Gulfstream: Closer Looks for January 9, 2014

Race 2

Cashleigh

He's capable of producing an effort that makes him competitive at this level of competition but it is at least a mild concern to see that he didn't run well in his latest outing while making his first start over this turf course; however, maybe it was the blinkers that didn't agree with him.

Sir Leslie

Since breaking his maiden eight starts back, he hasn't finished better than fourth, and he must improve over his recent form to get the job done in this spot; feel that he's the weaker of the two Serpe-trained horses in here.

Start Up

After a few starts that were well below par for him, he regained some of his better form in his latest outing, and if he feels up to one of his stronger performances, he can have a say in the outcome; he looks like a solid fit at this level of competition.

Ayrton

He's performed at a consistent level along the Beyer Speed Figure scale, and maybe the drop in class can help him, but it looks like his best effort might be a cut or two below what the top contenders in here are capable of.

Happy Runner

This colt can prove to be the dominant early speed, but he doesn't figure to have a free pass on the front end, and not only does he appear to be more effective sprinting than routing, but his two turf starts haven't been encouraging performances.

Defiant

It's definitely a concern to see that he had to be eased in his latest outing, but if he can regain the form that he displayed when he was a member of the Clement barn, he can prove to be legitimate threat for the top spot.

Spintastic

He's another in here who appears to be more effective at distances shorter than today's one mile assignment, and like Happy Runner, he's an early speed type who has yet to prove that he can be at his best racing over turf.

Dubh

Half-brother to stakes winner Take Her tothe Top (4-22, 160k over turf) ran well in his first two career starts over turf and he's making his first start after a claim for a barn that shows hitting at a 48% clip in that category; winner from latest won next out here on 10/27 going 6f vs. 25k N3L claimers with a 96 Beyer and 3rd finisher won next out here on 9/29 going 1m vs. N1X rivals with a 72 Beyer.

Grownmencry

His two most recent turf starts have both been in the neighborhood of what it might take to get the job done in this spot and like to see that he can run his race from off the pace as the early tempo in here looks like it will be swift.

Prime Devil

One of two signed on in here for the Ziadie barn, and although Dubh might be the slightly more interesting of the two, this gelding has run races over turf in the past that are strong enough to suggest that he can be a player in this spot.

Rakete

Ramsey/Maker production needed 14 starts to get to his first career win and now he's meeting up with winners for the first time; he will need to improve over what he's shown since being claimed by these connections to get the job done; Leparoux has won with 4 of 11 (36%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

Rontos' Code

Looks a smidge outclassed at this maiden 20K level; maiden 12.5K looks like the spot for him; he just ran fourth against a comparable field for a slightly higher price; figures to be sent from the fence; may last for a share.

Cruzado

Disappointing form to say the least, but there are those horses that show the dramatic wake up when racing for a tag for the first time; has been tried routing and sprinting to no avail, and has obviously been slowed by layoffs; moderate to slow works Dec. 18 and Jan. 3.

Noble Abode

Ran decently at Ind and CD in the fall and now joins the winning Calabrese operation; must respect this one for that fact along; Calabrese won at a 37% clip in 2013 last year while racing mostly in SoFla; many of them improved noticeably first time for Ziadie; plenty of pace to aid this one's rally; choice.

Swear

Has speed but seems to prefer turf and synthetic over dirt; threw in the towel after dueling for the lead last time out, but that was a race he likely needed; could seem him holding on for a share.

Desert Dew

First start did not go well, but it came against better and on the grass; judging by the layoff, something may have gone physically amiss in the race, too; works leading up to his return have not been flashy, but the fact that he was 8-1 at AP, where Cat is King, seems to hint or this one being ordinary, too.

Latent Fire

Beaten over 13 lengths in his lone start and now has to shake off the rust from a layoff of over a year; shows just four published works, but since he started off breezing four furlongs, the guess is that he got some early work done on a farm somewhere; prefer to see a comeback race from this one.

