Keeneland
Keeneland: Closer Looks for April 5, 2014
Race 1
| Skyway |
| If he can run back to that recent workout from the gate, he could prove very tough; his sire won a G1 and 633K overall (offspring of Sky Mesa have won 49 out of 375 debuts); the dam won 7 of 12 and 262K; winning siblings include 201K earner Ava K. |
| Discreet Song |
| Breezed very well of late; his sire won 1.69 million including G1 success; progeny of Discreet Cat have won 12 percent of their first tests; the dam won 1 of 10 and 27K; among the winning sibs is 203K earner Lady of Clare. |
| Time Out of Mind |
| Sired by multiple G3 winner Montbrook who banked 773K and whose descendants have won nearly 11 percent of their first races; the dam did not race; among the winning siblings is 95K earner My Kinda Party. |
| It'll Be Fine |
| Local work tab is steady, at even intervals; the colt's sire won 2 of 10 and 79K; progeny of Greatness are 25 for 140 as far as winning their first try; the dam won 2 of 13 and 82K; this is her only foal to make it to the races. |
| Indygo by You |
| He was sired by G3 victor Indygo Shiner who captured 444K and whose offspring have won 10 out of 112 initial races; the dam went zero for 6; among the winning sibs is 152K earner Tara From the Cape. |
| Storm Off |
| Very fine blowout from the gate 3 days ago; his prolific sire won 6 of 15 and 148K; descendants of Stormy Atlantic have won 106 out of 902 debuts; the dam was zero for 2; sib to 340K earner Golden Country. |
| Sky Racer |
| See the first runner in this field for same sire information; the dam involved won 3 of 13 attempts and 53K; among the winning siblings is 383K earner Ganto; just a tick slower than entrymate Skyway in a recent workout. |
| Climb in Back |
| From an expert trainer of two-year-olds, this filly starts her career against the boys today; her sire won a G2 and 310K; progeny of Ready's Image are 5 for 48 in the first time victorious department; the dam won 3 of 23 and 30K; this is her sole foal to start. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 3
| Nordic Bull |
| Beaten in the small fields in the last pair and she has to prove she can handle the synthetic; there are several winners in the family but none were much stock; his top Beyer was at this distance; needs very best. |
| Money Fan |
| He has the 2 races to draw from now; backers can point to the fact the lone sibling to win was also stakes placed; if he can run at all, he figures to show it here. |
| War Ready |
| In for $100K less than purchase price, she just could not stand up in the off going in last;3rd and 5th finishers in last took MSW events next out and the winner was 2nd beaten a half in a $50K optional; can't be thrilled with the way he has been backing up. |
| My Harlequin Man |
| Hung out to dry last time and maybe he just needed the effort; snappy move last Saturday suggests he is feeling pretty good about himself; gelding has more speed than he just showed; still not sold on chances. |
| County Corrections |
| In for $30K less than purchase price as wide educational debut; dam was unraced; the half sister to win took debut in a MSW at AQU with an 82 Beyer; nice move on the 17th screams off the page; interesting. |
| Favorite Coach |
| A bit more keen to run early in last, he was 4 clear and should enjoy the drop; 12/19 winner repeated in a $50K optional, was crushed in the Risen Star; 1 for 5 dam earned nearly $12K; the 1 for 9 sibling that won cashed on grass; needs to pick it up. |
| Mr. Chow |
| For sale today, but maybe he should have been offered from Day One as a $1,100 purchase; would tread lightly here. |
| Franklin |
| Yet another that shows for a tag, any are eligible to run big; he has a right to mature with class as two siblings banked 6 figures including near $800K double G3 winner Thiskyhasnolimit; this runner looks live. |
| All Cash |
| Connections thought enough of him to try the stakes last year; place horse in last took a MSW and the 10th finisher took a maiden $20K claimer; he still has a shot to thrive as sibling Spenditallbaby took a stakes at 4 and earned over $450K; due to punch it in. |
| Imawarrior |
| Colt wanted no part of the route but he's been gone for a long time; 3rd and 7th finishers in last won at this level next out; 3 for 14 dam earned just over a grand a start; all 10 siblinigs won; top kin Zada Belle won several stakes, earned nearly $250K; lean toward watching a return effort. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 4
| Ristretta |
| Sharp workout regimen for this daughter of War Front who won a G2 and 424K (his progeny have scored first out at a rate of 10 percent); the dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 38K earner Agustina de Aragon. |
| Smart N Soft |
