Keeneland: DRF Plus Closer Looks for April 11, 2014
Race 1
| San Antone |
| Draws the fence for the drop in for a straight tag while returning to synthetic footing for the first time since a solid third place finish here in the fall; 6 year old loves the local footing and the barn moves them up second off the long break so it's likely he'll have more to say here, especially with a top journeyman pilot getting aboard; expect he'll find a good spot close of from the bell and prove to be the one to hold off. |
| Jomelo |
| Gray didn't make much impact from a wide draw in his return from the freshening over the Fair Grounds lawn last month; pilot goes to the rail drawn runner but Rosie gets aboard for an outfit that won with its lone local starter as of this writing; barn boasts a sharp winning clip second back from the break, but this guy's ceiling looks to be a minor award. |
| Big John B |
| Cuts back in distance to try synthetic footing for the initial time in his first off the claim by a barn that boasts some recent luck with the move; gelding looked good running down marathoners at Gulfstream but he's been plenty successful at trips such as this one on the lawn; maybe he takes to the new footing, but he figures to find him well out of this one early. |
| Tiz Sardonic Joe |
| G2 SP turfer came up plenty short in the lane while making his first start in 10 months over the Gulfstream lawn and now he'll try this type of footing for the initial time while dropping in for a tag today; 5 year old earned some big numbers on the green last season and he did work ok over the local footing last month but the fact he's available for the taking today doesn't bode so well for him getting back on his game here; consider. |
| Whatthecatdrugin |
| Speedster makes first start in 4 months here after hitting the bench off a beaten chalk effort in a Claiming Crown heat on the Gulfstream dirt late last fall; he's a .600 career hitter on synthetic footing so the surface change should pose him little trouble and there isn't much to go with him from the bell in here; 7 year old's stamina issues are a concern and the barn has had a rough beginning to the year but his new pilot has gotten off to a great start here; they'll have to run him down to win. |
| Good Chemistry |
| Outside drawn gelding makes his first start since the summer when troubled in the Charlestown slop first off this barn's claim; outfit is sharp with its fresh runners and this guy has run well off breaks in the past, but his lone synthetic spin wasn't much. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 4
| Voluptuous |
| Caught wide in her debut at Fair Grounds, she was also compromised by a very swift opening quarter-mile that day; her sire won a G1 and 844K while the dam scored in 1 of 14 races earning 56K; winning siblings include Brookie Girl who netted 80K. |
| Lipstick Junky |
| She was a clear-cut second in her maiden voyage of 3 weeks ago; her sire won 4 of 6 and 148K; the dam won 2 of 11 and 90K; among the winning siblings is 46K earner Loro; draws more favorably and is a logical contender. |
| Corinthian Wind |
| Newcomer was sired by Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile victor Corinthian whose offspring have won 17 out of 233 debuts; the dam won 1 of 12 and 54K; winning siblings include G1 victor Here Coes Ben who banked 410K. |
| Reign |
| Adds Lasix afer failing as the lukewarm favorite in her 2013 getaway; her sire won the Breeders' Cup Sprint and 1.25 million; the dam won a G3 and 347K; winning siblings include 43K earner Ironwing; steady work tab of late. |
| My Fashion |
| Never got involved when beginning her career over the green; her sire won multiple G1s on the main while amassing 3.63 million; the dam won 2 of 13 and 36K; sib to G3 type Cashel Castle who captured 239K. |
| Goodness Gray |
| Fair try first time out, just missing the show; her sire won a pair of G2s and 728K overall; the dam was without victory in 2 attempts; sib to G1 winner General Quarters who garnered 1.22 million; extra furlong today should help matters. |
| Little Gidding |
| Another member of the field who began her career over the grass; her sire won 10 of 18 and 2.28 million while the dam scored in 3 of 27 appearances earning 68K; this is her only foal to compete; can awaken with the surface switch. |
| Unbridledexplosion |
| Firster hails from Eddington, a G1 winner who notched 1.21 million (his progeny have won their first test at a rate of 11 percent); the dam did not race; winning siblings include 74K earner Exploding Crystals. |
| Deep Thought |
| Some upbeat workouts for this beginner, daughter of multiple G3 winner Mr Greeley who notched 474K (his descendants have won 91 out of 834 initial attempts); the dam won 1 of 3 and 15K; this is her sole foal to start. |
| Sabbatical |
