Keeneland
Keeneland: Closer Looks for April 17, 2014
Race 2
| Midnight Decision |
| Coupled with Zip It Kim; sire Midnight Lute is 3 for first 60 (5%) with 2yo firsters, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 6 of 13 for $2.6 million, twice won the G1 BC Sprint, won G1 Forego, also twice G1 SP, was champion sprinter; dam has 5 winners from 7 foals to race including Oblivious (2 wins, $92K, 3-time SP) and Grand Prelude (5 wins, $151K); dam won 3 of 9 for $58K, SP; modest works so tough to tell if there's any speed here. |
| Hootenanny |
| No data yet on young sire Quality Road; sire won 8 of 13 for $2.2 million, won G1 Florida Derby, G1 Woodward, G1 Met Mile, G1 Donn, multiple G1 SP; dam's only foal, Love This Kitty, has finished off the board in 2 starts; dam was off board only start; strong works for a trainer who's been superb with 2yos here the past few years. |
| Zip It Kim |
| Coupled with Midnight Decision; sire City Zip gets over 16% 2yo debut winners; sire won 9 of 23 for $818K, won G1 Hopeful and was G1 SP at 2, also multiple G2/G3 SW at 2 and 3, multiple G1 SP at 3; dam's 1st foal; dam won 3 of 20 for $63K; shown more zip in the a.m. than her stablemate on the rail; she is a filly facing boys though that's no big whoop when you're talking 2yos. |
| Circle the World |
| No data on young sire Munnings; sire won 4 of 14 for $742K, was multiple G2 SW, also multiple G1 SP; unraced dam's 1st foal; solid works for a trainer who has been superb with debuting runners overall (22%) but specifically with debuting 2yos at this track in recent years. |
| Sky Racer |
| Sire Sky Mesa gets over 16% 2yo debut winners; sire won 3 of 6 for $633K, won G1 Hopeful, 2nd in G1 Haskell, also G2 SW/SP; dam has 6 winners from 8 foals to race including Bickersons (3 wins, $257K, G2 SW, twice G1 SP), Gantu (10 wins, $383K) and Dancehall Deelites (2 wins, $182K, G2 SP); dam won 3 of 13 for $53K; flashed talent in the a.m. for a trainer who continues his strong run. |
| Flying Monarch |
| Sire Monarchos gets over 13% 2yo debut winners; sire won 4 of 10 for $1.7 million, won G1 Florida Derby, G1 Ky. Derby, 3rd in G1 Belmont, also G2 SP; unraced dam has 8 winners from 9 foals including City Flyer (11 wins, $134K, 2-time G3 SW in Puerto Rico); some solid works over this track. |
| Discreet Song |
| The only 1 in here with race experience, though it wasn't very pretty as he chased the pace before giving way badly; still, you can always be forgiving about a debut run and he'd sure worked well the week prior (bullet :48Bg here March 28) so there seems to be some talent here; far too early to give up on, though the way he hit the brakes is worrisome and he's now stuck outside; is kin to 6 winners. - Michael Hammersly |
Race 3
| One Hot Romance |
| Projected to race close to the front in last but showed no gate speed then flattened out badly; the 2-back winner repeated with a 66 Beyer speed figure taking a LRL-optional claimer; the 3-back runner-up graduated at KEE next out with a 79 Beyer; turf was the surface for her best Beyer but exits a long layoff for a trainer not known to win with fresh runners; will be taking a wait and see approach. |
| Time for Harlan |
| Plenty of upside off the troubled-gate break in her debut; clearly has distance/surface questions to answer today; sire is 38-for-302 with 1st-turf starters; has not raced past 6F yet; sire was a Grade 1-dirt router but did not race on turf or synthetic surfaces; she is out of an unraced dam; 2 other foals to race on grass are turf winners including 36K-grasser Rathbaun (1-for-3) scoring at 9F. |
| Attainment |
| Has to avenge recent losses to similar rivals but this is likely to be her 1st race on firm turf; blinkers on has not been a strong-win angle for this trainer since 2013 (0-for-9) but this one has promise with an improving-Beyer pattern with today's added-distance being a plus; super-fresh barn noting runners coming off 30-day or longer layoffs have dominated this KEE meet. |
| La Bruna Forte |
| Favored-1st turf when beating Attainment while racing wide on less-than-firm footing; projected to get a chance to race on firm ground for this; solid-dirt form prior to latest and bet hard under 4-1 odds for each of her last 3 defeats; new rider is 1-for-27 since 2013 for the trainer at KEE; 2nd best to the 2-back winner who repeated with a 67 Beyer; the 3-back winner scored right back with a 78 Beyer taking an FG alw; contender. |
| Treaty Oak |
| The 55-day layoff is the main issue; she broke next to last in a key race then rallied mildly; been known more as a stalker type so needs to break in the top flight for best chance; the winner and 10th-place finishers from last Beyered 68-67 in next-out FG-optional-claiming and 50K-maiden-claiming victories; the debut runner-up Beyered 56 in a next-out OP-MSW win. |
| Luv From Abuv |
| Snuck through the claim box when screaming out for more distance in her debut and get it here; has not raced past 5.5F yet; sire was a Grade 1-turf Miler (1.5M grass); 1-for-3-grass dam (5K) graduated at 7.5F but went 0-for-2 in races at 1 Mile or over; 1 of 5 foals to race on turf is a grass winner (1-for-10 South Beach Luv 39K turf) who won at 1M and 1-16th on grass. |
