Gulfstream Park: Closer Looks for February 5, 2014

Race 1

Formal Quality

She has limited speed and the other mile effort was dismal; runner was off slowly in the mile try and if he doesn't come out here, he could be shuffled; needs a turn around.

Reina Mary

Far back the other times for this price; the sibling that won took 5 sprints; miss may have been intimidated by the rail last time; has some things to iron out.

Cocoanut Row

Miss never kicked from the marooned slot in last; backers can point to fact there are several route winners in the family and the top kin banked over $300K; backers have to hope the drop shakes her up.

Hugh Achoo

Soph got a taste of the conventional dirt and she brings legit speed to the party; sire was a Grade 1 winner routing; dam was unraced; the 2 siblings to race are a combined 0 for 6; look for rider to send hard and try to steal it.

Benny's Babygirl

Took money on the drop last time but never kicked; dam's lone win was a sprint; two of 3 siblings won, they were sprint only, one earned over $100K; blinks on today and it's been a potent ploy for Maker; needs a turn around.

Jill's Reflection

Tons best of the rest the other time for this price; sprint only siblings on the weak side; hung wide and eased the other time in a miler; would think long and hard before taking too short a number.

Indygo Red

Nearly got there in the Calder race and the show horse that day graduated next out at this level, then repeated in a $12.5K N2L with a 44 Beyer; must find away to turn the tables on the outside rival among others.

Zentillating Miss

Form has been less than zentillating; dam third in best result; 2 of 5 siblings won; top kin My Magic Moment carried speed long successfully on grass; can't endorse.

Broadway Secret

She did show some semblance of speed in the October race; Grade 2 placed sire did win routing; 5 of dam's 6 wins came routing; 2 of 3 siblings won; both won routing on grass; beaten double digits in 5 of 6; passing.

Runaway Bridle

Three clear and off a career Beyer, capable barn due for a bit of luck; backers can at least say lone sibling did take one route; could see him getting a nice stalk and pounce trip; don't ignore.-Brian Mulligan

Race 2

He's So Proud

4 straight exactas and 3 wins in a row; the 3-back victory was his only race ever on GP dirt which looks even better since the show finisher posted a 72 Beyer speed figure in his next-out GP-$6,250-claiming win; the win over the track was from today's rail draw so we know he can handle this assignment; projects to save ground stalking likely pacesetter Toh's Grey Cat then hopes to wear the all down in deep stretch.

Luigi Q

Exits his best finish since the CRC-October win at longer; 1st time ever on GP dirt for this stalker who hopes to work out a similar trip to He's So Proud as they save ground chasing the speed; main concern is he keeps being outfinished so hopes to hang on for a share with a well-timed ride.

Hold That Camera

Willing to dimiss the sloppy-track attempt in last but has a 3-0-0-0 record since the blowout-CRC-October win in a race originally schedled for turf; his 2 GP dirt races including latest in the slop were way off his best game and would need a significant wakeup call to land a share vs these.

Vero's Hero

Mixed reviews off the November-exacta finish when claimed; 2-back represents a career-best Beyer then he walked off after falling during the running of latest; the 0-for-22 record with the trainer going sprint-to-route does not add to the appeal that the needed-wakeup call is forthcoming.

Toh's Grey Cat

Try to catch me; 2 races on the lead off the September claim are both wins; 2 races where he didn't make the lead produced show and 5th-place finishes; the 3-back winner and runner-up Beyered 95-79 in next-out TP-58K stakes and HAW-starter alw. wins; exits his lowest Beyer since August but willing ro excuse that dull try because it was on a sloppy-main track.

No Act

Main issue is he's only raced twice at 1 Mile on dirt and they produced 4th and 5th-place finishes; wish we had more defined pace because this deep closer needs the speed to fall apart late; exits a career-best Beyer when screaming out for more than 7F and gets it here; his June-GP-exacta finish looks better after he beat the show runner who Beyered 83 in a next-out GP-10K-claiming victory.

