Gulfstream: Closer Looks for January 5, 2014

Race 2

Alondra Sky

She comes off arguably her best race but miss has had her chances; not a ton of speed in here; look for the 10-pound bug to step on the gas hard from the sound of the bell and try to steal it.

Zanjera

Apparently not much of a workhorse; dam out of the money twice; several multiple race winners in the family including Grade 2 winner, and near $400K earner Delosvientos; must show more.

Pretty Peggy Fu

She could have just been overmatched in last; miss could be more relaxed and aware of surroundings with blinks off but key off the October finale and he fits; back pretty quick and note she did improve in the second career start.

Elsie's Image

Beat one in the abbreviated race last time; apparently not much of a morning glory or work horse; would think long and hard before taking anything close to 8-5 again.

Lisa's Little Girl

Lack of speed must be addressed; 11th finisher in last took a maiden $16K claimer at Calder and the place horse took a maiden $35K seller here; that was a big field in last but she already lost for this tag; must prove it.

Fast Andrea

Steadied last time and still trying to crack the top 3; dam was unraced; 2 of 5 siblings won; top kin Blushing Brat took 5 of 44, banked over $130K; wonder how high the expectations can be for this $7K purchase.

Mi Doctora

Maybe the rail intimidated her, as she stumbled in last; nearly 4 clear, she has the 3 races to build on now; should be right there when the smoke clears.

Starship Debutante

Took money on the stretch out but was finished in a heartbeat; note she was 4 clear in the September finale; backers can point to the fact there are a couple of 6-figure earners in the tree; mare has much more speed than she just showed. - Brian Mulligan

Race 3

Formal Quality

Drops in half for today's action and did have a legitimate excuse in the last trouncing; will offer generous odds once again despite this class relief and a wait and see betting approach appears the way to go.

Benne First Baby

Scheduled to race with blinkers for the first time; she exits a race where she middle moved into contention before fading; has tailed off since the initial pair of efforts over the course; new equipment may help with the awakening.

Why Buy Silver

Flashed some fair speed in her Calder campaign and the latest workout at that oval was encouraging; may get away with softer early fractions today and that may enable her to handle the extra distance today.

Our Tigress

All kinds of trouble in that first defeat last moth; her sire, a pure sprinter, won a G3 and 586K overall; the dam won 1 of 10 and 11K; among the winning siblings is 270K earner Sleek John; this trainer excels with second-time starters.

Flash Song

She is among the first crop to race from Flashstorm who banked 261K; the dam involved was zero for 4 lifetime; among the winning siblings is 19K earner Occam's Razor; shows only light workout activity.

Jill's Reflection

Has only one in-the-money finish to her name and that was accomplished long ago and over a sloppy track; doubt that the drop to this level will have any significant effect; cannot endorse for the top spot.

Dance for Megan

Best effort by far was the maiden voyage over the turf; she will don blinkers for this event but has shown no firepower whatsoever in recent starts; third start off the bench angle may not matter in this case.

Bellavision

Lost all chance at the break of her first run when facing much better stock than this; her sire won a G2 and 1.43 million; the dam won 4 of 15 and 130K; among the winning siblings is 61K earner Lovely R R; needs alert getaway. - Jim Kachulis

Race 4

Mel Beach

Stakes winning veteran sports a top turf Beyer Speed Figure of 86 and that level of performance just isn't going to be strong enough to get the job done in this spot; note that he's been beaten by today's rival Determinato in a few of his recent starts

Partyallnightlong

Multiple stakes placed performer has run well in both of his turf sprint attempts, but this 7-year-old only made three starts in 2013, and his two most recent races haven't been anywhere near his best; respect him for what he's capable of on a top try, but his recent form is cause for concern.

Spring to the Sky

He's very capable of putting together a strong five furlongs over turf on his best day, and even though this isn't a soft assignment, he figures to appreciate the drop in class from the BC Turf Sprint, and he also figures to appreciate turning back in distance; sharp looking recent workouts and the presence of Castellano help give him a live look.

Silver Menace

This race figures to see a number of scratches if it has to be moved to the main track, but this gelding will have to be ready for his very best effort if he's to have any chance on getting the better of the top contenders; horses like Mel Beach, Partyallnightlong, Determinato and County Gun are all capable of a sharp run over dirt.

Berlino Di Tiger (BRZ)

He surprised a field of seven in recording a G3 score in his latest outing and he commands his share of respect against these off of that performance; he is making his first start since May, but a number of his recent workouts look sharp and Rosario takes the call.