Succesful Brothers

Has run second in three straight maiden races, and though more accustomed to routing than sprinting, he did finish just a length and a half back in a 7f race at Calder after a troubled start; layoff is a hurdle but Ward has good numbers with comebackers, though they tend to be heavily bet; abundance of pace suits; contender. - Byron King

Race 4

He's Got Talent

Showed a modicum of talent during his two-race juvenile campaign, and is tagged for the first time here off a long layoff; that turf stakes he wound up sixth in at Colonial has yet to produce a next-out winner (the winner came back to run fifth in the Tyro S. at Monmouth); speed threat under Davis, who's 6 for 24 at the meet on Wesley Ward charges.

Danny's Hope

His Gulfstream form is dreadful, and he's stepping up off a 17-length drubbing against $16K non-winners of two stock; mission impossible.

Storm Haboob

Trainer possesses impressive recent stats first-time off the claim, and this gelding is returning on short rest off a daylight maiden tally; apprentice Davis has gone to He's Got Talent, and Gonzales is 2 for 19 at the meet for this barn; in the mix.

Hearty Congrats

Ziadie has been dynamite first-time off the claim, and has scored at a healthy 42% clip with that angle at Gulfstream going back three years ($2.55 ROI); half-brother to multiple stakes winner Imperial Czar seems to be over his starting problems; should be prominent from the outset under Paco, who's 3 for 10 at the meet aboard Ziadie runners.

Charlie the White

Only got a 30 Beyer when he romped over $20K maidens in August, and hasn't been postward since; trainer had a first, third and fourth with three last-out maiden winners returning from a 61-180 day break in the past five years; Charlie could make some noise at a price.

Party in the Sky

Got the dreaded Beyer donut for finishing up the track in each of his two outings here in November; trainer has been shut out with shorter layoff types since the beginning of 2013; hard to recommend at this juncture.

High Roll

Has the highest Beyer on the page by a large margin (78), which was earned in his first-out maiden triumph over Arlington's Polytrack; wasn't a factor following a layoff in his local debut, and is getting some class relief while adding blinkers; half-brother to stakes winner Muppet Man and G3-placed Bet to Win is arguably the one to fear most as he cuts back to the distance of his maiden voyage. - Ron Gierkink

Race 5

Leathers Slappin

Improved when dropping to this level a month ago but must deal with the same tricky post; his sire won 5 of 18 starts and 570K; the dam won 5 of 17 and 92K; among the winning siblings is 55K earner I Know It's True.

Twin Distinction

Although failing 11 times already, he did turn in a fair effort despite serious trouble in the last encounter; the blinker addition obviously helped and he could earn a fair share again with a clean inside trip.

Bright Promise

Woke up suddenly in the last try when switching to this apprentice; the previous effort was deceptive where he lost all chance with an extra-wide trip; draws a comfortable post now and should be within range from the opening bell.

Talk Show Talent

Beginner turned in an improved half-mile breeze 5 days ago; his sire won 6 of 15 and 603K (offspring of Talent Search have won 3 of 15 debuts); the dam won 5 of 27 and 25K; among the winning siblings is 15K earner Porchetto.

Discreet Place

Opened up major daylight in his debut back in the summer only to falter in the final eighth; his sire was a G1 winner who banked 1.69 million; the dam involved won 1 of 9 and 28K; among the winning siblings is 45K earner Ghost Hill; can atone.

Point Rocky Home

Gets the makeover package of Lasix and blinkers after prompting better company in his first venture; his sire, a pure sprinter, won a G1 and 440K in total; the dam won 2 of 12 and 14K; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

Dillon's Actor

Yet to finish in the money and despite dropping a rung on the ladder today, does not seem a serious candidate; flashed a bit of improved early foot in the last test but still believe he is destined for a wide, futile venture. - Jim Kachulis

Race 6

Telcontar

Didn't show much against some salty opposition since graduating in his first turf opportunity Sept. 28; the drop to $35K is a step in the right direction, and the addition of successful grass rider Prado should be a plus; note that he breezed a bullet the other day on the dirt for a trainer who's overdue to break through at the meet.