J J's Lucky Train

Field-best Beyer speed figure occurred in a 7F-dirt stakes win on LRL dirt; has not raced this far since a September, 2011, loss in a 300K-PRX stakes race; won in 2010 in his 1st-ever 2-turn race on PRX dirt but is overall 1-for-6 in dirt routes; great sign that his 1st race off the claim was a win; 2-back was edged by the winner who repeated in a CRC-$6,250 claimer with a 69 Beyer; the 3-back winner repeated in a GP-optional claimer with an 85 speed figure.

Move Over

Exits his 1st-ever Mile race which was a victory; 2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle; the trainer purchased him off a win and capturing 2 of 3; the 6-for-10 GP dirt record leaps off the form at you; gets a class test after latest beating lesser when rallying like a wild horse from midpack; last dull race was September in a GP sprint; see lots of upside but does have something to prove for the newest conditioner.-Art Gropper

Race 3

Aspen Sky

Commendable first run despite losing as the favorite; he was caught very wide in that performance and now can atone from rail position; his sire won a G1 and 633K while the dam was unraced; winning siblings include 28K earner Thano.

Broadway Zen

Game to hold on to the place in his last run; the grey gets a better slot for today's assignment and should be on or near a softer early pace and benefit; odds will be entirely different here yet he still warrants some inclusion.

Red Fever

Raced evenly last month when visiting the claiming ranks for the first time; that was his first attempt with blinkers and he can give a better account of himself today with the return to the main oval; must avoid another slow getaway, however.

Solidario

Noteworthy breeze on the morning of 1/21; his sire won 1.5 million including G1 success (offspring of Burning Roman have won nearly 11 percent of their debuts); the dam did not compete; winning siblings include 17K earner Burning Vow.

High Gauge

Worked today's distance recently, a good sign; his sire won multiple G1s and 2.76 million (progeny of Afleet Alex have won 21 out of 305 initial starts); the dam won 2 of 6 and 83K; this is her only foal to start.

Casselberry

Flashed only brief speed in his maiden voyage on New Year's Day but the race itself was quick; his sire won a G1 and 380K while the dam did not race; this is her only foal to make it to the races; recent breezes are way above average.

Pep the Champ

Newcomer hails from G1 victor Wildcat Heir who banked 424K and whose descendants have won 53 out of 307 initial attempts; the dam never raced; among the winning siblings is 269K earner Fair Weather.

Goodboycharlie

Vast improvement in his December getaway race despite fading to fifth; he showed much more in the way of fighting speed in that event and the subsequent breeze pattern is fair; seems worth some inclusion if the odds are inviting again.

Runkle

Goes back to blinkers after displaying only mild late kick in his most recent performances; lost all chance in the last attempt when getting away slowest; can turn the tables on Broadway Zen if showing some of his old early zip; consider.-Jim Kachulis

Race 4

Sampson County

Drops in for a tag for the initial time while switching surfaces for a barn that's had some luck with limited starters here; maybe the shades help bring out some lick in him and his best career effort did come in a one turn dirt route in New York back in early fall; he's had his chances but is one to consider in here.

Elusive Success

Absentee also makes his first start for a tag while returning from more than 15 months on the shelf; 5 year old may find these easier and the barn does boast some recent luck off the break, but he didn't do much in any of his 3 sprint starts, 2 of which came over the local main track.

Raging Mane

Caught slop on the drop in his local return from half a year on the shelf and proved little threat to the top 2 finishers in that one; colt did show some speed here last season and maybe he's tighter for this, but he'll need to take a good step forward off what he's run in order to threaten here.

Sneaky Blowout

They tried the lawn with him last time and though he draw a tough post and broke poorly, he didn't do much running at all; 4 year old hasn't done much since moving to this barn last summer but he did run well on dirt last year and if he does have a move forward in him it should come over this type of footing.

Peter Castleboy

Last out runner up at the trip tries better in his first start off the claim by an outfit that hits at a big clip with this type; 4 year old really took to the new shades in that one and he'll get a huge rider switch today; looks to be the one they'll have to beat.

Full Ride

Fresh gelding is in for sale for the first time in his return to dirt; neither of his last 2 turf spins was much but he did run well at 2 turns over the Calder main track twice last year and should appreciate the return to this type of footing in his local dirt debut; one to consider.

