Los Alamitos: Daily Game Plan for Friday. July 11

Daily GamePlan gives you some of the best betting opportunities of the day from DRF experts, including Closer Looks , Spot Plays, Vulnerable Favorites, and Live Longshots.

Closer Looks by Mark Ratzky

Race 1

Spot Play

ROSKO (#2, 4-1) dueled and gave way badly for $9K at SA May 16. However, he’s been given plenty of time off since, there’s no huge drop for his return, he moves back to the site of ample success (won 3 of the last 4 times he raced here) and there are some snappy works (6fs in 1:11.40, 5fs in :59.80) to indicate he’s feeling spry. -Michael Hammersly

Afternoon Sun

Hasn't seen action since November, but finds a very soft spot for a return to the wars for Glatt; nothing doing in that last start at Hollypark, but something obviously went awry as he went to the bench; a steady series of SA drills in tow and Tyler at the controls.

Rosko

Stopped to a walk when last seen in May in Arcadia, but his four previous starts resulted in a trio of victories over the smaller night oval here; the local 1:11 2/5 from the gate and :59 4/5 moves for Fama leap off the page.

Electrolyte

Been well-backed in the last pair but has weakened on both occasions while also being red-tagged from both of those outings; one fine barn to another with O'Neill now calling the shots, he stays at the same level and and Trullijo is getting the call.

Aerial Artist

Shows up having scored back-to-back wins here under the lights, changing hands on both occasions; barn has clicked with 2 of last 4 fresh purchases and this gelding is looking to climb back up the ladder after doing his work with much better as a sophomore.

Time to Go Robo

Golden Gate invader looks like a nice fit under these conditions with promising apprentice Van Dyke in the saddle; figures to sit a nice stalking trip and should be in prime pouncing mode when they straighten away for that long stretch.

Run Geocas Run

Another of several in here who have been competing over the five-eights night track; been doing his work at the bottom level and has been stuck on minor awards for quite some time; see similar results today.

Warren's Jeff G.

Showed up under these conditons here opening day and considering he was 67-1 in that affair, finishing 4th beaten only a couple of lengths was a good try; you have to go back a long way to find the maiden victory, however.

Augsburg

Had a wide trip while chasing home Ariel Artist 12 nights ago and lacked the needed late response; his 5 lifetime tallies is tops in the field, but prefer others for the first couple of placings.

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Race 2

Bob Consultation

It all depends which horse shows up; the Bob Consultation who just missed on May 3 to a return winner would be awfully hard to beat in this line-up, but then there's last where he tossed in a clunker; re-united with Baze, who has had a pair of strong teamings with Carava's charge.

Valentine Boy

Gives Carava two looks at the outcome; hasn't been able to make the needed impact in those last two, the most recent coming down the dip at Santa Anita, and now Jack tries his hand off the claim; both wins have come over synthetic footing.

Night Badger

Brings quite a bit of speed to the party and co-leading pilot Van Dyke will no doubt be thinking theft in this spot; has been working in swift fashion for Ms. Headley in Arcadia, but note that you have to go back two years to find the maidenbreaker; will have to deal with the outside speedster in the early stages.

Just Call Me Al

Looked like a decent prospect when he debuted at 2, but those comeback efforts have certainly left something to be desired; at least he gets the chance to race over the track where he's been training and continues to drill smartly for Harrington.

Valdirone

Likes to roll away from there and the cozy outside box is going to give co-leading rider Talamo a tactical advantage; looks to be a nice fit with this group and Koriner could have him ready for his best now as he makes his 3rd start following the vacation.

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Race 3

Vulnerable Favorite

SAINT LEMONE (#2, 7-2) opens as the tepid ML favorite. The filly showed talent at GG earlier this year but comes into this after being pulled up in a turf try there May 25. Martin claimed her that day and it’s nice to see him return her for the same price, but being pulled up last time is cause for concern, as is the fact she’s dealing with new surroundings and dirt for the first time. -Michael Hammersly

Afleet Echo

Has been solidly beaten in all 3 appearances, but this is going to seem like a whole different world for the Glatt trainee; she's been hindered by slow starts on each occasion and the rail is no bargain in that regard, but there's fresh Baze and some modest competition in her favor.

Saint Lemone

Last seen pulling up in late May over the Golden Gate turf, but draw a line through the effort and she has several efforts that would make him a major player here; haltered by Martin, who has an excellent strike rate with his fresh buys and Gryder will do the honors; must respect.

Warrensdollarsigns

Has flashed a bit of early interest, but nothing more than a bystander in the stretch to this point; has to pick up the pace.

Todai Sing

Turned in a decent exacta completion in the debut a year ago in Inglewood, but hasn't seen afternoon action since; been working here for the return and completed preparations with a bullet 3 furlongs over the weekend; makes it interesting.

