Gulfstream: Closer Looks for March 27, 2014

Race 1

Bustle

Her career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned in her only start over a synthetic surface, and both of her wins over turf were in pretty soft spots; it might be worth noting the presence of Castellano aboard another in here, even if Leparoux has won with 7 of 22 (32%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Judy G

Her first two attempts against winners have been so-so at best and she looks like she's going to need to produce the sharpest performance of her career to get over on the top contenders in this spot; note that she was beaten by today's rival This Is Nice in her latest outing.

Canny Nanny

She has some pedigree appeal and four of her first six starts have been solid performances; like to see what she did racing over turf in a couple of starts as a 3-year-old and this does appear to be realistic spot for her first start at age four.

Party Starter

She earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in her first start over turf in her latest outing, but that was against it 40-35k maiden claimers, and she's the only one in here meeting up with winners for the first time; prefer to give the nod to others in this one.

This Is Nice (IRE)

Her latest race was one of her sharper performances but it's difficult to recommend her for anything more than a minor award when seeing that she has just a single victory after 20 starts; going to limit her to a spot underneath in the exotics.

Aventurine

She is making her first start in about a year but this has to be considered a favorable spot for her return to action and it looks like she's been training well in preparation for this; winner from latest won next out at Bel on 6/20 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 65k OPC's with a 79 Beyer; Castellano has won with 36 of 98 (37%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Yes It's Pink

She usually shows up and runs her race and she's perfectly capable of dialing up a competitive performance at this level of competition; it's easy enough to forgive the sub par performance in her latest outing when seeing that she raced over a sloppy main track; must consider.

Sweet Tooth Sweety

She finished behind a couple of today's rivals in her most recent start and not sure that this filly is quite at her best at today's 1 1/16m distance; going to look for her to be involved in running early on, but others might have more to offer through the lane. - Brian Pochman

Race 2

Old Times Sake

Newcomer was sired by Old Fashion who won a G2 stakes and 583K overall (his offspring have scored in 5 of 35 debuts); the dam lost her sole attempt; the only sibling is 69K earner Southern Symphony.

Caminito

Claimed consecutively, he has shown some fair gate speed but will likely be challenged right out of he gate; that will compromise his chances and the latest half-mile breeze is not that strong; mixed signals for this son of Macho Uno.

Soccerholic

Scheduled blinker removal may give this gelding a chance to relax and perhaps revert to rating ways rather than get involved in a duel; note the slow but steady improvement to the work tab this month; legitimate money chances.

Donegal Hall

One of the main pacesetters to consider despite a dozen straight losses; he has spent the majority of his time in the special weight class and looks nicely positioned here if not getting into an immediate pace war; logical candidate.

Runaway Worker

Beginner hails from G2 victor Teuflesberg who banked 621K and whose progeny have scored in 4 of 45 initial starts; the dam never raced; there are no winning siblings to highlight; breezing locally for quite some time.

Stash the Cat

Makes his first start for these connections and raced evenly in his recent turf debut; his sire is G2 winner Tale of the Cat who captured 360K; the dam won 2 of 14 attempts and 80K: sib to 83K earner Peahi.

Supersecret

Descendants of Yesbyjimminy, a G3 winner who captured 586K, are 2 for 18 as far as winning their first test; the dam never competed; among the winning siblings is 185K earner Aba Dabbler; fairly good breezes this month. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Marine

Draws the fence for the surface switch after coming up short late against limited winners on the local sod; maybe the hood helps get him more involved early at this one turn trip and he does own dirt numbers that fit in this spot, but he's been out of the maiden ranks for almost a year now and hasn't been able to get back into the winner's circle; capable of getting in the mix, but prefer to beat him on the win end.

Centrifical Force

Sophomore tries older for the first time after running away from limited winners in a slow paced 2 turn heat across town; colt did break his maiden at this one turn trip in late fall but he does return just 3 weeks off the career best equaling Beyer effort and it may not be so easy to move forward off it.

Ease On Bai

Showed nothing in his turf debut and now he'll face conditioned claimers in his first crack against older; gelding goes for an outfit that excels with runners switching surfaces and as his prior couple of outings at today's trip can attest, a wet track certainly wouldn't hurt; contender.

Gallant Patriot

New York bred makes his first start off the claim for an outfit that excels with this type; barn has had 6 weeks to get this guy on their program and he did make a nice late run at the trip the last time he stepped on dry footing; there's a question of pace in this heat, but he looms dangerous in the lane.

Navajo Ca Lo

Gets back on the dirt after being given a little extra tome off a weak effort from a wide spot in his turf debut; gelding broke his maiden at this one turn trip last fall in New York, but his last try over the local main track was pretty weak; new pilot hasn't won many races; have to look elsewhere for the winner.