Not Welcome

Sire gets 10% winners from his first out runners and the SP dam was a 7 time winner (5 routes) and 154K earner whose lone foal to race did win routing; works aren't much and the tab boasts a big recent gap, but the barn does boast some recent luck with newcomers.

Gray Day Lover

Gray broke at the back of the pack in his synthetic sprint debut and now he'll stretch out in his first local start for a barn that excels with its new runners; he'll get the hood and Lasix for the first time here and has been working quite well of late for this; one of his 2 sibs to race was a 6 time winner so maybe he has more to offer with the initial experience behind him; contender.

Standup Paddle

Outside drawn gelding drops in for a tag for the initial time while switching surfaces for his second start back from 4 months on the shelf; he ran well against better over the local main track last season and last week's work on the footing suggests he's looking forward to racing over it today; giving him the nod to move forward and beat them home.-Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Brenna's Song

Her most recent race can be viewed as being her best effort to date, and maybe that level of performance can get her into the mix against these, but she's still seeking her first top-three finish and she was beaten by a couple of today's rivals in her recent starts.

Great Cross

Daughter of strong turf influence Kitten's Joy sports the best last race Beyer Speed figure in here and that was only her second turf attempt; her lack of early speed can cause some problems for her, but she's clearly a top contender against these.

Playrockforme

She took a step in the right direction at second asking and like the idea of giving her another chance to see what she can do over turf, especially routing; not going to be surprised if she shows up with her sharpest performance to date.

Sweet Paola

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; she was outrun every step of the way in her career debut while reporting home last and it isn't like her pedigree is crying out for turf; she has the look of an outsider.

Thinkofyou

She might be able to prove to be an early pace factor, but since showing a little something her career debut, her form hasn't been very encouraging; she might find it to be tough to keep pace with the top contenders through the final furlong.

Blush Again

Full sister to G3 winner Derby Kitten (5-33, 430k, including 3 of 20 turf starts for 188k) attracted some wagering support for her turf debut at second asking and her connections will hope that a drop in class along with the addition of blinkers can move her forward.

Natural Bling

She didn't run poorly in her turf debut two races back when finishing close behind one of today's key rivals in Secret Fascination, and she might appreciate dropping back down in class for this; leaning toward others for the top spot, but not willing to count her out of the mix.

Secret Fascination

She ran a nice race from an outside post in her turf debut two races ago, and if she can bounce back to that level of performance against these, she can prove to be tough to tackle; viewing the rider switch to Saez as a positive indicator as he's won with 6 of 19 (32%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Mountain Sprite

Two of her first four starts have been in the neighborhood of what it might take to win this, and perhaps she just didn't care for being sent out wearing blinkers last time; she looks like a good fit at this 35k maiden claiming level.

Cocoa

Not wild about what she's shown in her first three starts, including two turf starts, and she goes out for a barn that is winless fomr their last 24 turf starts going back through 2013; add in a tough post, and she looks like more of an outsider.-Brian Pochman

Race 7

Dragon Tail

Exits his lowest Beyer speed figure since September; the only exacta finish ever was at today's distance on turf; saves every inch of ground from midpack then makes one run; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 66 in his next-out GP-20K-maiden-claiming win; the 3-back show runner graduated next out in a GP-16K-maiden-claiming with a 70 speed figure.

Discreet Ed

Needed last start off the long layoff; is also back on grass where he raced very well in the career debut; which horse shows up for this?; the show finisher from last Beyered 68 in his next-out CRC-16K-maiden-claiming win; hopes to sit just off Scorpion Al early then get 1st run on the closers.

Scorpion Al

Projects as the one to catch here but the added furlong does not help the confidence level he can go all the way; exchanged decisions with Dragon Tail as they faced the 2-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 66 in his next-out GP-20K-maiden-claiming win; the 3-back show runner graduated next out in a GP-16K-maiden-claimer with a 70 speed figure.

