Keeneland: Closer Looks for April 23, 2014

Race 2

Snaggedem

First-timer is by a 12 percent debut sire; dam went 0/3 and this is her first foal; works just average and the past five years his trainer is 0/26 with first-time starters; rail can be intimidating for a horse making their debut; not likely.

King Aslan

Takes a slight drop after making little impact in his debut at Oaklawn, but it was a key race and the winner won a $40K n/w/2 claiming race here April 4; dam was a Grade 3 winner and 4 of his 5 sibs to race are winners; he is eligible to move forward with a race behind him; some things to like.

Wild About Dixie

Debuts for Kingsley who the past five years is 1/9 with first-time starters - the lone winner was going 4 1/2 furlongs at Prairie Meadows; sire 4/29 with first timers; dam was unraced; lone sibling has won a couple of sprints and has earned just over $5K; interesting to see Leparoux aboard but due to the lack of works we're going to pass.

New Found King

4-year-old is the most experienced horse in the field which is not something to be proud of in a maiden race; he has come close a few times including a big effort on Poly at Turfway; he tuned up for this with a decent effort in a sprint in Oaklawn and can see him picking up a slice in his second start back.

Mr. Swagger

Ran an improved race in his latest and if you toss his only turf attempt when he made his first start this year following a lengthy layoff he doesn't look out of line here; he gets a better post today where he should be able to save some ground; another possibility in a wide-open event.

Sunquero

Drops into a maiden claimer for the first time and it is encouraging to see Castellano accept the mount; double-digit losses in three of his four races but the one time he made the lead he held on well to finish second in a key race and the winner won a first-level allowance race in his next start; looks like the one to catch here; big shot.

That's a Kitten

First race for Ward was a good one and the way he has been working here it looks like he'll handle the surface switch; the barn is winning at a high rate at the meet and note the strong numbers Ward has recently put up in the turf to synthetic category; lone sib is a full-brother who has won 4 races on the lawn and placed in a Grade 3; the pick.

Kerry Washington

He was stuck on the rail in the same race Mr. Swagger exits and when it looked like he might do some damage turning for home he raced greenly in the stretch; it was just his second start so there is certainly room for improvement; dam was unraced, one of three sibs is a winner; consider for the exotics.

Risk and Return

Tried the lawn in her debut and she never really got involved; the past five years Amoss has a 32 percent strike rate with maidens taking the drop into a maiden claimer in their second start; dam was unraced; both sibs to race are multple winners; possible.

Ignatius

He never picked up his feet when he debuted in a $50K maiden claimer in New York and his two slow works here aren't very encouraging; dam won a race and earned $24K; two of three sibs are winners with the top earner banking $23K; others looks more attractive.

Kodiak Syd

Second from Glyshaw added blinkers for his latest and he made a threatening move at the top fo the stretch but couldn't keep it going in the same race Kerry Washington and Mr. Swagger exit; not a bad effort though, and he ran a big race here as a 2-year-old last Oct; not sure what kind of a trip he is going to get from this post; however.

Call Me Trouble

Louisiana-bred got off to a rough start but finished well when he debuted in a state-bred race at the Fairgrounds; it was a key race and the horse that finished second won his next two including a state-bred stakes with an 86 Beyer Speed Figure; dam won 5 races and earned $42K; one of two sibs is a winner; Hendrickson is 2/14 at Keeneland the past five years; interesting.-Randy Goulding

Race 3

Shakeyogroovething

9yo has been a pro for a long time - you don't win 10 times by accident; that being said, he IS a 9yo now and his form has been a bit spotty the past year or so; last win came going 2 miles but at least he's won before at this trip; perked up some here April 5, his first start in a couple months, and it's nice to see no further drop.

Cat's Destiny

Recent form has been pretty nice; trouble is it came elsewhere (MNR, TP, FG) and against likely lesser foes than he faces here; at least the Beyers have gone up of late and his big $5K N3L win March 15 came on Polytrack (TP), though his only prior start here wasn't very pretty; best work has come when they put him right into the race.

Contrapuntal

Looked on his way when a smashing 7-length winner over maidens (at 36-1 no less) at CD last June 22; however, things have not gone well since as he was pulled up on ELP turf and now there have been more than a couple gaps in his schedule; at least returns up in price but when last seen he got beat a quarter mile (43 lengths) by much cheaper at TP so are these too much for him?; has worked very nicely of late at least.

Purely Boy

Finished with good energy to be 3rd for $10K sprinting here April 6; not only did Walsh see fit to claim him but he brings him back up multiple levels off the claim, a great sign; 5yo has shown he can route, too, so the change of trip isn't a big issue.