Ten in Excess

Even though they were both over the turf, like the way this gal has turned around her form of late for Grayson; the question is, can she repeat those efforts while shortening up and returning to the main track.

Prevaricator

The only new face in the line-up; Offlee Wild has clicked with 63 of his 428 debuters and she hails from solid barn with Kruljac tightening the girth; check parade and tote for more clues.

Think Again

Took a little money in the May 31 debut across town, but never got closer than double digits with the runner-up returning to graduate; Aguirre and Puglisi have been a solid trainer/jockey combo.

Charissa

Been backed at the windows, but has given way badly in the trio of outings since returning to the wars; has a furlong less to deal with today, but must find more stick.

Georgia's Niece

A dozen trips to the post and just one well-beaten show finish on the resume; volleyed with Charissa last time in that 7-furlonger and lasted a lot longer before calling it a day.

Secret Sorority

Recent stuff has been pretty dismal and now they 're putting the blinkers back on in hopes of inspiring this mare; can't endorse.

Travel Free

Battled from the inside and could not stay with the top trio when push came to shove last time at Anita; now she moves outside and has the chance to race over her home base for Jones; food for thought.

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Race 4

Naomi's Gift

Never got into the spirit of things on the move from Phoenix to Arcadia, but dips into a claimer today and that has been known to be a winning formula for the barn; figures right in the mix.

Freaky Floyd

The first of 2 newbies; while the sire is 0-for-29 with the young debuters, perhaps this is the one to break the streak; like the half-mile from the gate at Anita last month and Yakteen has solid percentages in all the pertinent categories; Garcia riding a plus.

Outthink'em

The other firster and Solis employs night king Guce; Bushwacker is 2-for-25 with his debuting 2-year-olds; has the advantage of training over this track and a little tote support would be encouraging.

Keegers

Took a wee bit of money in the lone start, had some issues at the break and trailed throughout; now Metz drops him into a claimer and he's 1-for-1 of late with that move; blinkers added to hopefully help the cause

Nottemptedbyevil

Bet down to 2-1 for the debut five weeks ago, had a little early interest between rivals and then went backwards in the drive; two maintenance drills at Anita in the interim and you know they had some hopes going into that first one.

G Q Grace

Chased a nice prospect in Story To Tell in the first try, then had a claiming tag for last month's foray and went evenly while finishing double digits ahead of today's rival to his inside; could be a player with a move forward.

Yahootee

Never got into the swing of things when he was unveiled on May 16 across town; Harrington has given him a little time and waited until he can see afternoon action over the layout where he lives while dipping him into a seller; maybe.

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Race 5

Puttybadshark

Made short work of lower-level maidens in the 2nd start off the bench for Koriner, then tried a saltier field and 7 furlongs and hit the brakes after battling to the stretch; race was flattered with Tough Business coming back to score here last week; looks like a serious player on the drop to this league.

Rich in Tradition

After 27 failed attempts, she finally got over the hump at Santa Anita while taking the measure of a bottom-level crew; outrun in the starter affair five weeks ago, now shows up in a more realistic spot at the track where she does her training.

Missy Marini

Pulled off an 11-1 surprise at first asking over the Tapeta at Golden Gate in November and then rolled a pair of 6's up there under starter conditions; ships down and joins Hendricks barn with a class drop and blinkers on the menu; price consideration.

Senjen

Last two efforts over this smaller night track sandwiched by two Santa Anita beatdowns doesn't give too much encouragement; looking elsewhere.

It's Aine

Tought beat for this filly last Saturday, as she came out to make her move down that long stretch and just missed, finishing well clear of the favorite in third; the 1-for-25 is a worry, but it shouldn't take much more than a repeat of last week's outing to get the job done under Van Dyke, who got to know her last time.

Classic Journey

After a good try at long odds on may 3, this gal has regressed in the last pair across town; lots of missed opportunities since earning the graduation papers over the Santa Rosa lawn 11 months ago.

Royaly Dunn

Caesar has given her some time since a couple of speed and fades; the claiming price is drastically reduced and this is a conditioned event, but note all her previous races were restricted to 3-year-olds; a pace factor at the very least.

Tricky Liz

Made 2-1 look like a gift when romping in the debut last weekend over the smaller strip here for the big night team, now the new barn wastes little time wheeling back their purchase; she was certainly dominant, but a tricky read at this level.

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Race 6

Jeffery's Pride

The two things that jump out at you are the 1-for-36 mark and the fact that he has been struggling here at night since the November victory while tackling much softer company; can't make a case.

Omar Little

Pupye dropped him a notch off the claim, he took the lead immediately under Talamo and never gave them a chance; Pupye brings him back at a very realistic level while again giving the leg up to Joe and this is where he's been staying since switching barns; gets top billing.