Wicked Tune

Generazio-homebred is capable of a sharp five furlongs over turf on his best day, and like to see that he's two-for-two over this turf course; however, he must improve over what he's been doing lately in order to get the job done.

A P Elvis

There is a chance that things will get out of control on the front end in here, and that would be to the liking of this late running type; not sure if his best effort is quite good enough for these, but if things fall apart up front, he'll be looking to make one late move.

Determinato

He hasn't finished worse than third from eight turf starts while winning five, and he's even run well in his recent dirt starts; he's recorded three straight wins prior to this and he was three-for-three sprinting over this turf course in 2013.

County Gun

Feel that this can prove to be a tough test for this 6-year-old if this race has to be taken off the turf as he'll need to produce a performance like the one he showed up with at Calder back in July to have a chance to beat these.

Varsity

A little concerned when seeing that he hasn't been quite the same since getting a look at Shea Shea in Dubai, but if this veteran feels up to one of his better performances, he's going to be tough to tackle; third-place fiisher won next out at Lrl on 9/21 going 6f over turf in a 100k stakes with a 98 Beyer. - Brian Pochman

Race 5

Contrail

Has a second and a fourth in two starts but both performances earned him figures in the 30s; with the GP meet much tougher now than it was in the summer, this one likely has to start for a claiming price to be competitive; she also has to overcome a lengthy layoff.

Discreetly Elusive

Well bred miss was outrun first out but in the slop; so perhaps she deserves a pass for that failure; Pletcher gives the mount to his go-to rider in Castellano today; solid works since that debut, if not overly fast.

Philomene

Is by a good first out sire in Successful Appeal (18% winners), whose runners are typically sprinters; fast works too for this homebred, owned and bred by Donald Dizney; this is the first foal from an unraced dam.

Flatter Marie

Has speed but would seem unlikely to carry it to the wire against this group; she has been facing easier at Calder and racing in pretty short fields; less room to improve than others given that she has already started four times; does come off a bullet work, but going just 3f and on a day when only 4 other horses worked that distance.

Speedy Girl

Overcame a troubled trip to grab second in her debut, although just narrowly; the winner ran away as much the best and this one got up ny a neck for second; barn has good second out numbers from limited starts; would have liked to have seen a quicker return; it's been over a month and a half since her debut and no published works since Dec. 14.

Fantastic Voyage

Doesn't have a lick of early speed and only managed to pass tired horses in finishing fourth here Dec. 26 in a maiden claimer; now she is back in a straight maiden race; her best effort came here going a mile, but sprinting six furlongs, she just isn't that appealing; can't see her rallying for more than maybe a third place finish with her best effort.

Princess Marcela

Yes, that last race was at Calder - where the competition is typically easier than at GP - but that was a pretty good maiden race; the third-place finisher was 3-10 odds off a runner-up finish in her debut, and this miss finished well in front of her; she just couldn't catch the loose-on-the-lead winner; choice. - Byron King

Race 6

Perfect Power

Comes off his smallest margin of defeat, 3 1/2 lengths, and did so despite a wide trip on the grass; now it's back to the main track, where his only competitive effort came in the slop; at least the mile distance suits.

The Culchie

Earned a respectable 52 Beyer last out despite running fifth; that was a pretty quick race and obviously the company was tougher ($25,000 stock); back at a level and distance over which he twice hit the board in NY; some appeal.

Hooping

Badly outrun in two starts; connections hoped the move to grass might be the answer, but it was not; primary appeal is that he drop in class; and being by Malibu Moon out of a Cozzene mare, this one has the pedigree to be better than what he has shown.

Van Nistel White

Yet to finish better than fourth in six starts and that fourth came in the slop; his last-out effort vs. cheaper on a fast track was uninspiring; looks like one of the biggest longshots in the race.

Simon Won't Say

Form leaves much to be desired, and now he switches from turf to dirt; only dirt start, in an off-the-grass race, resulted in a distant fifth at Calder and one of his worst figures; 10-lbs. bug up; pass.

Peter Castleboy

Ran better than the public expected last time in splitting the field in a classier race on the grass in a comeback here; should be able to run as well on dirt given that he was a near-miss 2nd in a dirt race at Calder earlier in his career; no published works since his last start but otherwise the signals are positive; blinkers on.

Round Midnight

Hasn't started since September but is the class of the race and should fare better going a mile than he did at six furlongs in September; Davis and Ward have been a winning combo since they began teaming up at Keeneland last spring; choice despite the recent inactivity. - Byron King

Race 7

Mean Sax

His best effort is in right in line with what it will take to win this and he might find himself involved in a comfortable eartly pace after breaking from an advantageous rail post; like to see the effort he showed up with the last time he was entered after a layoff.

