Keeneland
Keeneland: Closer Looks for April 6, 2014
Race 1
| Cash Is Queen |
| Drops in for a straight tag for her return from the freshening following another fade at Fair Grounds; filly last won at this trip and she did work well before leaving her base; .500 hitter over synthetic footing was in tough while making her lone start over the local footing; threat. |
| Blue Forty |
| Makes her local debut while also dropping in to face claimers; mare's 2 most recent scores came over synthetic footing last summer and this barn is profitable with its fresh runners; a solid journeyman pilot who knows his way around this course will get aboard. |
| Gentle One |
| First part of the entry returns from nearly half a year on the shelf after a weak local turf spin sent her to the bench; 8 year old did win over the main track at this time last year and she worked last week like she's on her toes for the comebacker; there looks to be plenty of speed to set up her late run, but she could find herself with a lot to do late while facing a better bunch than she's used to. |
| Laila Dundee |
| Other half of the barn's coupling lures Rosie for her return from the break; like the way she's been working for her local debut and she does have solid early foot, but she's another who has been facing cheaper and the presence of other lick won't make things easy on her. |
| Courtly Flyer |
| Turns back to sprint in her return to synthetic footing after running away from optional claimers on the Mountaineer dirt last month; mare owns a local score and with other speed signed on she should be able to settle some at this reduced trip; worth a look. |
| Dissension |
| Ships in to make her local debut while turning back to try synthetic footing for the initial time; filly has run big on both turf and dirt, earning recent numbers that play out as the best of the bunch so she'll take her share of tote support; new outfit does ok with its claims right back but they've had a rough season; there's the question of surface and she doesn't figure to offer much value, but she still may just be the best gal in here. |
| Forget That Gal |
| Outside drawn filly showed good speed before tiring late in her return to sprinting at Turfway; she's been given plenty of time to get over the effort and as she's proven in each of her last 2 wins, she doesn't need the lead to fire which benefits her from this starting slot; contender. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 2
| Truly Amazing |
| Ran well off the bench in June but his barn is 1-for-16 since 2013 with similar-fresh runners; 2010-KEE allowance win at today's distance is a career-best Beyer speed figure; good sign he might be ready reuniting with the September, 2012, PID-16K-claiming win rider for this; the 3-back winner repeated in a PID-$12,500 claimer with a 77 Beyer. |
| Expecting Cash |
| 34%-winning synthetic-surface trainer since 2013 sends this one to an all-weather strip for the 1st time; 1st-time in the Amoss barn is a 28%-win angle and his workouts for this over the KEE oval were right on the money; class relief following a stakes loss adds to the appeal. |
| Big Blue Streaker |
| Trying to remember his 92 field-best Beyer posted April, 2010, gate-to-wire at today's distance on KEE synthetic taking a 20K claimer; expected more when freshened up for last; the 3-back off-the-bench victory saw him defeat the show finisher who Beyered 66 in a next-out TP-5K-claiming win. |
| Strong Resolve |
| Exits a best-last-race Beyer when edged by the show runner who posted an 85 speed figure in a next-out FG-25K-claiming win; is 2-for-3 on KEE synthetic however the last time he raced off a layoff he was far off his best game; reunites with the 2-back win rider; has some strong improvement angles working but wondering if he will need one off the break? |
| Brat |
| Ran well in defeat off the bench in May but his trainer is 0-for-12 since 2013 with similar-layoff runners; exits a career-best Beyer at longer over the track when edged by the runner-up finisher who Beyered 70 in a next-out CD-$7,500-claiming win. |
| Swaylon Braylon |
| Try to catch me; 1st time on this KEE surface while he's been a new runner since claimed in January; obviously this is a major-class test and will likley have to fend off Brat from the gate then the closers in deep stretch; the 3-back winner made it 4 in a row capturing his next two a 5K-claiming win and a starter alw. score with 69-67 Beyers. - Art Gropper |
Race 4
| Northern Empire |
| Ambitious placement doubling the price tag of most-recent losses; in latest he lost all chance at the start when breaking in the air; lone win occurred at shorter when rallying; he seems in tough again for his 1st-KEE assignment; New York-bred owns his career-best Beyer speed figure on turf; a tough call. |
| King Hugo |