I Buy Gold

Finally put it all together in March while earning a good number, but note that he only had a trio of rivals that day; next two outings not so great, but he does get a softer assignment.

Midnight Mayhem

Returned to the main track, dipped to the lowest level and proved a punctual favorite at Anita; Baltas, who has been making all the right moves lately, elects to cut back to a sprint for the initial try vs. winners and new best friend Trujillo is back at the helm; figures right there from a stalking position.

Perfect Envoy

We're talking about a 9-year-old who is 1-for-38 in his career and has been on the sidelines for 7 months; has tried a little bit of everything, short and long, dirt and turf, and no dice for a long time; pass.

Old Pueblo

Couldn't punch it in the day he was claimed following his maiden score, then bumped up a level and was finished early after an eventful trip in a small cast; Knapp brings him right back at the same level with Pedroza getting his first chance; must find previous form.

Tribal Desert

This would be the joker in the deck; has seen afternoon action since October of 2012, when he was nibbling with state-bred optional sellers on the turf; one good Pomona work showing and it's a guessing game how he'll do in a dirt sprint off the long vacation.

Baby Blake

Sports 1 victory and 8 runner-up finishes, and you have to go back some way to find that snapshot; last seen nibbling vs. easier types in October and looks like a real stretch here.

Let It Be Minister

Debuts for the team of Treece and Guce, who connect at a high percentage around here when the lights get turned on; sprang a major surprise in the May 26 debut across town, then was badly overmatched with starer types and was beaten a country mile; respect new connections, but tough task looming.

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Race 7

Sheza Eyeopener

Bidding to become the first repeat winner of the meet after demolished a modest group for the diploma on opening day; it took her 14 tries to connect and she'll have to step it up a notch to repeat with these, but she likes the track, is headed in right direction and gets along well with Trujillo.

Hanserella

Been frustrating for the chalkplayers, running her record to 1 win with 9 seconds after that last effort going once around on the Arcadia sod under these conditions; gets back to dirt for the first time in quite a while and Blanc will certainly have her up close and personal; best is dangerous.

Always an Angel

Got the chance to stretch her legs at 2nd asking and responded with a game victory across town last month; runner-up Super Defence was far ahead of the rest, but came back with a dud here opening week; no surprise to see this one right in the thick of things with another move forward.

Gelila

Has turned in two nice tries over the Santa Anita green for DeLeon since returning from a vacation; Nakatani is back aboard after guiding this one to an encouraging show finish coming down the dip; could find herself in a real sweet spot if a couple of these decide to go at it on the front end.

Tacit Approval

Well-bred filly looks like the one to beat for Dollase and Van Dyke as she takes on her elders for the first time in her return from the No Cal invasion; opened a long lead on the Golden Gate turf last time and gave way grudgingly while holding for the place; figures to be prompting the issue from the outside and looms large.

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Race 8

Diamante Mobile

First of 5 getting their introduction to the races; sire is 1-for18 with first-time starters and there are some good local works showing; must deal with what can be a tricky post for a beginner.

Modernistic

Pollard's Vision connects with 11 percent of his debuters and Kruljac can have them ready at first asking; drills are on the modest side and a post parade and check of the tote would be in order.

Cocabella Myst

Benchmark is a strong sire with 69 of his 514 firsters posing for pictures; Pupye should have this filly more than ready with a pair of 6-furlong drills over the track to finish off her worktab; presence of Talamo adds to the optimism.

Her Lucky Spirit

After being well beaten in the first trio, veteran Fanning dropped this gal to this lowest level for the most recent and she flashed some speed before giving way; has to do better.

Run Rosie Run

Has managed a couple of non-threatening show finishes since dipping to this league and returning to the short game; a nice half-mile move at SA on Monday and not an impossible task with Elvis on the re-ride.

Raja's Rose

After 13 failed attempts, she got some major class relief to compete over the smaller night oval here and went evenly, with both the winner and runner-up coming right back to score; seems more likely for a minor award.

Bellisime

Exits one of those 870-yard mixed affairs here after making a brief trip over to Phoenix; couldn't get it done with easier types here under the lights, so looking elsewhere.

Awesome Request

Looking at the first 4 tries, it's difficult to get too excited; can't endorse.

Social Status

scratched

Copper Ore

Chased a rocketship in the April 22 debut at Turf Paradise and gave way in the stretch; evening kingpin Guce takes the assignment for Melton and she's an interesting possibility.

Alittletoofabulous

Sire is 0-for-19 with the newbies; Powell does a good job and a nice appearance and a bit of tote action would highten the interest.

Indian Proof

Idiot Proof, a son of Cocabella Myst's sire Benchmark, has clicked with 2 of his 10 firsters to this point; modest Orange County works and rider has made good impression since arriving in California.