Gulfstream: Closer Looks for March 14, 2014

Race 1

Simon Bar Sinister

Bet down to 2 to 1 in his debut, he did not break alertly from rail position and came up empty; his sire was a G2 winner who notched 424K; the dam went zero for 5; winning siblings include 122K earner Tizmas; tough call from same tricky post.

My Uncle Charlie

Even showing behind Pomeroy's Package last month but he did not have a smooth journey that day; alert breaker may be able to turn the tables now if challenging that key rival at an early point; could prove to be the right value play.

Souper Lucky

Tries blinkers after quitting early at the one-turn mile at Aqueduct; subsequent breeze pattern does shown progression and he re-unites with Lezcano; might appreciate the return to the sprint scene; consider.

Pomeroy's Package

The likely favorite turned in a sharp placing last month when making 2 moves before losing narrowly; his sire, a pure sprinter, won a G1 and 845K, while the dam won 1 of 2 and 25K; among the winning siblings is 229K earner Don's Honour.

Hallelujah High

Ran deceptively well in that second start last summer at the shore when joining a 3-way pitched battle for the lead only to tire in the last furlong; has been breezing at even intervals for this return engagement and lures top-notch rider.

Puntrooskie

Considering he was facing 13 opponents, that was a fair turf debut last month; rallied strong in the previous try over the main and he could be set up today if there is a fierce pace battle to his left; worth some inclusion if the price is right.

Heat Star

Newcomer was sired by multiple G1 victor Bernardini who amassed 3.06 million (his progeny have won 12 percent of their debuts); the dam was zero for 4; among the winning siblings is 418K earner Mshawish, a Group 2 winner. - Jim Kachulis

Race 2

Flat in Charge

The 1st start with blinkers on in last and racing in a maiden claimer produced his 3rd straight last-place finish; plunges in price for this seeking answers; best Beyer speed figure was posted on a wet-main track which likely moves him up; overall is a tough call.

Krz Brew

Has not raced past 6F yet; sire was a Grade 1-stakes winner at 10F on dirt; dam did not race past 7F; adds blinkers which is a winning angle for the trainer as is 2nd-time racing off the bench; added front wraps for latest career-start 2 where finishing last; others appeal more.

Gray Day Lover

Projects to race loose on an easy lead which is a dangerous scenario for any runner; was claimed off a high-win percentage trainer by a high-percentage 1st off the claim barn; the debut runner-up graduated next out in a TP-30K-maiden claimer with a 77 Beyer; is the one to catch and beat.

Put It Forward

Has not raced past 6F yet; sire did race past 7F; dam was unraced; massive-2nd-time out Beyer improvement racing with 50 days between starts passing runners while racing evenly giving the impression that added yardage would work out well for him.

Texas Tex

Exits a best-last-race Beyer speed figure when for the 3rd time in career was a beaten-betting favorite; the 3-back winner repeated in a GP-optional claimer with a 69 Beyer; steady workout for this on a wet-main track he has clealy been best on fast ovals during career; 113 pounds is the lightest-weight assignment of his career; logical contender for win honors.

Jim Jamm

His career-best Beyer was on a wet-GP main track 3-back but then regressed badly 2 races ago on a sloppy oval; is not coming into this with his best form; the 2-back show runner posted a 65 speed figure in a next-out GP-25K-maiden-claiming win; lone-exacta finish was racing on a synthetic surface which he won't be getting today.

The Best Monkey

3 double-digit length defeats since the June-exacta finish on CRC-fast dirt; posted a field-best Beyer at 1 Mile on turf; his best speed figure racing on dirt was accomplished at longer than this so getting up in time to win it all is the main concern. - Art Gropper

Race 3

Seduccion

She hasn't finished better than fourth or closer than 12 lengths to the winner in her first six starts and she's been beaten by a couple of today's rivals in her recent starts; she has the look of an outsider.

Runaway Bridle

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 8 starts for 40k, including 1 of 2 turf starts for 17k; she'll have to be ready for an improved performance with a move to turf in order contend.

Heaven Help Me

Not thrilled with what she's shown through her first three starts, but she did display some route speed in her career debut racing over turf, and this really isn't a bad spot for her to go sprint-to-route for her second start back from a layoff.

Jill's Reflection

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and dam won 6 of 40 starts for 306k, including 1 of 11 turf starts for 49k; tough to ignore her 0-for-17 race record and connections will hope for better with a move to turf.

