Gulfstream: Closer Looks for March 21, 2014

Race 2

Shakesperian Dream

Shakespeare has been a positive influence as a turf sire and this filly is out of a G3 stakes placed dam who won 4 of 41 starts for 248k, including 2 of 26 turf starts for 140k; if she runs the way she did at second asking she'll make some noise in here.

Charanga

It would have been nice to have seen her show more in her most recent race, but she ran pretty well in her turf debut two starts ago, and she's a 1/2 to minor stakes placed Imperial Strike (2-40, 72k, including 2 of 26 turf starts for 60k).

Eire En Pointe

Sire has won with 1 of 9 (11%) of his first-time starters and with 1 of 4 (25%) of his turf starters, and dam won 4 of 13 starts for 98k, including 0-for-1 over turf; this filly is a 1/2 to Dynamite Cocktail (2-11, 94k over turf) and minor stakes winner Avenue Sister (4-17, 80k over turf).

Teeth of the Tiger

She's lacking in the early speed department, but she ran well in her first two starts and she has her share of appeal in this spot while dropping back in with maiden claimers and getting a rider switch to Castellano.

Little Zoe

She might be able to get herself involved in the running through the opening stages but she'll need to show up with a much improved overall performance in order to have a say in the outcome.

Greek Flower

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 4 of 13 starts for 102k, including 1 of 5 turf starts for 40k; maybe the move to turf can help her, but she wasn't able to get much going in her career debut after going to post at over 40-1.

Big N Toasty

She might prove to be the dominant early speed in this race, and two of her four starts over turf have been respectable performances, but she's really struggled to maintain a forward gear late in her races.

Flashy Brass

Not wild about Flashy Bull as a turf sire, but this filly looked good in her career debut going a mile over this turf course, and have to respect the fact that her connections see fit to make a rider switch to Rosario for this. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Lorjim

Raced evenly in his local debut in late December and was compromised by a slow getaway; the trainer involved has a solid record with layoff runners of this type; the gelding may be ideally situated behind dueling leaders this afternoon.

Macho Trini

Seems the only one in the field capable of matching strides with Take Time to Pray in the opening stages; exits races which featured swift early fractions; would give him bonus points if he happens to catch an off track; remains a viable candidate regardless of the course condition.

Stone Jak

On the shelf since breaking maiden last summer but the pace and final time of that event were ordinary; returning breeze pattern is fair and perhaps he can unleash a late burst as there should be an honest tempo unfolding in this affair.

Take Time to Pray

A clever claim 2 back, he returned instant dividends when wiring the field with relative ease last month; could well be the primary pacesetter once again regardless of track condition and top rider Castellano remains loyal; much to like except if he gets caught up in an early duel.

Trippicotton

Graduated recently at Calder but had the advantage of inside position that day; will probably have to rally from much further back now considering the pace profile of the field; improving colt cannot be dismissed from consideration.

Ucanchangethename

Must try to avoid yet another slow start from the gate; closed with a rush to capture the place 2 back, his first try with blinkers; last time out, he spotted the field way too much ground and never got into gear; latest half-mile breeze was a distinct upgrade.

Big Blue Talent

Scheduled to race without blinkers for the first time, he has been breezing steadily for his first local appearance; the trainer/jockey team at the helm has done very well and, if all runners go today, there should be a rapid pace which will help with this gelding's late charge. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Dig This

Not only has he failed to make much of an impression through his first four starts but this will be his first start since December 2012; it's tough to give this colt a favorable push.

So Royal

This miss is taking on the boys again but she sports the strongest and most consistent overall form in here, and if she can grab the early advantage, she might prove to be tough to reel in.

Swiper

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 15 starts for 62k, including 0-for-2 over turf; he showed a little bit of early speed in his career debut before tiring badly, and it will take a much sharper try to get the job done in this spot.