| 1st-time for a trainer winning 24% in 2014; latest looks better since the runner-up finisher Beyered 67 in a next-out 15K-claiming win; the 3-back winner repeated in a MNR-allowance with a 64 speed figure; speedster gets his longest-distance test since October; view as a pace presence. |
| Emotional Stroll |
| Switches to a synthetic surface off the sharp-dirt win which looks even better now since the runner-up finisher Beyered 51-50 in 2 next-out wins a PEN10K-claimer and a LRL-$12,500 event; worked well enough over an all-weather strip to try this for a 30%-winning synthetic trainer since 2013. |
| Atasheen |
| Projects to own the best gate speed for a 27%-winning turf-to-synthetic trainer; should be set for a biggie 2nd time off the bench although latest does represent a Beyer-career Top; the 2-back winner and runner-up finisher Beyered 78-76 in next-out HAW-alw. and GP-OPC wins. |
| Ucanchangethename |
| Blinkers off is a good-win angle for the trainer while he is 1-for-1 on a synthetic surface; has had serious gate issues in last 4 races hoping the equipment change, surface switch and new rider all will help; did not fire to his good-GP main-track worktab16 days ago on dirt. |
| Wordly Dreamer |
| Massive-class test after beating Louisiana-bred maidens; the show finisher from last Beyered 63 in a next-out FG-25K-maiden-claiming win; clearly got better as the distances increased so cutting back to 7F for this is another huge question mark; figures to sit back early then make one run. |
| Is Silver Good |
| Exits back-to-back field-best Beyers and is the one to beat; late runner has been claimed 3 times since December; newest conditioner yields 23% winners 1st off off the buy since 2013; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 76 in a next-out FG-OPC win; has something to prove on a synthetic surface off first pair at AP. - Art Gropper |
Race 5
| My Afleet |
| Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 13 starts for 75k, including 1 of 10 turf starts for 40k; he'll have to be ready to show more with a move to turf in order to threaten the top contenders in this one. |
| Wing Foot |
| Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and stakes winning dam won 4 of 15 starts for 132k, including 3 of 11 turf starts for 125k; this colt is a 1/2 to G1 winner overseas, Lucarno (5-14, $1.1 million) and G2 winner overseas, Thought Worthy (3-7, 318k); Augustin-homebred goes out for a barn that can have one ready to go long over turf at first asking. |
| Zahadoom |
| Sire wins with approximately 7% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 19 starts for 58k, and she didn't make a turf start; half-brother to multiple G1 winner Ron the Greek (10-31, $2.7 million, no turf starts) appears to be the 'B' horse in here for the Mott barn. |
| Cov |
| This is an outfit that does nice work with young/lightly raced horses routing and this colt did take a step in the right direction along the Beyer Speed Figure scale when placed over turf at second asking; he's eligible to be ready for better in his first start as a 3-year-old. |
| Florida Won |
| Birdstone has been a poor influence as a turf sire but this 385k purchase didn't run poorly in his career debut over turf as a 2-year-old; the combination of a couple of decent looking recent workouts and the addition of Lasix help give him some appeal. |
| Royal Warrant |
| He's by a strong turf sire and he's a 1/2 to G3 winner Baletti (6-33, 337k over turf); he moves into a new barn after a useful career debut at Houston and he attracts the services of Bridgmohan. |
| Xaverian |
| He has the look of a top contender based on what he showed us in his career debut and like to see Mott call upon Rosario for this; he's out of a stakes winning dam who won 9 of 33 turf starts for 281k, and this colt is a 1/2 to multiple stakes winner Delicate Dynamite (7-27, 368k, including 3 of 14 turf starts for 112k). |
| Archway to Heaven |
| He ran well in his turf debut after a layoff in his latest outing and he commands his share of respect against these with that performance behind him; he may very well be ready to deliver his sharpest performance to date while making only his second start as a 3-year-old. |
| Tribal Message |
| Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 2 of 3 starts for 57k, and she didn't make a turf start; winner from latest won next out at TP on 1/17 going 1m vs. 50k OPC's with a 77 Beyer. |
| Absolute Honour |
| Sire wins with approximately 12% of his first-time starters and with approximately 12% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal from a multiple graded stakes placed dam who won 4 of 27 starts for 181k, including 3 of 17 turf starts for 151k; it looks like they tried to tighten the screws in his most recent workout. |
| Turf Kitten |