Hidden Intentions

Her most recent race is in the neighborhood of what it will take to prove to be the one in this spot but it is worth noting that she finished behind today's rival Senorita Sangria in that event; going to look for her to be in the hunt through the final furlong.

Senorita Sangria

Her most recent race was the sharpest performance of her career, and if she's ready to come right back with that type of an effort, she'll be tough to deal with in this spot; note that she got the better of one of today's key rivals in Hidden Intentions in her latest start.

Cocoa

She finished behind a couple of these in her latest outing but this filly is capable of getting herself into the mix in this spot, especially if she can get some early pace to help setup her late running style. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Apriority

Classy G3 stakes winner has seen better days, but a repeat of his third-place finish in a lesser optional claimer Feb. 17 should him in contention here; throw out his poor next-to-last effort in a stakes won by the unstoppable Ribo Bobo, who came back to capture another stakes; closer doesn't have an abundance of speed to chase here.

Black Diamond Cat

Five-time stakes winner wasn't an impact player in a series of stakes since notching a restricted 100-grander here in September; perhaps his last race over the tricky Tampa surface is a toss; his new rider is 0 for 4 at the meet for this barn, which has been shut out here this winter; consider for the bottom of vertical wagers.

Action Andy

Seven-time stakes winner hasn't found the mark since December of 2012, but brings improving Tampa form to this $100K optional contest; like the rider switch to the aggressive Paco Lopez, who should have him forwardly placed; can make an impact at a square price in his third race off the bench.

Cajun Breeze

Has been idle since his substandard performance in July at Calder in a quality G2 which yielded two next-out stakes winners, including a G1 victor; front-runner can fire while fresh, and may prove tough to catch if he shakes loose early in this field without much other speed; his readiness is hard to gauge off limited reported prepping.

Jay Eye See

Calder-based runner came up empty as the favorite in a recent $100K optional contest going a mile and a sixteenth, a distance farther than he wants to go; son of Curlin has the same connections as a recent local stakes winner who ran a corker last Saturday in a G1 at Santa Anita; prefer others. - Ron Gierkink

Race 5

Too Good to B True

She has a little bit of turf in her pedigree, but she's also had her chances to show us what she can do racing over turf, and it looks like she's going to have to hope that a few of these show up with less than their best to have a chance at the top spot; perhaps the addition of blinkers can help move her forward, but prefer to look toward others.

Street Trick

She's displayed sharp and consistent form since removing blinkers after her second career start, and this filly is a 1/2 to stakes winner Cherokee Triangle (4-18, 305k over turf); this barn has been live at this meeting and it doesn't hurt to see Castellano aboard again.

Treasured

She hasn't run a bad race since being placed over turf at second asking and she just missed in her first attempt over this turf course at today's distance in her latest outing; she clearly commands respect as a top contender against these.

Night Song

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam was winless from four starts, including two turf starts; this filly is a 1/2 to Hoopskirt (5-28, 141k, including 1 of 11 turf starst for 31k); her career debut was an encouraging performance and her connections waste little time in getting her over turf.

Ambitious

Her only turf performance that can be categorized as poor was run over a yielding course but it does look like she will need her sharpest performance to date to get over on the top contenders in this one; her dam was a G1 winner while winning 6 of 19 starts for 496k, including 0-for-1 over turf.

Callana

Not wild about what this filly has done in her three most recent races since being returned from a layoff, but she ran a couple of nice races over turf to begin her career, and she's by a top turf sire and out of a multiple graded stakes winning dam who won 10 of 16 turf starts for 876k.

Magnolia Lane

She's been well backed in all three of her starts to begin her career and this lightly raced 4-y ear-old is still plenty eligible to have more to show us; maybe she can benefit from the addition of blinkers and she's out of a G1 winning dam who won 6 of 16 starts for 746k, including 2 of 8 turf starts for 144k.

Zuma Moon

Half-sister to This Ain't No Bull (8-22, 243k, including 3-for-3 over turf for 102k) hasn't made much of an impression in her first three starts and she was beaten by a few of today's rivals in her latest outing.