Ba Ba Brett

Brett faced some of the leading 2yos last year at Woodbine, while running hot and cold; he broke his maiden with determination in his first two-turn start over this course Dec. 21; will probably try to make all the running, but there's other speed in the field; his sharp trainer bought and sold last year's BC Juvenile Fillies winner Ria Antonia.

Steve

Steve is tagged for the first time here after making an early wide bid and then flattening out in an optional event; has since breezed nicely at Palm Meadows, and is picking up leading rider Castellano, who's been shut out on Fawkes runners over the past year; major player.

Gone Mountain

Was beaten in double digits in each of his four most recent excursions, including in an allowance at Churchill in his lone grass outing; the runner-up from his last race returned to capture the GP Derby with a 92 Beyer; his pedigree is slanted towards dirt racing.

Il Duomo

Has been placing in lower non-winners of two claiming sprints on the dirt, and has never met this tough a field; sire has produced 6% first-time turf winners, and the unraced dam's only grass starter didn't win; figures to flash some speed before fading.

Son of Sparta

Excellent grass sire City Zip's offspring have won at a 14% clip first-time on the sod; dam's other two runners both won on the lawn, most notably the long-winded Hurricane Elivs ($122K); trainer/rider tandem is 1 for 7 at the meet; longshot possibility.

Tea's Two Step

His sire's progeny are 1 for 10 on the grass; unraced dam's lone turf starter failed to find the mark; the top two finishers from his last race both returned to cross the wire on top in a stakes (Wildcat Red was disqualified and subsquently lost a nail-biter in the GP Derby); trainer/rider combo is 0 for 4 at the meet, but three of those runners made the board.

Hurricane Pass

Failed to show much in his two turf tries at 2, but had a troubled journey in one of those races; he crushed maidens over a sloppy strip in early December--that $35K seller has yet to yield a next-out winner; son of good turf sire Artie Schiller deserves another chance on the green stuff.

Sin Mirar Atras

His lone turf effort here in September was poor, but it was just his second start, and he came right back to dust $25K maidens in a one-turn mile; didn't beat much across town in his latest, although he showed some grit in the process; a wide trip seems likely if the proceedings remain on the lawn.

Ease On Bai

Ran consistently well over Woodbine's Polytrack last year, against several of the better juveniles there; he couldn't keep up with some very promising prospects in his first dirt start, and is changing surfaces again; E Dubai has sired 13% first-time winners on the grass; gelding is the first foal from a mare who was unplaced in her lone turf attempt; Gonzalez, who won a recent stakes here with River Seven, has fared okay when using Rocco. - Ron Gierkink

Race 8

Celtic Arch

She draws the fence for the stretchout after just missing in her first start in Florida since her decent debut try on the Tampa green; filly did show the ability to pass runners in that last one and she's run as fast as most of these at shorter trips; with a sharp second off the break barn in her corner have to think she'll be set for another big try; contender.

Intelyhente

They aimed her high off the runaway maiden score in Kentucky late last spring and after a weak try from a tough draw in that stake they gave her some time; return to the races over the local course wasn't much, but she didn't get a lot of pace to run at in that one and she's since breezed well so have to think she'll show up with more while tackling the added ground today; contender.

Seattle Me Up

She's been away more than 8 months since breaking her maiden second out at Tampa last spring; filly will tackle winners for the initial time in her first start for a new outfit but her listed pedigree is highlighted by 3 males who each won the 12 panel Belmont Stakes so the added trip should be right up her alley; has a right to return a little faster than she was when last on the track, but she'll still need to improve some to step with these.

Running Debi C

Stretches out after attempting to sharpen her lick in a local sprint heat last month; filly did break her maiden routing and there's not a whole lot of lick in here so the top figures to be hers for the taking; barn's recent numbers with runners tackling added ground aren't much, but they'll probably have this gal to catch.

