Gulfstream: Closer Looks for March 9, 2014

Race 1

Vianney Lane

Raced evenly in her second start since December but was caught wide throughout in that performance; has scored from the fence in the past and should secure a much better journey here, especially with the returning the winning distance; veteran mare has a legit chance.

Courtney Ryan

Ultra-consistent lady goes for the hat trick and can win over various types of footing; repulsed a midway challenge in the latest sprint score and is the one to catch today; exceptionally dangerous if not challenged in the opening stages; odds-on status likely again.

Special Jak

Warhorse was nowhere near the hedge in her comeback race of a month ago; best efforts on the main during the last few seasons have been around 2 turns; not sure she can rally in time against one-turn specialists; Castellano, who continues to ride lights out, remains loyal.

Don't Tell Patti

Ran fairly well behind Courtney Ryan in previous attempts but has only one lifetime victory at the mile to her name; disappointed at 4 to 5 in the last run over the slop but that was only her second start under new management; exacta slice possible.

Shalala

Has responded to the touch of this apprentice with a pair of victories, earning a personal best Beyer in the latest score; certainly worth some inclusion in exotic wagers if catching yet another off-track; on a fast surface, she is likely to be compromised.

Miss Dayna Lee

Racing exclusively on the turf in all recent starts yet she is a .500 hitter as far as winning on the main track at today's distance; might be the one to make first run on Courtney Ryan and can affect the outcome if pressuring her before the turn for home.

Race 2

Renzo Bertoni

Searching out for the correct level off the non-winners of 3 claiming victory 3-back when defeating the show finisher who posted a 79 Beyer speed figure in a next-out TAM allowance win; has never raced this far but style suggests 12F could be well within his scope; contender.

Wings of Fortune

Clearly the 1 win and 7 exacta finishes leaps off the form at you as a runner who often races well in defeat; a few of those exacta finishes have been at today's-12F distance; a good sign that the sizzling Castellano keeps the faith but a well-timed ride is needed; the winner and show runner 2-back Beyered 92-89 in next-out GP-optional claiming wins; the one to beat.

Big John B

Been far off best form in his 2 races since claimed off a win; stretches way out for this seeking answers at his longest-distance test ever; wish we saw a sustained run in recent losses; a winner at 9F during career when closing well he has plenty to prove off recent losses.

Dancing Lounge

Graduated at today's distance at DEL but the last time sent this far was a 44-length loss; 72 days since ending his 4-year-old season a winner defeating the 5th and 6th-place finishers they Beyered 88-77 in next-out CRC-OPC and TAM-16K-claiming wins; the 2-back exacta finish looks better since the winner repeated in a MED-OPC with an 89 Beyer; have mixed reviews from his previous-fresh races suggesting we take a wait and see approach for this.

Lumberyard Jack

Seems the one to catch; was claimed off a last-to-1st rally 3 races ago but has shown gate speed at times during career including last and catches a paceless event here; April, 2012, was an SA winner at today's distance but must find the missing stamina.

Cozy Kitten

Today marks the longest-distance test of his career trying to bounce back exiting his lowest speed figure since November; 6-1-0-0 record since the claim and off last is a tough call; trying to remember his 92 field-best Beyer posted October, 2011, on SA turf a show finish in a Grade 2 at 9F.

Kingston Jamaica (IRE)

Another who has never raced this far previously but 2-back at 10F earned his best Racing Post Rating in Ireland chasing the winner who repeated in a 1.6M event next out; his USA debut was flat 15 days ago but likely we will see much better 2nd time back off the long layoff; the pick.

Race 3

Another Big Cat

Lost all chance at the start of her debut last autumn and the returning breeze pattern is only modest; her sire won a G1 stakes and 804K overall; the dam won 1 of 6 and 17K; among the winning siblings is 17K earner My Chula.

Forever for Always

Scheduled to go without blinkers for the first time after being caught wide in the latest run over the lawn; lands into a very light field for the price tag involved and may improve suddenly with the surface switch; remains a difficult call.

Aoleon

Raced evenly in the only start but that was long ago; her sire won a G1 and 536K while the dam involved was unraced; winning siblings include 118K earner Arresting Officer; average works for the most part along the comeback trail.

Five Star Dixie

Did not fire in her 2014 debut but was facing much better company that day; ran into repeat winners in the previous pair of outings and, by default, may be much closer to the early lead here; should be in the mix with a clean getaway.

My Cousin Fay

Encountered trouble in her first attempt over the grass; previous run was a fair showing and if she can improve upon that performance, has strong chances against this crew; can return instant dividends for the new connections.

Tapitinsilver

First time for a tag, always a potent handicapping angle; she ran fairly well considering the loss of ground in her last attempt; clear outside post today should work to her advantage; improvement is expected.