| A fine try in the slop in that November getaway race; her sire won a G1 and 337K overall; the dam, a G2 winner, banked 373K; among the winning sibs is 181K bankroller Wisp; draws comfortably and can be an early presence at the least. |
| Ms. Jean Elizabeth |
| Gets the makeover today (blinkers and Lasix) after showing nothing in her unveiling last summer; her sire won a G2 and 583K; the dam won 12 of 36 and 692K; sib to 41K earner Southside Sis; above average workouts of late. |
| Elysian |
| See the second runner in the field for same sire information (progeny of Smart Strike have scored in 116 out of 802 initial attempts); the dam went 2 for 6 earning 1221K; sib to 80K earner Forward Thinker. |
| Striking Impact |
| Another offspring of Smart Strike to consider (see Smart N Soft, above, for sire info); this filly's dam won 8 of 42 and 171K; winning siblings include 268K earner Devil by Design; an average workout pattern is on display. |
| State Visit |
| Prompted the issue in her grass debut 2 months ago; latest workout over the deep Payson Park strip in Florida suggests she can be a major factor today; must be respected with Hall of Fame trainer at the helm. |
| Boom Boom Vroom |
| Deceptively good effort when attempting a turf sprint in early December; recent workout activity is very sharp; her sire was a multiple G1 sprinter who captured 669K; the dam went 3 for 18 earning 67K; sib to 330K earner Sindy With an S. |
| Southern Honey |
| Might have earned a much better share last month if not for a slow getaway; her sire won multiple G1s and 1.77 while the dam was unraced; among the winning sibs is 219K earner Agung; can work out ideal stalking position now. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 5
| Forte Dei Marmi (GB) |
| He's the first of three Grade 1 winners in here that have earned more than one million dollars and this veteran has shown the ability to run well when fresh in the past; however, he might be using the race to get ready for a longer event the next time around. |
| Awesome Overture |
| Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and G3 winning dam won 7 of 19 starts for 323k, including 0-for-2 over turf; grass is a question, but he brings some early speed with him and he's multiple graded stakes placed racing over the synthetic surface at Woodbine. |
| Tricky Hat (CHI) |
| Stakes winning gelding has done some nice work racing over turf form seven starts, and in the event that this race has to be moved to the main track, he ran well over the main track here earning a stakes placing when last seen; he might be looking to try to jump out on top of this field right from the bell with the addition of blinkers. |
| Up With the Birds |
| He's yet to show us that he knows how to run a bad race and he recorded a G1 victory at today's distance in his final start as a 3-year-old; this will be his first start against older rivals, but this Sam-Son Farm homebred has every bit the look of a top contender. |
| Unbridled Ocean |
| He appears to be going as well as ever at the moment, but this is a very tough group of allowance rivals he's meeting up with, and he might be at his best at distances shorter than today's 1 1/8m assignment; respect connections but leaning toward others. |
| Sky Blazer |
| Multiple graded stakes placed performer earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in a winning performance in his latest outing, and that 97 Beyer is the best last race figure in this field; note that he ran well in a similar spot over this turf course at about this time last year. |
| Boisterous |
| He's another Grade 1 winning millionaire to look at in here but he does have a little bit of a shaky look to him when considering that his latest race wasn't one of his better starts, and that it was his first start away from the McGaughey barn; certainly not going to be surprised if Pletcher gets him back on top of his game, but prefer to side with others. - Brian Pochman |
Race 6
| Thread Bare |
| Sire is 21-for-184 with 1st-time starters; is out of an unraced dam who's only other foal to race is 2-0-0-0 Stand of Glory; posted-some quick 4F workouts; projects to flash gate speed from the inside; will be taking a wait and see approach. |
| Freestyle |
| Most runners move forward 2nd-time out but her Beyer speed figure regressed; lacked stamina 1st-time out and hopes to challenge Summer Camp early; is another who races 1st time on a synthetic surface but has only worked out on dirt. |
| Purse Strings |
| Has outworked the other two 1sters in this event so derserves a lot of consideration with 2 bullet works from her last 4; catches a race lacking superstars making her more attractive to back for this; her sire is 62-for-472 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 7-0-0-1 dam (1K) who's 2 other foals to race are 20-0-1-2 combined (14K). |
| The Tizzler |