| Did not accomplish much in her juvenile campaign but returns with Lasix and a fair half-mile breeze over the course only 5 days ago; sired by multiple G1 star Medaglia d'Oro she can upgrade with the change of venue. |
| Kathreenas Moon |
| Fine effort in her Tampa Bay unveiling of a month ago; her prolific sire won 1 of 2 and 33K while the dam won 1 of 7 attempts and 36K; sib to 28K earner Dixie Minister; beaten favorite looks like a good fit. |
| Lil' Misstalksalot |
| Descendants of Quiet American, a G1 winner who netted 752K, have been successful in 38 out of 696 debuts; the mom won 1 of 10 and 25K; winning siblings include 225K earner Reign King. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 5
| Honey Lake |
| She's shown the ability to put together a decent performance on her best day, but this seems likely to prove to be a tough step up in class for her after getting the better of N1X rivals over a sloppy surface at Churchill Downs when last seen. |
| Malibu Yankee |
| Don't care to see that her most recent win was in October 2012, but she's performed well enough racing over turf to suggest that she can get herself into the mix against these, and this is only her second start for the Amoss barn; Napravnik has won with 13 of 30 (43%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Bold Kitten |
| She's a stakes winner racing over the synthetic surface at Arlington, and she's shown enough in her four turf attempts to be taken seriously in this spot; Ramsey-owned, Maker-trained miss appears to be well meant with Leparoux getting the call; Leparoux has won with 7 of 24 (29%) mounts for this outfit in 2014. |
| Merilore |
| She's been a consistent performer but not sure that her best effort is quite strong enough to get the job done against these; perhaps a spot underneath in the exotics isn't out of the question, but looking toward others for the top spot. |
| Freedom Reigns (IRE) |
| She carries multiple stakes placed credentials with her and like to see what she did in a tough spot in her only start over this turf course; it has been a while since she's posted a win, but still looking at her as being a good fit with these. |
| Smartyfly |
| She's two races removed from a sharp stakes score over the Woodbine turf course, and she didn't run poorly when last seen while chasing Dance Again to the finish in a stakes; she's out of a G3 stakes placed dam who won 3 of 16 starts for 205k, and her best races are still eligible to be in front of her. |
| Promise Me More |
| She's a minor stakes winner racing over turf and G3 stakes placed on dirt, and she might be ready for a top try while making her second start back from a layoff; her lack of early speed is a concern, but wouldn't be surprised if she's making noise through the lane. |
| Yuzuru |
| She wasn't at her best in her latest start but she showed nice improvement during her 3-year-old season highlighted by a minor stakes win at Delaware Park two races back; nevertheless, others entice more. |
| Rock Hard Cat |
| She's deserves credit for finishing 1-2-3 in six of seven turf starts, but after beating N1X rivals at Fair Grounds in her latest start, this is a tough group of N2X rivals for her to be meeting up with; she looks like more of an outsider. |
| Praia |
| Really like what she showed when she was first placed over turf as a 3-year-old, and even though her form flattened out a little bit after that, she did run well in a G2 when last seen, and feel that the winter off might have done her some good; multiple graded stakes placed miss commands respect against these. |
| Riposte (GB) |
| Juddmonte-homebred is two-for-two in the quality start department since arriving in America, and she has to be considered a top contender while dropping out of the graded stakes ranks and getting Lasix for the first time; she's a 1/2 to multiple G1 winner Powerscourt (5-21, $1.9 million, including 1 of 3 North American turf starts for 870k). |
| Industrial Policy |
| She usually shows up and gives an honest account of herself, and even though she might need to step up with a career best effort to get the better of this field, it's probably not a good idea to count her out of the mix while going out for a top turf barn, especially with Castellano in the irons; Castellano has won with 8 of 29 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2014. - Brian Pochman |
Race 6
| Judy Judy Judy |
| Dunkirk 4 for 58 with debuters; sire didn't go at 2, was G1 placed, won routing, banked nearly $400K; dam was unraced; all 6 siblings won; several won routing including near $150K earner Passive Income; barn has been firing bullets. |
| Ma Billet Doux |
| She never looked comfortable in the SAR finale; 2 for 9 dam won long, earned about $45K; all 3 siblings won, 2 won routing, stakes winning top kin Heart of a King banked over $250K; could show more zip since she is fresh. |