Silence

Pressed the pace for $10K before ending up a well-beaten 3rd (5 1/4 lengths) here April 4; now up multiple levels so it's surely a tougher spot; but hey, that was his first run in 6 months so he's eligible to improve; still, his best work hasn't really come here, has it (6-0-0-1)?

Ridge City

Posted a 40-1 upset on CD turf last June 21 but then came a layoff and save for a decent 2nd here Oct. 18 (at 53-1) things haven't gone too well; 2 dull December outings at TP, then came a layoff and he was a no-factor 5th at this level here April 5; at least you can point to some trouble that day but he's got some work to do if he's to have a say.

I Am the King

Old boy (8yo) still had plenty of gas in the tank last summer, winning 2 of 3 when last seen; 12-time winner so he knows where the wire is; still, 'when last seen' was a while ago so he must deal with a layoff and we're not on turf today, the surface of his last 2 wins; a sharp 2nd over this track at this level though that came quite a while ago (Oct. 2012).

Solid South

Winless in 5 synthetic starts but 1 2nd and 3 3rds show he handles this ground so while it's his first time here that might not be an issue; what may be an issue is that his last couple at OP weren't too sharp; they came for this price, yes, but they also came vs. restricted foes (N3L) so facing open rivals today means a class hike for his first local try; at least Leparoux sees fit to ride.

Borden Brave

Tough to build a case; 9yo has 5 wins but those came quite a while ago; he hasn't really been a factor in his last 12 starts and what's worse is the bulk of those have come against lesser than he facxes today; yet to hit the board in 5 local tries and synthetic might not be his forte anyway as career-wise he's just 1-for-45 on the stuff.

Exit

Toss that 7th vs. more expensive ($25K) on turf at FG March 23 and you're left with a string of good outings; that being said, none of that has come on synthetic so today marks not only his first time here but first time on this footing; good news, though, again, is his overall recent form has been nice, the drop helps and he worked a very smart 4fs over this track April 7 (:47.40) to make you feel encourage as to his synthetic abilities.

Quietdetermination

Comes here sharp from FG where he won his last 2; that being said, those 2 wins, and in fact all 7 career wins, came on turf - he's 0 for 6 on synthetic with just 1 3rd to show for it; again, at least comes here in peak form and Cox saw fit to claim the 8yo last time and he's strong off the claim (27%).

Newfound Zapper

No real threat routing here April 9 but remember, that was for twice this tag so today there's a significant class drop; 2nd routing here earlier in his career so he can handle this track, also evidenced by a bullet :59.60 work here March 31 prior to his last; big drop may be key though he got no help from the draw; Sanchez/Ward have been terrific together (5 for last 8, 63%).-Michael Hammersly

Race 4

Laser Cat

Maturing filly seems to prefer a good turf course and must be considered a major force today if catching that footing; even on firm ground, she can be a menace and the latest blowout suggests she can handle today's escalation; apprentice Davis has scored aboard her in the past.

Sweet Nkosi

That was a bold try in her sprint grass debut when she was a clear second; her only other try over the green was a deceptively strong front-running effort at a mile, obviously not her best distance; the mare should be within range today.

Jamaican Smoke

One of the main speeds to consider but this is her first attempt over the lawn; her sire won 6 of 12 and 450K including a G1 score but never tried the turf (offspring of Latent Heat have won 7 of 66 initial tries on this surface); the dam won 1 of 6 and 16K; winning siblings include 173K earner Jamaican Smoke.

Turn by Turn

Hurt by the outside post and a speed duel in her last assignment at Oaklawn; sole try over the grass was in a route affair where she held on gamely; workout regimen this month is fair and evenly spaced; betting value is assured.

Big Brown Brookski

Introduction of blinkers did not seem to help much last month but today's distance turnback can; one-run type needs a very hot early past in order to have any chance of making a serious bid; intriguing item since the odds will be inviting.

Ms Hoochie Coochie

Exits a very fast off-the-turfer where she was trounced by Misszippityslewda; she caught good courses in all of her turf sprint attempts thus far and may appreciate a firm surface; only moderate workout activity this month is on display; should this race be washed away, it should be remembered the mare ran a fine second over the main track here while a maiden.

Liz Pendens

She has never been in a sprint affair of any kind yet she has shown consistent early speed; can also prompt the issue and if she is able to secure an ideal position behind battling speeds, she has strong money chances; the trainer has a fine strike rate with grass sprinters.

