Gulfstream: Closer Looks for March 19, 2014

Race 2

Scorpion Al

He has to bounce back from a poor performance, but he ran well enough just two and three starts ago to help give him a competitive look against these; despite going 0-for-19, this barn has been putting live horses on the track at this meeting.

Wake Up and Go

Lightly raced 4-year-old has a little bit of turf in his pedigree, and when looking at what he's done in his two turf starts, he has to be recognized as a top contender; his lack of early speed can provide for some anxious moments, but going to look for him to be putting in a bold stretch bid.

Discreet Ed

His two turf starts have clearly been stronger than his two dirt starts, and even though he was beaten by today's rival Scorpion Al over turf just two starts back, he's a little interesting while getting back over turf for this and getting a rider switch to Lopez.

Rontos' Dream

He has a number of starts on his card that are fast enough to suggest that he can get himself into the mix against these, but he's the longest ranking maiden in this field, and after 14 starts, it's tough to recommend him for anything more than a minor award.

Chevron Light

Colony Light has been a poor influence as a turf sire, and even though this colt hasn't run badly the last two times he's been seen racing over turf, he will need his sharpest performance to date to get the better of this field; third-place finisher from latest returned to win next out here on 3/6 going 7 1/2f over turf vs. 25k MCL's with a 65 Beyer.

Ohthgift

Through her first six starts, she's yet to finish better than sixth, and it would've been nice to have seen her show more in her first start back from a layoff in her latest outing; leaning toward others.

Super Summation

He's basically been outrun at every point of call in his first three starts, all over turf, and he's obviously going to need to find a way to produce a much improved performance in order to contend.

Headwing

He's another in here who is trying to finish in the top five for the first time in his career, and his connections will hope that sending him out sans blinkers can help move him forward; he looks like more of an outsider.

Fotografo

Sire wins with approximately 7% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; he did show improved early speed at second asking and maybe this half-brother to Camden Park (2-6, 78k, including 2-for-2 over turf for 45k) can prove to be capable of better with a move to turf.

Haylen Returns

Not going to be surprised if this lightly raced 5-year-old is involved in the running through the opening stages, but he's going to need to show up with a much stronger overall performance in order to have a say in the outcome.-Brian Pochman

Race 3

Sneaky Blowout

Javier and Maker are 27 for 66 together since the winter meet began in early December; that's 41% winners with a $2.56 ROI; this one shows a gap in his works from Feb. 15 to Mar. 10 - which likely explains the layoff; still, his last on turf can be considered a toss out due to surface and his dirt form is easily best; deserving favorite despite layoff and gap in the worktab.

Tiz Naughty

Failed to beat a horse in his only start, though he was well backed at 3-1 odds; now a 10-lbs. bug rider climbs aboard; sold poorly at auction for a son of Tiznow and obviously the debut left much to be desired; let's wait for a positive effort.

Montesarchio

Yet to hit the board in 11 starts, but he has twice run Beyers in the 50s, including once on dirt over this track in November; only beat one when fourth Feb. 26 but had been away for two months and stumbled early; chance for a piece.

Oliver Rush

Owns the top last-race Beyer, a 59, nearly matching his top from Dec. 28; sandwiched between was a poor run on the grass, a forgivable loss; aggressively spotted; Contessa has typically ridden Rosario and Leparoux at this meet, but tries Rocco, who he has used infrequently; second selection behind Sneaky Blowout.

High Gauge

The Chief adds blinkers to this one; why not? nothing has worked to this point; he's been outrun under a variety of circumstances in three starts; little-used Uske was third aboard at a 44-1 outsider for Jerkens March 9 of this meet, and won a race for him in the 2009 meet here.

Supreme Privilege

Never worse than fourth in three starts and his last two have resulted in third-place finishes; shows three works since his last race Feb. 26 - so he seems to be in good health; broke better in his latest than in his first two starts; mild threat.-Byron King

Race 4

Smarts

He's out of a minor stakes winning dam who won 2 of 16 turf starts for 136k, and even though he's seeking his first 1-2-3 finish over turf, his turf form hasn't been bad; he's a good fit at this level of competition and like the idea of him stretching out in distance and getting back over turf for his second start back from a layoff.

Get Back

His most recent start was easily his sharpest performance to date and the 76 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for that performance represents the best last race figure in this field; looking at this as being a logical next step for him.

Soul of the North

Not only has his recent form not been his best, but he's never run a race that is strong enough to suggest that he can get the better of this bunch; he has the look of an outsider.

Kanagaro

He has to be considered an interesting option to consider in here while making only his second start for this barn after being given some time off; if his recent workouts are any indication, then he's ready for his return to action; winner from latest won next out at Med on 10/18 going 1m 70y over turf vs. 16k OPC's with an 84 Beyer.