Et Al

He looks like he's going to need to produce a career best effort to get the better of this field and a case can be made for him being better off sprinting than routing; viewing him as being a possible early pace factor only.

Decaf Again

It's been a while since this stakes placed veteran has shown up with a performance that is strong enough to get the job done in this spot and he's going to need to really step it up over what he's been doing lately if he's planning on seeing his number posted on top after this one is run.

My Sonny Boy

Stakes winning veteran performed at a consistent level in 2013, and now he's making his first start for a barn that shows hitting at a 31% clip with new acquisitions; his lack of early speed is a concern, but he fits in at this level of competition, and the barn change gives him added appeal.

H M S Anniversary

There isn't anything in his recent form to suggest that he's about to step up with a competitive performances against these; his lack of early speed makes him a candidate to be outrun every step of the way.

Northwood Bully

He ran a couple of decent races over the summer at Monmouth Park, but in three starts since then, including his first start over this turf course in his latest outing, he just hasn't been able to put together a top try.

Noble Doss

His latest effort wasn't one of his sharper performances and he was beaten by today's rival Decaf Again in that race; this barn has been quiet with recent turf starters and a minor award might be the ceiling for this runner.

Rattlesnake Red

He wasn't able to get much going in three starts in 2013 and he was eased in his first start back from a long layoff in his latest outing; it might be best to make him show signs of regaining some of his better form before backing him at the windows.

Go Joe Go

Like to see that three of his four career wins have been earned over this turf course but he's another in here who will need to find his way back to one of his better performances if he's to have a say in the outcome.

Red Hills

If this race has to be moved to the main track, it will be a favorable spot for this 6-year-old to land in, and he'll appreciate the class relief after a couple of stakes attempts; runner up from latest won next out at Haw on 12/26 going 1 3/16m vs. starter alw. rivals with a 79 Beyer and third finisher won next out at GP on 12/22 going 1m vs. 8k OPC's with an 87 Beyer.

Vanquisher

His form appears to be heading in the wrong direction as he gets ready to make his 10-year-old racing debut and this multiple stakes winning veteran will need to find a way to bounce back with a sharper try in order to prove to be a threat.

Midnite Silver

13-time winner is more than capable of putting together a competitive performance against competition of this caliber on his best day, but he's yet another in here who sports poor recent form; however, feel that he can be tough to deal with in this spot while dropping in class and like to see him being reunited with Lopez.

Three Part Harmony

He's run well while winning three of five starts since moving into this barn and he'll have the look of a top contender if this race gets taken off the turf; he's a threat to lead this field every step of the way with Castellano at the controls. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Hobo Ridge

Gutted out the score in his return from the break across town a few weeks back and now he'll stretch out for a barn that has been white hot here; like most of these, the added trip is a concern, but he often fires a good shot and his numbers suggest that he does fit well in here; maybe he's still feeling his last, but in a heat without much confirmed lick he should be involved from the bell and could prove to be the one to run down.

River Lemon

Late runner just missed at a marathon trip 2 starts back at Keeneland and ran out of ground while tackling a trip that was probably just too short for him last time; expect he'll be tighter for this one and he is a 2 time local course winner, but he doesn't win very often and will probably be best used underneath in exotics.

Grad Student

Stepped against N2Xs when beaten by one of these across town a few weeks back; 4 year old makes his run from off the pace and he certainly gives the indication he'll like more ground, but he'll need to improved from a figure standpoint in order to threaten for the top spot here.

Unitarian

Pletcher colt returns the outfit's top pilot and he likes the longer distances so today's added trip should be to his benefit; he's run pretty well fresh in the past and pace doesn't seem to have a huge impact on his run which could prove key in here; looks to be the one to hold off.

Indy's Illusion

Four year old was in a bit over his head the last time he was seen here chasing the likes of subsequent Kentucky Derby winner Orb in the G1 Florida Derby but he didn't do much of anything thereafter on dirt in New York; colt will get a top surface pilot as he tackles the lawn for the initial time in here and his sire gets 10% winners from his first turfers, but the dam's foals were a combined 0 for 5 on the green.

Wings of Fortune

Runner up in 5 straight makes his first start since the day before Halloween when defeated by a next out winner in the off the turf marathon at Churchill; his 12 panel near miss on the Keeneland green prior to that one was quite good and if he's able to run back to it here will likely prove the main danger.

Lochte

Recent local graduate has stepped things up since moved to the lawn during the summer in New York and his tracking style figures to suit him well on the stretchout in a field lacking a lot of early foot; he will tackle winners for the first time in this spot, but he's bred to love the added ground and should be up with the pacesetters from the outset today; consider.