Sakra

Veteran mare has raced only twice this year but has a dozen lifetime victories to her credit (none on this surface, however); did have a tough time of it in her last turf assignment (last summer at Indiana when losing all kinds of ground) and will be overlooked in the wagering this afternoon.

Misszippityslewda

Perfect exacta record thus far and she hails from the City Zip who won 9 of 23 and 818K (his progeny have scored in 46 out of 330 turf debuts); the dam was unraced; winning siblings include 186K earner Picaslew; respect her chances today even with the light portfolio.

Spun Silky

Rallied after the fact in a race where the last furlong was completed in very fast time; she closed with a rush to score 2 back but was aided by white-hot fractions that day (something that may not be in the cards here); winning rider Napravnik returns.

Happy Everafter

Stalked and pounced in her last tally at Turfway but against much weaker stock; did run well in each grass test including the maiden breaker from a wide post; most recent a.m. breeze was atypically fast and Hernandez is in the irons once again; consider.

Crookedpathtoglory

Honest filly took a while to get into gear in both grass races last season but unlike most of the field, does have important prior experience over this particular course; went for the lead in her last try, which is probably not her best running style; may be able to launch a rally from midpack now.

Miffed

Her sire was a G1 winner on the dirt who banked 905K but offspring of Purge have not done well in their first grass attempt (winning only 2 of 143); the dam won 2 of 7 and 47K; sib to 140K earner Dill Or No Dill; cannot recommend for the top spot if this remains on the grass.

Vegas Baby Vegas

Fine gate speed for this lass but she has lucked out with very comfortable post positions in recent starts; if breaking in from the AE list today, she will likely encounter strong early opposition; cannot endorse for the tri unless there is more than one key late scratch.-Jim Kachulis

Race 6

Sommerville Miss

The Daddy 1 for 34 with first-time turfers; sire took the Super Derby, won 3 of 4, banked over $500K, never turfed; 1 for 20 dam took a dirt sprint; several multiple race winners in the family, 2 cashed on grass, 2 banked 6 figures; troubled 3 back and the winner that day repeated in and NC allowance at Houston; don't discount.

Sea Queen

She ran too good to lose in the comebacker two back and lost all chance when forced to steady in last when beaten by clear winner; 4th and 8th finishers in last won at this level next time with 70 and 72 Beyers respectively; connections would love to see her mature like top kin and near $300K turf earner Nereid; can't fault those that give her another shot at glory.

Stock Yard Hen

Nice ride in last; pilot opened up a nice margin, had enough left in the tank; she has a right to grow into her skin as kin to multiple Grade 3 winner, multiple grass winner and over $500K earner Buffalo Man; looking a more speed this time.

Patricia's Kitten

Kitten's Joy about 16% with first-time turfers in a 309-runner sample; sire won twice at 2, won multiple G1s on grass, banked over $2 million; dam was unraced; G3 placed full brother Kitten's Kid took 2 of 6, both on grass, banked nearly $100K; may need experience vs. winners.

Passing Pfast

Winchester Place Thoroughbreds LLC was named as owner for the debut; would not be shocked if she shows some semblance of speed this time with the Phone Trick blood on the bottom side; she at least has a local drill; don't sell too short.

Share the Sugar

Heatseeker 10 for 36 with first-time turfers; sire took juvenile debuting sprinting on grass in Ireland, took the Big Cap, earned over $1.1 million; 2 for 13 dam was out of the money in only turf out; the sibling that won took 2 sprints, lost only turf out; connections may have gotten away with one in the maiden claimer.

Spring Again

Connections thought enough of her to try the stakes; blinks back on, just like they were for the maiden breaker; back to favorite pilot, look for bug to be much more aggresssive here; drills are well spaced; must be left in the mix.

Personal Diary

At least she got a feel of the course and maybe she didn't care from the rail; the 10/27 winner took a Grade 3 next out with a 90 Beyer; note show horse in the 2013 closer was well clear; expect much better result.

Wicked Temper

Pushed issue on the slow pace, but she is back on the preferred surface now; could see her sitting a decent stalk and pounce trip; rates upset glance.

Morethanawarning

Miss closed into the slow pace for the lone win, but she can be her own worst enemy since she has zero speed; there are several 6-figure earners in the family; looking elsewhere for a key top horse.

Valseuse

She has dead aim in last but could not quicken; the winner last time repeated in the Grade 1 Ashland with a 91 Beyer; future is bright for this miss as she is kin to near $300K earner Alcomatch; both of the Clements are live.