| Code Name Ava |
| Attracts KEE-hot rider Leparoux with 1st Lasix off the long layoff suggesting she is ready to do some damage directly off the bench; willing to dismiss her last race on less-than-firm footing while her KEE-firm grass debut was a superb effort when troubled in defeat; scary if ready; the pick. |
| Secret Someone |
| Great sign that her 1st race on grass represents a field-best Beyer speed figure and that was with a troubled trip; she's been a frontrunner in a lot of her races and may be on or close to the lead here; main issue for me is Leparoux sides with Code Name Ava; saw 20 last-out GP runners find the KEE-winner's circle from April 9-13; trainer had a fresh-GP runner go gate-to-wire on grass at KEE April 9; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 80 in a next-out GP-MSW win; the 3-back runner-up Beyered 81-72 in a next-out GP-MSW win and runner-up finish in a 200K-stakes races; is strictly the one to beat. |
| Cha Cha Ridge |
| Outrun in all 3-dirt defeats including last vs. the runner-up finisher who Beyered 66 in a next-out OP-MSW win; the debut winner repeated in an FG-120K stakes with a 93 Beyer; sire is 28-for-237 with 1st-turf starters; dam only raced on dirt (0-for-2); she produced 2 turf winners from 2 other foals to race on grass including 817K-turfer-Grade1 at 9F-Hot Cha Cha (3-for-12). - Art Gropper |
Race 4
| Give Me Thy Heart |
| Wonder if that January win just knocked the starch out of her?; they usually don't just stop on horses after a win; only a brief threat in the local start and she draws that same rail again; stable has spotted them great all year but this miss will need a rebound run after the last fiasco. |
| Top Tier Lass |
| Miss got the good trip in the win two back but never got untracked in last; show horse 3/1 cashed next out in a $5K N2L fray at Turfway; the sprint may have sharpened her speed a bit last time; could see her sitting a nice stalk and pounce trip. |
| Citi Point |
| Decent effort off the claim but she was not in any danger of winning; the race came back okay as the 8th finisher took a $5K starter and the winner is in post 9 today; nothing wrong with hitting the exacta in 9 of 19; she has much more speed than she just flashed; don't ignore. |
| Mendoza Burns |
| Wide in 2 of last 3, she was bet like a good thing in last but never got untracked; she is giving away a ton of winning experience and the last win came in 2012; passing. |
| Lady Monavi |
| Did that sloppy effort last September just zap her?; could be, as she has not been sharp since; she seemed on the verge after the January finale but three in back-to-back clinkers; hard to adore. |
| War of Ages |
| Proven fresh and proven on dirt; only two off efforts and they both came on the synthetic; place horse in last cashed next out in a $15K N3L spot with a 70 Beyer; she has shown the versatility to lead or track and get the job done; nothing wrong with options; toss anything from a 30% barn at own risk. |
| Cherishd Obsession |
| Like fact she has speed but doesn't need the lead to win; note place horse was nearly 4 clear; a bit more energy in the drill last Saturday is a positive since; mare could have been just overmatched in the other synthetic try; it can't be easy moving a horse up from a 23% barn. |
| Dream Pegasus |
| Hot claim box item must prove it on the synthetic; 4 clear when she ran too good to lose in last and the place horse 12/19 took a $15K N3L, then ran out of the money; the hotter the pace the better for this miss. |
| Rob and Jon's Girl |
| Once she got the confidence builder at MNR, she has been pretty solid; note runners in the company line were clear in last and she did something last time you don't see everyday and that's come back on after being headed; threepeat well within the realm. |
| Izzaeven |
| Mare is still cranking out the wins; she has a solid turn of late foot especially for a runner at this level; 2/28 show horse cashed next out in an $8K claimer, lost next pair; 4 of her 10 wins have come on the synthetic; backers have to hope they go bonkers early and the race falls completely apart. |
| Wild Swava |
| Far from disgraced in the synthetic effort; she may have not cared for the surface in the 2013 closer; like the way she has extended in the last pair; the one to beat. |
| Freud's Mistress |
| Once the light went on at Finger Lakes, filly has been consistent; she did drop the rider two back but ran evenly in last and may have hated the mud; 10/13 winner repeated in a $15K MNR optional with an 81 Beyer; another slice? - Brian Mulligan |
Race 5
| Flummox |
| Did not recover from a slow break in his debut; his sire is G1 turf runner Perfect Soul who banked 1.52 million; the dam involved never raced; among the winning siblings is 36K earner Open Ice Hit. |
| Dr. Abramson |
| Fair work tab for this beginner, son of Mr. Greeley who won a trio of G3 stakes (his offspring have scored in 91 out of 836 initial starts); the dam won 1 of 3 attempts and 14K; winning sibs include 315K earner Grand Slam Andre. |