Dillon's Actor

His best finish from 16 starts is fourth, and from three turf starts, he hasn't finished better than seventh; obviously he's going to need to produce a performance that is much sharper than anything he's done to this point in time in order to contend.

Buckingham Gate (IRE)

Galileo has been a positive influence as a turf sire and not going to be too hard on this 5-year-old for the poor performance he showed up with in his first start in America; runner up form latest won next out at Mth on 8/2 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 20-18k MCL's with a 70 Beyer.

Classy

He showed improved early speed in his second start and this gelding is a 1/2 to stakes placed Cherry on the Top (7-23, 145k, including 4 of 15 turf starts for 97k); this really doesn't look like a bad spot for him to try to put together a competitive performance.

Jonathan C

Like the pedigree for turf that is on view here, but this is a 19-race maiden who has had 13 chances to show us what he can do racing over turf; winner from latest won next out here on 3/5 going 1m over turf vs. 16k N2L claimers with a 74 Beyer.

Soccerholic

This looks like it would be an ideal spot for this gelding to make a serious bid at his first career win and it's worth noting the success that this barn has had with horses making their second start back from this type of a layoff. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Ringold

Drops in price after a weak spin over the sod from the local fence; gray ran much better when able to track a tepid clip 2 back and maybe with his last behind him he's ready to get back on track while switching to Rosario here; his best makes him a big threat; contender.

Gemsum

Statebred gelding returns from the freshening while moving back to the lawn for a barn that doesn't do so well with this type; he did show some solid early foot while sprinting against restricted MSWs over the local main track and his recent drill suggests his lick remains intact; barn's had a rough stand, but kin to a 2 time surface winner, he could go better second time over this footing; worth a look at a price.

Plant City Robert

Tries the lawn for the initial time while being offered for a tag for the first time since his weak debut effort; gelding showed speed in each of his 2 sprint tries across town and maybe he's again involved from the outset here; his sire is just 1 for 29 with his first time turfers, but the unraced dam's lone foal to try the green was winless from 8 grass spins.

Big Island Boy

Tries claimers for the first time following a couple weak turf spins; gray does add the hood for this and the barn excels for the drop to this level; interim drills aren't much, but he has been on the track a couple of times and he is kin to a surface winner so maybe the class relief proves key for him.

School Yard

Set the pace on the rise to this level while making his first start off this barn's claim a couple of weeks back; speedy colt owns a pretty sharp effort 2 back over the course and he showed in his first start of the year that he doesn't need the early lead to be effective; best makes him a big threat.

Strueves Star

Didn't take any tote support first time out and after breaking slowly offered very little; colt returned to work well in the interim and his dam was a limited grass winner, but her sibs are a combined 0 for 3 on the green; tough to get too excited about his chances in here.

Executive Session

Tough start did him in first time out at the level and he failed to get involved from there; a top pilot will get aboard and this guy's dam was a 3 time turf winner so maybe he'll have more to offer if he's able to get off to a more fair beginning; price should again be big.

Laws of the City

Runner up in his last 2 at the trip steps up to face better while again drawing towards the outside; beaten chalk in his last 3 should be able to secure a solid tracking trip off the speed in here and though he's had his chances he does enter this in career best form; with Castellano taking the return call they'll have him to beat.

Winter's Gift

Like most of this barn's runners this guy took plenty of tote support in his sprint debut but didn't get going until too late in that MSW heat; he'll start from the outside slot while stretching out and he's the first foal out of a dam who was winless from 10 turf tries, but each of her 10 scores did come routing so the added ground should help; can't count her out.

World Changer

MTO didn't do much in either of his last 2 starts on the local dirt; colt hasn't shown much early foot and has only hit the board once in 8 career spins; wouldn't face all that much, but he'll need to step things up if the rains come and he gets to go in here. - Jim Kachulis

Race 7

My Novena

Couldn't have asked for a worst result 1st turf and 1st time in a maiden claimer; off recent losses wondering is this the same filly who began her career at CRC with 2 near-miss finishes?; gets her longest distance ever on dirt today but must show more.