| Sire is 27-for-116 with 1st-time starters; is out of an unraced dam who's only other foal to race is 10-0-0-3 Money Zapper (7K); has been outworked by the other 2 debut runners entered here; on a postive note she races for a 2-for-7 debut trainer since 2013. |
| Hunting Hill |
| Primed for this at longer; gets a great pace flow to rally into with a lot of suspect speed signed on; her field-best Beyer 2-back was going long grass; wish she showed more in 2013 here lacking stamina in 2 prior KEE-synthetics-surface starts. |
| Lightning Angel |
| Returns to KEE synthetic the surface of her only exacta finish at 1.5F shorter than today's 6F; adds more gate speed coming off the long layoff for a barn winless since 2013 with similar absentees (0-for-6); the worktab does not inspire confidence so will be taking a wait and see approach. |
| Summer Camp |
| Has never worked out on a synthetic surface so the new oval today is an unknown; debut-Beyer speed figure is a best-last-race speed figure; she is the one to catch after being dueled into defeat in her debut; the post-race workouts do not inspire confidence. |
| Creative Spirit |
| Another runner who regressed the Beyer speed figure 2nd-time out but still see a lot of upside; looked promising in her debut when 2nd best vs. the winner who repeated in a CRC allowance with a 76 speed figure; the runner-up from last Beyered 87 in a next-out GP-MSW win and is entered today in an AQU-Grade 2; she has been working forwardly on synthetic surfaces for this. - Art Gropper |
Race 7
| Vanity Feature |
| Local winner gives the level another shot in his first crack back from better than 4 months on the shelf; 5 year old has been working well for his return to the races and the barn boasts a solid winning clip first time back; fresh speed should put him on the lead and he may prove tough to run down from there. |
| Street Shark |
| Improving gelding seeks his third start score on the step up to this level in his local debut; he breezed well before leaving his Tampa Bay Downs base and he'll get the services of a solid journeyman pilot for this, but he's yet to step on synthetic footing and he'll need to not only take to it, but also move forward over this new surface; he'll have to earn it. |
| Forward Thinker |
| Took 4 straight at Presque Isle Downs before being sent to the bench early last fall; improving gelding has done most of his damage routing, but he did run well at a shorter one turn trip that this in his juvenile debut run and he's shown he's capable of sitting a spot within striking range of the pacesetters early. |
| Seekingthediamond |
| Switches surfaces on the turn back to sprint after a poor break hampered his impact in his career best Beyer effort; he did run well sprinting first out on synthetic footing as a sophomore and he should be tighter with his return try behind him so maybe a better start helps him contend for a share at a price today. |
| Braveman |
| Fresh colt makes his first start of the year with a sharp pilot getting aboard; colt ran well over the track in his career debut and maybe the return to sprinting will help move him forward, but though he's run well off drills he may need one before we see his best; prefer others on the win end. |
| Patrioticandproud |
| Makes his first start in 8 months while returning to a track over which he ran big in victory over better around this time last year; 5 year old had been competing in stakes company North of the border in his last couple of spins so he should find these softer and a top pilot will get aboard today. |
| Jagger M |
| He's another making his first start of the season in this spot after hitting the bench off a late running score against entry level allowance runners in Canada; colt does his better running from well out of it and there's not a whole bunch of early lick in here so though he's proven fresh he could find himself with work to do late. |
| Joe Can Gallop |
| Lightly raced 4 year old earned his second career win on the engine here in his lone synthetic spin; gelding has been away since the fall meeting but he does own a fresh score and a top pilot sees fit to take the call so have to think despite just one drill on his tab that he's set to fire today; worth a look. |
| Lay It Down |
| Outside drawn gelding seeks his fifth straight score while turning back to sprint on the rise to this level; Leparoux hits at a big clip when called upon by this barn which does a great job with runners second back from the break; he doesn't have much one turn experience but his route lick doesn't figure to have him too far out of this one early; contender. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 8
| Son of a Preacher |
| Shows 12-AP-synthetic-surface workouts and some good ones pre-race; he will be making his 1st start ever on a synthetic surface; big-time class relief today noting in latest-the show finisher toyed with the field in the FG-Grade 2-Louisiana Derby last Saturday (97 Beyer speed figure). |