| Sea Shadow |
| Nearly 6 clear despite the traffic jam in last; 2 for 23 dam was sprint only; 2 of 3 sibs won, both were sprint only; must adapt to the synthetic on the fly. |
| Crissy Field |
| She pressed the slow pace in the local out and still tired late; backers can point to fact both siblings won routing; look for new pilot to send and try to steal it. |
| Grace of the Nile |
| At least she was a bit more keen to run early in last; needs a rebound effort off the dull OP finale; must pick it up. |
| Spring Blossom |
| Off slow and wide so far, she's due for a trip; 2nd and 4th finishers in last won in this league next out and the winner was a well-beaten 2nd in the Grade 2 Davona Dale; G2 winning 6 for 20 dam earned over a million, won routing; this is her first to race; probably a late threat if at all. |
| Candy Crush |
| Miss made a little impact late last time; the blood is there; several siblings won routing including over $350K earner Seruni; backers have to hope the pace is hot and she finds a seam in time. |
| Contestant |
| Route debut solid despite fact she took the overland route; G3 winning dam took several routes, earned nearly $700K; all 5 siblings won; several won routing including double SW and over $300K earner Agent Di Nozzo; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one. |
| Ameliatheaviator |
| She woke up when she got to GP last year and like the way she was inching toward the winner in the 2013 closer; that race came back fine as the 4th and 6th finishers won in his league and the winner repeated in a $50K optional; there are several successful routers in the tree; fresh and dangerous. |
| Paradise Alley |
| Miss could have been intimidated by the rail in the debut; sire won multiple Graded races routing; 7 for 18 dam won a number of stakes, won routing, earned over $1.7 million; lone half sis lost twice; would expect her to be rolling early with the blinks today. |
| Colonel Joan |
| Only one poor race and she was off slowly that day; she has been troubled in 3 of 4 but has shown the ability to pass horses; place horse in last cashed next out in the G3 Florida Oaks at Tampa, then ran 4th in the local Ashland; all systems go. |
| Marquee Cal Gal |
| Hung wide from slot 10 in last; sire could run all day long on grass; 5 for 23 dam won routing, earned over $250K; this is her first to race; winner of last repeated in a $75K stakes; needs very best. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 7
| Takin the Sloroad |
| Lone win was following a long layoff and at a shorter distance; he is right back in the entries 20 days after the 1st-exacta finish of career for his 3rd start in 5 weeks; in his only KEE start he landed behind Seal Team Four and the winner who repeated in a CD-optional claimer with an 88 Beyer speed figure; posted an even finish the last time attempting today's 9F distance. |
| Maserati (BRZ) |
| Is 0-for-4 at today's distance but perhaps gained the confidence necessary to step up in class off the shorter-claiming wins; the latest was just 7 days ago locally; the trainer was as hot as you could be to open this KEE-spring meet; the 2-back graduation looks better since the show finisher Beyered 66 in a next-out OP-$12,500-maiden-claiming win. |
| Upkeep |
| Has won on the lead before but gets a patient rider for this who dominated the early days of this KEE meet; been rating just off the speed but worked bullets for this so thinking we will see more fresh-gate speed out of him for this; projects to sit right off Seal Team Four then get 1st run on the closers. |
| Empire Knight |
| Ended his 3-year-old season finishing last in a key race; the 5th and 8th-place finishers from last Beyered 84-81 in next-out TP-OPC and HOU-alw. wins; lone win on grass in a marathon; reunites with the win rider as the pilot from last lands on Upkeep. |
| Greengrassofyoming |
| Has only won on grass so is named correctly; this will be his 1st-synthetic-surface start since October, 2012, finishing 2nd in a KEE-40K maiden claimer at 1M and 1-16th; his only race at today's distance was a near-miss finish and career-best Beyer but it was accomplished on the grass. |
| Seal Team Four |
| The one to catch; has never raced this far in career which is the main issue; the 3-back winner repeated in a SAR-95K stakes with a 94 Beyer; trainer's 1-for-28 sprint-to-route record since 2013 suggests we back others; know him early but unsure about late. |
| Cary Street |
| Last win was on the lead but versatile sort can score from anywhere; June's field-best Beyer was accomplished at today's distance but on dirt; today is start 1 on synthetic which is the unknown factor here; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 92 in a next-out IND-OPC win. |
| Sayler's Creek |