Probably

In a race with zero-gate speed signed on; she figures to race to the front on a speed-favoring oval and be tough to catch with the weight break of 5 pounds from each rival; long layoff after favored vs. the winner who repeated in a TAM-83K stakes with a 70 Beyer; the pick.

Saratoga Karaoke

Field-best Beyer was posted on turf exiting a best-last-race speed figure on grass; the 2-0-0-0 dirt record is not easy to take and cutting back in distance for this closer does not fit well although worked well on the main track for this; 3-time beaten favorite figures to make one late run.

Pekinesa

Blinkers on/turf-to-dirt are both good-win angles for her trainer; the debut was poor and hopes the surface switch will help the cause noting her good-main track worktab pre-rest; cuts way back in distance after being outrun throughout.

Fantastic Voyage

Return race on grass should be dismissed as she hit the gate when breaking last again; the extra half furlong from the 2-back exacta should help the cause; GP dirt sprints are normally won by runners close or on the pace and she has no gate speed but hard to leave out of the exotics.

Mary n' Eileen

Sire is 3-for-86 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal out of an unraced dam; recent-morning drills have been sharp at 4F suggesting we might see some gate speed here; 28%-winning jockey-trainer combo is just 1-for-7 at GP since 2013.

Kimberly Is That U

91-1 debut loss where fading giving hopes she will flash-improved gate speed for this chasing Probably to the front; clearly wish the worktab sparkled more or the trainer with 2nd-time maiden starters wasn't 1-for-27 since 2013. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Perfect Tay

He's run some decent races over turf in his career, but he finds himself in a pretty tough 50-40k claimer today, and this might prove to be a difficult spot for his first start since July; prefer to give others the nod in this one.

Monument Hill

Grade 3 stakes placed veteran is another entering this race after needing a lot of time off, but this gelding has been a consistent performer in his career, and feel that he's plenty capable of putting together a competitive performance against these; note the success that he's had from nine starts over this turf course.

Eternal Ruler (IRE)

He boasts the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here, but it might be worth noting that he was claimed away from the Maker barn from his latest start, and he is stepping up in class for this; obviously he's a contender, but not going to be shocked if he's not quite as sharp this time around.

Key to Power

Nicely bred 5-year-old has won half of his 12 turf starts and he equaled a career best Beyer Speed Figure in a winning performance in his latest outing while making his first start for this barn; feel that he's in with a legitimate chance to make it three straight wins.

Manzutti

He's been a pretty consistent performer racing over turf, and he's eligible to find himself involved in the running through the opening stages with the addition of blinkers, but just looking at this as being a tough bunch of 50-40k claimers for him to be meeting up with.

Tune Me In

Maybe the drop in class is a negative to consider, but going to look for this multiple graded stakes winner to be ready for a much better effort while making only his second start for the Clement barn; runner up from latest won next out at Tam on 3/7 going 1 1/16m in a 100k OPC with a 93 Beyer.

Yari

He's another in here who deserves a lot of credit for his consistent approach to the game and he certainly looks like a decent fit at this 50-40k claiming level; however, his most recent win was earned in June 2012, and this barn has been quiet at this meeting.

Ampersand

He's shown the ability to dial up a pretty sharp performance on his best day, but his complete lack of early speed is always a concern, and he must improve over what he's shown in his first two starts of 2014 in order to prove to be a player in this spot; winner from latest won next out here on 3/15 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 62k OPC's with an 89 Beyer. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Spun Silky

Came from left field to take her last outing in a Nov. 6 N1X turf dash at Laurel, from which the fourth-place finisher exited to prevail at the same level with a 73 Beyer; trainer has fared well with similar comebackers, but has struggled at this stand; trainer/rider combo is 1 for 7; chestnut could mow down the fading speed and hit the exotics at a price.