| Catchifyoucan |
| Seems like the correct name given following his front-running romp in the TP unveiing; hopes to be quicker than these out of the gate then keep on going; clearly bettors saw his potential bet down to 2-1 odds 1st-time out; adds 1F for the class test facing winners for the 1st time which is often any runner's toughest assignment. |
| Sorpresa d'Oro |
| 1st-Lasix and 2nd-time out marked a dramatic-form improvement when kindly rating just off the speed to win on dirt; has never worked out on a synthetic surface and since 2013 his barn does not have a starter on synthetic; off latest see a lot of upside for fast dirt but will be taking a wait and see approach for this. |
| Rockford |
| Bullet workout for this and back to his preferred synthetic surface; the key could be the new-7F distance; in his 2 synthetic-surface races including a show finish in a stakes 7F seems like an ideal-stamina test for him; the 3-back winner made it 3-for-3 next out taking a 100K stakes with an 87 Beyer; contender. |
| Max's Defence |
| Made the front in 2 of 3 losses but has to break better than Catchifyoucan to see the lead today; got brave on the engine to post the graduation upset; 3F-bullet workout for this suggests we will see a lot of gate speed; the debut winner Beyered 77 in a next-out TP-optional-claiming win. |
| Jet Cat |
| Only-synthetic start was a TP-graduation romp; lone win was on the lead but saw none of his gate speed in recent losses; has Max's Defence and Catchifyoucan to fend off early for this then the closers late; view as a pace presence for part. |
| Artemus Coalmine |
| New pilot yields 43% winners for the trainer at KEE since 2013; raced on the lead in 1st pair and clearly more gate speed was expected from his stakes-debut loss 9 weeks ago; with this field so top heavy with gate speed likely stalks the front then hopes to show he can handle today's KEE oval leaving TP for the 1st time. |
| Clovelly |
| Mud winner off the bench for his return to KEE synthetic where in October he finished 2nd best with a career-best Beyer to a sharp winner who finished 4th next-time out in a BHP-100K stakes; main concern is his so-so worktab for a trainer 0-for-8 since 2013 with similar-fresh runners; projects to need one off the bench to ultimately see best form. |
| Chester's Park |
| Lone win was on the lead at longer; projects to chase the pace wide for this;1st-time Lanerie to pilot who ended his GP-winter season sizzling; better placement today off the stakes loss; would like more if the pace was not projected to be as quick. |
| Myositis Dan |
| Projects to work out an ideal trip stalking a lot of inside-gate speed; returns to the KEE-win surface after exiting a field-best Beyer speed figure-exacta finish on dirt; his lone start over the track was a sharp effort winning from post 10; the 2-back winner finished 5th next out in the G2 Swale; the pick. - Art Gropper |
Race 9
| Istanford |
| Must prove it on dirt and she is looking at faster splits here; she chased live splits in her lone synthetic run and just wilted; she has been keen to run early but was tiring a bit in the last win in the turf miler; Rocco got a chance to figure her out; needs very best. |
| Room Service |
| All she has done is fire every time; now it's a new ballgame on the synthetic; she seems to have taken to this strip if the best of 13 bullet on the 27th is any indication; there should be plenty of speed in here to help promote the needed punch; interesting that Rosario bails for the failed allownce runner last time. |
| Macaroon |
| She had some eventful trips to kick off the career but the light has now gone on; second time Lasix here, fully extended in last and she was getting a little late; love the spacing of the return drills; she has been turf only so far but her tactical speed should give her first run on the deep closers. |
| On the Backstreets |
| Pushed along from slot 11 in last, she just had nothing left; in the good hands of Miller and she has trained forwardly for this; invader probably has to improve to get there but rates an upset glance. |
| Thank You Marylou |
| The class is there considering the trouble she had a Saratoga; no reason she won't get the trip as sire won the Belmont Stakes and the lone sibling was a double route winner; note show horse in last was nearly 6 clear; respect. |
| Testa Rossi (FR) |
| She caught the soft course the only time out of the money; miss has a deadly turn of late foot and note she was steadied BC Day; distance of no concern, she just shows up, puts on the work boots, punches the clock and fires; another major player in a good betting race. |
| Miss Besilu |