Fort Boonesborough

All four of his wins have been earned racing over dirt, something to consider if this race has to be moved to the main track, and he hasn't finished better than third from six turf attempts; limiting him to a spot underneath in the exotics, but willing to upgrade his chances if this race has to be taken off the turf.

Volcano Run

This is a barn and rider that team up with success and not going to be too hard on this gelding for his latest performance when seeing that he hasn't been at his best racing over dirt in his career; he's only two races removed from an effort that is right in line with what it might take to win this.

Dreaming of Danny

His lack of early speed is always a concern, but his overall turf form has been solid, and he'll appreciate getting back over turf after staying in an off-the-turf event in his latest outing; note that he's winless from nine starts over this turf course.

Alicantino

Like to see that he has some early speed to employ and that he's recorded four wins over turf, but his recent form hasn't been his best, and he has struggled to maintain a forward gear late in his recent races.

Foolish Tiger

One of two signed on in this spot for the Navarro barn and this gelding has shown the ability to produce a performance that is strong enough to make him a player in this spot; a little concerned that his recent form hasn't been his best, but still viewing him in the light of a contender.

Be Brave

He's another in here who needs to shakes off some sub par recent form in order to make a run at the top prize, and it is a concern to see that his form has gone into decline since being claimed away from Ramsey and Maker three starts ago; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 3/6 going 7f vs. N1X alw. rivals with an 80 Beyer.-Brian Pochman

Race 6

Early Glory

Benefited by the flow of the race last time out as the winner, and this filly, were set-up by a duel; should receive a similar scenario here as there are several ladies intent on the lead; switches to journeyman handling and should be a major late factor with a clean trip.

La Hija de Olga

She was caught extremely wide in that performance of a month ago and did not earn a major share; gets in very light today and might be able to rally from closer range; she is the only multiple winner over the course yet still can offer a square price this afternoon.

Bellavision

Slow-breaker showed little when trounced by Early Glory nearly 3 weeks ago; even though a rapid pace seems very likely today, she will likely rally after the fact and cannot be accorded the main vote.

Nothin' But Tough

This filly showed much more determination in the latest run despite tiring to third behind La Hija de Olga; if she can avoid a similar early battle today, she can turn the tables on that rival; has no known rating gear, however; mixed signals.

Utootweet

Drops to a career low as far as numerical class is concerned and she could not handle the pace pressure in her only starts since last summer; latest breeze was fair and perhaps can she obtain striking position behind those commited to the lead; playable.

Dunkirk's Best

Broke maiden with relative ease in the second outing but the fractions along the way were soft; will have to deal with a much more intense pace here and that may prove too demanding a task; maturing filly gets a true test today.

Who Is This Lady

She was unable to stay within range in the last run, her first attempt at 6.5 furlongs; distance cutback should help somewhat but she does not draw particularly well today (her only victory was via a rail-skimming trip); pass until further notice.

La Marquesse

Eased up a month ago while the 2 to 1 public choice; turned in a fair a.m. move thereafter but still have doubts she can clear the field even with this lighter weight assignment; despite the plummet in class, she will offer a better price on the board today.

Ginebra

Ran into an above average group at Calder and was denied the lead; may be doubly compromised now by the outside post and the number of early speed types in opposition; would prefer to back her in a paceless affair; consider anyway if there are some key late scratches.-Jim Kachulis

Race 7

Unikat

Inside again after he caved in badly; fresh Lasix added to the equation; dam's lone win came at the Curragh in a miler on turf on a soft course; this is her first to race; figures to be sent out of there, but the stamina issue has to be addressed.

Dyker Beach

Curlin 10 for 57 with first-time turfers; sire didn t race at 2, won a ton Grade 1s as a 2-time Horse of the Year, banked over $10 million, was 2nd beaten 2 in only turf race in the Grade 1 Man o' War; dam was unraced; 3 of 5 siblings won; all tried grass to no avail, two banked over $200K; another slice?

Papy

Gelding has the two races to draw from and he was getting to the winner both times; stakes placed 5 for 37 dam earned nearly $200K, lost twice on grass; lone half sis Tunk took 2 of 13, banked about $90K, lost twice on grass; he's coming to the race right.

Boss Man

The spotty race record is a bit of a concern; there is a grass winner in the family; must be left in the mix and at least he has a race to build on now.

Sorocaima

Never thrilled to see repeated beats for a tag in this kind of race; out of the money the other times in this league; would lean toward watching until he gets maiden claimers to deal with.