Tree Hugger

It's been a long time since this one's maiden score and she's settled for quite a few minor awards since; new barn does do a nice job with this type first time out and the mare seems to run ok at marathon trips, but even with a top surface pilot taking the call it's tough to make a serious case for her in the return run.

Love Stanza Chance

New York bred didn't have much to offer in her local debut run against a better bunch; maybe the drop helps the field's lone 3 time winner and she could be tighter with that last one behind her; worth a look at a price, especially if she gets another shot over a course with some give to it.

Exclude (GB)

Broke her maiden first out overseas as the chalk while trying a tough trip, but hasn't had much luck with winners including her local stateside debut last month; barn isn't going so well here but they do boast excellent numbers with runners second back from the break and this gal has only run a few times so she has a right to move forward quickly; can't overlook.

Clearbrook

Enters her local debut run fresh for a barn that does an excellent job with this type; lightly raced 4 year old scored right out of the box on the Belmont lawn last spring and both of her tries with winners in New York were good; her off the pace style certainly suggests she'll like the added ground and she's already run faster on the figure scale than most of these; looks like they'll have her to beat.

This Is Nice (IRE)

Outside drawn filly adds the hood for her first local crack after being given a little extra time off another off the board try, this time on the Laurel green; her better efforts overseas came at much shorter trips than she'll attempt to handle today; have to look elsewhere for the winner. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Grand Tito

Tactical speed is one of his assets and he may have not cared for the yielding course in last; note he rang the bell in the $75K stakes on the course at 13-1 last year; place horse in the last win took a $62.5K optional next out with a 76 Beyer; runner has some semblance of speed but hard to see him just clearing; would be careful here.

Majestic Express

Proven fresh, he's a horse for the course and barn continues to fire on all cylinders; 4th and 5th finishers in last both took $16K optionals next out; the drill on Sunday suggests runner is feeling pretty good about himself; should be a major threat if he gets a shot to suit up.

Empire Builder

Very rough 2013 for this guy; he had a pair of decent runs at Calder but wonder if the May finale just zapped him?; he had to take the time off and has not looked sharp since; can't boost off last fiasco.

Bombaguia

Key off the Fort Marcy and this guy fits big time; 5th finisher in last took a Grade 3 next out and 8th finisher beat $62.5K optional foes since; like the series of drills coming to this race, he lost the heartbreak in the optional claimer in March and note this rider was up for runner's last score; interesting.

Sleepless Knight

Only one win last year and it came against 4 foes; he did improve a bit on the Beyer scale in the second off the layoff run in May; show horse in the Delaware finale took a $60.4K classfield allowance in Philly next out; he seems best when allowed to maintain contact early; must be left in the hopper.

Kalamos

Nice bit of training to have this guy take his stateside opener; consistent across the pond, the winner of his last race was taking his 2nd in 3 starts and has not raced back; place horse in the Deauville finale took a $200K Dubai stakes next out over 13 foes; considering he broke in the air and was still able to concentrate is a huge accomplishment; repeat well within the realm.

English Progress

Valid trouble when off slow in his debut at over 100-1 but he's been solid since; love fact he has won at 3 different venues and the drills in Florida are solid; 9/5 show horse cashed next out in an N1X at Laurel with an 82 Beyer; this guy looks live.

Treasury Devil

It's possible this runner may have just not taken to the Keeneland course; he's been in some good barns; Gosden had him in England and Zenyatta's trainer had him in Cali; place horse in the stateside victory won two optional claimers since and was third beaten 3 in a $100K stakes; interesting Bravo ends up here instead of his Jersey guy in Breen.

Moro Tap

Proven fresh and far from disgraced in the local debut when a troubled 4th but still closing late; 9th finisher in last took a $32K Tampa optional next out and the winner repeated in a $100K stakes here with a 104 Beyer; nice; this guy doesn't have to be 10th early on; note he was close up on the dirt the last time in town; should be picking them up and laying them down in the drive.