Uptown Anthem

Finished second in each of his last 2 against cheaper on dirt and now he'll move back to the lawn; lone turf spin came in stakes company but it was a pretty poor effort; pedigree doesn't suggest much improvement will come on the green so we'll pass on him today.

Le Deluge

Gets a switch to a top pilot for his local debut run after again coming up second best on the Aqueduct lawn; he's had success at longer trips in the past and his recent running style suggests that he'll be doing his better running late, but a minor award looks to be his ceiling with these.

Cozy Kitten

Toss out this guy's 2 recent off the turf spins and he's hit the board in 6 of his last 7 over this surface; he got moving too late at a much shorter trip last time so the added real estate does figure to be right up his alley and he has been facing better some better fields than he'll catch in this spot; doesn't win too often but he can again get in the mix.

Transcend

Lightly raced 5 year old didn't have a lot to offer in his first with winners in his local debut run last time out, but he did have some trouble; solid pilot does stick with him and the added ground could help him move forward at what figures to be a nice price but he will need to improve some to threaten. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Oasis At Midnight

Won a key race 75 days ago defeating 3 next-out PRX-25K-16K-$7,500-claiming winners including the runner-up, 4th and 6th-place finishers (76-73-43 Beyer speed figures); began career on GP dirt losing to maidens at longer; wish the new barn was hitting better than 6% winners with 1st-time acquisitions.

Sandcastle

On the lead in 4 of last 8 starts but has Lake Michigan and Lil Red Cozette likely going for the front; 8 weeks since beating one runner home on turf but owns her only win on GP dirt back in 2012 at 1F shorter than this; the show finisher from last posted an 88 Beyer in her next-out AQU-allowance win.

Lil Red Cozette

Displayed much-improved gate speed 1st-time Lasix and may find herself loose on the lead here stretching out to the longest distance of career; has Sandcastle and Lake Michigan to fend off early; the 2-back winner repeated in a SUN-50K event with an 82 Beyer; the debut winner repeated with a 95 Beyer taking a GP-optional claimer.

Victory for V L Ts

The 3-0-0-0 GP dirt mark is not easy to take when some of these have loved this oval previously; did not appreciate the removal of blinkers for last but is back with the hood on seeking a wakeup call 2nd time back off the 8-week absence.

Lake Michigan

Projects to race on or near the lead with Sandcastle and Lil Red Cozette; 98 days since tiring at longer for an 11%-winning fresh trainer; the 3-back winner repeated with a 67 Beyer taking an IND-OPC while the show runner posted a 68 speed figure winning an ELP-OPC event.

Distorted Music

The 1st start vs. winners is often any runner's toughest assignment; saved best Beyer for last closing well and figures to rally behind a potentially-contested pace today; 43 days since latest fresh win with 48 days fresh before the career-best effort; the debut winner and runner-up Beyered 77-75 in next-out KEE-MSW and IND-OPC wins.

Elusive Act

Up-and-down recent form; her August-SAR runner-up finish represents the field's best Beyer; was claimed off a win at today's distance stalking the speed which is the type of trip expected for her 1st-GP dirt start; beat the August-show finisher who Beyered 87 winning a BEL-100K stakes next out. - Art Gropper

Race 10

Candy Kitty

Exits a field-best Beyer speed figure when racing on a sloppy-main track for the 1st time; figures to work out a similar-ground saving trip for this; she is a turf winner at today's distance graduating in August over the runner-up and show finishers they Beyered 78-70 in next-out KEE-G3 and BEL-MSW wins; the 2-back show runner Beyered 74 in her next-out GP-100K stakes victory; the one to beat.

Street Sailing

65 days away for a new trainer who is 0-for the last-13 first-time out with newly-acquired runners; her grass debut 2-back was superb beating the show runner who posted a 77 Beyer taking an RP-50K stakes next out; in her July maiden breaker she beat the runner-up finisher who posted a 78 speed figure in her next-out PID-MSW triumph.

Merry Merry Bee

Late runner has never raced this far but should appreciate the added yardage here; beat the runner-up finisher from last who graduated next out in a TAM-MSW event with a 64 Beyer; the 2-back runner-up Beyered 60 in her next-out HAW-MSW win.

Wicked Temper

1st time on turf was the graduation party with a massive-class test vs. winners for the 1st time; the added distance here figures to help the cause; displayed her lowest Beyer on a wet-main track so wants this to remain on the lawn; the debut runner-up graduated next out in a CD-MSW race with a 70 Beyer.

