Keeneland: Closer Looks for April 9, 2014

Race 1

Kiss Me Perfect

Not a bad effort coming off a lengthy layoff and the past five years Sims has a 17 percent strike rate with horses making their second start back; horse that finished second in her race at Indiana won when she dropped into a $30K maiden claimer here last Oct.; looks like this gal fits here and she figures move forward with a race behind her; contender.

Here's Decash

Homebred ran a couple of decent races on dirt at Indiana and Churchill but she really hasn't been much of a factor in any of her races on Poly at Turfway; at least she showed more speed in her latest but she faded late; she is going to have to deal with Kiss Me Perfect again so we're going to wait until she shows up on dirt again.

Shakesperian Dream

Easy to toss her dull effort at Gulfstream Feb. 23 as she drew a tough post and then got hung out pretty wide going into the first turn; nice effort in her latest and 62 Beyer Speed Figure she earned the best last race figure in the field; all five sibs are winners, the best being $155K Milwaukee Mixer; if she takes to the Poly she should be right there; the pick.

Tordita

She had a wide trip so it wasn't that surprising she tired after making the lead in her second start at the Fairgrounds; it was also her first try going around two turns so she has a right to improve; claimed by Maker who has solid numbers when he runs them back the first time and it is hard to ignore the strong jockey-trainer stats displayed; stakes-winning dam earned 288K; lone sib hasn't won in four starts; major player.

Score Cat

She did pick up a third the only time she ran for a tag but she was well back of Miss Wonderful Bea who finished second; eased in her latest but it was a tough spot with a couple of them, including the winner, coming back to win; she is the first foal out of a mare that didn't win and she will need to pick things up to contend here; passing.

Ju Ju Judy

She looked like she might break through following a couple of solid efforts at Turfway and here last year but she never progressed; this will be her first start of the year following a poor effort at Mountaineer; since 2009 the barn is 0/8 with horses coming back from a layoff of 180 days or more; others look more attractive.

Lady Ellemarie

Debut was solid in the same race Tordita exits and she certainly has a right to improve with the experience behind her; dam won eight sprints; best of five sibs to race is $177K stakes-placed Reel Prime; past five years McKeever has an 11 percent strike rate with second time starters; not out of the question.

Wonderful Miss Bea

She had a big excuse in her only start here and she certainly showed she can handle the surface when she made a big move before understandably tiring late; expecting her to move forward in her second start back for Corrigan who has solid recent stats in the category; she seems to try every time; use in the exotics.-Randy Goulding

Race 4

Kerry Washington

Tried the lawn first out against cheap Gulfstream claimers and now he'll stretch out for a barn that hasn't had much recent second out luck; colt is kin to a main track route winner and maybe he's able to get more involved from this starting slot; capable journeyman pilot sticks with him.

Margin

Drops out of MSWs for his first local start over synthetic footing; he earned some decent numbers while failing to factor against better fields on the Fair Grounds dirt and he did return to breeze well there prior to this; barn does a nice job with these class droppers and a capable pilot gets aboard; contender if he take to the new footing.

Four More

He's another trying claimers for the initial time, but he'll be trying older rivals for the first time in this spot as well; colt was used from a tough draw in his last out turf spin but his prior effort on the green in Florida was pretty sharp; Mott barn wins with this type of move and it's nice to see Rosario take interest; new footing is an unknown, but he looks to be the one to beat.

Skilltopaythebills

He's had plenty of chances and has earned a lot minor awards along the way; gelding owns some synthetic numbers that would put him in the mix here so maybe the drop to claimers will help get him more involved after taking a step back on the stretchout last time; worth a look with these.

Rico Rolando

Steps up to try older for the first time off the claim by an outfit that excels with this type and he'll get a nice rider switch for his local debut; he hasn't tried synthetic footing and neither of his starts was very much, but his G3 SP dam does boast Empire Maker blood so maybe the stretch back out does help a lightly raced runner who could move forward at any time.

Kodiak Syd

Field's highest last out Beyer earner ran a career best number in his Fair Grounds finale and now he'll return to the scene of his near miss last fall; like the improved early foot he showed last time and the new shades should only enhance his interest; must consider.

Go Go Sugar

Brings some route speed to the table after backing out of it from his pace efforts first time going long; colt goes third off the break in this spot and he does have a right to move forward second time going long; little known outfit again names the pilot who has been aboard in each of his 3 starts this year and there's not a whole bunch of speed in here so maybe with a hard send he's able to have things his own way.