Heaven's Touch

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his first-time starters and minor stakes winning dam won 2 of 8 starts for 51k, and both of her wins were earned sprinting; 100k purchase shows up for a sharp win-early barn and she has a number of strong looking workouts on her tab. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Making Havoc

Rosario rode her when she galloped in a recent conditioned claimer, and he's 5 for 6 at the meet aboard Cibelli trainees; the pace scenario figures to be more taxing in this first-level allowance, meaning that she may have her work cut out for her if she employs an aggressive approach again; pretender.

Best Behavior

Battled through fast splits last time before weakening late in a longer N1X in her debut off the $20K claim; Ontario-bred owns two of the highest recent Beyers in the field, and is being reunited with top jock Castellano, who was up for her Jan. 15 tally; should be dangerous if she stays in the zone.

Rosie My Way

Rosie wasn't up to snuff in recent starter allowances; she's yet to crack 70 on the Beyer scale, and is simply biting off way more than she can chew against these; on a positive note, her new rider Bravo is 4 for 10 at the meet aboard Joe Orseno charges.

Currency Union

Was no match for two of her current rivals after racing wide in a longer N1X sprint Feb. 21; her previous effort was much better, and note that she's performed like an in-and-outer since the summer; this will be her day to shine if the pattern continues, so consider her for the lower rungs of vertical wagers.

Yes Im Sweet

One of three possible pacemakers in the lineup, she should be well-backed off a hard-trying runner-up placing at this level; Paco retains the mount and is 12 for 71 at the meet for this productive barn; horse-for-course adores the slop, and should be extra- tough if the track contains some moisture.

Sweet Shirley Mae

Has been campaigned sporadically, and she stuck to the grass in her last three starts without making an impact; Ward possesses excellent turf/dirt numbers, and has had some success when using the accomplished Desormeaux; a wild card. - Ron Gierkink

Race 8

Midnite Silver

Returns at the level after rolling home to a popular score at the trip earlier in the month; there's not a lot of early lick in here so expect he'll again be able to secure a good spot close to the top from the bell and this 8 year old does know how to win; dangerous repeat threat.

O Wanderlust

Showed speed before tiring to finish behind a couple of the guys who return as well in this spot; 5 year old has yet to hit the board in 5 career turf tries and though there's not a lot of lick in here, don't know that he'll be able to move forward enough to threaten for the top spot.

Captain Webb

He's back in for the optional tag after a wide trip did him in across town; he is a local course winner and he's run well fresh in the past, but don't know that he fits so well with these right now; backing others on the win end.

Countryman (GB)

Earned a big last out number when rallying for second money in his local stateside debut run; he ran that one fresh and maybe he's got a move forward in him for an outfit that's been all around the money without winning at the stand; nice to see they return him in a protected spot here; looks like they'll have him to beat.

Tom Kitten

New York bred took a step back while running in a wide spot in his local return earlier in the month; 7 year old's prior few tries across town were solid and though he hasn't run so fast of late he owns back numbers that play out well in here; contender.

Target Sighted

Just missed behind one of these when dropped in for a straight tag last month; he'll go second time with shades here and maybe he'll be able to offer a little more early this time; 8 year old isn't the most consistent late, but if set for his best he should be rolling late.

Officeinthevalley

Returns to the level of his score when moving back to the lawn at Calder 2 starts back; 7 year old ran a big one on the main track last time and he certainly likes the lawn; he'll likely need to step things up from a figure standpoint to step with some of these, but he can't be counted out in his local debut.

Vanquisher

Got the jump on one of these last time and was able to hold off the hard charge at the wire; he's another who hasn't been so consistent of late and at 10 years of age maybe the big last out try will take its toll on him here as well; the top local pilot sticks so he'll take his share of tote support.

Becky's Kitten

Goes first time for a new outfit while stepping up to face better than he'd been chasing of late in New York; 7 year old did run well on the green up there in the fall but neither of his local sod spins was much; he did work sharply last weekend for this and the new outfit's numbers suggest he'll be ready to offer his best from this outside slot.

Palatine Hill

MTO brings plenty of early foot to the table while returning in just a week after blowing a clear mid stretch lead as the chalk; barn excels with its runners second off the break and this gelding will be catching a turf meant bunch if he gets to go; boasting an excellent wet track record, he figures to be tough to run down if the rains come. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Ease On Bai

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 2 of 15 starts for 30k, including 0-for-1 over turf; he's gotten the job done in three of his last five starts and have to respect the fact that the Walder barn sees fit to go right to turf with him after a claim; note that he's the only multiple winner in this spot.

