Gulfstream: Closer Looks for March 5, 2014

Race 1

Pyrite Smokin

There was a time when this mare was capable of showing up with a competitive performance at this level of competition, but you have to go back a long way to find the last time she recorded a victory, and she hasn't finished 1-2 from 12 starts over this turf course.

Fives and Nines

Calabrese-owned mare looks like a good fit at this level of competition and she got the job done in her latest start with a rider switch Zayas; she needs to be careful to avoid an early pace confrontation, but she deserves to be listed among the contenders.

Kiss the Stars

She finished behind today's rival Noor Un Nisa in her latest outing, but her form racing over turf has been plenty strong enough to suggest that she can get the job done in a spot like this, and she has won half her 12 turf starts; must consider.

Urquia

She's been beaten by a number of today's rivals in her two most recent races, but she isn't out of the question if she can find her way back to one of her better performances, and it does look like she might benefit from a closer friendly early pace scenario.

Platinum and Plush

She has a good deal of turf in her pedigree, but her best race doesn't appear to be quite strong enough to get the job done in this spot, and she's an early speed type in a race that doesn't figure to have a soft early pace.

Guayana

She's been on top of her game in recent starts and she ran pretty well the last time she was seen racing over turf; she's making her first start after a claim for a barn that has been live at this meeting and it's interesting to see them calling upon Rosario for this.

Noor Un Nisa

The 75 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field, and it might be worth noting that was her first start wearing blinkers; on a negative note, you have to go back 17 starts to November 2010 to find her most recent win.

Sweet Dreamin

Her most recent race can be viewed as being one of the sharper performances of her career but her overall form hasn't been strong enough to help give her a competitive look against these; note that she's seeking her first turf victory.

Special Jak

This will be a favorable spot for this 10-time winner to land in if this race has to be taken off the turf, and if she runs the way she did over the main track here just two starts ago, she'll likely prove to be tough to deny; note the success that this barn has had with horses making their second start back from this type of a layoff; Castellano has won with 4 of 12 (33%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.-Brian Pochman

Race 2

Defend

Enters this race in good form with a second in the slop and a win here Feb. 15, but against conditioned claimers; this is a taller order, facing starter allowance runners - though he is starting for a 10K tag under the optional claiming conditions; has back class as a prior allowance competitor.

Mia's Rocket

Has twice been second against similar this meet and now picks up leading rider Javier Castellano, who has thoroughly dominated this meet in what is obviously a very deep jockey colony; has a higher ration of 2nds (7) to wins (4); might be a little better suited to racing shorter than today's seven furlongs; seems best played underneath in the exotics.

Katz My Song

Doubled in claiming price last out but still proved a factor for 25K by just lasting for second after setting the pace; defeated Defend two starts ago and with the exception of that one poor performance Jan. 20, he has been in good form this winter at GP; versatile running style; contender.

Angelofdistinction

Is dropped sharply in class after a non effort Nov. 17; not surprising off that thumping, his connections are taking advantage by dropping him in class to 10K; must overcome a long layoff and is also for unplaced now in two starts at GP; so he might not be so fond of the strip.

No Act

Is a winner of 7 of 30 starts - a nice record for a late-runner; usually horses that come from far out of it do not win at such a good clip; first or second in 14 of 30 starts, with another 5 thirds; so this one is a must use in the exotics; well suited to the distance, too; contender.

Untethered

Although third in his latest, a length behind Mia's Rocket; he didn't get away well from the fence and was taken out of his usual frontrunning game; now in the clear on the outside, he should get his more desired trip; 3 for 6 at GP and 6 for 15 overall on dirt; choice.-Byron King

Race 3

Pirate's Pleasure

Recent form is shaky, but a class drop into the 50K N2L ranks should make him more competitive; has the pedigree to handle two turns, but to date his best performance, in fact his only top-3 finish, came in a turf sprint.

E Biscuit

Makes his third start off a layoff - often the peak race of a horse's form cycle; has also paired up relatively equal speed figures in his last two, another favorable angle; ok, now the bad news...this horse is just 17-1-0-1, and it's hard to like his come-from-the-clouds style.

Takepointsandrun

Was based at Tampa for the early part of this winter, where he managed to hit the board twice; could not keep up with starter runners there last out; now moves to a tougher circuit and the 50K level just seems beyond his value; pass.

Piceance

Just ran second against a comparable field and did so with a style that few expected; normally a horse that races on or near the pace, he came from 13 lengths out of it to lose by a length; is clearly fond of this course and looms a major player in his third start of his current form cycle.