Race 4

Acting On a Feelin

Sire wins with approximately 16% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal from a dam who won 2 of 10 starts for 57k, and all of her starts were over turf; this barn can have one ready to go long over turf at first asking and it's interesting to see Rosario get the call.

Lady Go Go

She took a step in the right direction along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in her first start wearing blinkers in her latest outing and this looks like a sensible drop in class for her; third place finisher from latest returned to win next out here on 2/17 going 1m over turf vs. 16k MCL's with a 67 Beyer.

Boston Garden

She hasn't finished better than fourth through her first 15 starts and she was beaten by a few of today's rivals in her most recent race; she has the look of an outsider.

Nice to Regal

She sports the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here and she earned that figure in a race that featured a few of today's rivals; if she's ready to come back with that same level of performance, she'll make one of these have to jump up to beat her.

Guigue's Miracle

El Soprano has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this mare was soundly defeated by a couple of today's rivals in her most recent start; she's going to need to show up with an improved performance if she's to get the better of this field.

Transformer

She exits the same race as today's rival Lady Go Go and the third place finisher from that race returned to win next out here on 2/17 going 1m over turf vs. 16k MCL's with a 67 Beyer; obviously an improved performance is a must in order for her to contend.

Sofialeonor

It's difficult to place confidence in her for the top spot when seeing her 14-0-4-3 race record, but she ran well when finishing behind today's rival Nice to Regal in her latest start, and she's capable of securing a spot underneath in the exotics.

Race 5

Farmers Market

Drops out of the allowance ranks while switch back to the lawn off another weak try; 5 year old doesn't have much early foot and it has been a while since he's been competitive on the green; in his current form he looks to be up against it today.

Sammy Alexander (GB)

Steps up fresh after running away from cheap Tampa claimers at a slightly longer trip; maybe that's the one he needed to get his confidence back as he was pretty good over the course around this time last year and a top pilot will get aboard for this one; barn has had recent success with runners returning from this type of break.

Rose Brier

Ran past claimers over a course with some give in it after sitting a nice trip in his second start of the year; gelding clearly likes the local sod and he is quick enough to secure a pace tracking spot against this better bunch; with some time to get over the career best Beyer effort he looks to be a big repeat threat.

Console

Sprinter hasn't been the same since the sharp Saratoga wire job last summer and he was offered for the optional tag last time when this sharp outfit bit; maybe the stretchout helps get him closer to the top early and his work the other day suggests he's on his toes for this; he wasn't too far off the winner last time but he wasn't very good the lone time he went long which was one of his 3 off the board finishes in as many local tries; have to side with others.

Screenplay

Seven year old looked good beating cheaper in his first off the claim by this sharp outfit and now they return him in a protected spot; 2 time course winner hasn't been the most consistent sort of late, but he did run rather fast over the local sod last winter and maybe after his last he's ready to get back on his best game; consider.

At Large

Lightly raced 4 year old ran down sprinters as the chalk after getting a pretty hot clip in front of him last time; gelding tackles the route for the initial time in here and his lone sib only won sprinting so don't know that he's going to love the trip; he does enter this one the improve, though, and he's shown he has no problem passing runners.

Native Wave

Took a step back in his Tampa finale after taking 3 straight and 4 of his last 5 on the green; cut back to this trip could help enhance his kick and he does have the positional kick to secure a good spot from the bell; can't count him out in his local debut.

Master Achievement

Just missed after being afforded a moderate clip when in against allowance runners last time; gelding has solid early foot so he figures to find a spot up close from the bell on the slight cut back here and he will get the services of a solid journeyman pilot; he's had his stamina issues of late, but he should have every shot to prove he can go on in here.

Hey Leroy

Outside drawn gelding has been runner up in his last 3 tries and each of them earned a number that would make him a big player if repeated in here; expect he'll be a little further off the pacesetters than he was while pressing a slow clip last time, but he's certainly capable of rallying; barn isn't having a great stand but they look to have the one to beat in this spot.

Kings Over

MTO steps up after crushing conditioned claimers on the class drop in his first start of the year; barn does terrific work with its runners second back from the break and Rosario will stick with him if the rains come; hasn't run so well over a wet track, but he figures tough to beat if he meets the starter today.

Race 8

Sweet Whiskey

She has run well each time except for aiming too high, too early, in the G1 Spinaway (her only try over an off-track); seems capable of being within range of presumed pacesetter Whomping Willow whose maiden breaker at the distance was impressive; obvious true contender but false odds are certain.

Fierce Boots

Cross-reference the recent workouts of this filly with Sweet Whiskey, the other Pletcher trainee; she stopped cold while setting soft fractions in her Big A finale but is much more talented than that run implies; raced evenly in her sole try at this tricky distance.

