Los Alamitos: Daily Game Plan for July 12

Race 1

Hamiltonian

Battled hard between horses to the stretch and couldn't quite keep pace behind Senator Bob, who was scheduled to race Thursday; Ryan has solid numbers with his claims here under the lights; figures right in the thick of things from the get-go.

Money Cannon

scratched

Smokin Bomb

Seems least likely as he's been doing the majority of his recent racing with lesser types over the smaller night oval here; tried a mile last Sunday and stopped badly behind a longshot winner.

Sacred Ovation

Sherman representative makes first start of the year with a series of solid local moves in tow while attracting the services of Baze; looks like a solid fit with this group if he comes back firing.

Runaway Wildcat

Have to like the 11-for-38 lifetime mark and while it had been awhile for this guy going into his last one here, he may have gotten a nice confidence boost with the handy decision over the nighttime five-eights oval for new conditioner Acquino; outside slot gives Bednar some options.-Mark Ratzky

Race 2

Badasmywifeletsmeb

Has flashed speed in all 3 appearances while gradually picking up his figures and did hold on better last time when making his 2nd run down the unique downhill course in Arcadia; co-leading rider going into the week Van Dyke tries hand; must deal with Next Book and perhaps firster Shaniel in the early going.

Lucky Got Even

Well beaten in both tries last season and shows up with Utah works on the tab; looking elsewhere.

Shaniel

The bullet works at Santa Anita and Barretts jump right off the page; fetched 95K at auction 16 months ago and O'Neill can certainly get them ready; colt is by a sire who has yet to have a debut winner from 15 starters.

Next Book

Has 2 seconds and 2 thirds from the four appearances while being beaten a grand total of three-quarters of a length plus a head; gets the chance to race over the track where he trains and the presence of Smith adds to the optimism.

Badwater

The other new face in the field and takes lessons from a fine trainer in Shireffs with Tyler at the helm; Kafwain clicks with 10 percent of his beginners and the barn doesn't have to work them fast to have them ready;

Smogcutter

Hard to get too excited about what this guy did last season; former Baffert trainee is now with Blacker and he does have a real nice set of works over at Santa Anita.-Mark Ratzky

Race 3

Wine Country Wanda

Blinks go on runner who has been beaten favorite in the last trio, settling for a 2nd, 3rd and a 4th; did have a troubled takeoff in the most recent going 7 panels at SA and gets the chance to stretch her legs from the coziest post; certainly with her friends today.

Do It Mobile Style

Been a bystander in both outings while racing at this lowest rung; hood goes on and did turn in a bullet 5-furlong move over the track last week.

Awesome Gift

A nibble here and a nibble there without ever seriously threatening in 7 trips to the post; been dusted by a couple in here already, so hard to make a case.

Broadway Bella

Julio's filly is the only member of the cast yet to have dropped to this level, and that right there is an endorsement; last pair going 2 turns over the Santa Anita turf against better weren't bad and she figures to be right at home with group; edge with Van Dyke.

Warren's Fantasy

By far the most missed chances as she makes her 20th stab without an on-the-board finish; obviously has to pick things up.

Stracciatella

Got her first chance to cover a distance of ground in the last and managed a distant exacta completion despite some early trouble; Elvis got to know her last time and she has to be considered.-Mark Ratzky

Vulnerable Favorite

WINE COUNTRY WANDA (#1, 8-5) is the one to beat as she’s been knocking on the door at this level. She gets blinkers added and has shown versatility, and with the rail draw can save ground. All that being said, she’s failed in three straight, all as the favorite and it’s not as if she comes into this off an overwhelming run (4th, beaten 6 lengths).-Michael Hammersly

Race 4

Los Bambinos

First of 2 for Baltas; turned in a good effort in the first start off the claim, then was outrun when trying the dip at SA most recently; barn has been holding a hot hand and put a sharp half-mile into this charge last week.

Irish Art

You have to go back to March of 2012 to find the last snapshot; last seen up at Golden Gate on the turf, showing speed at mile and then failing to threaten in an abbreviated contest; seems more likely for a minor award.

Dewrag

Came pretty close to pulling off a 15-1 upset here opening week for the DeLeon/Maldanado team; this is where he trains and he obviously has a liking for the oval; will get more respect at the windows this time around.

Dynamo Dixie

Shows up off back-to-back victories in Albany and will be tackling his elders for the first time; makes first start off the claim by Wright, who has sollid numbers in all the pertinent categories, including winning with 8 of his last 17 fresh purchases.

Luca

Dropped into a claimer for the first time since his debut, had an eventful journey while racing close up and managed a distant show finish that afternoon; looking elsewhere for the first couple of spots.

Senor Rain

Didn't make an impact off the bench in the initial try off the Pupye claim, now he turns up in a spot where he can't be taken with a little more ground to work with; has the the race under his belt now and Talamo has gotten good efforts from him in the past; blinkers on and he should sit a nice tracking trip.