Succesful Brothers

Hung wide in only turf out and he has continued to catch off surfaces; in good hands and would not be shocked if he is sent along here; show horse in last graduated next out but only in a maiden $25K claimer; needs very best.

Trecastle

Considering he was 15 back, the debut was not all that bad; Grade 3 winning 5 for 14 dam earned nearly $260K, 4 wins came on grass; all 6 siblings won; several won on grass including double G3 winner and over $600K earner Karen's Caper; respect.

Brilliant Messi

Off the rail after the troubled debut; SW 8 for 32 dam earned over $100K, won on grass the first time she tasted the stuff; family is solid; 5 of 6 siblings won; one won on grass and kin Gayego could ramble; he took a Grade 1 and earned over $1.7 million; it could be a new ballgame with a clean trip.

Golden Rum

He's trained forwardly since the dull opener; dam won a Group 3 in Europe, earned over $100K; 4 of 5 siblings won including multiple Grade 1 turf winner and over $1.6 million earner Winchester, who scored at this demandsing distance repeatedly; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one.-Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Sonja's Angel

Steps up seeking her third straight score while returning from the brief break off that career best number; she'll turn back to a flat mile for this and she has the positional foot to secure an inside tracking trip from the bell; these are much tougher than she's faced and her pilot side with a classier foe drawn on the outside but her drill last weekend suggests she's on her toes for this; one to beat.

Molly Morgan

Switches surfaces for her return from the short break after showing little on the local lawn; mare ran well at this local trip last season and maybe her solid drill for this last week says she'll have more to offer for a barn that boasts terrific numbers on the move to the main track; still, a minor award figures to be her ceiling.

Lady Cohiba

Fresh filly makes her first start in nearly 5 months while stepping out of the graded stakes ranks; while she's run her best at 2 turn trips, she was quite successful at one turn miles earlier in her career and she's fired some good ones fresh in the past; with some solid recent drills on her tab she's one to consider first time back.

Diva Spirit

They picked an interesting spot for her first start of the year and she proved little match against some tough older guys in that heat; back in with her own sex, she figures to be tighter today and she was pretty good as a sophomore up North, but she'll need to step things up quite a bit to have a say in the outcome here; prefer others on the win end.

Dreaming of Sophia

This gal's score in the local slop last summer jumps off her page, but she hasn't run nearly as fast since including most recently in her return to wet footing; she's working like she's ready to move forward off the effort for a barn that excels with its newly acquired runners and a top pilot gets aboard.

Malibu Red

Shipped up North and got second money in that Laurel stakes heat last month; mare will turn back for this one and she did run ok across town 2 starts back but don't know that one turn racing will move her up and she didn't have much to say against weaker the last time she ran here; passing.

Pixie Devil

Speedy filly tries one turn today and she came up a little short the last 2 times she tried that configuration here; she'll catch a much tougher set in her local return but there isn't a whole bunch of early lick in here so her new pilot will likely push her to the top from the bell; don't know that she's this good, but likely proves the one to catch.

Via Villaggio

G1 SP router switches surfaces for her first start on dirt since being moved to this outfit's care; mare faced some pretty tough ones out West last year and the top local pilot sticks with her for this one; it's been a long time since she's won, but she's been working well of late and her back class should help move her up here; main danger.-Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Ari's Pride

4-0-0-0 record since claimed off a high-win percentage trainer including latest loss vs. similar rivals; is ranked a notch below the top conenders off recent form; seemingly was getting a perfect trip in last stalking the speed but came up empty when the real running began; loses the hottest rider at GP today racing for a 7%-winning jockey-trainer combo since 2013.

Didn't Take It

Reunites with the win rider who seemingly had other options in this event yielding 32%-GP winners for the trainer since 2013; showed up with front wraps on in last 3 defeats and last win occurred without front wraps; today marks his lowest-weight assignment since latest victory; wants to stalk the speedy Drunken Love while saving ground then get 1st run on the closers.

Thomas Hill

On the scales is the top-turf selection losing to Drunken Love by under 2 lengths and today getting a positive 3-pound weight swing for this; has been knocking on the door for a victory with 3 exactas for the new trainer since the November claim; career-best Beyer was accomplished over a wet-turf course.

Starship Sulu

Saved his career-best Beyer speed figure for last when chasing similar rivals; would have to turn the tables and likely fire another new speed figure Top to take this; would not mind this race moved to dirt; not easy to take the 0-for-11 green record while his last win occurring over a sloppy-main track; his last GP dirt race was an exacta finish.