| KEE-sprint winner exits a best-last-Beyer on turf; lone race at today's distance was a did-not-finish line; got good on grass; his trainer's 23%-win mark with runners moving from turf-to-synthetic is noted; freshened up with mixed reviews from most-recent-fresh defeats; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 87 in a next-out DED-OPC win. |
| Layton Register |
| Ended his 3-year-old season overmatched in a key-graded stakes; the winner and 9th-place finisher from last Beyered 104-95 in next-out GP-100K stakes and TAM-OPC wins; has something to prove on KEE synthetic beating 1 runner home in his 6.5F-career debut here in 2012. |
| Developer |
| $26-debut winner sprinting over the track; there's some hope he will fire back to that effort or improve today; returns to his preferred footing after showing nothing on turf with winners when heavily supported at the betting windows; clearly the added distance is an obstacle to overcome; projects to stalk the inside speed then hopes to find added stamina for the longest test of career. - Art Gropper |
Race 8
| Playful Love |
| She overcame the trouble for the lone start but she can be her own worst enemy since she has limited speed; 2nd time Lasix today, look for her in the late stages if at all. |
| Bern Legacy |
| Miss never kicked from the rail in last; she has a right to have a solid career as kin to Centrique, who earned nearly $400K; miss could be on the fragile side as the races have been spaced; she did take debut and ran huge off the vacation last September; respect everything from this barn. |
| Wicked Temper |
| At least she has the two races to draw from now; forced to steady last time and you could build a case for a stalk and pounce trip; don't ignore. |
| Streethomealabama |
| This is her venue and note she was over 4 clear in last; off a career Beyer; back to the original pilot; slight improvement and she will be right on the wire. |
| Pretty Fancy |
| Connections thought enough of her to try the stakes last year and she was troubled to boot; 3rd, 4th, and 9th finishers took $100K stakes next out; look for bug to send hard and try to steal it. |
| Granny Mc's Kitten |
| Lost all chance when taking overland route in last; she has a right to have a stellar career as full sister to G1 winner and near $700K earner Kitten's Dumplings; love the spacing of the return drills; major player. |
| Spangled Banner |
| This miss is live; check out the tough beat her last year; the blood is solid too as she is kin to near $400K earner Ladyecho; another threat in a good betting race. |
| Sky America |
| Youngster has a shot to show speed on the stretch out; Grade 1 winning sire did cash routing; connections hoping she mature like full sister, G1 placed runner and near $300K earner Third Dawn, a proven router; rates upset glance. |
| Handmade |
| She lost all chance when off poorly in the debut, and she got a boost when the show horse in last cashed next out in a $50K optional with a 74 Beyer; miss seems to be improving hourly; another valid player. |
| Fonepferesh (IRE) |
| Proven on the synthetic and nearly 3 clear in last; from a clever barn, can't fault those that take a positive stance on this runner. |
| Bikini Beauty |
| Agile enough to overcome trouble in the debut but would have liked to have seen some synthetic work; she doesn't have to be 9th early on this time. |
| Cool Faith |
| Forced to steady in the only poor try; and like fact she got a feel of the surface on the 4th; nice move last time to get within striking distance at the top of the lane before reality set in; she could be compromised by the post today. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 9
| Za Approval |
| Multiple graded stakes winner had a strong 5-year-old season and his 6-year-old racing debut in his latest outing was another fine performance; he finished within a length of Wise Dan in the BC Mile and commands his share of respect off of that effort alone; Leparoux has won with 5 of 18 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Alakazan Alakazan (BRZ) |
| Obviously he was much improved in his first start over turf turf since arriving in America in his latest outing, but he finished third against that group of 25k optional claimers and now he's stepping up to take on a completely different caliber of horse. |
| Wise Dan |
| Two-time reigning horse of the year is looking to begin 2014 the same way he did 2013 and it's difficult to expect him to not be ready for his first start of the year; he'a won 11 of 12 over turf for more than $5 million in earnings, and he's earned every accolade that's ever been thrown his way; it's very cool to see a horse of this caliber making his 7-year-old racing debut; third-place finisher from latest won next out at BHP on 11/29 going 1 1/16m over turf in a G2 with a 99 Beyer. |
| Gentleman's Kitten |