| Mott looking for that deja vu feeling as his Emollient won this race last year after running 5th in the GP Oaks; she set a :48 and change pace and drew off by 9 with a 97 Beyer; this miss has a right to mature with grace as half bro Saint Liam won multiple Grade 1 at 5 including BC Classic on way to over $4.4 million career; like fact she got a local drill under her girth; don't sell too short.q |
| Rosalind |
| Miss has never run a bad race; if you figure she was just short in last, one has something to build on here; 8th finisher in last took a $75K optional next out and the winner repeated in the Grade 2 GP Oaks with a 90 Beyer; best of 11 bullet drill in the holster; look for her in the final stages if at all. |
| Candy Kitty |
| Yet another steady miss and maybe connections had this race in mind all the time; she could be hard pressed to keep up with the projected hot pace here; note sure the race sets up all that great for her. |
| Ireland |
| A tiring 6th in the other synthetic run, she has been hung wide in the last pair; she has a right to grow into her skin as kin Dublin took a G1, banked nearl $450K; miss has more zip than she just showed; respect everything from this barn. |
| Saturday Bliss |
| Empire-bred shocked in the opener, set the soft splits in last and just kept going; show horse in last won next out in a $75K optional with a 67 Beyer; she gets the acid test here and must prove she can win in open company; that's a huge assignment. |
| Seeking Her Glory |
| Like the series of drills since the last effort; she could get away on the tote as she is facing some rivals that just had her number; miss does have the seasoning to build on; probably needs to improve to cash here. |
| Resistivity |
| Lone poor race did come on the synthetic but she was hung wide that day; 1/25 winner repeated in the G2 Davona Dale with an 84 Beyer; show horse in last cashed next out in a $75K optional with a 78 Beyer; would expect rider to send along from this slot but she might be compromised by the post. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 10
| Glorious Chant |
| Half-sister to multiple G1 winner overseas, Campanologist (11-36, $1.6 million) ran well the first two times she raced over turf, but it would have been nice to have seen her show more in her first two starts against winners, and she must improve her game to prove to be the one in this spot. |
| Canny Nanny |
| All three of her turf starts have been solid performances and really like to see the way that she stepped it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in her latest start; this is her first start beyond 1 1/16m but have to respect her chances based on that sharp win after a layoff last out; Lezcano has won with 5 of 17 (29%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Meri Shika (FR) |
| She's Grade 3 stakes placed racing in France, and we likely didn't see the best of her in her first start in North America when last seen; feel that she's eligible to be ready to give a decent account of herself in her first start as a 4-year-old. |
| Satisfaction |
| She's been very good in her first two starts and she's a nose shy of being two-for-two to begin her career; half-sister to G1 winner Dancing Forever (5-22, 901k over turf) has plenty of potential for better behind her at this stage, and Rosario has won with 4 of 13 (31%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Pleasant Cat |
| She's been a consistent performer but she needed 12 starts to get to her first win and this isn't a soft spot for her to meet up with winners for the first time; perhaps a spot underneath in the exotics is within her reach, but looking toward others for the top spot. |
| Spring Reason |
| Relatively light raced 5-year-old has a strong pedigree for turf but she's yet to produce a performance that is strong enough to suggest that she can get the better of the top contenders in here; respect the fact that Napravnik takes the call for Sheppard, but others entice more. |
| Ardingly (IRE) |
| Her form racing overseas looks like it was so-so at best and she tired badly in her first start in America when last seen; like to see Leparoux aboard again, and he's had a lot of success riding the Keeneland turf, but this filly will have to take her game to another level to prove to be the one in this spot. |
| Unbridled Wee |
| Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 17 starts for 76k, including 0-for-1 over turf; her better races were run in Southern California, and not only will she need to be ready to produce her best effort to date to beat this bunch, but her pedigree isn't exactly crying out for turf. |
| Love Blind (ARG) |
| Respect the fact that she showed up with an improved performance in her turf debut in her latest outing, but this does appear to be a tough next step for her; her most recent workout looks sharp, and this is a barn and rider that team up with success, but going to look in another direction. - Brian Pochman |