilot while dropping to his lowest level yet; looks like they'll have him to beat.

McIlroy

Recent graduate ran away from his foes in that popular score and now he'll try winners; Lezcano sticks and this guy has had a full month to get over that big return score so maybe he's got more left in the tank; waters get a little deeper, but in his current form he's a threat to repeat.

Wise Maker

Plodding type moves to the lawn after getting up for the place spot across town; 5 year old did little in his last handful of turf starts and doesn't look to prove a legitimate in this spot; looms a long price.

Marie's Music

Wasn't good enough to go with the top 2 after breaking from the fence against cheaper last time though she did get up for a share; mare tackles the boys once again and though she gets a weight break with the capable bug named, looks to have her work cut out for her in this spot.

Start Up

Runner up in his last 2 brings some speed to the table as he climbs the class ladder for this one; he's certainly had his stamina issues outside the maiden ranks, but he catches a field without much early foot so maybe he's able to secure a spot close up from the bell and last for a share at a decent price.

Ayrton

Wasn't beaten much against a cheaper bunch when getting Lasix for the first time here last week; he's yet to run a number that would make him a serious threat in this spot and that makes it tough to make a case for him getting in the mix here.

E Biscuit

Should be tighter with his return from the break behind him and now he'll drop in to face a cheaper set; it's been a while since he's run a big number on the green, but he has been working well of late for this and the barn does do ok second back from the break; maybe for a share at a price.

Valerie'sgreenjet

Stretches out for the surface switch while tackling winners for the first time today; there's not a lot of speed in here so he should be involved from the bell and his effort 2 back suggests he'll handle the footing, but he'll need to keep improving in order to have a say in the lane in this one.

Brickyard Kitten

Gelding understandably tired while making his first start in over 7 months and now he'll drop in for a tag; he did break his maiden over the course last winter and he has a right to be better with his return try behind him; consider.

Forever Conga

Wide trips have done him in each of his 2 starts back from the freshening and the start from this outside draw won't make it easy for him to overcome such a trip; 6 year old settles for minor awards, but his back numbers certainly fit in here.

Top Excitement

MTO will start from the outside slot if he gets to go in here; gelding prefers to take back and make one run which makes him dependent upon pace and don't know that he's going to get a great setup if this one gets rained off; does his better running in the lane.-Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Twenty in One

Leads off a field comprised of runners from some top sires; this filly hails from Invasor who won multiple G1s and 7.8 million (his offspring have scored in 2 of 50 debuts); the dam was without a tally in 7 tries; winning siblings include 374K earner Terrific Storm.

Lollobrigida

She has a steady breeze pattern to consider; her prolific sire won 1 of 2 and 33K; progeny of Malibu Moon are 14 percent winners first time out; the dam involved was zero for 2; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Laurensdesanimaux

Adds blinkers for her initial try over the main after catching difficult post positions in her 2 turf appearances; her sire won 9 of 13 and 1.65 million; the dam was zero for 5 lifetime; there are no winning sibs to report; puzzling possibility.

Got Lucky

Unlucky not to win a graded stakes last November when narrowly outfinished; her sire is G1 star A.P. Indy who banked 2.97 million; the dam won 1 of 6 and 15K; there are no winning siblings to highlight; obvious main contender despite the layoff.

Running Wild

Never got untracked in her Big A maiden voyage; her sire won 4 of 5 and 616K (losing only in the Kentucky Derby); the dam went 6 for 19 earning 168K; among the winning sibs is 842K bankroller Cherokee Artist.

Lady Margarita

Firster was sired by the mighty Medaglia d'Oro who amassed 5.75 million and whose descendants have won 10 percent of their first attempts; the dam scored in 8 of 21 races notching 809K; winning siblings include 44K earner Regime.

Starship Marquis

Near identical performances thus far, making up decent ground in the final stages; her sire won multiple G2s and 1.25 million; the dam won 9 of 73 and 252K; leading money-earning siblings is Absinthe Minded who compiled 607K.

Color Me Flying

A deceptively fine first run when pace compromised and then rallying wide; her sire won 8 of 23 including multiple G2 scores; the dam won 2 of 11 and 139K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; upgraded in the latest half-mile drill.

Senior Prom

Raced evenly in her grass debut earlier this month; her sire won a trio of G3s and 474K; the mom won 6 of 43 and 187K; winning siblings include 56K earner King Kid; a statistic of interest: the trainer's record with turf-to-dirt types.-Jim Kachulis

Race 9

Hold That Camera

Dislikes wet-main tracks so willing to excuse latest noting his October race on a fast-CRC dirt oval produced his career-best Beyer speed figure; clearly has something to prove off last 3 races but hopes to get back on fast dirt which is by far his best surface; the trainer is 1-for the last-29 with runners in races where they can be claimed; others appeal more.

Alex's Vision

Scored 1st off the claim against much lesser with 48 days between races now has 40 days idle for this; late runner projects for a good trip saving ground while rallying behind a projected hot pace set by Untethered and Toh's Grey Cat; win rider from last sides with Razzo Succo for this.

Sir Sparky

Hopes for a pace metldown because he figures to be flying late; March was his last GP dirt start a runner-up finish in a similar spot at longer; the winner from last repeated in a CRC-optional claimer with an 84 Beyer; the 2-back winner scored right back in a CRC-OPC with a 75 speed figure.