Sweet and Lowdown

Hasn't started since July at Del Mar, when she was a prominent fourth in a good N2X optional sprint, which was won by a filly who came back to run second in a stakes; Ward can have one ready off a long layoff, and this daughter of Street Sense seems capable of making most of the running after working thrice on the turf at Palm Meadows.

Free as a Bird

Rallied for second when she came off the sidelines in an identical event Feb. 17, from which the fourth horse exited to capture an N2X/optional claimer at Tampa (85 Beyer); stakes-placed mare should be dangerous with that tightener under her girth; like her chances to finish in the top two.

White Sangria

Led throughout an easier optional contest when she came off a two-month absence Feb. 9, and has since worked twice at Palm Meadows; daughter of top sire Giant's Causeway could bounce off that career-best performance, in a race which has two other possible speeds; vulnerable.

Perfect Package

Faded to third behind Free as a Bird after pressing a lively pace when she cut back from a mile and a sixteenth to five panels last month; second-leading rider Lopez, who retains the mount, was aboard for her back-to-back tallies early in the meet; consider her for the bottom of intra-race wagers.

My Due Process

Her recent form is more appealing if you ignore that poor effort in a G3 dirt stakes won by champion Groupie Doll; she picked up some black type when a closing third in a Feb. 23 stakes which featured a blistering pace; 5yo doesn't possess the Beyer power of some of the others in the field, but could have a say in the outcome if things go her way. - Ron Gierkink

Race 10

Almost an Angel

Goes from one good barn to another and Dibona is 27% off the red tag in the last year or so; she could be more on the muscle with the blinks this time and she got a boost when the winner on 2/9 repeated in a $25K claimer with an 84 Beyer; don't be shocked if runner send along and tries to take advantage of her :45 and change speed.

Aventurine

Educated in the debut and she was compromised when bobbling in last; solid work last Saturday, she has proven her style locally and she got a boost when the 3/29 winner won twice since, the last in a $25K claimer; there is an over $100K earner in the tree; look out.

Party Starter

Don't be too harsh about last; it's never easy beating winners right back especially when you graduate for a tag; miss has natural speed but can sit just off the pace and perfrorm; don't be shocked if she is pushed along more this time; in good barn, but stable due for a bit more luck, check out the 16 slices this meet.

Viva Allegiance

At least she has the 3 races to draw from now; sent along in last, but she seems more comfortable settling, relaxing and making one run; she had aim at the top of lane last time, went backward; be careful.

Sweet Tooth Sweety

Toss first two races and the form brightens; in good hands, off a career Beyer and she got a boost when the 2/6 winner repeated in a $25K optional with a 90 Beyer; can't fault those that project another move forward here.

Jane's Heir

Two wins since entering this barn; note she improved a ton in the last second off the layoff run in July; nothing wrong with hitting the exacta in 7 of 15; respect everything from this barn.

Hit Squad

Took what seems like forever to get the win and she did clip heels last time; show horse in the maiden breaker graduated next out in a maiden $16K seller, then was 2nd beaten a length in a $16K N2L spot; looking elsewhere for a key top horse.

Happy Voyage

Trainer has spotted them just fine this meet; note place horse in last was over 4 clear; decent drill since, but she will need help up front; only beat 2 foes the last time in this league; not seeing it.

Thunder On Tap

Steadied in the first out vs. winners; off rail for this; basically out to prove the 39-1 maiden breaker was no fluke.

Very Playful

It was the wrong surface when he was in this league 1/19; like the middle move to make the top and then she kept on going; mare has a right to have a decent career as half bro Our Friend Harvey earned over $225K; far too sharp to ignore.

Miz Owell

Like fact she was given time after clever 2014 opener; she has much more speed than she just flashed and like the returned energy she showed in the drill last Saturday; 7th finisher in last beat $12.5K N2L foes next out, 9th finisher won over $5K N2L Delta rivals in next and the place horse was 2nd a neck in an N1X; Rocco has had good success for this barn; contention goes deep. - Brian Mulligan