Napa Valley (BRZ)

He's another trying claimers for the initial time while making his first start since the fall; gelding likes to settle near the back of the pack and hasn't made much of a late impact, but he's been working regularly and well of late for his first crack over this footing in the afternoon and can't be overlooked.

Spa City Treasure

Runner up in both outs showed a nice late kick after breaking poorly from the fence in his turf sprint debut last month in Florida; New York bred will get a big rider switch for this and his pedigree suggests the added ground will be right up his alley; sharp dirt drill before leaving Gulfstream says he remains on his toes and the barn is profitable with its runners moving to synthetic footing; can't count him out.

Jukebox Johnny

Sophomore tried MSWs first out at Tampa and didn't have much of an impact following the rough start; barn is profitable with its second out runners and they boast some recent luck on the move to synthetic footing; his dam won 4 times routing so he has a right to improve at this trip and he has had a morning drill to get acquainted with the new surface.

Mr. Swagger

Hasn't been able to run back to the career best number he earned second out, the only time he tried synthetic footing; gelding's subsequent spins on other footing were weak but he was again given time off this return spin and that last dirt drill was very sharp so maybe this New York bred has more to offer for a solid fresh outfit today.

Golden Shiner

Barn's had their runners ready to fire at the meet's infancy and now they'll put this guy on synthetic footing after a poor route debut in Arkansas; colt has been working over this footing for a month and his route winning dam did drop a foal who won going long but he'll start from a tough spot today.-Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Marlene's Love

A fine, clear-cut second in her last attempt at Fair Grounds; she must avoid a slow break from the fence which has happened twice in the past; will likely have to run a personal best in order to defeat this crew.

Purely Hot

The mare proved an amazing purchase less than 13 months ago when going from 10 grand claimers to a G2 stakes placing; she met a strong group in her 2013 finale at Turfway won by Dreaming Big who has 10 career victories; in her sole appearance at Keeneland, she finished not far behind the celestial Groupie Doll; although the layoff is a concern, she appears nicely situated today.

Quite Explosive

Very unlucky in the last pair, the mare returns to her preferred surface and distance now; overall Beyers are modest yet she is a fairly consistent rallier who can earn a minor share at a healthy price; has failed twice recently when facing Gettemup Girl, however.

Brick House Road

She is strictly a front-running type and when unable to gain the lead in her last few efforts, she failed to achieve an exacta finish; if she is outsprinted early today, the song is likely to remain the same; needs some key late scratches in order to pull off the upset.

Gettem Up Girl

One reliable lady who completed a hat trick last month with a strong late burst; note the legitimate excuse in her sole appearance at Keeneland (when likely compromised by the rail slot); she is a definite true contender if able to find a clear rallying seam.

Mello Kisses

Game in defeat a month ago at Mountaineer but she is now likely to encounter an intense battle for early command; has more staying power than most of the betting public will realize yet does not land into an ideal field; goes back to winning pilot Creed.

Chica Silver

She has only one lifetime victory on the main oval and therefore seems up against it; newcomer to Keeneland had wide trips in the last pair of turf efforts but cannot be recommended until she returns to her favorite racing surface.

Iron Ginny

Crushed an n2l field at Gulfstream and drops 5 pounds from that lengthy victory; this still appears to be a steep class rise; has shown a decent first gear in the past and now that she has learned to rate, may be the one to warrant minor consideration.

Pure Delight

Very steady filly won easily in her last test but faced only 3 rivals that day; draws a particularly favorable post position here and should be able to stay within striking range without much difficulty; logical for trifecta use.

Mizzilli

Although failing twice in previous visits here, one of those defeats was at nine furlongs (a distance clearly beyond her scope); she has been fairly consistent since the end of 2013 and the trainer involved has established an outstanding win percentage this year.

Rewardbyblitzing

A queen of starter allowance competition, she is one of the primary pacesetters today; in her sole start at this oval, she was asked to negotiate 7 furlongs which is simply not her game; very dangerous today if able to clear the field in the first furlong.

Easter Service

Twelve furlongs was asking too much in that October getaway race; returning breeze pattern is above average of late and she did finish third in one of her local efforts when burdened with a 5-wide trip; must somehow avoid such a path this afternoon.-Jim Kachulis

Race 6

Heart to Heart

Has good tactical speed racing today on a KEE-turf course that was favoring frontrunners during the first 3 days of the meet; his sire is 20-for-127 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 1-for-3 grass dam (6K) who scored in her 3rd turf start at 5.5F on less than firm footing; her only other foal to race did not attempt the green; stakes-placed synthetic-surface runner has worked in sharp fashion for this on the lawn; the 3-back show finisher posted a 67 Beyer speed figure in a next-out WO-MSW win.