Super Fantasy

Exits her lowest Beyer since August when showing no run behind this same group in the slop; is obviously much-better suited for turf noting her graduation win over today's GP course and has won on both soft and firm footing; the 2-back runner-up Beyered 79 in a next-out GP-OPC victory.

Jerry Love

59 days since back-to-back wins including the grass debut in latest where she showed versatility with a huge-late rally while 2-back won sitting right off the pace; figures to race midpack here then make one run; did not like dirt although in her August loss faced a quick one as the runner-up finisher Beyered 79 in her next-out DEL-MSW score.

Needmore Flattery

Sire is 7-for-168 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 1-for-1 grass dam (21K); 1 foal to race on the lawn is 0-for-4; stakes winner at today's distance on dirt but did not offer any stamina when catching a wet track vs. this same bunch in last; graduated in September beating the runner-up finisher who Beyered 41 in her next-out TDN-MSW victory.

Cool Faith

Should work out a great trip sitting right behind the outside-gate speed; is a nose away from being 2-for-2; being away 11 weeks is the main concern but latest looks better since beating the show runner who Beyered 83 in her next-out WO-250K stakes win; the pick.

Stonetastic

Sire is 32-for-286 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an 0-for-1 grass dam; her only other foal to race did not attempt turf; has been outfinished racing at today's distance twice with her lone win at 3F shorter than this; the 2-back winner repeated in an AQU-Grade 2 with a 77 Beyer.

Spring Again

On the lead in last when Candy Kitty ran by her over a sloppy-race track; removes blinkers hoping to last on turf a surface she lost by a neck on in her only other green start; the debut defeat looks better noting the 2-for-2 winner repeated in a BSR-50K event with a 69 Beyer while the runner-up graduated in a DMR-MSW race next out with a 77 speed figure.

Miss Besilu

Posted her win on the lead then adds 1st Lasix for the class test while drawn widest she is sure to lose ground; figures to battle Spring Again for early command then hopes to hold off the closers; bullet-dirt workout for this for a Hall of Fame trainer known to success with runners after their career debut.-Art Gropper

Race 11

School Yard

Colt could be more on the muscle with the blinks this time; dam out of the money thrice; all 3 siblings won, 2 won on grass including 3 for 17 grass performer and $80K earner Astute; if he can run at all, the figures to show it today.

Green Diamond Cat

Best race was probably the dirt sprint two back; backers can point to the grass success in the tree as stakes winning kin Distinctiv Passion won once on grass, banked over $200K; needs to improve to get unsaddled.

Therestishistory

Bumped early in the debut and the runner that was taken down graduated next out with a 59 Beyer, then ran a distant third; Grade 3 winning dam took 4 of 15, earned $250K, was grass only; the sibling to win took 2 dirt sprints, was 2nd in best turf result; cozier slot, look out.

Two Step Swag

Off rail here, he has speed and may flash even more with the shades; dam 0 for 8; both siblings won; both won on grass including 6 for 29 grass performer and $170K earner Classical Fashion; $17K purchase may need softer to shine.

Station Commander

Gelding opened up on the slow pace in Jersey and still wilted late; 3 for 15 dam lost twice on grass; the sibling that won once did so sprinting on dirt, never turfed; Jersey-bred may need own kind to flash top talent.

High Bidder

He has the Pecoraro runner to deal with among others once again; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; at least he should have his sea legs under him by now; capable barn due to get rolling.

Aunt Ruby's Kitten

The race over the course can't hurt; dam 2nd in best moment; the full bro to win took 4 routes in the minor leagues, never turfed; he looks well intentioned.

Automatic Jax

Must respect his speed and he may have hated the slop last time; 9/14 place horse graduated next out in a MSW, lost next 3; winner 9/14 took an N1X next out, ran 2nd in 2 stakes, the last losing by a head New Year s Day; dam s lone win was on grass; look for rider, who is 41 for 128 for this barn in the last year or so, to send and try to steal it.

Proud Azteca

Kitten s Joy about 16% with debuters in a 333-runner sample, about 16% with first-time turfers in a 289-starter study; sire won twice at 2, won multiple G1s on grass, banked over $2 million; dam 0 for 5; lone full sis to race was out of the money twice; in for $15K more than purchase price.

Kenai Warrior

Soph has stepped up since being put on grass; at least the sibling that won once did so on grass; could see him sitting a stalk and pounce trip; just not sure he will be good enough.

Stormbee

Considering he acted up before the debut, that race can be dismissed; gelding has trained steadily here; dam out of the money three times; lone half bro to race took 8 dirt sprints in the minor leagues, lost twice on grass; lean toward watching a local start. - Brian Mulligan