Thank You Marylou

Rested since a trouble-filled try in a G2 last summer at Saratoga; returning breeze pattern is very steady with the latest drill at five-eighths a vast improvement; expert connections make her worth consideration especially if the price on the board is square.

Luna Santa

Nowhere in her local debut when facing far better stock; has shown only minor rallying gear in comparison to these fillies and cannot be endorsed as a serious candidate; juicy price on the board is assured despite the major class relief.

Naive Enough

Her November finale was deceptive as she lost plenty of energy prior to the start; note the upbeat nature to the workout regimen during the last month or so and she could prove to be the right value play since today's rail runner is likely to be heavily overbet; consider on that premise.

Golden Friendships

The most experienced member of this field did well to capture the place 3 weeks ago but now tackles far swifter company; may inherit a share if there is a serious pace meltdown but cannot vote for the top spot under any conditions.

Whomping Willow

She is the key to the race from a pace standpoint; when graduating last month, she defeated a well-bet firster from the Pletcher barn; the previous placing is noteworthy also as she lost to In Tune who stretched out to win thereafter earning an 87 Beyer; recommended.

Boheme de Lavi

Confirmed closer received a hot pace in the last outing at Calder and rallied strong to just miss the place; the extra distance today, theoretically, should help but the fractions may not be as testy in this event; returns to the touch of winning rider Prado.

Race 9

My Miss Sophia

Earned a big number from the big pace effort when holding second money in her sprint debut last month; Pletcher barn excels with its second out runners and this filly will get another top pilot for the stretchout; dam was a G2 SP sprinter but she did drop a route winner and the sire's half of the pedigree suggests she could well prove to be a nice miler; one to catch and beat.

Quinnkat

Field's most experienced filly turns back off a solid route placing while equipped with shades for her first start of the year; she returned to work well and wasn't bad at one turn in restricted stakes company across town last summer; barn and pilot are having a rough go of it here and this gal may not have the upside of her foes, but she's capable of getting in the exotics mix.

Union Mettle

Pricey in training buy last spring is eligible to face restricted types up in New York but they opt to unveil her against open company down here; filly topped off her work tab with a solid Palm Meadows worktab; her sire gets about 11% winners from his debut runners and the unraced dam dropped winners from each of her 3 foals to race, one of whom scored routing.

Color Me Flying

Took a step forward second out in the slop after getting on track too late when sent 2 turns in her debut run; filly did show a nice turn of foot in that last one and has returned to work pretty well at her base for this; dam was a route SW and 139K earner and the sire was an excellent miler in his day; contender.

Sky Bird

Sire gets about 8% first out winners from his debut runners and the limited route winning dam dropped a couple of good ones in G3 SP sprinter and 355K earner Declan's Warrior and G3 SP, SW Canonize who banked 271K; barn doesn't usually ask them for their best first out but she will get Lasix and does boast a steady recent worktab.

Another Blue

Drew the fence in her debut here last month and lost her best shot with a slow break; expect she'll move forward with the experience behind her for a barn that hits at a nice clip second time out; lone sib was a limited route winner so maybe the added ground will help as she gets another solid pilot.

Senior Prom

She's yet to tackle a dry strip and failed to go with one of these over a wet track last time; filly has been working ok at her base for this and her SW dam did win routing prior to dropping a multiple route winner; price will be right but she's got some improving to do.

Alexandra's Storm

Adds the hood for her first local start under this new outfit's care; filly didn't offer much in either of her 2 sprint starts in New York but she is kin to a handful of winners including a couple of sibs who won going long and she has been working ok of late for her return to the races.

Flashy Brass

Got going too late after a poor break when in for a tag in her turf debut run over the local sod; she worked well late last month for her return to the races and did run into a slew of next out winners in her lone start; 6 of her 7 main track winning sibs did so going long.

Farm Fresh

Failed to make any kind of impact in her local sprint debut last month and now she'll stretch out for a barn that does well with its second out runners; SP dam was a main track route winner and her other foal to race did win going long, but this gal's debut try makes it tough to get excited about her chances today.

Full of Sugar

Outside drawn filly adds the hood for her return from the freshening after getting used pressing the pace in her local debut; she's been working regularly in the interim for her return and a top pilot will stick with her, but the barn hasn't had a very good stand thus far; all 5 of her sibs to race are winners including 2 who won routing.

Race 10

Thunder On Tap

Reunites with the win rider after empty at long odds and in the lane at Tampa 3 weeks ago; her 3-back graduation win looks better since the show runner posted a 70 Beyer speed figure in a next-out GP-25K-maiden-claiming win; saves ground then makes one run trying to sneak into the exotics.