Jessica's Star

The first 4 turf races at this KEE meet saw speed hold up very well which adds to the appeal for this frontrunner; gets a big-distance test today; he figures as the one to catch; his Beyer speed figures dominate the field posting a best-last-race number while his career debut is a field-best Beyer; sire went 0-for-1 on turf; he won as far as 1M and 3-16ths on dirt; sire is 1-for-16 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam; her only other foal to race did not attempt the green.

General Jack

Back to the surface of his victory; this is his easiest spot since the debut-MSW test when defeating the show finisher who Beyered 81-74 in 2 next-out wins including a Grade 2 stakes two races later; clearly getting back to the lawn with 1st-time Castellano are both positive angles.

Xtra Luck

Good sign that his green debut represents a career-best Beyer but lacked the finishing kick while the inside 3 all have gate speed which could leave him pressing it 4-wide; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 97 in his next-out Grade 2-Louisiana Derby win.

Part

Last-out GP runners were 14-for-64 ($141.20) the first 3 days of this KEE meet; just 2 starts so still has some upside; major-form improvement 2nd-time out when stalking the speed; gets a massive class test not only facing winners but 3 runners exiting stakes competition; the debut runner-up finisher Beyered 85 in a next-out GP-MSW win.

Red River Rising

Sire is 7-for-82 with 1st-turf starters; 0-for-1 dam did not race on grass; she produced 2 turf winners from 2 other foals to attempt the lawn including 2-for-10 turfer Stravlova (37K); the 3-back winner repeated in an FG-optional claimer with an 82 Beyer.

Soldier Inthe Rain

Sire is 1-for-21 with 1st-turf starters; has grass pedigree on the dam's side; is out of a stakes-winning dam (4-for-19, 97K) with all 4 wins on the grass (85K); she broke her maiden at RP in her 6th turf attempt at 9F; her only other foal to race Azure Dragon is 2-for-24 on turf (53K) winning his grass-career debut in Poland at 6F then winning at 1M and 70 yards on USA green.

Angry Moon

Middle moved at shorter so adding a half furlong onto this does not help the confidence level noting his lone win at 6F; won from post 10 so maybe drawing widest is a plus?; last-out GP runners won 14 times the first 3 days of the KEE meet and this barn had a fresh runner win as well.-Art Gropper

Race 7

Sky Captain

Absentee returns to a sprint trip in his first start in a year; he's been working well for his first try over synthetic footing and now he's return to a level at which he's run pretty well in the past; colt broke his maiden at one turn as a juvenile so the trip shouldn't pose much trouble, but have to thin he needs one before we see his best.

Mio d'Oro

Owns the field's best last out number by a significant margin and it came after arguing things on the front end in his Gulfstream finale; colt will tackle winners and synthetic, both for the first time in this spot but he certainly fits the heat well and though there's other lick signed on he's shown he can handle pace heat; contender.

Fight the Tide

Last out runner up at the level tries synthetic footing for the first time since a sharp placing here in the fall; he worked well before leaving his Fair Grounds base and he'll get Rosie for this but he doesn't have much early foot so he'd appreciate some help up top; maybe for a minor award.

Jump for Kitten

Makes his first start in 4 months off the claim by an outfit that doesn't boast any recent luck with this type; he ran ok sprinting here in the fall, but he was in with cheap claimers that day and he'll pick up weight for his return; prefer others.

Little Distorted

They had high hopes for this guy after his triple digit Beyer debut score in New York as a juvenile but he hasn't been much of a player since and now he'll make his second start back from a year on the bench; colt did show improved lick at a slightly longer trip last time and the barn boasts excellent numbers second time back; nice to see Rosario take interest in this one first synthetic spin, but if he wasn't the top he'll likely find company here.

Let's Go Ben

Makes his first start in nearly a year with a slow and steady line of breezes on his tab for a weak return outfit; 5 year old broke his maiden here 2 years ago and he'll get a top pilot for the comebacker, but he's yet to run particularly fast; have to look elsewhere for the winner.

Simple Interest

Brings some early interest to the table in his first start since the fall where he showed very little over the track; he did run well in his debut here but speed appears to be his best game and that doesn't look to fit the heat's pace scenario well.

Lofty Heart

First part of the entry tries winners for the first time after being given a little extra recovery time off the maiden score in Florida; gelding didn't have much to offer in his lone surface try here in the fall, but he did show the ability to settle and fire last time and maybe he's turned the corner; these are much better than he's been facing, but maybe he's worth an exotics look at a price.

