Los Alamitos: Daily Game Plan for Sunday. July 13

Closer Looks by Mark Ratzky

Race 1

Brandon's Princess

Claimed from the last pair and now in the hands of Pender, who has scored with 4 of his last 24 fresh purchases; beaten chalk in those last two, but not for lack of trying and looks like a nice fit with this group as Pedroza gets the call.

Nikki Allyn

Took the drop that refreshes in the 3rd try while moving to the main track and proved a punctual favorite in an abbreviated affair at Anita; obviously teams well with Tyler and Miller brings her back in a very realistic spot; edge.

Skyrose

Showed up at Golden Gate off the 15-month vacation and made short work of a modest group after dueling to the stretch; facing a saltier field now, but has that race under her belt and has been working in smart fashion over at San Luis Rey in the interim.

Wicked City Woman

Tagged by Powell, who has won with 1 of his 5 new buys; earned the graduation papers in one of those 870-yard mixed races here under the lights, then stopped badly in the initial attempt with winners while finishing well behind Brandon's Princess.

Pennies From Denny

Recent work has been uninspiring and it's een a long time since she recorded that maiden score; don't think so.

Race 2

Getaway Keys

Has flashed speed in both his starts and held on better in the most recent, although no match for the winner; Miller trainee was favored in the debut, so you know they had some hopes, and she should be right in the thick of things here.

Afleet Echo

At first glance, those running lines don't look very appearling, but the Glatt colorbearer is taking a major drop in class with Baze taking over the reins and have a feeling she'll be a player.

My Wish Come True

Been freshened a bit by Jones and gets the chance to race over the track where she does her training; last was obviously a disappointment, but too early to give up on this one.

Oinkus

Well beaten in a trio of outings, including a miler here last week when she battled up front and stopped badly; looking in other directions.

Tropical Moon

Brief speed in the most recent, but has been taking her lumps and now hopes to turn things around while racing over her home track.

Jo's Approval

This is a 7-year-old mare making her debut; Decharchy has won with 31 of his 220 beginners and Ekins has clicked with 1 of his last 2 first-timers; a couple of the recent local drills have been on the sharp side.

Swiss Heart

Has certainly been knocking on the door, including the July 4 effort here where she put in a solid bid between rivals and couldn't quite get it done; gets the best of the draw with hot apprentice Van Dyke guiding and this could be the day.

Race 3

Spot Play

STORY TO TELL (#4, 5-2) might drift up from his morning line with the public pouncing on first-out winner Bad Read Sanchez and stakes winner Wake Up Nick; this is a quality colt, too, with a win and a runner-up finish in a stakes race. -Byron King

Bad Read Sanchez

First of 4 for O Neill; made 2-1 look like an absolute gift three weeks ago at Santa Anita; involved in a duel from the inside slot to the stretch, was able to shake loose approaching the eighth pole and then romped home under Gutierrez; tipped that afternoon that he might be something special.

Wake Up Nick

Took all the money in his May 1 bow in an abbreviated affair in Arcadia and absolutely crushed his 5 rivals; wheeled back in a very contentious Juvenile last month, he prompted the issue from the outset than refused to give it up the length of the drive and got the job done again over today's rival Story to Tell; major player.

Henry's Holiday

Looked more like a 1-9 shot than a 9-1 chance in the May 9 introduction, sitting back early and then coming between rivals with a rush to win going away; wasn t able to threaten stablemate and fellow entrant Wake Up Nick in the subsequent Juvenile; will likely see his very best work when he's able to stretch his legs a little more.

Story to Tell

Colt ran to the support in the May 23 debut while not being asked for his best; according to Talamo was intimidated while racing on the inside on the turn in the subsequent Juvenile and lost focus before swinging out and around rivals and finishing with good interest; Hendricks says he has breezed well in the interim and he deserves plenty of respect.

Litigation Road

Completes the O Neill-trained foursome and the only firster in the line-up; Bellamy Road has clicked with 8 of his 74 debuting 2-year-olds with a steady string of Santa Anita works on the resume.

Peradventure

Son of Papa Clem jumped clear immediately in the first appearance at Santa Anita and never gave them a chance with Steiner guiding; appeared to be looking for bigger game at the wire, and finds it with this group today.; outside post gives rider some options.

Race 4

Vulnerable Favorite

TRIUNFO (#5, 5-2) added blinkers, came here for the first time July 6, dueled and then finished 3rd for $30K. That shows ability on this track, speed and vs. tougher. Even so, it’s not as if he was a big danger in the lane (beaten 2 1/4 lengths) and coming back this quickly hasn’t been one of DeLeon’s power moves (0 for last 5 coming back in 7 days or less). -Michael Hammersly

Best Ransom

Interesting possiblity for the high-percentage night combo of Treece and Guce; has been runner-up in a pair of those 870-mixed races after having less-than-perfect starts; segues into what could prove a nice spot in what comes up as a rather puzzling affair.

