Gulfstream: Closer Looks for March 7, 2014

Race 2

Coro Coro

Inside again, note show horse was 5 clear; he has the speed to flee the fence, but note he has lost ground in the lane in every single race; you get the feeling if he is looked in the eye, he'll blink.

Tapitgold

One and done in MSW land, in for $80K less than purchase price; Grade 3 dam took debut at 2, was 7 for 25, won over a million; one of 3 siblings won; that runner Honey Crisp, took 2 of 18, banked over $130K; must be given legit look on the drop alone.

Bird E House

Lost all chance when clipping heels; 2 for 8 dam won at 2, earned over $60K; lone half sis to race My House took 3 of 10, banked about $25K; trainer spotted them just fine with limited starters last year; may need a local effort.

Moonwalker

This appears to be his level; could see him sitting a nice stalk and pounce trip; can't fault those that give him another shot at glory and making amends for flop as the chalk.

Swiper

Concerto about 13% with debuters in a 297-runner sample; sire won thrice at 2, won multiple stakes including a Grade 2, took 10 of 21, earned over $1.3 million; 3 for 15 dam won all of her races at 2; both siblings won multiple times in the minor leagues; no published moves beyond 4 furlongs but the blowout on the 23rd suggests he is feeling pretty good about himself.

Rico Rolando

Colt seems realistically placed here; G3 placed 3 for 15 dam earned nearly $125K; this is her first to race; don't be shocked if this runner moves forward.

Hurricaner

Off a career effort, has to find a way to turn the tables on the rail among others; all 3 siblings did win multiple times and one banked nearly $90K; rider has had success for this barn; slight improvement and he'll be around the wire. - Brian Mulligan

Race 4

Danny's Hope

Catches older foes while stretching out for the initial time in his return from the brief break; sophomore hasn't been a threat since breaking his maiden at Calder second time out and there's not a lot to suggest he's going to jump up with a big number in this spot; have to pass on him today.

Chile Dude

Hit the bench off his first start as a sophomore last winter; colt didn't offer much from the fence in that one but his prior 2 turn maiden score earned him a number that plays out well in this spot; don't know that he'll be set to offer his best first time back from better than 13 months on the sidelines, but if he is he can have a say in the outcome of his comebacker.

B E Boston Strong

Beaten odds on choice offered a decent late kick after encountering trouble at the break in that sprint heat; today's added trip plays out quite well for him and he owns some of the better surface numbers in the field; looks like they'll again have him to beat.

He Has Charm

New York bred proved little match for his foes at this trip and level in his local debut run and the runner up from that heat returns in this spot as well; he did return to work well from the local gate, but none of this guy's recent starts for this outfit suggest he'll be able to threaten here; can't back him here.

Cashleigh

Just missed at this trip when dropped in for this price last time and he's had better than 6 weeks to get over the effort; gelding should be able to sit a solid trip from the outset and though he picks up some weight as a result, he'll get the services of a solid journeyman pilot for this; appears to be the main danger.

El Tuscano

Stretches back out off a couple of beaten chalk efforts sprinting across town; quick return suggests they feel he has more to offer and he should be able to get involved in pace at this extended trip; price will be much better here and that warrants him some exotics consideration.

Rey Rocket

Gelding drops in price for the surface switch off another poor turf try; barn does boast some recent luck on the surface switch and maybe he finds this bunch more to his liking, but he hasn't done much in either of his local main track tries; has a lot to prove in his current form. - Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Big Gus

36-day absence off his 1st wet-track start which saw his Beyer speed figure regress 2nd-time out; high-percentage fresh trainer and cuts the price in half today seeking an improved race 2nd time off the long layoff; must show more.

Morichal

Wish the worktab was more eye catching but catches an event lacking superstars; sire is 46-for-290 with 1st-time starters; is out of a Grade 3-stakes-winning dam (7-for-17, 235K) who won her career debut by more than 10 lengths; her only other foal to race is 2-0-0-0 Sacred Alibil; gives away experience to each rival; capable-debut barn but a 6%-winning jockey-trainer combo since 2013.