Sandcastle

Projects to battle with Adriani and Running Debi C for the lead; the 6-0-0-0 record since the March, 2012, GP-dirt sprint win does not help the confidence level with serious issues if getting the 7.5F distance is even within her scope; view as a pace presence for part.

Unseen Visitor

The field's best Beyer was posted last summer on DMR synthetic at 6.5F; troubled when falling in his 2 back turf loss then produced his lowest speed figure since April in last; beat winners last summer at shorter 6F on the green; clearly both GP losses can be excused but still would need a serious wakeup call to many any impact here.

Riverboat Queen

28%-winning long-layoff trainer while late runner cuts back to her shortest-distance test ever; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 82 in a next-out SAR-OPC win; the 3-back DQd runner-up won her next 2 starts with 83-82 speed figures taking 66-61K-MTH stakes; would think she's going to be closing fast; contender.

Adriani

Needed last start off the long layoff and hopes to improve stamina while cutting back a half furlong adds to the appeal; figures to battle Running Debi C and Sandcastle to the front then must hold off the closers; the 2-back winner repeated in a SAR-100K event with an 88 Beyer; the 3-back runner-up Beyered 80 in a next-out IND-allowance win.

Cavetto (GB)

Beyers are on the light side when compared against this group; faded from post 11 in last while today's 7.5F distance is clearly a major hurdle to overcome; exits a race with 1st blinkers and a new Beyer Top; beat the debut show runner who won her next 4 races Beyering 80-80-90-91 including a 100K stakes.

Viva Allegiance

Last win was accomplished at 1F longer than today's event and appeared to be screaming out for more yardage in last but cuts back for this; obviously not easy to improve a runner claimed off 2 high-percentage win trainers while getting her 4th different rider in as many races is not a good-win angle.

Running Debi C

She's won on the lead at longer but projects to press Sandcastle and Adriani to the front then hopes to find the missing stamina; the trainer's best win angle is route-to-sprint while getting a new rider for this seeking answers; know her early but unsure about late.

Hard Truth

Today is the longest-distance test of career while winless on the grass; the winner from last repeated in a PID-25K claimer with a 76 Beyer; not much last time on the weeds January, 2013, beating one runner home; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Sunset Time

Main Track Only entry has been away 10 weeks since winning her 1st dirt race ever and her 1st race on a wet track; she is doing the rain dance for this; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-100K stakes with a 92 Beyer; the 3-back winner is now 5-for-5 scoring right back in an EMD-50K event with a 78 speed figure.

Oasis At Midnight

Exits a career-best Beyer when closing well at longer; getting up in time off last is a concern; a wet track winner but showed nothing in last 2 races on wet footing; her last win was at shorter but needs a well-timed rally to score; Sandcastle seems the one to beat if this is moved to dirt.

Race 11

Angle

Half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Demarcation (10-44, 687k, including 3 of 19 turf starts for 166k) wasn't able to get much going in her career debut, but this barn is plenty capable of having one ready for better at second asking.

Storm Now

She shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with Smart Ashley and this late running filly might be ready for her best performance to date while making her second start as a 3-year-old and her second start wearing blinkers.

Fancy Ribbons

Half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner El Commodore (6-32, 284k over turf) looks like she's on the improve and she probably didn't care for how far out of it she found herself through the opening stages in her latest start; she commands respect as a contender.

Dreaming of Kitten

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and this is the first foal to race from a dam who was winless from five starts, and she didn't make a turf start; 4th finisher from latest, Patsy's Holiday, won next out here on 2/2 going 1m over turf vs. 75k MCL's with a 62 Beyer.

Dance Craze

She finished right behind today's rival Fancy Ribbons in her latest start and this lightly raced miss is a 1/2 to multiple stakes winner Welcome Dance (4-13, 162k over turf) and G3 stakes placed Fredericksburg (3-11, 161k over turf).

Smart Ashley

She's run well enough in her four turf attempts to merit contender status in here, but it might be a little bit of a concern to see the way that she's racked up third-place finishes in those races; regardless, going to look for her to give a good account of herself in her second start back from a layoff and her second start with Lasix and blinkers.

Lusaka

Not thrilled with the effort she showed up with against 12 rivals in her career debut, but this barn is eligible to have one ready for a much improved performance at second asking, and Castellano has won with 38 of 105 (36%) mounts for this outfit at the current meeting.

Costenia

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won two of six turf starts for 115k; it's probably worth noting the presence of Leparoux aboard another in here, but this miss has plenty of turf in her pedigree and she gets Lasix for her first turf test.

Queen's Parade

She's another daughter of top turf influence Giant's Causeway being represented in here and this 200k purchase goes out for a barn that has been doing strong work with turf starters; this outfit doesn't usually have them cranked up at first asking, so an improved performance can be expected.