Keeneland
Keeneland: Closer Looks for April 13, 2014
Race 2
| Billy Two Hats |
| Despite being shut out this year, he is a fairly steady check-earner overall; in his sole prior appearance at Keeneland, he was running against much better stock and was jammed up between rivals to boot; should be able to press the issue now with an alert getaway. |
| Ft. Deposit |
| Very fine local workout to note on the morning of 3/30; although he is still eligible for the n3l class, he can make an impact here when facing older and more experienced rivals; generous betting value will be the case. |
| Wild Target |
| Made a fair midway bid in his last assignment at Tampa when negotiating seven furlongs which is not his best distance; should be able to rally from close range today if taking to this surface; most recent breeze at five-eighths was fairly good. |
| Tarpy's Goal |
| A Grade 2-stakes placed runner, he raced only once in 2013 when defeated by Wild Target; another vacation quickly followed and perhaps he is recapturing some of his back class as evidenced by a pair of scores at Gulfstream this year; latest half-mile breeze at that oval was strong. |
| Visionary Ruler |
| Beaten favorite was in dire need of the last race at Delta; the colt has shown some excellent gate speed in the past but may have a hard time equaling or surpassing that Beyer achieved at Churchill Downs last year; very puzzlilng possibility. |
| Officer Griffin |
| Began his career at this track when flashing good early speed until the top of the stretch; took a while to break through the n2l condition but ran a surprisingly strong race when confronting allowance company thereafter; some upbeat workouts to consider during the long vacation. |
| Gentle One |
| Ignore the run on the lawn in that October getaway race; she has a win over the course to her credit and may be perfectly positioned today behind some battling speeds; all of this mare's victories have been over a synthetic surface. |
| Tahoe Warrior |
| True warhorse takes a giant leap up the claiming ladder today but still have to respect his vast experience; earned some competitive Beyers last season and may be able to stay within range of these whippersnappers. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 4
| Supermonic |
| Draws the fence for his first crack over synthetic footing after beating an overmatched bunch of claimers on the Penn National dirt; his numbers don't stack up so well with some of these, but a top pilot will get aboard as he tries this new surface; interim dirt breezes aren't much. |
| Fantastic Vow |
| Returns to the scene of his maiden debut score when sent long right out of the box; colt didn't have much to offer as the chalk on the Tampa lawn and he is bred strongly to take to that footing; maybe the move back to this surface helps perk him up and he does have a right to return faster than he was as a juvenile when last sighted here; one to consider at an improved price. |
| Latin Piper |
| First part of the coupling makes his first start of the year in his local debut after being given time off the stakes try in just his second career start; colt made a nice run after breaking at the back of the pack in his debut score and he is kin to a handful of route winners including SW and 206K earner Pipers Thunder who started just 5 times and was runner up in Canada's prestigious Prince of Wales Stakes several years back; can go better at this level. |
| Demander |
| Earned a field best number in upsetting maidens in a one turn mile at Gulfstream last month; he returned to work well at his Palm Meadows base before shipping up to try synthetic footing for the first time against winners today; late runner isn't really bred to love today's stretchout to 2 turns, but his lone sib (by G1 SW router Flower Alley) was G2 SW router and 712K earner Neck 'n Neck whose 5 wins all came going long; off his last he's the one to beat. |
| Signature Seven |
| Tries an allowance field of his peers in his local debut while in search of his third straight score; gray wasn't beaten much in his lone synthetic start here last fall and it came in his debut run so in his current form he certainly has a right to go better while switching to a top pilot today; contender. |
| Rhythm Blues |
| Triple Crown nom makes his first start on synthetic footing after taking a step forward at the level at Gulfstream while making his second start of the year; colt did only beat one runner home in that one, though, and though he faced the eventual G1 Florida Derby winner 2 starts back, it wasn't as if he was any type of threat; nice to see Velazquez take interest as he gets Lasix for the first time, but have to side with others here. |
| Niigon Express |
| Barn's other half also makes his first start of the year here after showing some ability in Canada last fall; his recent drills aren't much and he needed a race to get going when beginning his career half a year ago; prefer to limit his use to underneath in exotics. |
| Soldier Inthe Rain |
| Earned a light number in breaking his maiden in the Tampa slop earlier in the year and now he'll take on winners over this new footing; his recent local drill wasn't bad and maybe that means he'll move forward over this stuff; price will be much better here but he'll have to improve significantly. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 5