Rakete

Gets a switch to a top local pilot after failing to factor on the local sod late last month; gelding earned some solid numbers over wet tracks at the trip earlier in the year and the return to this type of footing should help; pace is a concern, but we'll give him the nod to run these down.

Put It Forward

Outside drawn colt showed pretty sharp early foot despite trouble on the stretchout a couple of weeks ago and never looked back in breaking his maiden; he'll tackle winners for the initial time in this spot but looks to encounter very little competition for the top and could well again have things his own way; they'll have him to run down. - Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Steve

He has a chance to prove to be a timely 35k claim for his current connections, and of the horses in the main body of this race, he's the only multiple winner; this barn has done some of their better work with turf starters over the years, and Saez has won with 2 of 4 mounts for this outfit at the current meeting.

Thunder Run

Although it was as a member of the Maker barn, he put together a fine winning performance to break his maiden in his latest start, and it doesn't hurt him to retain the services of Castellano after the barn change; the 82 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his latest effort is the best last race figure in this field.

Gryvon

Sire has won with 2 of 11 (18%) of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won once from three starts, and she didn't make a turf start; the move to turf is a question, and he might be better off sprinting than routing, but he has some solid form on his card to consider.

Branded Hand

Don't like to see the late lead he gave up in his latest start, but he did beat today's rival Meuser in that race, and he does appear to be a good fit at this level of competition; this barn can have one ready for a top try when fresh and like to see Rosario get the call.

Meuser

Late running type finished behind today's rival Branded Hand in his latest outing, but he really hasn't run a bad race in his first four starts, and he might see an early pace scenario that favors his running style; he can't be ignored while going out for a strong trainer/jockey tandem.

Charlie the Boss

His form improved with a move to turf at second asking, and like to see the early speed he owns, but it would have been nice to have seen him show more in his first attempt against winners in his latest outing; he's going to need to step it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale to have a say in the outcome against these.

Scoria

His two most recent races have been his best and he drops in class as he gets ready to make his first start back from a layoff, and only his second start wearing blinkers; he deserves to be listed among the contenders while going out for a sharp turf barn.

Allstar

There's not a lot of dirt form to consider in the main body of this race, but still feel that horses like Thunder Run and Gryvon can prove to be tough for this colt to tackle; that said, four of his first five starts have been quality ones, and certainly not going to count him out of it if he gets to go in this spot. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Putitinmypocket

Been given time since the troubled trip in last; proven at this demanding distance, she will need help up front and there is not a ton of speed in here it appears; place horse in last cashed next out in a $30K claimer, lost next pair; respect everything from this barn and note Castellano is 36% for Walder in the last year or so.

Helluva Hunch

Protected in last, she has to prove she can win sprinting; tough beat two back and she did have the lead after 7 furlongs; and note the show horse was well clear; would expect to see her rolling late if at all.

Ladyfromhavana

This is the first time she has been offered for sale; you would expect it to be an all out go; connections thought enough of her to try the stakes two back and she has trained solidly for this; she freaked by nearly 10 in the other race at this distance and she's drilled well of late; interesting.

Senora de Lujan

Was clsoing a bit but was out of the money in the last return situation; she has more speed than she has seen of late and she flashed more energy in the drill on the 15th; place horse in last took a $16K claimer and the winner repeated in a $12.5K fray; could need softer to shine.

Wild Horse Annie

Runner was entered Wednesday as an also in a $16K claimer on grass; can't be thrilled with the local efforts; she was losing ground when 5th in the last sprint attempt; decent drills of late, still not sold on chances.

Quiet Hour

Once she got to dirt, she started to wake up; never simple to beat winners right back but she did it with style despite being forced to steady; note place horse in last was over 3 clear and that runner cashed next out in a $20K claimer then was 3rd beaten a length in a N1X fray; threepeat well within the realm.

Lucky Liberty

Pushed into the stakes after the last effort, and she has not been able to close the deal since; this does seem like a better trip for her and she is drawn right; she has been handled a some of today's foes; look for her to be rolling into the picture late if the pace is hot enough. - Brian Mulligan

Race 7

Don't Say No

8 days ago ran into the hot sprinter Drunken Love needing that race now stretching out to 1 Mile today; 7-year-old with 30 starts races beyond 5.5F for the 1st time; have to wonder why this 4-win turfer never stretched out at least once before; today is a major stamina challenge and view as a major-pace presence; his sire did not race past 6.5F; dam went 0-for-2 in dirt routes all of her wins in sprints.

The B's and E's

The trainer's 35%-win record 1st off the claim is noted; blinkers on produced his graduation while trying to shake up the form off 3 straight off-the-board finishes; changed styles in latest after rallying 2 back he raced a lot closer to the front but faded with lesser; will need a vast improvement off recent form to land a share.