Strategic Keeper

He's out of a stakes placed dam who won 3 of 13 turf starts for 116k, and like to see that he earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure while showing improved early speed with the addition of blinkers in his latest outing; note the success that Lopez has had riding for this barn.

Telcontar

His recent form has been his best and he finished right behind today's rival Proud Azteca in his most recent start; like to see that he has the ability to get himself involved in the running through the opening stages as it doesn't look like the early pace in here will heat up all that much.

Imaginethatmom

Imperialism has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this gelding finished behind a couple of today's rivals in his latest start, but if he can regain the form that he displayed the first two times he raced over turf, he can prove to be a legitimate threat.

Hurricane Pass

His one win was earned over a sloppy main track here against 35-30k maiden claimers, and he's going to need to step it up over what he's shown in his three turf starts in order to have a say in the outcome against these.

Aunt Ruby's Kitten

His recent form has been improved, and he's tough to ignore while going out for strong connections, but he'll likely need his sharpest performance to date if he's to get the job done in his first attempt against winners; Castellano has won with 38 of 106 (38%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Proud Azteca

He's by a top turf sire and he's two-for-two in the quality start department to begin his career; he's plenty eligible to be ready to deliver his sharpest performance to date while making his third career start and his second start against winners; this is a barn and rider that win at a high percentage when they team up. - Brian Pochman

Race 10

Spa City Treasure

Shakespeare 9 for 48 with first-time turfers; sire won 7 of 8, took multiple Grade 1s, earned over $1.2 million, was grass only; dam 0 for 2; 2 of 3 siblings won; 2 tried grass to no avail; note show horse was nearly 5 clear; respect.

High Intense

Shows for the tag after press and fade debut; dam was unraced; lone half bro Seeking Harmony won twice, both on grass; she did catch fast splits and backers have to hope the drop shakes her up.

Automatic Jax

Pace figures quicker on the cut back here; Lopez got a chance to figure out what's under the hood; respect everything from this barn.

Leaves of Grass

Midnight Lute 8 for 108 with debuters, 2 for 47 with first-time turfers; sire graduated in juvenile debut at Del Mar with a 78 Beyer, took the BC Sprint, banked over $2.6 million, was never on turf; Langfuhr about 7% with first-time turf runners in a 146-horse sample; Langfuhr won debut at Woodbine, won multiple Grade 1s, was 9 for 23 overall, earned almost 700 grand, blanked in 5 grass starts hitting board 3 times; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; could need experience.

Duke of Langfuhr

Langfuhr about 9% with first-time turf runners in a 639-horse sample; sire won debut at Woodbine, won multiple Grade 1s, blanked in 5 grass starts; 8 for 30 dam earned $325K, half the wins came on grass; 3 of 4 siblings won including stakes placed triple grass winner and over $325K earner Cryptonite Kid; place horse in last took a MSW in Philly next out and the show horse took a maiden $25K claimer here; due for a trip.

Kerry Washington

E Dubai about 13% with firsters in a 410-runner sample; about 13% with first-time grass runners after 242 starters; sire took debut at 2, banked over $900K, never turfed; dam was unraced; 2 of 3 sibs won; the one that tried grass was third twice in best grass result; like this work pattern accentuated by the blowout on Sunday.

I Want the Roses

Overmatched 2 back and over 3 clear in last; more experienced pilot here; look for Rocco to send hard at the sound of the bell trying to steal it.

Stash the Cat

Tale of the Cat about 10% of his first time turf runners in a 557-horse study; sire didn't race at 2, took debut at 3 in a shore route by over 11 with a 95 Beyer, won only grass start, banked over $350K; 2 for 14 dam earned $80K, was third in best turf result; several siblings won including near $500K earner and 7-race grass winner Stage Player; nothing wrong with the local drills.

Moonwalker

Key off the 2014 opener and he's a player; Charlie the Boss exited that race to win next out in a maiden $75K seller before running out of the money; needs a rebound after the regression in last.

Lador Vador

There are some major stamina issues here; can't endorse this gelding after the last fiasco.

Soccerholic

Gelding is due to punch it in; there is a 5-race winner in the tree that banked nearly $90K; legit player if he gets a chance to suit up. - Brian Mulligan