| Pemaquid Pass |
| Hung wide from marooned slot in the debut but she was a bit more keen to run at Tampa; show horse in last graduated next out in a MSW, then won against N1X foes with a 77 Beyer; 2 for 6 dam was route only; 3 of 5 siblings won; 2 banked over $260K including Grade 1 placed double route winner and over $300K earner Fircroft; may like it here. |
| Molly Z |
| Troubled in last pair as Zayat moved this runner into the Lukas barn; sire won multiple Graded stakes routing; 4 of dam's 9 wins were routes; several multiple race winners in the family; several won long, one banked nearly $90K; expect better effort here. |
| Shy Society |
| Keith Dickey was named as owner in the Florida finale; both siblings did win but were just sprinters; at least she got a feel of the strip last week; look for rider to push her along and try to steal it. |
| Poppy's Dream |
| She is due for a trip after walking out of the gate and then taking the overland route; place horse in the opener graduated next out in a MSW, was 2nd beaten a half in a $100K stakes, then took an N1X with an 86 Beyer here last Sunday; dam was 0 for 2; lone half bro Sporting Holiday earned over $130K, won routing once; if she can run at all, she figures to show it here. |
| Jannes Paul |
| Wide in last pair but she seems to be figuring it out; the siblinig lone win came short on turf; homebred may enjoy this slight drop in class; in good hands, contention goes long. |
| Justanewkidintown |
| Was compromised in the debut when she draw the 11 slot; dam lost 8 times; 2 of 3 siblings won including double route winner and $65K earner Star's Tizzy Fit; would have liked to have seen a local work; must pick it up. |
| Fiftyshadeslighter |
| She has a shot to show speed on the stretch out; sire earned nearly $10 million routing; dam lost 3 times; one sibling lost 10 times; the other took 2 sprints in the minor leagues; Napravnik enticed and it could be a new ballgame if she breaks with her field. |
| Tiz Lately |
| Grass debut was a fiasco; she was carried out on the first turn by a loose horse, settled 3 wide, steadied on the far turn, and was bothered again in the stretch; must be given legit look on the drop alone; she exited the live fray in her second race, 12th finisher 2/21 beat maiden $50K claimers in next and the winner 2/21 took a $50K optional on 3/16; there is a double route winner in the family; rates upset glance. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 6
| Abundantly Clear |
| Beaten last out chalk at Fair Grounds gives the level another shot while tackling synthetic footing for the initial time in his spot; filly worked sharply over this surface last weekend and she does own a big figure route score; presence of Castellano warrants her some consideration. |
| Two to Tango |
| Makes her first start of the year while returning to synthetic footing over which she was beaten chalk at the level in the fall; filly broke her maiden in Canada at today's 9 pane trip and she worked well here the other day for a barn that's won with its lone local starter; didn't go so well the last time she ran fresh, but she can get in the mix for a share. |
| Golden Joop |
| Prepped for this one while sprinting from the Laurel fence and didn't have much of an impact; expect she'll be tighter on the stretchout and she has been working over synthetic footing for some time now so expect she'll take to the new surface in the afternoon; with Rosie taking the call and a sharp second off the break barn in her corner she's one to consider. |
| Transportation |
| Filly has taken some money in each of her starts and didn't have an impact in either of her tries with winners on different footing; she did break her maiden in her lone synthetic try and the barn excels with its runners going second off the break; pedigree suggests the more ground the better. |
| Assured |
| Lightly raced 4 year old looked pretty good beating a short field when stretched out to a one turn mile in her second career start in New York but didn't have enough late in her wide trip, beaten chalk effort first time with winners last summer; idle since, she'll get a top pilot for her return to the races and the Mott barn does a nice job getting them ready to fire; she'll try new footing today and that's a question, but her best makes her a big threat. |
| Frivolous |
| G3 SP filly returns to the scene of her first couple of sprint starts while making her career debut in here; she'd been trying graded stakes turfers with little luck for a while prior to the break; she's got the layoff to deal with and the barn doesn't do so well first time back, but a top journeyman pilot will get the call and the surface switch should certainly help; contender. |
| Hurricane Laila |
| Tries synthetic footing after 3 cracks on the green to begin his career; gray didn't have much to say in her first with winners last summer and her return local drills don't suggest she loves this new surface; siding with others on the win end. |
| Naples Gold |