Rhapsody in Blue

Overcame awkward start in the debut but has been dull since; if you figure she just needed her last you can make a case for a move forward but she has some things to iron out.

Charlie A

Off poorly two back, note she has been wide every time; note 2/27 race did come back live; Rocco has had success for this barn; interesting.

Lawn Party

Nice move to pick up 7 lengths on one move; she gets some class from the bottom side as the dam took a Grade 2 and earned nearly $350K; rates long look if she gets a chance to suit up.-Brian Mulligan

Race 7

More Everything

Sire Ghostzapper gets over 9% debut winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 9 of 11 for $3.4 million, won G1 Vosburgh, G1 Woodward, G1 Met Mile, G1 BC Classic, was Horse of the Year; dam's only foal is Black Oak (1 win, $36K, SP); dam won 2 of 9 for $81K, SW; some encouraging works for a trainer who can fire first out (19%).

Circle the Empire

Some speed shown in his GP debut last month but he hit the brakes pretty hard; still, you can always be forgiving about a first run; worked decently here April 12 and the Empire Makers handle synthetic quite nicely, thank you; 3 of 5 sibs to race are winners including full-sis Empress of Gold (3 wins, $153K) and half-sis Chatham (3 wins, $156K, twice SP).

Crissy Field

Shown speed and ability, a nice combination, and while all that work has come routing the distance cutback could work well for her; after all, routers with speed often do well moving back to 7fs; handled this track nicely the 2 times she tried it, too; 2 sibs to race are winners including Tiz Biz (6 wins, $75K).

Lady Marian

Flashed promise on dirt at CD Nov. 10 when a decent 4th but things haven't gone so well since so that run is looking more like the exception than the rule; lone synthetic try came here last fall and wasn't any great shakes, though that was just her debut so you can be a bit forgiving, and she blew the start to boot; at least she kept to her task to pass some rivals; nice to see no panicky drop by Arnold 2nd, some nice recent works and that Leparoux takes the call.

Sea Shadow

Debut came at this trip at CD Nov. 30 and she did run 3rd, though let's face it, she wasn't much of a threat (beaten 12 1/4 lengths); tried synthetic here April 11 and was a respectable 5th; that was routing so there's a distance cutback today which may help at her at this stage of the game; 2 of 3 sibs are winners including Our Second Fitz (2 wins, $25K).

Calm Water

Maybe this is the footing she's wanted all along; first 4 starts got mixed results, 3 on dirt, 1 on turf; but she's been freshened, always a Mott power move, and goes to synthetic; why might she like this place?; well, her only sib is full-sister Emollient who's won the G1 Ashland and G1 Spinster over this track, and just last Friday was 3rd in the G3 Doubledogdare here; solid works of late say she's ready.

My Merry Way

Debut at CD last Sept. 14 was most encouraging as she stalked and stayed on for 3rd; OK, so she wasn't much of a threat (beaten 8 1/2 lengths) but the winner Vexed won the G2 Golden Rod there in the fall; hasn't been seen since but Motion is superb off the bench; cost $235K so there likely are some expectations here; 6 of 7 sibs to race are winners including Vegas No Show (4 wins, $241K, 3-time SW, G2 SP), Our Khrysty (6 wins, $313K, multiple GW including a G3, multiple SP including a G2) and full-bro Bullsbay (7 wins, $923K, won G1 Whitney, also G3 SW, G1/G3 SP).

Sacred Moon

Got knocked around at the start of her debut at AQU Nov. 3 and was unable to make a dent; still, between the trouble and the fact it was her debut you can be forgiving; hasn't been seen since, which is a tad worrisome but she's been working steadioy; cost $230K and is by the same sire as last year's G1 Ky. Derby winner Orb (Malibu Moon); 1 of 2 sibs is winner Exchange Cat (2 wins, $77K, twice SP).

Shift Colors

Sire Mizzen Mast gets over 8% debut winners; sire won 5 of 11 for $554K, was a G3 SW and G1 SP in France, won G1 Mailbu, G2 Strub in U.S.; unraced dam's only foal is Bella's Train (3 2nds in 13 starts, $5K); some solid works for the guy who tightens the girth on 2-time HOY Wise Dan.

Pageantry

Debut on WO Polytrack Nov. 2 wasn't very pretty but she took a nice step forward in start No. 2 there Nov. 23, finishing 4th; hasn't been seen since but it's nice to see no drop and she's been working nicely here; that last run shows she handles Polytrack just fine, too; lone sib to race is Apostolic (1 win, $41K).