Hakama

Nothing wrong with hitting the exacta half the time; if you figure he just needed last there is something to work with and note he was beaten a nostril in the 2nd off the layoff run in April; show horse in the shore finale took a $35K Belmont optional next out; rates upset glance.

Unbridled Ocean

This guy is agile; he graduated despite being behind a wall of runners and overcame the traffic jam in 2011; note he beat 14 foes in last victory; contention goes long in a good betting race.

Reload

Hard Spun 9 for 103 with first-time turfers; sire took G1 King's Bishop, carried speed long, banked over $2.6 million, never turfed; G2 placed 4 for 14 dam banked over $200K, was never on grass; top sibling Defer took a G3, won twice on grass, banked over $260K; Shug has been picking some prime spots this meet; don't ignore.

My Adonis

This runner doesn't duck anybody; in kind of tough on the cut back in the 2013 closer, he was bothered in the off going in the only local out; steady moves and he could be on the muscle fresh if allowed to roll; should be prominent for awhile if the race comes off the grass. - Brian Mulligan

Race 10

Uptown Charmer

Moves to the fence for another crack at the level after a weak effort in her first spin over the local sod; took her 27 tries to get through the maiden ranks and it doesn't look as if she's good enough to step with these; have to pass on this longshot.

Lady Budapest

Pressed the front runner before backing out of it late in her first spin on the lawn; mare catches a field that doesn't look to contain too much early foot and the inside draw should help her get involved from the bell today; worth an exotics look.

Princess Zaima

Filly brought little to the table in her first with winners after a similar effort on the figure scale found the winner's circle; quick return suggests she may have a little more to offer than she showed in that one and she does drop in price today.

Bold Street Cat

Moves inside some after a wide trip saw her finish just over a couple of lengths behind some of the gals she'll catch again in this spot; maybe the starting slot helps her move forward, but she'll need to improve in order get involved in the outcome in here; prefer others.

Stars Collide

Late runner has hit the board in 7 of 8 local sod spins and her lone miss came off the break last out while getting caught in a wide spot from the tough draw; filly often leaves herself with a lot to do late and the barn isn't going so well here, but she'll get a solid pilot here and does have a right to move forward second off the break; limiting her use to underneath in exotics.

Baby Gracie

Gets back to the green following a weak try in the local off the turfer; mare did show some improved early footing in that one and doing so again in here wouldn't hurt, but she hasn't run fast enough of late to step with these gals; can't use her.

Bahia de Oro

She was still running as the wire approached while returning to the green at this level last month; filly has earned several minor awards of late but she'd certainly appreciate some pace help in front of her to get in the mix in this one.

Sweet Gator Girl

Makes her first start off the claim for an outfit that has had plenty of recent luck with this type right back; she'll get off the fence for another shot at the level but if she's asked for the same type of lick today and responds to the request she could have things her own way from the bell; looks like they'll have to run her down to win.

My Curlina

Dropped in half in claiming price to this level in her first start in nearly half a year and had little to offer; filly draws towards the outside again and that doesn't figure to improve her chances of taking the needed step forward to get involved in the outcome.

Henin

She was rolling late in her local debut and after finding trouble just ran out of ground; she's not the most consistent sort and the pace scenario doesn't benefit her style, but Rosario sticks with a mare who figures to be rolling late and that warrants her consideration.

Hot Coffee

MTO drops in price after offering little in her last out return to the lawn; she may show a little more early lick in this one were to get rained off and she does own a solid wet track placing over the local main track; one to consider if this one gets moved off the lawn.

Windsor Garden

MTO hasn't hit the board in 11 main track tries including one crack over wet footing; late running style doesn't figure to fit so well if the track does come up wet and her dirt numbers are pretty light; have to look elsewhere for the winner if she gets to go. - Steve Grabowski