Timeless Indy

The other Baltas runner; Big Kick came out of that last lawn marathon to wire them in the San Juan Capistrano and he appears to find a good spot to turn things back around with Trujillo on the re-ride at a distance that could be right up his alley.-Mark Ratzky

Spot Play

SENOR RAIN (#6, 3-1) has a touch of back-class. And while he may not be a stakes horse any longer things still add up to a good effort here. He surely needed that June 12 run (ran 7th) after 7 months off. He can benefit from that outing, it’s nice to see no drop and that he’s not again offered for a tag. Also, Puype adds blinkers (20% with this move), there’s a bullet work here since (4fs in :46.80 July 7) and Talamo sees fit to stay with him.-Michael Hammersly

Dewrag (#3, 4-1) has the benefit of a starter over the track in which he ran second; in the best form of his life, while others in the field have questionable form; ought to like the stretch out to seven furlongs.-Byron King

Race 5

John's Success

O'Neill has a pair of first-timers here; this colt brought 90K in Flrida 4 months ago and Colonel John has clicked with 8% of his debuting 2-year-olds; hard to get a read on those works in Pomona and there is the tricky rail post to consider.

Popsracer

Chased a very promising runner in the June 20 unveiling and Hofmans has ended up in the charmed circle with 3 of his last 16 2nd-time starters; has to be respected, especially if he takes to the track.

Rowdy Dylan

Looks best of the trio to have already faced the starter; came away last from the inside slot in his bow and was making good progress at the end; Miller has scored with 7 of his last 39 performers making their 2nd appearance and he has some nice maintenance works showing at San Luis Rey in the interim.

Tizunanimous

Sire has a win from 2 to start; some decent local moves showing for Craigmyle, but prefer others.

Saddle Soar

Pearson has scored this season with a couple of the babies she brought in from Phoenix; two efforts were so-so, but at least he doesn't have to deal with Brookerson this time around.

Litigation Road

The other O'Neill trainee; Bellamy Road has connected with 8 of his 74 2-year-olds making their initial outings; check the post parade and toteboard for more clues.

Dr. Vincentstein

Aguirre and Puglisi hit a good percentage and have been profitable to follow; Delineator is a 12% debut sire with the 2yos and he's been given a pair of practice spins ere since coming in from Utah; intriguing.

Spin Forty

Hard Spun has won with 9 of 115 first-time youngsters; trainer doesn't need to show them off in the a.m. to have them ready, Baze takes the call and he gets the preferred post for his introduction.-Mark Ratzky

Race 6

Metaxa

One of 2 in here to have seen action at the meet, finishing evently in a compact cast while being claimed for the 5th time in his last half-dozen outings; would like to have seen a little more kick from her in the last pair.

Igotnosixes

Has been struggling since the victory over the Golden Gate turf some 14 months ago; the lacked rally moniker has been following her around and looking elsewhere for the major players.

Ghost N Your Heart

She likes to win races with 6 pictures from 19 outings and shows up fresh in what looks like a pretty wide-open affair; she's re-united with Puglisi, who won with her the day she was claimed at Hollypark and also shows 2 other scores when the companion.

Torre Italiana

Just the 2 wins from 47 starts and the recent tries, including a pair over the smaller night oval here with softer company, aren't very inspiring.

Fiesta Express

Suited up for the first race of the meeting and was never a factor while taking the short way around, now they drop her a notch and cut back a furlong; always possible she could dial a wake-up call with his group.

Plazarita

Returned from vacation in May at Santa Anita and went evenly; has a right to move forward with the race under her belt, but it's been a long time since this one has visited the winner's circle and she has to pick up the pace.

Sizzling Lassie

Makes second start for Julio, who has a pair of starters on this card and they both look very live; has been knocking on the door since coming down from Golden Gate and this outside post gives Talamo plenty of options with that long run to the turn; respect.-Mark Ratzky

Race 7

Tres Belle

After a bit of a lull following the debut graduation, this daughter of War Front is putting it all together; showed a passing gear in the first partnering with Napravnick to handle first-level allowance types at Churchill in late April, then was last seen prevailing at 7 furlongs under the Twin Spires despite an early bobble; freshened with the usual solid Baffert drills and stable stalwart Garcia guides from the inside.

Concave

Showed plenty of promise for O'Neill when she began her career a year ago, with a win in the Sorrento and a 3rd in the Del Mar Debutante, but ran in that troubled Breeders Cup and went to the bench after being eased in the Starlet; barn shows confidence running in this spot for the return, but might be a difficult question mixing it up with some solid distaffers off the bench.

Clearly Confused

Razor sharp filly is proving to be an excellent 25K claim by Baltas; did the track and attack to perfection to clear the first-level allowance hurdle while earning a lifetime-best figure, then was putting in her usual honest late run to get second money in the Desert Stormer last month; the water gets a bit deeper now, but she should adore that long stretch with Tyler getting his first chance.

Heir Kitty

Love the way this gal surprised them in 7-furlong La Brea to kick off the Anita meeting, sitting nicely behind the speed and then doing her thing for a Grade I score; has been freshened by Miller since finishing fourth in the Grade I Madison at Keeneland, a race in which she had some traffic troubles; sparkling worktab in the interim at San Luis Rey and she s proven that she can fire big time fresh; deserves the top billing.