Devils Peak

31%-winning 1st off the claim trainer is noted; the barn's speciality is maiden-claiming winners nailing 39% since 2013; does the barn change mean enough to turn the tables on Unleash the Talent?; figures to press Sea Zar Run and Wild ZZZZ from the gate then hopes to find the missing stamina.

Sea Zar Run

Cutting back to 5.5F is a big plus noting his last exacta finish occurred at today's distance; projects to race on the lead with Wild Z Z Z Z as the main pursuer; despite latest-career best Beyer speed figure he again lacked the finishing punch after dueling for the front; know him early then hopes to hang on late.

Unleash the Talent

Just 2 starts so still has upside for this; main concern is being claimed off a high-win percentage trainer which is not a good-win angle however the new barn is 1-for-1 first off the purchase since 2013; figures to work out an ideal trip stalking the speed like last; seems the one to beat.

Pulpit Spirit

Extended layoffs after all 3 defeats where he has not defeated 1 runner; the runner-up from last took a CRC-MSW next out with a 60 Beyer; today is the lowest-weight assignent ever while latest was his 1st start with front wraps on; the 2-back runner-up Beyered 67 in a next-out PRX-MSW win; would be a surprise.

Wild Z Z Z Z

New trainer off the career-best Beyer and near-miss finish racing with 1st blinkers; Sea Zar Run seems the one to catch but he figures to press that one from the gate then hopes to hold off the late runners; new barn yields high-win percentage marks with fresh and runners 1st time racing for the trainer; the pick.

Larcenyinmyheart

Drops to lowest price tag ever and figures tough to hold off late considering he was troubled at the gate break of last; would seem he would benefit from a little more yardage than last but cuts back a half furlong for this; clearly the 3F workout leading into this event does not help the confidence level but a contender nonetheless. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Thunder Run

A case can be made for him being better off racing over dirt or a synthetic surface than turf but he still has to be considered a top contender while dropping in class for this; maybe it's worth noting the presence of Rosario aboard another in here, but Castellano has won with 23 of 57 (40%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Our Mystical Man

He took a step in the right direction at second asking, but he did benefit from a favorable early pace scenario, and he will need a sharper overall performance to get the better of the top contenders in this one.

Executive Session

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his first-time starters and with approximately 14% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal from a dam who won 3 of 17 starts for 79k, including 3 of 16 turf starts for 79k; he has pedigree appeal and a couple of his workouts hint at ability.

Mesa Way

He hasn't run poorly since being placed over turf at second asking but it does look like this group of 50k maiden claimers can prove to be a little bit too tough for him to tackle.

School Yard

The 67 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field, and this looks like a good spot for him to land in while making his first start for a new barn after claim; it doesn't hurt to see Rosario aboard.

Scat Leader

He's by a fine turf sire and can't count out the possibility of him showing up with a much sharper showing at second asking while dropping in class for a top barn; like to see John V. get the call for this.

Grizzle

He's run pretty well since being equipped with blinkers at second asking but it does look like he's going to need to step it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale if he's planning on threatening the top contenders in here.

Pilatus

Lightly raced gelding is a full to Kiss Me Lola (1-6, 80k over turf) and he showed enough in his career debut to suggest that he should be taken seriously while making his first start against maiden claimers.

Acaramelao

Like to see that he's dropping in class for this but still feel that this group of 50k maiden claimers might be too tough for him to handle; his lack of early speed makes him a candidate to be outrun every step of the way. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Wild N Clever

Offlee Wild 5 for 74 with first-time turfers; sire won at 2, took a G1, banked nearly a million, never turfed; dam was unraced; the one for 19 lone sibling lost 11 times on grass; note place horse was over 4 clear in last; miss has some semblance of speed, but can't see her clearing here; would be careful. educated in the debut, a tag short in the second start, game in the Canadian finale; the 2nd and 6th finishers in last took MSW races next out;

Contrail

Maybe she just wanted grass all along; the win over the course can only help but there is a foe here that can go :21 flat if asked; probably needs to improve to repeat.

Little Michelle

Miss showed the agility to overcome getting pinballed at the gate and then get it into gear and run down her rivals; she has already repaid her $2K purchase price and the pace figures to be hot enough to help the cause; look for her late if at all.