Desert Strike

Looked like a horse with a future as a youngster when he broke his maiden at Keeneland on the Poly in 2012, but he has struggled since while being hampered by layoffs; was competitive the last time he raced on the turf in May of 2013, only tiring in the final furlong; let's see an encouraging race before backing this one.

Brickyard Kitten

Came up a little empty in the stretch last time but still ran his best race since breaking his maiden over this course in March 2013; he was off about a length behind the field and then dueled for the lead; aside from that maiden win, however, this is a horse that regularly evens out or backs up late; like him better on the bottom of the exotics in light of that history.

Doherty

Although untested on the turf, but Pletcher has been giving him trials on the Palm Meadows lawn and presumably feels confident in his turf prospects to test him here, as opposed to the dirt, where he is already a known commodity; sire gets a little less than 10% first-out turf winners; dam has yet to have a grass winner from 3 to try it, but one did run third on it; class of the race; choice.

Carl's Only Vice

Is entered for the main track only but seems an unlikely candidate to get the chance to run given the weather forecast; Weather.com is calling for partly cloudy skies leading up to Wed.-Byron King

Race 4

Flay Mignon

Returns from 5 months on the shelf while entered for sale for the first time since the debut score; Jersey bred crushed an overmatched bunch of her own kind when last sighted and if still intact, her speed should make her prominent from the outset from this inside draw; she catches a solid bunch in this cozy field but at this trip she will likely have to be run down.

Lil Honey Badger

Returns to this level after getting second money on the drop to claimers in her second local spin of the season; she does figure to get a solid clip in front of her and maybe the slightly shorter trip helps, but she's yet to run close to fast enough to win this.

Risque Reality

Ran ok behind the top 2 when trying this level for the first time off the freshening; she's quick enough to stick close to the pacesetters early and she does have a right to be better second time over the track; barn does boast a local winner and Rosario sticks with her; worth a look.

Elena Strikes

Drops out of the graded stakes ranks for her first start in half a year for a barn that has had a terrific stand and their top pilot will get back aboard her today; filly fired off drills to begin her career last year and she boasts a steady recent worktab for her return; she brings some class to the table and certainly has a right to show up faster as a sophomore than ran as a baby; looks to be the one to hold off at this level.

Spring Along

She's a 30K in training buy who went for more than 12 times that amount when sent through the sales ring following her impressive maiden score; she did explode late in that debut win and maybe she is simply very talented, but she's been away more than 8 months and she'll have a longer trip to deal with first time over this track in the comebacker for a new outfit that doesn't do so well with this type first time under their care; trying to beat her.-Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Farewell Kiss

Exits her 3rd straight start where she posted a new-career Top Beyer speed figure; defeated 3 next-out winners including the show, 5th and 6th-place finishers they Beyered 70-68-54 in next-out GP-35K-20K-$12,500 claiming wins; today is the 2nd-longest layoff of career so must be ready for best to win this; keeps the hot hand in Castellano; hopes Utootweet can pressure Two Step Flor from the gate to help her chances of getting up in time after saving ground from the rail; the pick.

Two Step Flor

Try to catch me but today marks the longest-distance test of career; unfortunately she was eased in her only 6.5F start vs. stakes company; gets in with her lightest-weight assignment ever and may have bounced in last off her 2-back field-best Beyer; seems the one to beat.

G P Ricky

Today marks the longest distance of her career; beaten choice was screaming out for more yardage at TAM in last; the main knock against is she was no match for Two Step Flor when they met up 7 weeks ago on GP dirt; posted her career-best Beyer in her 1st start over the GP-main track off a 64-day layoff with 33 days idle for this; have mixed feelings.

Who Is This Lady

Has been best at 1F shorter than today's event with 3 light Beyers off her career-Top speed figure in December; rates a lot better vs. Farewell Kiss on a fast track noting she was easily defeated by that one on a wet oval; needs a big Beyer boost to make any impact here.

You Never Learn

Another who stretches out to her longest-distance test ever; today marks the lowest claiming price of her career; could not handle Two Step Flor when they mached up 2-back and lacked stamina in latest but keeps the win rider; is eligible to improve 2nd time back off the 60-day layoff but will it be enough to make an impact here?

Utootweet

Figures to sit just off Two Step Flor then hopes to wear that one down while holding trying to hold off Farewell Kiss; drops to lowest price-tag ever after finishing last when getting the stakes-to-claiming class plunge; the 2-back winner and show finishers Beyered 80-69 in next-out 300K-85K-CRC-stakes wins; steady workout on display 1st time PLopez riding a 29%-winning jockey-trainer combo since 2013; contender.