| He doesn't usually show up with the level of performamnce that he did in recording a sharp victory two starts back, but that was his first start for this barn, and maybe things just didn't go his way last time; runner up from latest won next out at FG on 3/29 going 1 1/8m over turf in a G2 with a 98 Beyer; Napravnik has won with 16 of 59 (27%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Reload |
| He's been sharp in back-to-back starts since being placed over turf, and if it wasn't for the Wise Dan factor, he'd be an interesting option to consider in this spot; McGaughey has been going strong with turf starters, especially in graded stakes races, and this 5-year-old benefits from the services of Castellano once again. |
| Lochte |
| He backed up his upset victory in the G1 GP Turf with a strong runner-up finish behind a very sharp miler in Winning Prize in the G1 Kilroe in his latest outing; he's proven that he belongs in G1 races, and if Wise Dan isn't primed for his 2014 racing debut, he can prove to be a threat for the top spot. |
| Kaigun |
| His four starts over turf have been fine performances, and his latest effort was his sharpest to date, but now he finds himself in against some of the strongest milers around; it's difficult to give him a favorable push against competition of this caliber. - Brian Pochman |
Race 10
| Gerard |
| Draws the fence for his first local spin under the care of this little known outfit; New York bred has shown little in his 8 career starts and there's not a lot to suggest he'll go any better with the triple bug getting aboard; looms a long price today. |
| Tiz Tebow Time |
| Earned a field best number when second on the stretchout over the Churchill main track last time, but that came 11 months ago; gelding did little in his first 2 sprint spins and now he'll try synthetic footing for the first time; barn is profitable with its absentees and Leparoux sees fit to get aboard; trip, surface and recency issues exist, but his effort routing on the dirt last year was solid; contender. |
| Skestos |
| Colt hasn't hit the board in 3 starts and now he'll try synthetic footing; he did offer some improved speed in the turf routes and maybe the turn back to this trip helps; dam was a sprint winner and she dropped 2 sprint winners including one who won 9 sprints; hot pilot gets aboard. |
| Sargent T |
| Drops from MSWs while making his first start of the year; he also showed improved early foot on the stretchout and maybe the turn back helps as he moves in to face claimers; he'll need to improve significantly, but the price will certainly be right. |
| Looklistenandlearn |
| Argued the fractions before fading against cheaper in his second main track sprint try at Fair Grounds; gelding ran ok on the lawn last year so maybe he takes to this surface and his speed should have him involved from the bell; could last a lot longer today. |
| Duke of Viseu |
| Sire gets 12% first out winners from his offspring and the winless dam dropped 3 winners including G2 SW sprinter and 621K earner Teuflesberg; works aren't much and the barn has had a poor beginning to the year, including a weak run with its recent newcomers. |
| Well Versed |
| Sire gets 9% debut winners and the limited route winning dam dropped 2 sprint winners from 3 foals to race; some of the drills are ok and his most recent tightener gave him experience from the local gate; barn has them ready right out of the box. |
| Bold Visionary |
| Gray is in for a tag for the first time since taken by the outfit last fall at Churchill; he's earned some minor awards over synthetic footing and the return to sprinting should play to his benefit today; can get in the mix for a share while trying older for the first time here. |
| Offlee Sinister |
| Last out runner up earned a big number in that placing against fellow sophomores at Turfway while making his second start of the year; colt has solid tactical foot and should find himself in a great spot from the bell in his first try with older; one to beat. |
| Bingham Canyon |
| Four year old was given time off the weak effort in his return from the break off a poor debut try; barn does boast a win from limited starters this year and he'll get the services of a solid journeyman pilot today, but he'll need to improve to have a say in the outcome. |
| Thestarvingartist |
| Sire is 0 for 10 with its newcomers and the unraced dam's lone foal to race was winless from 7 starts; he's been working on dirt but his last move was his best yet and the barn does boast a recent debut winner. |
| Next in Line |
| Passed some tired foes when third in his debut at Churchill 11 months ago and makes his first start since then here; sharp barn boasts terrific numbers with its returnees and they've been working this guy on synthetic footing for the comebacker; lone sib was a 2 time sprint winner; looks to have a big shot today. - Steve Grabowski |