Starship Journey

Filly moved up big time once she tasted the grass; she may have been over her head in the 2013 closer, just held it together in last when sizzling early; the 2nd and 4th finishers in last took MSW events next out and the 9th finisher took a maiden $12.5K seller; only one poor effort and she was troubled that day; interesting.

Henny Jenney

Henny Hughes about 12% with first-time turfers in a 114-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, won a couple of G1s, banked over $1.1 million; dam took 2 sprints, was out of the money in only turf out; both siblings won multiple times, both earned at least $230K; the one that tried grass Zeewat lost only shot at turf but took stakes and earned over $350K; place horse two back graduated next out and the winner repeated in a $100K stakes, then won a $98K stakes with a 96 Beyer 2/8 at AQU; could be left with a ton of work to do late.

Inner Goddess

The spotty race record is a bit of a concern; she was getting late in the lone win, had excuse of slop two back, but caved in badly in turf bow; she has a right to have a nice career as kin to one-time grass winner and over $300K earner Brave Dave; last angle to think about: this rider is 28% for this outfit.

City in Sky

Dueled into submission in the lone grass run; over 6 clear two back, she was bet like a good thing and Pino has a super eye for a claim to the tune of 32% in the last year or so; she has the win edge on the field and that may show at crunch time.

Sweet Emma Rose

Ward has brought runners across the pond with success and he almost pulled the trigger at 16-1 with this gal last year; the 5/18 race came back triple live; the show horse has won 4 times since, the last in a $35K optional; place horse 5/18 won next out in a $50K Colonial stakes and the 5/18 winner won twice since, the last in a $75K stakes at Delaware; miss was 5 clear; the one to beat.

Maco Light

Miss wanted no part of the route game in last; she will probably be pretty far back early on; has some things to iron out.

Pocket Gift

Like fact she has run well at a number of different venues and maybe she was just short in last; 10/19 place horse won next out and then took a $50K optional 2/17 at LRL; lean toward watching a local outing. - Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Edge of Midnight

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 14 starts for 64k, including 0-for-2 over turf; this colt is a 1/2 to Ocean Surge (11-46, 132k, including 2 of 8 turf starts for 38k); this barn can have one ready for better with a move to turf, and note the addition of Lasix and the rider switch to Lezcano.

Skylar Bleu

He doesn't look like a bad fit at this level of competition, but he was beaten by today's rival Laws of the City in his most recent start, and he will need to step it up over what he's done in his two most recent races in order to contend.

Two Step Swag

This colt brings some early speed with him and he might appreciate getting back over turf for this; this is a barn that has been live at this meeting and this colt is a 1/2 to Classical Fashion (7-37, 170k, including 6 of 29 turf starts for 162k).

Fotografo

Sire wins with approximately 7% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this colt is a 1/2 to Camden Park (2-2, 45k over turf); he displayed improved early speed at second asking, but he's tough to recommend based on what he's shown so far, and Bernardini has not been a positive influence as a turf sire.

Casselberry

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from an unraced dam; winner from latest won next out here on 2/28 going 6f vs. 50k OPC's with a 78 Beyer.

Ben Jacob

His best effort might be strong enough to get him into the mix against these but it's difficult to place confidence in him for the top spot when seeing that he's seeking his first victory in career start number 14.

Duke of Ritchie

Maybe the drop in class can prove to be a key, but his complete lack of early speed is a major concern, and prefer to see him show up with a competitive performance before thinking about backing him.

Rumble Time

He has turf in his pedigree and he's out of a stakes placed dam who won 2 of 12 turf starts for 149k, and he's a 1/2 to Canadian Flag (2-8, 78k over turf); he was improved with the move to turf and addition of Lasix at second asking, and this looks like a favorable spot for him to land in.

Laws of the City

If you're looking for the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here, he has it, and he earned that figure racing over this turf course and at today's distance; he has a live look to him in this spot while getting a rider switch to Castellano.

Shorefellow

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his turf starters and stakes placed dam won 2 of 11 starts for 93k, including 2 of 6 turf starts for 72k; this colt is a 1/2 to G1 stakes placed Shore Do (7-46, 277k, including 3 of 21 turf starts for 139k). - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Danalake

Ignore his turf efforts especially the last one which involved an extra-wide trip; has limited sprint experience compared to his foes today yet the latest half-mile breeze did show distinct improvement; mixed signals for this lass who has raced only three times since 2012.