Et Al

52 days since tiring in a key race; the winner and 9th-place finishers from last Beyered 88-79 in next-out GP-35K-16K-claiming wins; produced a 4-1-0-0 mark in his last 4 starts following 45-day or longer layoffs; his most-recent win was from off the pace which is the style of his last win; hopes to sit just off Drunken Love then must find the missing stamina to post the upset.

Fan Base

The last 2 times racing following 45-day or longer layoffs were off-the-board finishes; last win occurred at 3.5F longer than this; he was screaming out for more yardage in last but remains at 5F; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 76 in a next-out GP-optional-claiming win.

Baffoonery

Back to the grass course where his only turf start was a last-place finish and career-low Beyer; recent consistent Beyers on display noting his best speed figure and all 3 wins occurred on PID syntheic but stays on dirt for this; was claimed off a high-win percentage trainer which is not a good-win angle.

Don't Say No

June, 2010, winning on the lead at 5F on CRC turf is a career-best Beyer; won his last race fresh and his barn is superb 27% winners since 2013 with similar-layoff runners; last win was from off the pace noting the most-recent win rider takes Didn't Take It for this which suggests he may not be ready for best right off the bench?

Drunken Love

June, 2012, was the last time carrying 123 pounds or more and that was a victory; gives 4 pounds to the runners he just beat; he wants the lead; the last 4 starts when racing 1st at the 1st call accounts for 3 wins and an exacta finish; exits a best-last-race Beyer speed figure on GP grass at 5F; 96 field-best Beyer was posted December, 2009, at 7F on WO's synthetic surface; try to catch me.

Dominant Jeannes

Main Track Only entry posted an exacta finish right off the 57-day absence chasing the winner who repeated in a CRC-optional claimer with a 93 Beyer; 9-year-old has a chance to improve off latest for this the 2nd start off the bench; among this speedster's 5 wins 3 occurred on the lead and 2 from stalking trips; needs to break fast for best placement; the 2-back winner repeated in a GP-OPC with a 94 speed figure.-Art Gropper

Race 10

Merilore

Like her chances more if this race has to be moved to the main track, but she looks like she can have a say in the outcome regardless of the surface that this race is run over; her lack of early speed might be a little bit of a concern, but there's enough early speed in here to help give her a decent setup.

Will to Shine

She's the speed nearest the rail, and even though she's going to need to be careful to avoid getting caught up in a fast early pace, something she wasn't able to do in her latest start, she's clearly a good fit at this level of competition; runner up from latest won next out here on 2/23 going 1m over turf in a 75k stakes with an 88 Beyer.

Alondra Sky

Can't ignore the impact her early speed can have on the way that this race shapes up, but her best effort doesn't look like it's strong enough to threaten the top contenders in here; she broke her maiden two back against 16k MCL's and this has to be considered a very difficult spot for her to go after her second victory.

Double Berg

She's another late running option to consider in here, but her most recent race appears to be about as good as it gets for her, and she will have to step it up over that performance if she's planning on seeing her number posted on top after this one is run.

Susies Gal

She hasn't been able to record a victory from eight starts over this turf course, but she did earn a career best Beyer Speed Figure over this course just two starts back; you have to go back a long way to find her most recent victory, and that might be a reason to limit her chances to a minor award.

Marie's Music

She's been in good form lately, but she's one of just two in here with only a single win next to her name, and she shows up for a barn that has been quiet at this meeting; winner from latest won next out here on 2/27 going 1m over turf vs. 25k claimers with an 84 Beyer.

Southern Dunn

Calabrese-owned miss is making her first start for the Vazquez barn, but she's finished 1-2 in 10 of 12 starts, and based on what she did in her one turf start prior to this, she deserves another chance to see what she can do racing on grass.

Indian Starlight

Like to see Leparoux aboard again and this mare has run races in the past that are strong enough for this level of competition; however, she is an early speed type in a race that doesn't figure to have a soft early pace.

Angel's South

Stakes placed mare is another in here who likes to be forwardly placed through the opening stages, and even though she has been at her best when allowed to grab the early advantage, she has shown a little bit of rating ability in her career; she has the look of a top contender with Lopez at the controls

Tree Hugger

She is light on winning form after 26 starts, but she has won once from two starts for this barn and her most recent race was one of the sharper performances of her career; it's probably a good idea to look for her to give a decent account of herself against these.

Ceci N Red

Like the idea of this filly dropping in class for this and note how well she performed when finishing right behind one of today's rivals in Will to Shine over this turf course at the end of December; she deserves to be listed among the contenders.

Dreamlicious

Multiple stakes placed mare is looking to make her first start after a claim for a high win percentage barn that has proven to be capable of moving one forward; have to respect the presence of Castellano, and he's won with 5 of 16 (31%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.-Brian Pochman