| Uncle Muggs |
| Upgraded in the latest breeze from the gate; his sire won the Breeders' Cup Mile and 2.08 million in total; progeny of Artie Schiller are 15 for 191 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 5 of 14 and 81K; sib to 115K earner Yonakee. |
| Kite |
| His sire won multiple G1s on the turf while notching 2.07 million; descendants of Kitten's Joy are 57 for 351 in the first time victorious department; the dam went zero for 3; sib to 64K earner All That. |
| Dynamite Stick |
| Decent tries in every appearances last year regardless of surface or distance; son of the undefeated Candy Ride faces several well-bred newcomers here and has limited workout activity along the comeback trail. |
| Rich 'n' Tuck |
| Showed some prompting speed in his first grass assignment last month; went to post as the favorite in his sole try at this distance when facing a repeat winner and would benefit today if the early fractions are ordinary. |
| Otokogi |
| Compromised by the rail slot in his maiden voyage, he did not run his best; his sire won a G2 and 413K while the dam was unraced; this is her sole foal to make it to the starting gate; local breeze 4 days ago was fair. |
| Reeder |
| Beginner was sired by Breeders' Cup Sprint victor Speightstown whose progeny have done well first time out (59 for 367); the dam won 3 of 15 tries and 119K; winning siblings include 153K earner Riopelle. |
| Breaking Doors |
| Adds Lasix after failed campaign at Woodbine last year but one of those defeats was in a major added money event; showed some spark in latest half-mile drill and picks up the services of Leparoux who is on a hot streak of late. |
| Cozy Lead |
| Flashed brief speed on a wide path in his only start last season; his sire won multiple G2s and 728K while the dam was zero for 4; sib to 91K earner Slamarama; sports some very fine a.m. moves over this course; consider. |
| Smokin After Fun |
| The gelding's sire was a G1 turf winner who garnered 903K (offspring have of After Market have won 13 percent of their first races); the dam lost her only start; this is her sole foal to compete; respectable breezes during the last 2 weeks. |
| Irish Ninja |
| Hurt by a soft middle pace and wide trip in his maiden voyage last summer over the turf, he did not fire; the colt's sire won 5 of 19 starts and 481K; the dam won 1 of 6 and 49K; sib to 279K earner Do Somethin'; can atone. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 6
| Dream Man |
| Courtlandt-farm homebred might be primed for a sharp performance while making his second start back from a layoff and he benefits from a rider that gets around this turf course as well as anyone; he is vulnerable to a slow early pace, and that might be the case in this event, but his best effort makes him a threat. |
| Global Express |
| Have to respect the consistent level he's maintained in his six turf starts and a case can be made for his sharpest performance being his one start over this turf course; he was beaten by today's rival Draw Too when last seen, and that one figures to be tough to deal with in this spot, but still feel that this colt deserves to be listed among the contenders. |
| Legendary (GB) |
| It looks like his form racing overseas has only been so-so but his recent workouts look sharp and he gets Lasix for his first start in America; respect Exceed And Excel as a turf sire and this is an outfit that does some of their better work with turf starters. |
| Draw Two |
| He boasts the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here and it just looks like if he brings his 'A' game to the table the others will be battling it out over the place prize; that said, he does lack early speed and he has been beaten as a favorite in his last two starts. |
| Cul Baire (IRE) |
| He's going to need to show more than he did in his first start in America last year, and it isn't like his form racing overseas looks all that strong; not going to argue with anyone who is going to make this gelding prove that he can handle competition of this caliber. |
| Comes the Dream |
| Stakes placed gelding did some nice work as a 3-year-old while earning more than 130k, and note that he earned his career best Beyer Speed Figure in his one start over this turf course, and that was after a layoff; at the very least, he's worthy of consideration underneath in the exotics. |
| Formidable Heart |
| He has a strong turf pedigree and he's shown ability from his first start when he outran his odds to be third behind today's rival Comes the Dream; winner from latest won next out at GP on 12/22 going 1 1/16m in a 100k stakes with a 104 Beyer. |
| Bellarmine |
| One of his three starts over turf was a solid performance but he seems to be better off racing over dirt or a synthetic surface; leaning toward others, but willing to upgrade his chances if this race has to be moved to the main track. |
| White Rose |