| Cuts back in distance for her first try on this type of footing after tiring in the Gulfstream turf marathon; filly gets a top pilot and did run well 2 back on the green while trying winners for the initial time; she may find herself with a lot to do late at this trip, but she looms the one to fear in the lane. |
| Marvelous Marcy |
| Outside drawn filly wasn't beaten much as the chalk in her first with winners, but that one came on the lawn at a lesser venue; her effort here in the fall wasn't very good so don't know that she'll move up much on the surface switch; have to pass on her today. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 7
| Winning Cause |
| Grade 3 winner has run some big races over the main track here, something to consider if this race has to be taken off the turf, and even though his turf form hasn't been bad, he will need to improve over his previous best turf attempt to beat these; winner from latest won next out at GP on 12/22 going 1 1/16m in a 100k stakes with a 104 Beyer. |
| Strike One |
| Can't ignore the big effort he showed up with while making only his second turf start when last seen, and the runner up from that race, Sky Blazer, returned to win next out at GP on 3/1 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 100k OPC's with a 97 Beyer. |
| Mac the Man |
| Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and dam was winless from three starts, and she didn't make a start over turf; this looks like a very tough spot for this minor stakes winner to test turf for the first time. |
| Mr. Vegas |
| Don't like to see that you have to go back to January 2012 to find the last time that this gelding recorded a victory and he will need to find a way to regain some of his better form in order to put pressure on the top contenders in this one; runner-up from latest returned to win next out at FG on 3/2 going 1m over turf vs. 62k OPC's with an 87 Beyer. |
| Seruni |
| Stakes winning veteran has shown the ability to handle all types of surfaces, and he's eligble to be ready for a sharper try while making his second start after a layoff; winner from latest won next out at Tam on 4/5 going 1 1/8m in a 75k stakes with a 93 Beyer, and runner-up won next out at Tam on 3/22 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 75k OPC's with an 84 Beyer. |
| Excaper |
| He earned a G1 stakes placing over turf as a 2-year-old, anf if he shows up with the level of performance that he did three races back at Woodbine, he can prove to be tough to deal with in this spot; winner from latest won next out at Wo on 11/2 going 6f in a 100k stakes with a 100 Beyer, and runner-up won next out at Lrl on 11/23 going 5 1/2f over turf vs. 32k OPC's with an 89 Beyer. |
| Utley |
| Nicely bred veteran has a stout turf pedigree, and not only is his overall turf form strong enough to give him the look of a top contender against these, but he's run very well in his two starts over this turf course; viewing the rider switch to Leparoux as a positive indicator. |
| Mister Marti Gras |
| Multiple graded stakes winner is another in here who can handle any surface, and he's only two races removed from a very sharp runner-up finish behind Last Gunfighter; runner up from latest won next out at DeD on 3/15 going 1m in a 75k stakes with a 92 Beyer. - Brian Pochman |
Race 8
| Spring Again |
| Adds blinkers following the 9-week absence trying to offer more gate speed for this; the trainer is 4-for-10 with the hood-on angle since 2013; stalked the pace in her victory on KEE synthetic which is the type of trip she hopes for here; her uncoupled barnmate Richies Party Girl is a stakes winner. |
| Tea Time |
| Long layoff and 1st time racing on a synthetic surface (trainer 1-for-18 on all-weather strips since 2013); little doubt what the strategy is here; has Richies Party Girl and Conspired to fend off early then the closers late; she wants the front to play catch me if you can; frontrunners can wire a field here at KEE this meet but prefer off-the-pace types over this oval; defeated the show runner from last who posted 77-70 Beyer speed figures in 2 next-out AQU-optional-claiming wins; the 2-back show runner Beyered 78-77 in next-out Grade 2 and G3-stakes wins. |
| Ready to Act |
| Turf-to-synthetic is a 33%-win angle for her trainer; projects for an ideal trip tracking Richies Party Girl, Conspired and Tea Time to the front; exits a winning-key race defeating the runner-up and show finishers; they Beyered 89-86 in next-out GP-Grade 3-stakes and KEE-allowance wins; keeps 2-time win rider Castellano who seemingly had other options here; the pick. |
| Sweet Whiskey |
| Favored in each start; has shown a lot of versatility since the debut win scoring her biggest victory to date in a G3 stakes rating from just off the speed which would be a winning trip here; 1st-time on synthetic for a 24%-win trainer on all-weather strips since 2013; reunites with win-rider Johnny V but most-recent pilot Castellano sides with Ready to Act; seems the one to beat. |
| Conspired |
| On the lead in last pair but has Richies Party Girl and Tea Time to fend off early today as they both project to be flying from the gate; new trainer wins 20% 1st-time out with newly-acquired runners; beat the 2-back show runner who Beyered 53 in a next-out MNR-MSW win. |