Hard Knocking Lady

Reunites with the debut-win rider; she's lacked stamina in recent losses; was primed for this on the lawn noting her lone win was on the lead but saw none of her gate speed in the 2-back loss; view as a pace presence for part pressing Two Step Flor and Utootweet wide.-Art Gropper

Race 7

Otto The Great (GB)

Still seeking that first stateside victory; the last win came in a $17.4K stakes at Newmarket in the summer of 2012 going 7 furlongs; blinks added to no avail last time; has some things to iron out.

Alley Oop Oop

The last time this guy was offered for sale he beat $25K N2L claimers at Calder in the slop by over 9 lengths with an 85 Beyer; he is proven fresh on this course; apparently not much of a work horse, but he knows all the tricks at 6 anyway; winner of last took a $25K optional next out and the 10th and 2nd finishers ran one/two next out respectively in a G3 at Tampa; he could be well placed fresh; must hurry.

Upgrade

Brown doesn't dip into the claim box all that often so fact he does raises eyebrows; proven locally and only out of the money once on the course; runner has more speed than he just flashed but he seems comfortable settling and tracking; respect.

Perfect Tay

Toss last, wrong surface; proven here fresh, he has a decent turn of late foot but has just a couple of published works off the extended layoff; trainer spotted them fine last year with limited starters; look for him late if at all.

Tiree

Smoke Glacken has hit with 8% of his first-time turfers in a 331-horse sample; sire won Grade 1s Hopeful, earner over $750K, never tried grass; dam was unraced and lone sibling to race took 5 dirt sprints; he goes from one potent barn to another, has drilled steadily and fast for this and looms an astute purchase.

Balino

Wonder if the yielding course win last summer just zapped him?; he had to hit the pine and has been stopping badly since; show horse in last took a $32K Tampa optional next out and the place horse won at this very level there in next; will at least muddle the pace.

Banzai Charge

He's fired every times, seems to have some try in him and note show horse in last was over 3 clear; place horse in last took a $25K optional here in next and the 8th finisher beat $50K starter foes next out; he did it his way beating Sinatra in last and one could envision him sitting 7 or 8 off an honest pace begging for room in the lane.

Padilla

Bothered at the break in the last pair, note he won at Calder last summer in a stretch out situation and he was inching toward the winner two back; Rosario hired for capable barn due to get rolling.

Band of Joy

He snapped a long slump in last but won in game style; like fact he has speed but can come from left field too; place horse in last took a $20K optional 2/28 and the 4th finisher beat N1X foes next out; repeat well within the scope.

A P Elvis

Gelding was right there at the top of the lane, could not carry on with the momentum; he has the 2 races to draw from and showed more energy in the drill on the 23rd; 7th finisher in last won in this league at Tampa next out and the 12th finisher ton a starter here in next; must hurry.

Empire Builder

Been a long time since this runner has seen a cameraman; 7th finisher in last took a $100K optional next out and the winner beat $40K optional foes at Calder just over a month ago; passing.-Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Exclusive Ute

Drops down after a troubled debut run against better stock; her sire won 3 of 4 attempts and 92K; the dam won 4 of 15 and 101K; among the winning siblings is 99K earner Perfect Cherokee; hard to decipher.

Philomene

Could not keep pace in the last venture when caught wide and she now draws comfortably; her sire won multiple G2s and 654K while the dam never raced; this is her only foal to make it to the races; improvement expected with the descent to this level.

Marquee's Honor

Newcomer has been breezing steadily; offspring of Marquetry, a multiple G1 type who banked 2.84 million, have scored in 39 out of 662 debuts; the dam lost her only race; winning siblings include 254K earner Princess Freebie.

Blush Again

Showed improved prompting speed in that third test over the lawn and now tries claimers, and the main oval, for the first time; latest half-mile breeze is very upbeat and she appears to be realistically placed here despite being bred for the green.

Fantastic Voyage

A fine showing last month when losing by a diminishing length; not sure if she will receive as solid an early pace today and that will likely compromise her chances; note swift blowout on 2/26, thus she is worth some trifecta play.

See Trouble

In her first try again winners, she unleashed a bold late charge to just miss; extra furlong should help her cause today as should the most recent breeze at five-eighths; possible major player despite the numerical rise in company.

Santa Mia

Never fired in her maiden voyage but she was only 5 to 1 that day and did not break alertly; her sire won a G1 and 424K while the dam was without a victory in 6 attempts; among the winning siblings is 127K earner Favorite Flashback.

Lucky Black

Dons blinkers for the first time after an even comeback race, a turf affair which was mighty fast in all aspects; she may find herself closer to the pace than normal with this surface and distance transition; cannot be dismissed by any means.-Jim Kachulis