| He's run well in back-to-back starts after attacting wagering support and he has to be viewed as a top contender in here while going out for a sharp turf barn; he's a 1/2 to multiple stakes winner Cannonball (4-14, 443k over turf) and Napravnik has won with 16 of 52 (31%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Chiefroll'nthunder |
| Fipke-homebred showed a little something in his career debut over turf, and keep in mind that was in August of his 2-year-old year; it wouldn't be a surprise to see him improve over that performance in his first start as a 3-year-old. |
| Majestic Sunset |
| He's one of two signed on in here for the Casse barn and he'll have the look of a contender in this spot whether this race is run over turf or the main track; runner up from latest won next out at OP on 3/20 going 1 1/16m vs. MSW rivals with an 84 Beyer. |
| Hoochie Poochie |
| Have to respect what he did in his career debut in a strong maiden event at KD; winner from debut won next out here on 10/6 going 1 1/16m in a G3 with a 77 Beyer and runner up won next out here on 10/9 going 1m over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 70 Beyer; Osorio has won with 4 of 12 mounts for this barn in 2014. - Brian Pochman |
Race 6
| Finishing Touch |
| Needed the rail, slop, 7 foes and a rider switch for the win; decent run in last but she was tiring a bit late; 3/15 place horse repeated in a $20K optional; needs to improve to cash here. |
| This Is Nice (IRE) |
| First time for a tag this season, she has to prove she can win on the synthetic; 2/6 winner repeated in a $25K optional with a 92 Beyer; she only beat 4 horses for the lone win; invader may like it here. |
| Wisenbossy |
| First time for a tag and at least she has won on the synthetic; could see her sitting a nice stalk and pounce trip; needs to really turn it around to make an impact here. |
| Frazier's Pegasus |
| This is her venue; decent try in the 2013 closer but she never kicked in the tougher spot last time; she got a work over the track as miss goes fresh Lasix; show horse in last won a $75K optional next out; if you figure she just needed the last, then you can make a case for a move forward. |
| Lady Yellow Tail |
| Mare was losing ground late the day she won and has only been in the money once since; totally dismissed on the tote last time and fans were right on the money; can't be thrilled with the beat vs. much softer 3 back. |
| Artie R R |
| Considering the layoff, the return was solid; she did come back to drill solidly; mare had dead aim at the top of the lane but could have just been a tad short; expect a more polished effort here. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 7
| Dr. Hal |
| Showed speed in each of his synthetic sprint tries and now he'll return from a short break with a solid journeyman pilot getting aboard; inside draw means his fresh lick should be on display and there's not a whole lot of that commodity in here; he'll need to improve to seriously threaten in the lane, but could last longer in this spot. |
| Silent Courage |
| He's had plenty of chances and has yet to even hit the board; 5 year old goes second off the freshening here and there's not much to suggest an improved try will be on tap; have to pass on this longshot. |
| Kiwi Notion |
| Ran well when stepped up to face MSWs in his Tampa Bay Downs debut and now he'll move back to the venue of his debut try; gelding has shown he can settle and pass runners, but don't know that he's going to get a lot of pace in front of him while tackling this tougher set; prefer others for the money spots. |
| Franklin |
| Earned a solid number when fourth in a 6 horse heat going a bit longer at Gulfstream and he returned to work well last week; Rosie gets aboard a 4 year old who has shown some ability and this outfit does hit at a big clip with runners second off the break; new footing is a concern, but if he handles it he could prove to be the one to down. |
| Late Night Lu |
| Turns back to sprint while returning to the scene of his sharp placing against claimers last fall; gelding found himself too far out of it early when the shades were removed last time so expect they'll attempt to hustle him a bit more here; he's had his chances but his best does make him the one to fear in the lane. |
| Iamdonewithmylawer |
| Hood comes off for his first start of the year and he did run well in his lone local start; 5 year old was right there off the break late last summer and this barn has had a pretty good year from a relatively limited amount of starters so expect this guy will be set to return running; consider. |
| Relentless Spirit |
| Showed some solid early foot while breaking from the fence in the Churchill mud in the fall and he's working well for his return to the races, barn brings them back fit and Leparoux takes the call but he'll be trying new footing today; maybe the move towards the outside helps him settle in a tracking spot and he's set to make a run from there; contender. |
| Bocelli |