| Stakes placed miss can pack a strong stretch punch on her best day but she's meeting up with boys today and it looks like her connections might be just taking a shot in here due the the 1 1/2m distance; respect her overall form but this might prove to be a tough spot for her. |
| Wilcox |
| Like the idea of this veteran putting blinkers back on, and this is a capable turf barn, but he's going to need to top his previous best performance in order to see his number posted on top after this one is run. - Brian Pochman |
Race 7
| Maco Light |
| Moves to the fence for her return to synthetic footing for the first time since a poor local effort at the level in the fall; she hasn't shown much early foot sprinting and that won't help her from this starting slot but she did work well here last week and it's nice to see Leparoux stick with her. |
| Henny Jenney |
| She was run off her feet early in the Gulfstream turf sprint but made a nice late run to get second money; she'll return to synthetic footing here and she's never been off the board in 3 cracks over the surface so if she's hustled to get off to a better beginning she should prove to be a serious threat for the top spot. |
| Annoy |
| Showed some late interest in her first crack over synthetic here in the fall and went on to break her maiden impressively on dirt in Louisiana a few starts later; beaten odds on chalk in her first with winners wasn't beaten much after encountering plenty of trouble in that one and a clean run could move her up significantly; contender. |
| Tamazula |
| Makes her first start of the year for an outfit that's had little luck with its recent returnees; she did run big on synthetic footing in Chicago last summer and 2 of her losses did come in stakes company; with some long recent drills on the tab she shouldn't be short; worth a look. |
| E Built This City |
| Brings some speed to the table after just missing on the Fair Grounds lawn while making her first start both of the season and with winners last month; she's had a few weeks to get over the career best Beyer effort and she ran ok here first time out last spring; solid recent breeze suggests her lick remains intact but she's likely to find company up top today. |
| Beautiful Dancer |
| Won first out here from off the pace last spring but tired from her pace efforts in her first start since then at the fall meeting; given time again, she'll return off some improved local drills and we already know she can fire off works; price will be right for those willing to excuse the fade a half year back. |
| World Gone Wright |
| Wired Tampa maidens on dirt after taking money first out and now she'll try synthetic footing; Jersey bred blew out quickly there last week for her first with winners; she's shown she can run some, but barn has been on a poor run with its last out winners and this gal is a question mark on this surface. |
| Hot and Dangerous |
| Earned a solid number while making her first start of the year on the Gulfstream dirt and wasn't beaten all that much at the wire; filly has a right to move forward with that one behind her and she worked here earlier in the month like she'll have little trouble handling this surface in the afternoon; can't overlook. |
| Cadron |
| Held on to score at a short price in her Del Mar debut run last summer but has had her stamina issues in 2 spaced starts since; maybe she's better with her return from 5 months on the shelf behind her and she will get the services of a sharp journeyman pilot but there is other speed in here that won't make things easy for her. |
| Abbys Promise |
| Hood goes on for the turn back to sprint after catching slop in her first start of the year; shorter trip should help as she did break her maiden sprinting first out here in the fall but that did come against claimers and neither of her subsequent route cracks at the level really suggested she fits with these. |
| More Than Special |
| Starts from the outside slot in her local debut after failing to step with turf sprinters at Gulfstream last time; filly goes for an outfit that does well with its fresh runners and she does look to have the speed to stick with these gals from the bell; if she handles the new footing she's worth an exotics look at a big price. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 8
| Recepta |
| Connections thought enough of her to sent her right into the Grade 1 and she was hung wide that day; she took to turf like the proverbial duck to water and overcame the marooned slot in the process; the blood is there for her to excel as she is kin to Grade 3 winner and over $250K earner Taqarub; should be rolling hard in the lane. |
| Zinzay |
| She has fired every time, could be closer early this time and she got a boost when the show horse in last cashed next out in a $75K optional with a 78 Beyer; the winner of this race last year Unbelievable Dream also shipped in from GP after earning an 80 Beyer with a win in a $75K optional; must respect her consistency. |
| Lacarolina (FR) |