Horned Frog

Mixed reviews from his 2-GP dirt starts both defeats vs. Toh's Grey Cat; the latest loss was his best Beyer since April; the winner and runner-up 2-back Beyered 95-79 in next-out TP-58K stakes HAW-starter alw. wins; is ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Untethered

Claimed off a front-running win and is the one to catch again; taken from a high-win percentage trainer which is often not a good-win angle however the new barn yields 32% winners 1st off the buy; has to beat the speedy Toh's Grey Cat from the gate then hold off the late runners; defeated the 2-back show runner who Beyered 73 in his next-out PRX-$7,500-claiming win.

No Act

Exits a career-best Beyer when edged by J B's Unc while picking up 2 pounds for this which does not help the confidence level; likely could have used the extra furlong today in latest showing that late kick at shorter; the main concern is his mild rally the last time sent 1 Mile which was over one 1 year on GP dirt.

Major Prince

Major class test in his return to GP dirt with much to prove here (4-0-0-0); finished far back in the November loss locally then wokeup nicely at Calder as 2-back represents a career-best Beyer; in with his highest weight assignment since May, 2012, for a rider winning 22% for the trainer since '13; leaning elsewhere.

J B's Unc

Figure to work our an ideal trip sitting just off Toh's Grey Cat and Untethered; the last time stretched out to a race at 1Mile or longer was a MTH more-than-10-length victory; September's field-best Beyer at 7F was a dominating stalking win on a sloppy race track; displayed ability on both fast and wet ovals but seems very best on less-than-fast footing; the 2-back winner repeated in a 150K stakes with a 105 speed figure.

Move Over

Claimed off a victory by a trainer without a single 1st-off-the-purchase starter since 2013; clearly today's Mile distance agreed with him but leaps up in class for the new barn; have to go back to September to see a bad race on his form; gets a good pace flow to rally into with Toh's Grey Cat and Untethered likely setting strong fractions.

Razzo Succo

Lopez lands here when seemingly having other options to ride; 3-0-0-1 record without blinkers; fired his best race without the hood in last when finishing close in defeat behind similar rivals while posting his best Beyer since September; his last Mile race was a win over a synthetic surface which is his best oval; the 2-back winner repeated with a 105 Beyer; the 3-back winner posted a 99 speed figure in his next-out GP-Grade 3 stakes victory.

Worth a Buck

Last start off the long layoff was a massive-price drop 1st off the claim showing nothing; was no match for Alex's Vision who follows him here; the 2-back winner repeated in a BEL allowace with an 84 Beyer; 7-0-1-2 record since claimed off an April, 2012, victory; a tough call.

Toh's Grey Cat

Speedster has to fend off Untethered early then the closers late; the 2-back show finish was in a 110K stakes; it looks a lot better since the winner and runner-up Beyered 95-79 in next-out TP-58K stakes HAW-starter alw. wins; one race during career from post 10 or out was an 8th-place finish winning from post 1 and 2 since October.-Art Gropper

Race 10

Go Solo

It's a little interesting to see that they tried her over turf in her career debut and that this will only be her second turf attempt; her most recent race was a solid runner-up finish over the main track here, and if she can transfer that form to turf, she figures to be in the hunt nearing the finish.

Addar

Her best effort appears to be right in line with what it might take to win this, but not wild about what she's done in her two most recent races after dropping into the maiden claiming ranks; prefer to limit her to a spot underneath in the exotics.

Sawyer

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this filly is a 1/2 to multiple stakes placed Jazz (3-20, 110k, including 3 of 17 turf starts for 104k); obviously she's going to need to show more in her turf debut if she's to get the job done.

Ocean Gal

It looks like there's enough early speed signed on in here to make a mission on the front end difficult, but this filly clearly took a step in the right direction in her turf debut in her latest outing; note the success that Lopez has had riding for this barn.

Royal Spaces

She's been soundly defeated in all three of her starts to begin her career and she's going to need to find a way to dial up a strong performance if she's planning on being a player in this spot; she has the look of an outsider.

Heaven Help Me

Not wild about what she's shown in her first two starts, but have to respect the fact that she's making her first start for a barn that does well with new acquisitions, and that they see fit to call upon Castellano for this; winner from latest won next out at Prx on 12/1 going 7f vs. N1X rivals with a 57 Beyer.

My Mom Santina

Sire wins with approximately 20% of his first-time starters and with approximately 22% of his turf starters, and dam was unraced; a two-turn mile can be tough on a firster, but this barn has been live at this meeting and this really isn't a bad spot to show up with a firster; that December 31 workout hints at ability.

Nonhelema

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his first-time starters and with approximately 14% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal from a dam who won two of nine starts for 76k, and she didn't make a turf start; this barn has been quiet to this point in the meeting and they haven't been getting the job done with recent turf starters.

Big N Toasty

She might prove to be the dominant early speed in here, and if she can remember the way that she performed in her turf debut, she might be able to keep herself involved in the running every step of the way.

Hidden Intentions

She looks like a good fit at this level of competition and this late running filly will hope that a few of these decide to get aggressive on the front end through the opening stages; the outside post shouldn't bother her much as she figures to drop right out of it from the break and angle toward the rail.-Brian Pochman