| He's been breezing well at Oaklawn for his first crack over synthetic footing; didn't run so well as the chalk there last time, but he was making his first start since the summer and has a right to be better this time; maybe the big turf effort at Saratoga translates into synthetic success at an improve price. |
| Swartz |
| Proved little match for the top 2 when unveiled at Turfway last month but did finish in front of a handful in that heat; gelding showed some early interest and maybe he's able to build on it here, but the starting slot could put him in a pretty wide spot and that won't help his chances. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 8
| Personal Diary |
| Like to see the improvement this stakes placed miss showed along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in her latest outing, and even though she loses the services of Lanerie to She's Justified, Leparoux rides this turf course about as well as anyone. |
| Unspurned |
| Grade 3 stakes placed miss deserves another chance to see what she can do racing over turf and this will be her first start with Lasix; runner up from latest won next out at WO on 11/24 going 1 1/16m in a 125k stakes with an 81 Beyer. |
| Coastal Dawn |
| Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and G1 winning dam won 7 of 16 starts for $1.6 million, and she didn't make a turf start; Sam-Son Farm-homebred must show more to beat this bunch, but the move to turf might agree with this miss. |
| Baroness Rose |
| She was a sharp winner in her career debut and perhaps she'll be ready for better while making her second start as a 3-year-old and her second start back from a layoff; she's out of a multiple graded stakes placed dam who won 4 of 10 turf starts for 187k; third-place finisher from latest won next out at GP on 3/26 going 1 1/16m over turf in a 75k OPC with a 78 Beyer; Napravnik has won with 16 of 52 (31%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Thieves Guild |
| She's two-for-two in the quality start department to begin her career and this daughter of Medaglia d'Oro might not mind getting a chance to see what she can do routing; her dam was a multiple stakes winner while winning 8 of 22 starts for 410k, including 3 of 7 turf starts for 176k; runner up from latest won next out at FG on 3/7 going 5 1/2f vs. MSW rivals with an 85 Beyer. |
| She's Justified |
| She's improved from start-to-start to begin her career and the move to turf certainly seemed to agree with her in her most recent outing; West Point-owned miss is another lightly raced runner in here with upside to consider and like to see Lanerie land here. |
| Commercial Flight |
| It looks like a good idea to get this filly back over turf but this looks like a tough field for her to meet up with; going to look for her to be involved in the running early on, but others figure to have more to offer through the stretch. |
| A Little Bit Sassy |
| She was sharp in breaking her maiden in her first route attempt two starts ago and she followed that performance up with a fine runner-up finish in a stakes in her final start as a 2-year-old; based on her latest workout she's ready for her 3-year-old debut. |
| Fonepferesh (IRE) |
| Her two most recent races have been a couple of her better efforts and she'll sport blinkers for the first time today; however, she finds herself in against a tough group and an improved performance is a must if she's to contend. |
| Minorette |
| She was stakes placed racing in Ireland as a 2-year-old and she makes her first start in America for a barn that can be very dangerous with an import; her recent workouts look lively and like to see her getting Lasix for the first time. |
| Runway Giant |
| Minor stakes placed miss is by a top turf sire and she's out of a stakes winning dam who won 4 of 14 turf starts for 154k; her lack of early speed is a concern, but like the idea of her dropping in class while making only her second start over turf as a 3-year-old. |
| Party Now |
| Half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Criminologist (8-16, 495k over turf) has been very impressive in her first three starts and she nearly secured a stakes score in her latest outing; third-place finisher from latest won next out at GP on 3/2 going 1 1/8m over turf in a G3 with an 89 Beyer. |
| Secret Garden |
| Sire has won with 1 of 8 (13%) turf starters and minor stakes placed dam won 8 of 47 starts for 141k, including 4 of 15 turf starts for 53k; she's going to need to show more to beat these and not sure that the move to turf will prove to be a key for her. |
| Oh Wise One |
| Maybe it's a negative to see that she was entered with a 30k tag attached in her first two starts, but it's tough to knock what she's done in her two starts with the addition of blinkers, and she's a 1/2 to stakes winner King Congie (2-6, 115k over turf). - Brian Pochman |