| Richies Party Girl |
| All 3 wins on the lead; she has Conspired and Tea Time to beat from the gate here; ended her 2-year-old season with a co-field-best Beyer speed figure and best-last-race number; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 74 in a next-out GP-100K-stakes win; the trainer's 28% win mark with runners going turf-to-synthetic suggests she won't miss a beat switching surfaces. |
| Katie's Eyes |
| Seems to own the right off-the-pace style with 3 runners projected to go fast early but is she good enough off the TP-G3 show finish and FG-restricted-stakes win vs. the boys?; the debut show finisher Beyered 80 in a next-out FG-MSW win. |
| Co Cola |
| Clearly 7F seems right up her alley; benefits greatly being a closer in a race with a possible 3-runner speed duel; willing to dismiss the light Beyer from last where defeated as the 4-5 choice with a troubled trip; 2-back she seemingly moved too soon while uncoupled barnmate Sweet Whiskey changed styles that day and rallied. - Art Gropper |
Race 9
| Proenza |
| In a race where it looks like the winner will earn a Beyer Speed Figure in the 90's, this mare sports a top figure of 76, and that makes it tough to envision her in the hunt through the final furlong against these. |
| Somali Lemonade |
| Multiple graded stakes winner recorded one of the sharper performances of her career while wearing blinkers for the first time in her latest outing, and that level of performance can get her into the mix against these; like to see that she's had some success from three starts over the Keeneland turf course. |
| Filimbi |
| It looks like she's done some nice work racing over turf and synthetic in France, and this Juddmonte-homebred has to be taken seriously in her first start in America while getting Lasix for the first time; a top turf barn and rider help add further appeal. |
| Scampering |
| Stakes placed mare ran well the first two times she raced over turf and she shows up for a barn that has done very well with recent turf starters; however, this does look like it might prove to be a tough assignment for her first start as a 5-year-old. |
| Black Bird Rock |
| Multiple stakes placed miss has been in good form lately, but she has been beaten by a couple of today's rivals in her recent races, and she will need a career best effort to get the better of this field; going to look for her to be involved in the running early on, but others figure to be stronger late. |
| Unbelievable Dream |
| Grade 3 winner has shown the ability to pack a strong stretch punch on her best day and a couple of her better efforts have been over the Keeneland turf; she looks like she's heading in the right direction for her third start of 2014, so not going to be shocked if she's making some noise through the lane. |
| Gathering |
| She doesn't have any shortage in the turf pedigree department, and not only was she an extremely impressive winner over this turf course in her first start in America, but it was nice to see what she did in her most recent start with blinkers coming off; obvious threat. |
| Allanah |
| She's never run a race that is up to the level of the top contenders in here and this has to be considered a very difficult spot for her second turf attempt; she'll need to improve by leaps and bounds to prove to be a player against these. |
| Masquerade |
| Stakes placed mare hasn't run of bad race since moving into this barn and like to see the way that she's stepped it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in her two most recent races; this is a tough test for her first start over the Keeneland turf, but she figures to be forwardly placed early on, and not willing to count her out of it. |
| Hunter Forward (AUS) |
| She deserves a lot of credit for the way that she was able to close out her 7-year-old season with a couple of nice performances, but she had little to offer in her first start of the year in her latest outing, and she finds herself in against a very tough bunch today; looking toward others. |
| Every Way |
| She carries multiple graded stakes placed credentials with her, and it's certainly interesting to see Stidham call upon Castellano for this; it feels like she's a cut or two below the top contenders in here, and prefer the other Stidham-trained miss over this one, but the aggressive rider switch is very intriguing. |
| Northern Passion |
| She was a G3 winner over turf as a 2-year-old, and she was in good form when last seen, but she lands in a tough spot for her first start back from a lengthy layoff; third-place finisher from latest won next out at Wo on 8/3 going 1m over turf vs. 62k OPC's with an 87 Beyer. |
| Gulsary (IRE) |
| She needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race to draw in, but if she can regain some of the better form that she displayed racing in Southern California over the winter, she can have a say in the outcome. |
| Gal About Town |
| Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won 5 of 36 starts for 40k, and she didn't make a turf start; multiple graded stakes placed filly can prove to be an early pace factor, but she's in tough for her first turf attempt. - Brian Pochman |