Underestimate Me

Over 13 months since rallying in a key race; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 76 in his next-out GP-30K-maiden-claiming graduation; he defeated the 7th-place finisher a next-out 76 Beyer-GP-$12,500-maiden-claiming graduate.

Sarava's Pete

Exits his best Beyer since August when racing 1st time off a 48-day layoff; good sign that he has 39 days freshened for today's surface switch; sire is 1-for-47 with 1st-turf starters; dam did not race on grass; 1 foal to race on turf went 0-for-1; best speed figure on a sloppy-race track so would not mind this event washed off the weeds.

Rockitude

Overmatched in last 46 days ago; wish he showed anything on GP turf previously; he can fire well fresh noting his career-best speed figure was off a long layoff; his 3-back near-miss finish at longer than this looks better since the show finisher Beyered 71-52 in his 2 next-out wins including a 25K-claiming victory.

Magnificent Moon

Long absence for a 30%-winning trainer with similar-fresh runners since 2013; the winner from last repeated in a SAR-optional claimer with an 88 Beyer; 2011 in SAR-turf races at today's distance represents the field's best Beyers; wish we were more enticed by the worktab for this but on his best day would be a major player vs. these.

Profound

The race where he posted a career-best Beyer saw him defeated by To Dare Is to Do who also handled him in latest which was his 1st race ever in a maiden claimer the biggest class drop in racing; high-percentage maiden-claiming trainer adds to the appeal trying to turn the tables.

The Best Monkey

One year ago on GP grass posted a career-best Beyer but did not fire at all in July and September racing over the local green; back in one week after passing a few but not showing anywhere near his best form 1st time ever on a wet-main track; latest-exacta finish when breaking a lot sharper from the gate than last and hopes to take a seat right behind Scorpion Al in the early stages for this.

Hooping

Outsider following the 4 off-the-board finishes including 3 back when no match for To Dare Is to Do; late runner gets the longest-distance test of career which plays well into his rallying style; the debut show finisher Beyered 77 in his next-out GP-50K-maiden-claiming win.

To Dare Is to Do

Projects to sit just off the speedy Scorpion Al then get 1st run on the closers; he doesn't like dirt and off last now we know he really dislikes a wet-main track not finishing latest; back on his best surface firm turf where his December-Mile show finish on GP green is a career-best Beyer; main issue is being outfinished in deep stretch.-Art Gropper

Race 9

Decaf Again

Draws the fence for the return to allowance company after running into the defending Breeders Cup Classic winner a couple of weeks back; 8 year old doesn't have any early lick so he's going to find himself well out of this from the bell while catching a handful who have run significantly faster; have to pass on him today.

Golden Lad

Lightly raced 4 year old seeks his third straight score at the stand after getting his neck down to best cheaper including a runner up who went on to score; he'll catch several foes in this spot who have run faster than he has and he'll have 2 turns to deal with here, but he's only run a handful of times so he has a right to keep improving and he had little problem at this configuration last summer; contender.

My Adonis

Five year old hasn't been a threat in any of his starts since taking an ungraded stake at Monmouth during the summer of his sophomore year; maybe he goes better second time back from the freshening and he did work well late last month for this one, but he'll need to take a good step forward on the figure scale to have a say for even a minor award in this heat.

Atigun

Enters this fresh after making a run to the lead from a wide spot and tiring to just miss a money spot in an Aqueduct route stake back in the fall; 5 year old has run ok fresh in the past and he does get a top pilot for his local debut run; can get in the mix here.

Quick Wit

He's been away from the races for nearly a full year since failing to go with turfers here last winter; barn does a nice job getting them ready to roll off the layoff and this guy did break his maiden over the local main track as a sophomore; most recent dirt try resulted in a graded stakes win over a wet track at Saratoga, so if the rains come he warrants some consideration.

I'm Steppin' It Up

Front runner lands in a spot without much early lick after holding the place spot at Calder a few weeks back; he's had his stamina issues and hasn't seen the winner's circle in quite a long time; expect he'll be able to make the lead from here but don't think he'll be able to take them all the way.