| Love the spacing of the quick works coming to this race; proven fresh and game in last; who was she facing in France?; the winner of the 9/10 race returned to run second in a Group 1 and then won her 2014 opener in a Group 3 at Longchamp to run her record to 3 for 4 career; look out. |
| Sweet Acclaim (IRE) |
| Professional in the full field to kick off the career and 5 clear in the 2013 closer; the winner of last made her 2014 debut earlier this month and was the beaten chalk in a Group 3 for world-class trainer Andre Fabre; like fact she has been stabled here for awhile; major player. |
| Daring Dancer |
| No mistakes so far and like the way she has extended in both wins; note show horse in last was nearly 7 clear; homebred gets tested for class but she is obviously talented. |
| Babe's Ruler |
| Life and death for the lone win; right there at the top of the lane two back but she could not close the deal; she made a decent middle move to get within 3 of the leaders in last before reality set in; needs very best. |
| Kitten Kaboodle |
| Hung wide BC Day and she may not have adored the rail in last; not easy to break the maiden in a stakes but she did so with gusto; like the series of drills with this race in mind; both Browns must be respected. |
| False Clock |
| Toss the debut and the form brightens; far from disgraced in the grass debut and she comes to town brimming with confidence; not show horse in maiden breaker was 5 clear; don't sell too short. |
| Resistivity |
| Pushed along on the legit pace and she just had nothing left in the tank; she ran well in her prior Graded effort and the winner in the Forward Gal repeated in the Grade 2 Davona Dale with an 84 Beyer; she broke her maiden for this rider; look for pilot to send and try to steal it. |
| Annulment |
| Even try in first vs. winners, but she came back to earth in a thud last time; she can be her own worst enemy with limited speed; backers have to hope a duel occurs and she finds a seam in time. |
| Maria Maria |
| Stakes placed but only the second time in Graded land; if you figure she was just short in last you can build a case for a jump forward; she has a right to grow into her skin as kin to 4-time stakes winner and near $300K earner He's Got Grit. |
| Paloma P |
| No mistakes lately and only bad race came when she was fried in a duel; back with favorite pilot and although she got away with the soft pace in last, she can give you a :45 and change half in the mood; best of 22 bullet drill in the holster; respect. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 9
| Southbound Swinger |
| Light breeze pattern for this newcomer; her sire won multiple G2 stakes and 769K (progeny of Distorted Humor have won 126 out of 753 debuts); the dam won 2 of 3 attempts and 63K; winning siblings include 105K earner Private Tutor. |
| Alaskan Bird |
| Nothing accomplished thus far but she makes the all-important first visit to the claiming ranks; shows only a moderate workout pattern for the comeback though and remains difficult to decipher at this level. |
| She's So Wild |
| Respectable showing first time out while stuck on a wide path; her sire won the Derby and 1.72 million; the dam won 3 of 46 tries and 147K; sib to 143K earner Venture Cat; latest blowout was strong and perhaps she can handle this rise. |
| Burning Sky |
| Sired by G1 type Sky Mesa who captured 633K and whose offspring have won 50 out of 376 initial starts; the dam lost her only race; among the winning siblings is 45K bankroller Burning Sky. |
| Proud English |
| Solid tries in the last 2 efforts and, like several others in this field, she drops from the special weight class; 2 back was a particularly good effort when involved in a lengthy duel before settling for a clear-cut second. |
| Aunty Pearl |
| Close-up in the last pair over the turf, she now makes her main track debut; the decent half-mile breeze over the course only 5 days ago is a plus and she can awaken with the surface switch; playable. |
| Marcasite |
| Has a better first gear than most of those who have raced in this field; although defeated by Proud English last month, she may be able to turn the tables if setting a much softer tempo; the betting value will certainly be there. |
| Ms Arch Stanton |
| Progeny of Arch, a G1 winner who amassed 480K, have scored in 11 percent of their debuts; the dam was unraced and there are no winning siblings to highlight; shows a very limited workout regimen. |
| Jock's Girl |
| Commendable showing at Oaklawn a month ago when forced to rally between rivals; the trainer has done well with second off a layoff types such as this and the filly draws the right type of stalking post which can suit her style; consider. |
| Shy Rosa |
| Ran well at Turfway in her first effort since crossing the pond; fair half-mile breeze in the bank should help although this turnback in distance may prove too severe; mixed signals for this mare who might be overbet once again. |
| Madaket |
| Beginner shows a set of half-mile breezes and hails from Colonel John who won multiple G1s and 1.77 million (his descendants have scored in 4 of 48 debuts); the dam won 1 of 16 and 41K; sib to 110K earner Si Senora. - Jim Kachulis |