Amaranth

She's been on a tear up north for Jaurgeui and Carr, parlaying a maiden win to an allowance score at Golden Gate and then absolutely romping in that small stakes races at Pleasanton; Mr. Greeley filly is back in a hurry and will be taking on her elders for the first time while getting tested for class with the likes of Heir Kitty and Tres Belle to challenge her speed.

Sagebrush Queen

Comes into this assignment at the top of her game, posing for pictures following 3 of the last 4, including a 16-1 upset in the Desert Stormer across town with Maldanado; made a huge move into the turn in the latter affair and was able to hold safe while earning the top figure of her career; needs to step it up another notch, but this Gutierrez trainee is certainly on edge.

Doinghardtimeagain

Hollendorfer's filly got very sharp last year, capped by a coast-to-coast decision in the Hollywood Oaks; went to the sidelines after tiring in the 9-furlong Del Mar Oaks on the lawn, then was fanned very wide forcing the issue in the Desert Stormer and retreated in the drive; has that effort under her belt now and has every right to move forward; Hall-of-Famer has options with the cozy outside slot.-Mark Ratzky

G2 Great Lady M. By Michael Hammersly

HEIR KITTY
When she rallied to win the Grade 1 La Brea at Santa Anita Dec. 26 HEIR KITTY certainly showed her quality. She hasn’t won since but upon closer examination the level of competition was probably just a bit too much for her. She was fourth in the Grade 2 Santa Monica (a very tough spot), second to Judy the Beauty (likely the game’s second best sprinting distaffer behind Midnight Lucky) in the Grade 3 Las Flores at Santa Anita March 9, and was then fourth (again chasing Judy the Beauty, with Grade 1 turf winner Better Lucky finishing second) in Keeneland’s Grade 1 Madison April 12.

She obviously faces no one like that here. She hasn’t run since so she must deal with a layoff of about three months. However, she’s run well before off the bench, trainer Peter Miller is superb off a layoff and she’s been working lights-out of late at San Luis Rey (four straight bullets) to show she’s thriving.

The footing poses no issue, either. Remember, that Grade 1 La Brea win came on dirt and her solid fourth in the Grade 1 Madison last time out came on synthetic. She’s shown she can fire on Santa Anita turf, Santa Anita dirt, Del Mar synthetic, Hollywood Park synthetic and Keeneland synthetic so this place should pose no issues for her

Her versatility figures key, too. She’s by no means a need-the-lead type. In fact, often she’s not pressing the pace. But her style is more a function of the race- shape. If they need her up closer early on, she can be there. Need her to lag back? No problem. She can accommodate. In others words, she gives her rider options, which is no small matter on this tricky track

She also gets Joe Talamo to do the steering, he coming off a wonderful Santa Anita spring/summer meet where he easily won the riding title. So what’s not to like? Well, it’s possible the drop attracts too much attention, to the point she may well go favored. But she doesn’t figure to hammered so anything in the 5-2 range seems quite palatable

In terms of exotics there are a couple options with which to hook her up. TRES BELLE came back after over eight months to run third on Santa Anita dirt April 4. The filly then shipped to Churchill Downs where she found herself as she easily beat N1X foes April 29 and then won a strong optional claimer May 24. She’s been freshened since but trainer Bob Baffert is, of course, super off a freshening and she’s been working splendidly since those two Kentucky wins to indicate she holds her edge.

SAGEBRUSH QUEEN has won three of her last four, all on Santa Anita dirt. And you can be a bit forgiving about the lone loss in that stretch. When she ran seventh there April 19, she was being asked to route. That apparently isn’t her game. She returned to sprinting there May 30 and won, and then posted a 16-1 upset in the Desert Stormer (dirt sprint) there June 15. She’s come into her own and a smart 5-furlong work here July 5 (1:00.20) says she’s doing well.

Race 8

Relatively Correct

An interesting possibility in a race where positives are hard to come by; arrives from New Mexico off a romping graduation and an even try behind a runaway winner in April; in fine hands with Mullins calling the shots and he got a little help at the draw with the coziest post.

Friendly Hays

Hasn't been able to make any impression while racing at a lower conditioned level over the five-eights nighttime oval; a show finish would seem to be the most likely outcome.

Jeffery's Pride

Just 1-for-36 and has been nothing more than a bystander in 7 straight outings here under the lights; might be viable as a completion for the trifecta, but that's about it.

Doubledeesonthetee

Golden Gate invader looks rather imposing here, despite the fact that his claiming price is being doubled; a repeat of either of the last two efforts up north would get the job done as he finds a very easy spot for the level.

Bright Ocean

Last 3 starts have been pretty brutal following the debut score in March, with Aguiree wheeling him back in a hurry as he makes his 2nd start off last month's claim; for optimists.

Warren's Concept

Returned from a year on the sidelines and was well beaten by Atascaderan, who returned to post a 14-1 upset under these conditions last Sunday.

It's Superman

One of Atascaderan's victims last Sunday as he continues to be well beaten; pass.-Mark Ratzky