Runyon Humor

Best-last-race Beyer performer is just 1-for-16 on grass but recently has been all around the money in the last 4 turf starts; GP-grass win in October was 2nd time off a layoff and at longer; today comes off a 7-week absence for a 23%-winning fresh trainer; hard to leave off the exotics.

Sky Masterson

Game as could be in the neck loss 19 days ago; a tough beat for last noting his 1-for-16 GP grass record; steps up in claiming price off a loss which is not a good-win angle but beat several of these in recent starts; returns to the distance of his last victory while cutting back in yaradge seems to help the cause.

Alke John

Much better placement today for this 4-time grass winner; 3-back was a career-best Beyer on GP grass off a 59-day layoff but has been overmatched since; thought in latest he would fare a little better coming off a similar freshening; love that the MTH-win rider reunites for this as he figures to set up shop right outside of the main speed Don't Say No and Dynamic Boy then if fires back to best should be tough to hold off late; the pick.

Hold That Camera

Tough to make a case here off the 25-length loss to Sky Masterson over the GP lawn where he is exacta-less in 15 starts; exits his lowest Beyer since April, 2012; his last win was a race taken off turf and contested on fast dirt; both -CRC turf wins were posted at 1M and 1-16th.

Dynamic Boy

Lacked stamina at longer in 2 races off the January claim but projects as a major-pace presence; he could not win for lower-tag prices in recent races which makes this spot a concern; last win was at today's distance; has been best on wet dirt during career (4-2-2-0) so hopes this one gets washed off green.

Dreaming of Danny

Exits his lowest Beyer since March, 2013, which is not a good sign racing 1st off the claim; 2 wins on wet-main tracks so thought latest was right up his alley but never made any impact; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 95 in a next-out GP-20K-claiming win; clearly ran well enough 2 back at 1 Mile on GP grass to give him some consideration. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Delta Bluesman

His career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned racing over dirt and he's going to need to step it up over what he's shown in his four turf starts if he's to prove to be a player in this spot; add in a tricky rail post, and prefer to look toward others.

Yes That's Me

Sire has won with one of five of his turf starters and he was a G3 winner during his racing career while winning 11 of 25 starts for 586k, and he didn't make a turf start; dam won 2 of 4 starts for 20k, and she didn't make a turf start; he does own the type of early speed that can come in handy in a turf dash like this.

It's a Great Life

Not only is he just one of two in here with turf experience, but he put together a solid runner-up finish behind a runaway winner in his turf debut in his latest outing; he's out of a dam who won 2 of 18 turf starts for 130k, and it looks like he tuned up with a sharp five furlongs on March 23 in preparation for this.

Deputy Daniel

Sire wins with approximately 19% of his turf starters and multiple stakes placed dam won 5 of 22 starts for 262k, including 0-for-1 over turf; the long layoff is an obvious concern, but he did run well in his career debut as a 2-year-old.

Lunar Tales

Sire wins with approximately 17% of his first-time starters and with approximately 12% of his turf starters, and stakes placed dam won 4 of 20 starts for 137k, including 0-for-1 over turf; this gelding is a 1/2 to G1 stakes placed Lunarwarfare (1-3, 68k, no turf starts).

Ruby's Rocketman

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam won once from two starts for 15k, and she didn't make a turf start; this gelding is a 1/2 to stakes winner Midnight Serenade (2-16, 110k, including 0-for-3 over turf); third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 10/26 going 6f vs. MSW rivals with an 88 Beyer.

Oration

Sire wins with approximately 19% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this gelding is a 1/2 to G1 stakes placed Indian Gracey (3-10, 154k, no turf starts) and It's Saturday Nite (2-12, 133k, including 2 of 6 turf starts for 88k).

Don't Stop Back

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal from a stakes placed dam who won 8 of 28 starts for 206k, including 2 of 13 turf starts for 86k; firster has appeal, but this barn is just 1-for-25 with first-time starters the past five years.

Horsens

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his first-time starters and dam won once from six starst for 22k; this colt is a 1/2 to multiple stakes placed Who Plays Brahms (7-41, 150k); it looks like they tightened the screws in that March 19 workout.

Columbia County

Respect the early speed that he flashed in his career debut, and he is eligible to be ready for better now that he has racing experience to draw from, but this race doesn't figure to fall apart if it has to be moved to the main track, and an improved overall performance is a must if he's to beat these. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Courtney Ryan

Barn won 21 races last year and a super nice clip and this miss accounted for 6 wins; nice; all this mare does is win and run hard; two excuses for her defeat in the 2013 closer; she may have been overmatched and she was pinballed at the break; in the exacta in 9 of 15 here, she adores this distance and fits on the Beyer scale; look out.