Stevis Man

Blinkers did the trick at odds on in his return to MSWs at Mountaineer last month and now he'll try winners; gelding wasn't bad going long in his lone synthetic try and he has only run a handful of times, so maybe he moves forward quickly now that he's figured things out; still, from a figure standpoint he's got a lot of improving to do.

Heuston (IRE)

The wildcard makes his first start in the states while returning from 8 months on the shelf with Lasix administered for the initial time; he's got some tracking foot and he just missed in his debut over synthetic footing in Ireland; with a sharp local drill in tow and a top pilot getting aboard this lightly raced 5 year old can't be overlooked.

Candy At My Place

Changed barns and found the winner's circle in his return from the freshening at Turfway; he's been given some time since for his first with winners and maybe that helps, but he's another who wants the lead and don't think that's going to happen from out here; siding against the repeat.

Sky Over Flats

Other half of the owner's coupling tries winners for the first time off 4 months on the shelf; he improved quite a bit second time back from the break while running over the same type of footing in Canada and his style certainly fits this heat from a nice tracking draw; Castellano sees enough to get aboard and the price will be much better than when he last made it postward.-Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Cinnamon Spice

This filly is eligible to be ready for better while making her second start for a top turf barn and she encountered a little bit of traffic trouble around the second turn in her career debut; she's a full to Laertes (1-1, 40k over turf, 66 Beyer) and Castellano has won with 7 of 27 (26%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Smart Ashley

She has turf in her pedigree and have to respect the consistent approach that she's displayed in her five turf attempts; maybe she'll prove to be the type that hangs around the maiden ranks for a while, but her form has been solid, and she's the only one in the main body of this race with experience over this turf course.

Storm Now

3-year-old hasn't run poorly in her first three starts and it wouldn't be a surprise if this April foal was ready for her sharpest performance to date while making her first start since January; interesting to see Napravnik get the call.

Overtone

She sports the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here and she earned that figure while making her first start over turf; she's by a strong turf sire and her dam was a multiple stakes winner while winning 6 of 12 turf starts for 296k; must respect.

Easton Arch

250k purchase looks like she's heading in the right direction as she gets ready to make her third start as a 3-year-old and she has a good deal of turf in her pedigree; this barn has been strong with recent turf starters and this miss is being reunited with Rosario.

Another Blue

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; winner from latest won next out at Aqu on 4/5 going 1 1/8m in a G2 with a 93 Beyer; she didn't run badly after a poor start from the rail in her career debut and her most recent workout looks sharp.

Closer to You

She attracted wagering support for her career debut and she's plenty eligible to be ready for better at second asking; she's out of a multiple G1 winning dam who won 9 of 23 turf starts for $2.1 million, no turf starts, and Leparoux has won with 5 of 18 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

My Sky

She has some turf on the bottom of her pedigree and her turf debut in her latest outing was clearly her sharpest performance to date; however, this does look like a tough spot for her second turf attempt.

Temperate

Sire is 0-for-14 with his first-time starters and he's 2-for-19 (11%) with his turf starters, and dam won 4 of 27 starts for 45k, including 0-for-2 over turf; this is a strong looking group of maidens and 1 1/8m is a tough distance for a firster.

Sward

This is a barn that can have one ready for better at second asking and this filly is out of a multiple stakes placed dam who won 2 of 9 turf starts for 104k, and this miss is a 1/2 to G1 winner Lea (6-12, 709k, including 3 of 7 turf starts for 284k); must consider.

Jane Peterson

She's another in here who might be planning on spending a long time in the maiden ranks, but she hasn't finished worse than third from five starts, including three over turf, and it is interesting to see blinkers added for this; Garcia has won with 5 of 17 (29%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Hiddai

Tough to give her a favorable push against a field of this quality based on what she's shown so far; runner up from latest won next out at TP on 3/22 going 1m vs. MSW rivals with a 76 Beyer and third finisher won next out at Mnr on 3/19 going 6f vs. MSW rivals with a 53 Beyer.

La Bruna Forte

She earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in her latest start while making her first start over turf, and she shows up for a barn and rider that win a lot of races together; she'll deserve to be listed among the contenders if she draws in.

Candy Crush

Her overall form hasn't been bad by any means, but it does look like she'll have to dial it up a notch or two to threaten the top contenders in this one; this filly is a 1/2 to stakes winner Senni (3-15, 173k over turf).-Brian Pochman