Doodle's Candy

Sire Candy Ride gets over 13% debut winners; sire won all 6 starts for $749K, was multiple G1 SW in Argentina, was G1/G2 SW in U.S.; dam has 3 winners from 4 foals to race including Lemon Maid (4 for 5, $262K, 3 SWs incuding a G3); dam won 11 of 24 for $557K, was multiple SW including a G3, multiple G3 SP; some snappy local works hint at ability, though Sims's runners tend to do better after a race or 2 (0 for last 21 first out).

Southbound Swinger

Sire Distorted Humor gets over 16% debut winners, produced G1 Ky. Derby/G1 Preakness winner Funny Cide; sire won 8 of 23 for $769K, was multiple G2 SW, also G1 SP; dam's lone foal is Private Tutor (3 wins, $105K, SW, SP); dam won 2 of 3 for $63K; light work tab and the April 13 move here doesn't hint at a lot of zip.-Michael Hammersly

Race 8

Silvery Starlet

Nice job by Kimmell to have her ready to roll first time out and like the way she didn't panic when she was squeezed back early; she exploded when Rosario asked her to run on the turn and she is certainly eligible to move forward with a race behind her; half-sister to Grade 1 winners Roman Ruler and El Corredor appears to have a bright future; the pick.

Meri Shika (FR)

Not a bad effort coming off a layoff in a similar spot and the horse that finished third came back to win a first-level allowance race on the lawn with an 84 Beyer Speed Figure; this gal came back with a nice work and should move forward with a race under her belt; horse that beat her in her last race in France just missed in a Grade 3 in her next start; consider for the exotics.

Indian Starlight

5-year-old mare is the only horse in the field with Beyer Speed Figures in the 80's and she's coming off a sharp win at Gulfstream where she posted her career-best figure; the race was validated when the horse that finished third won a $62K optional race with an 83 Beyer in her next start at Gulfstream; interesting to see Leparoux abandon her to ride Pink Nightie; nonetheless, she looks like a major player.

Emmy Who

5-year-old has four wins to her credit but she is coming off a loss in a $10K claiming race and there are possible future stakes winners running in this field; hard to see her making much of an impact in this spot so we're going to move on.

Faster Then Light

Makes her North American debut and she has certainly worked well enough while leading up to her first start since Sept; she wasn't running for a lot of money In Poland and it is hard to get a strong feel for the types of horses she was facing; she is the first foal out of a mare that won three races in North America and earned $97K; we're just going to watch and see how she fits here.

Broadmoor de Light

Another one that seems to be biting off quite a bit more than she can chew; she is moving back to the lawn and one of her two wins came on turf at Golden Gate; can only find one other horse her new trainer has claimed in the past five years and it didn't make much of an impact in his first start for the barn; hard to see it.

Chat

Nice win in her debut as a 2-year-old in Great Britain but it took her almost a year to make it back to the races and she wasn't much of a factor when she tried winners at a more substantial track in her second start; another long layoff to overcome here but we all know Sheppard can have them ready to roll coming off any kind of break; horse that won her last start across the pond didn't win in seven subsequent starts; dam was unraced and neither sibling is a winner; nice works but she has a lot to prove.

Glorious Chant

Looked like she might be a factor but she lost any momentum she had when she steadied sharply on the second turn in the same race Meri Shika exits; she may have needed the race and it wouldn't be surprising to see her move forward in her second start back; half to $1.6 million Grade 1 winner Campanoligist should at least be consicered for the exotics.

Pink Nightie

She improved quite a bit in her second and third starts at Tampa and the horse she beat in her latest won a MSW race at Tampa with a 68 Beyer Speed Figure in her next start; this is a much-tougher assignment but it is interesting to see Laperoux abandon what appears to be a very live horse in Indian Starlight to land here; her half-brother Mass Media won the Grade 1 Forego so the breeding is certainly there.

Miss Tapit

She's won or finished third in half of her twelve starts but her last two wins came in $20K conditional races on the lawn at Monmouth and then she lost as the chalk in a $10K claimer at Monmouth; she did have a sharp three-furlong move over the main track April 18 but she would have to improve dramatically to make an impact; passing.

Ghost Galaxy

Her career-best Beyer Speed Figure came on turf so she won't mind the surface switch after tiring in a $20K optional race at Turfway March 30; it was her first try with winners after breaking her maiden with a 59 Beyer in her previous start; this is clearly a tougher spot and she could have a hard time leaving from the outside post in a full field; others look more attractive.-Randy Goulding