Sheer Drama

Hung wide in her toughest test last out, miss goes without the blinks, just as she did in the two successes; she has the tactical speed to be in the first flight and the blood is there for her to have a stellar career; she is kin to multiple stakes winner and $2.7 million earner Big Drama.

Majestic River

Only one off effort and she had excuses; she had to ship across the country and then was just dueled into submission; love the series of comeback drills coming to this fray and the last race came back okay as the place horse took a $25K optional next out and the trailer beat $12.5K claimers in next; repeat well within the scope.

Danalake

The spotty race record is a concern; she went off form in her first Graded effort and has never recovered; off the fence today, would lean toward watching a much improved effort before jumping on the bandwagon.

Fruttidimare

Mare has won at a number of different venues but would have to have seen at least some local a.m. activity; fully extended in the short field in last and we really don't know how much it may have taken out of her; needs major improvement to make it 2 straight.

Kipling's Joy

She pressed and faded in the stakes two back and then hooked the off going when well clear; go back to her 2013 closer and the winner that day took a $40K optional next out with an 86 Beyer; must be left in the hopper. - Brian Mulligan

Race 10

Yes Mz Olga

Sire is 1-for-4 with 1st-turf starters; she is out of a 1-for-5 grass dam (18K); her only other foal to attempt turf is 2-0-0-1 Precious Amanda (5K); speedster stretches out beyond 6F for the 1st time with obvious stamina questions to answer; last win was posted on wet dirt 3-back defeating the show finisher who posted a 70 Beyer speed figure in her next-out GP-20K-claiming win.

My Mom Santina

Adds more speed in this event; 1st turf was a winner now changes trainers off the 16-point 2nd-time out Beyer improvement; if there wasn't so much other gate speed here would give her a much-better chance of landing a major slice.

Benny's Babygirl

Turf and blinkers were in the mix for latest career-best speed figure defeating both the show and 7th-place finishers; they Beyered 59-54 in next-out GP-CRC-16K-maiden claiming wins; she is another gate-to-wire winner in a race loaded with other-gate speed; keeps the sizzling Castellano for a 30%-GP win barn.

Slazarra

Has clearly shown best form on wet-dirt surfaces hoping this gets washed off the weeds; the lawn debut was dull vs.Poor Etiquette getting an extra half furlong today to help the late punch; have her ranked a notch or 2 below the top players.

What Next

Since changing styles from a front runner to a closer her form has improved sharply; Poor Etiquette handled her in latest off the bench and is another who is eligible to improve with the added distance today; latest was a massive-turf improvement after her lawn-debut fade at shorter.

Marnesia Wild Heir

She hasn't cracked a turf exacta yet but her late-running style in a race loaded with gate speed adds to the appeal; could not get up at longer in last which is an obvious concern; today's setup with tons of gate speed signed on should suit her well.

Poor Etiquette

An in-form closer in a race loaded with other gate speed; she appears all over the others forms beating a lot of these in recent starts; the win rider stays with Benny's Babygirl as the new rider is 0-for-10 since 2013 for the trainer at GP; exits 3 straight-new Beyer-career Top performances and another move forward makes her hard to hold off late; the pick

Endless Ride

1st Turf and 1st Lasix for her 1st start as a 3-year-old; trainer is 0-for-13 since 2013 with runners following similar layoffs; sire is 57-for-542 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 2-0-0-0 grass dam; her only foal to race on turf is 2-0-0-0 Chestercountrygirl.

Two Step Flor

Exits a best-last-race Beyer on dirt; today will be stretching out beyond 6.5F for the 1st time; rated well in last and hopes she can sit just off the main speed then get 1st run on the closers; her sire is 2-for-9 with 1st-turf starters; 1-for-1 dam won her only race at 6F on GP dirt; her only other foal to race on turf is 1-0-0-0 Palace Flower.

Cambiata

3-1-1-1 record on less-than-firm turf so would appreciate that type of surface; hard to make a strong case for her off latest when pulled up and did not finish 2 weeks ago; she held on well following a 10-week layoff 2-back but will be siding with others off last.

Thundering Gale

Faced the boys pre-rest rallying to just miss by a half length; if ready would be a major player being a closer in a race loaded with gate speed; she won fresh 2 back and has been a new runner since switched to turf; has been working like she is ready to fire a big one.

Great Cross

1st start off the claim produced her 2nd lowest Beyer ever which is the main drawback; will lose ground breaking outside; jockey from last stays right here while the win rider takes Poor Etiquette; on her best day would have the right-closing style to do some damage here.

Gotaheartofgold

Main Track Only entry was also entered Friday in the 5th at GP at 1 Mile on dirt; a superior runner on wet tracks upsetting 2-back in the slop then posted a career-low Beyer on a fast oval in last when the runner she beat 2 -back handled her by more than18-lengths. - Art Gropper