Speak Logistics

Moves back to the main track over which he ran big at one turn 2 starts back; colt likes running fresh and he possesses solid positional foot for an outfit that gets them ready for their best on the surface switch; local G2 SP router looks to be dangerous in his return.

Suns Out Guns Out

Five year old has run well without winning over the local main track and now he'll drop out of the graded stakes ranks for his return from the short break; he did roll home the last time he raced in the allowance ranks and maybe his fresh lick helps keep him close enough to the pacesetters early here; worth a look.

Diva Spirit

Filly tries the boys while making her 4 year old debut in this spot; while she was ok in Delaware as a sophomore and did break her maiden locally, she's yet to run a number that would put her anywhere close to any of the bigger guys in this heat; tough to make any type of case for her from out here.-Steve Grabowski

Race 10

Strategic Keeper

Educated in New York, colt was coming hard and now he has the race over the course; stakes placed 4 for 17 dam earned over $150K, won several times on grass; this is her first to race; respect both in here from the Brown factory.

Spanish Ranch

Even on the drop, fans didn't bit to the tune of 76-1 and they were dead right; one for 17 dam took a dirt sprint; 3 of 4 siblings won; two won on grass including triple turf winner and over $100K earner Casa Tua; could see him pushing the issue, not sure he'll be around at the end.

Headwing

Wide twice, trainer spotted them just fine last year with limited starters; dam was 0 for 5; two of 3 sibs won; two tried grass to no avail; would not be shocked if this guy moves forward.

Laws of the City

Nice middle move to get within 4 of the leaders, then reality set in; the sibling that tried grass was 2nd in best turf moment; place horse in last took a MSW at Calder with a 60 Beyer; colt is coming around.

Rumble Time

After Market 6 for 63 with first-time turfers; sire took debut at 2 won two Grade 1s, banked over $900K, was grass only; SP 2 for 17 dam banked over $150K, was grass only; both siblings won including double turf winner and near $100K earner Canadian Flag; maybe he was intimidated by the rail in the debut.

Super Summation

In Summation 2 for 26 with debuters, 0 for 8 with first-time turfers; sire won debut at 2, won 12 times, twice on grass, banked over $1.2 million as Grade 1 winner; dam was unraced; all 3 siblings won, one ran 2nd once on grass; no published oves beyond 4 furlongs.

Dillon's Actor

Noactor 12 for 111 with first-time turfers; sire himself graduated in third start going short, won the Bowl Game at 8 and a half furlongs on grass, was 2 for 8, earned about $50K; dam won 4 times in a long career, lost twice on turf; the one for 25 sibling that won cashed routing on dirt; can't be thrilled with repeated beats vs. softer.

Reach for Yield

Curlin 10 for 52 with first-time turfers; sire didn't race at 2, won a ton Grade 1s as a double Horse of the Year, banked over $10 million, was 2nd in lone grass start; dam won once in the minor leagues; several multiple race winners in the tree including several that won on turf including near $200K earner Drewman; in for $125K less than purchase price; don't ignore.

Station Commander

Hate to see them give up clear leads like he did in the Jersey finale; the sibling that won cashed short on dirt; there are some stamina concerns.

Malibu Blues

Forced to steady in the only turf try; all 4 siblings won; one was a double winner on grass, another earned over $200K; he has had some eventful trips coming out of the gate; with clear sailing, it could be a whole new ballgame.

Stormbee

Soph was getting out and that's always a concern; dam was 0 for 3; lone half bro to race took 8 sprints, lost twice on grass; hard to adore today.

Caminito

Tons best of the rest and you have to respect his speed; apparently not much of a work horse, and he will likely have to be sent hard if he gets a shot to suit up; winner of last repeated in a $25K optional with a 69 Beyer; dam won a ton of stakes, earned over $300K; lone half bro earned over $400K in Japan; look out.

Lador Vador

He's flashed speed a couple of times, but there are stamina issues; not sure how you spin this form in the right direction.

Two Step Swag

Hood added in last but he could not stand up in the off going; backers can at least say one sibling won once on grass; colt has lost ground in the lane every time; that's hard to embrace.-Brian Mulligan