Salamera

Some of that back class re-surfaced last month when she turned in a strong second, finishing well in front of Sky Skier; she prefers to rally from close range and is rounding to form now; earned a G2 stakes-placing the only time she attempted this distance.

Sky Skier

Cuts back an important sixteenth of a mile today after a game try in her 2014 debut; shorter distance can help matters as should the latest breeze at five-eighths; still may have to run a personal best Beyer in order to be a serious money player in this event, a race which appears above average in quality for the class involved.

Jamaican Smoke

No shame in losing to the outstanding Groupie Doll; she was a pacesetting factor in that defeat last month and should be part of a softer tempo here; has the most consistent early speed of this group and will prove very dangerous if not challenged in the opening stages.

Calistoga

The most lightly-raced member of the group was involved in a bitter pace war last time out, a race which featured truly superior early fractions; was compromised in the previous run by unlucky post 13 before launching a strong but extra-wide bid; needs perfect touch by Rosario.

Elusive Fate

Shortens up in distance for her first start since November but benefits by drawing right outside of the 2 pure speeds in this event; reverts to original rider Leparoux who will have to reserve her for one late charge; note a.m. drill on 2/8.

Lucky Rag Doll

On the shelf since finishing a good third at the shore last summer; intrigued by the workout pattern that includes a drill at 7 furlongs; if all runners go, this filly will certainly receive a lively pace which will help with her rallying prospects; lands into a strong field, however.

Lil Red Cozette

Flashed only brief speed in her first attempt over the lawn and although game in victory in her first attempt against winners, she is meeting a far different caliber today; outside post a distinct plus allowing Velazquez to oversee the front-runners and the latest breeze was somewhat encouraging. - Jim Kachulis

Race 10

Ten Easy Street

She's shown the ability to be competitive against competition of this caliber, and if her recent workouts are any indication, this Calabrese-owned miss might be ready for a top try while making her first start back from a layoff.

Magic Lily

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this filly is a 1/2 to Lots of Tricks (7-44, 170k, including 2 of 12 turf starts for 38k); she has some early speed to employ and she's the only multiple winner signed on in here; this doesn't look like a bad spot for her to get over turf for the first time.

Slazarra

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam was winless from seven starts, including a couple of starts over turf; they have been trying to get her over turf lately and this is a barn that does some of their better work with turf starters.

Principessa Gina

It's easy enough to forgive her for the sub par performance in her latest outing when seeing that she stayed in an off-the-turf event, and her turf form has been plenty strong enough to give her a competitive look against these.

She's Coal Fired

She brings a high degree of early speed with her and this filly can benefit from a drop in class while making her first start as a 3-year-old; Davis has won with 12 of 28 (25%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Poor Etiquette

It might be worth noting the presence of Davis aboard another in here, but this filly hasn't run badly since being placed over turf two races ago, and Castellano has won with 5 of 11 (45%) mounts for this barn at the current stand.

Solitary

Although it wasn't a strong performance, she did earn a stakes placing in her only start over turf prior to this, and this has to be considered a realistic spot for her to give turf another try; note that she sports the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here.

Leeleegoteven

Like to see the way that her form has improved from day one, and the move to turf looks like it was a key for her; third-place finisher from latest returned to win next out at Crc on 2/14 going 5 1/2f vs. 32k MCL's with a 54 Beyer.

What Next

She might not mind getting another chance to see what she can do racing over turf and she's a 1/2 to G3 stakes palced Stormy Rush (4-15, 215k, including 2 of 12 turf starts for 142k).

Signofaffection

Imperialism has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this filly tired badly in her one start over turf prior to this; runner-up from latest returned to win next out here on 2/26 going 1m vs. 35k OPC's with a 64 Beyer.

Jojo's Gal

If this race has to be taken off the turf, this will be a favorable spot for this filly to get to meet up with winners for the first time, and even though she was heavily favored to break her maiden in her latest outing, she certainly made it look easy. - Brian Pochman