Shemp

The obvious wildcard in the field as they paid 210K for this son of Curlin 14 months ago and now he surfaces in a bottom-level contest with a modest string of Pomona drills in tow for Doug; he won't have to be much to handle these, but question marks abound.

Yodeling Honey

Pupye representative returns to the short game after turning in one good try and one poor one going a route of ground in Arcadia while being solidly backed on both occasions; could prove a factor from a stalking positon.

Juwan

Far back in the first two tries and then ran better than the 64-1 odds in his attempt over this track last week; will need to take at least another couple of steps forward to be in serious contention.

Triunfo

After being overmatched coming down the hill in Arcadia, he suited up here 10 days ago and turned in a good try while battling on the front end every step with Delgadillo; could prove an elusive target, especially if the O'Neill firster doesn't come out firing.

Warrensbrotherbill

Last three outings have comes over the smaller night oval here, including one near-miss in late May when he suffered some traffic woes turning for home; not impossible task with a move forward.

El Rey Misterio

Sent off at long odds in last week's unveiling and was badly outrun whle finishing double digits behind today's rival Triunfo; can't endorse.

I've Had Enough

Took a tad of money in the only stat going a mile at SA last month and never raised a gallop; Pender adds the blinkers and will have to do much better.

Smarty Ed

Only appearance came in one of those half-mile affairs at Barretts last September and did a hasty retreat; been preparing for return in Utah and it's encouraging to see Baze take the call.

Rare Punch

Hard to get enthused about those running lines, including that last one where he was sent off at 107-1; would be a shocker.

Race 5

Halo La

Shows up having registered a hat trick between Santa Anita and Pleasanton while moving up slightly in company, now she suits up here while taking a major leap up that ladder off the Lage claim; should be carving out the fractions on the stretchout, but that last furlong or so could prove demanding.

Woodys Wharf

Finally got over the hump in her 10th attempt, doing the track and attack to perfection going once around on the Santa Anita turf with new best friend Trujillo at the helm; has a nice confidence builder and could find herself in a pretty good pace set-up; respect.

Sweet Tess

Now in the Gaines barn and has been freshened since traveling 10 furlongs over the Anita green and finishing evenly; making first start on dirt, but appears to be a real good fit with solid apprentice Van Dyke getting his first chance.

Fleet of Gold

Exits the Grade II Summer Oaks across town and Hollendorfer engages Talamo for this go-around; diploma earner came over the main track in Maryland and this gal figures to take up a stalking position in the compact cast; best makes dangerous.

Melanistic

Baltas has been holding a hot hand; this one figures to be sitting just off the rail filly's flank into that tight first bend; her 10 lifetime scores is tops in the field, although she's had to settle for minor awards in the last 9 trips to the post; adds to the pace and the contention under Antongeorgi.

Race 6

Stepinmoon

Has flashed speed in some of her outings, but has just the one distant exacta completion to boast about; veteran owner/trainer Moreno and young tryo Drayden will join forces for the first time with her; looking more to the new faces.

Pink Laces

Never got into the hunt when making her debut at age 5 two weeks ago at Anita; this is where she trains, but can't make a case.

Covey

The first of 2 newbies, both hailing for solid barns and figuring to get their share of attention; Ellis trainee is by Tiz Wonderful, who hits with a solid 25% of his debuters and the trainer doesn't have to work them fast to have ready to rock and roll.

Princesskatiebella

A couple of modest 4th-place finishes showing, but yet to be a serious menace; returns to the main track and the short game while facing softer company, which could add up to something, especially if the bookend firsters don't ignite.

Stormin Applause

Stormin Fever has connected with 33 of his 458 beginners; Koriner representative has been training here and completed her preparations with a bullet half-mile from the gate last week; check post parade and tote for more clues.

Lana Caprina

Nothing doing in either start last year, now the DeLeon trainee turns up with some real nice local moves under her belt; food for thought.

Swiss Intrigue

Got a touch of support in the debut here opening week, didn't get away all that well and was never a player; dips into a claimer on the quick turnaround and improvement is expected.

Race 7

Charmstealer

Sent off at 94-1 in last week's debut, had some early trouble and could make no impact; don't think so.

So You Say

Baffert trainee brought 250K in Florida this spring, was solid backed in the unveiling at Anita and tired after pushing a pretty quick pace in a compact field; a nice 6-furlong move across town last week and no surprise if she leads them on a merry chase under Garcia.

City Ride

Picked things up in the 3rd start for Harrington when getting a chance to race over the layout where he's housed; Baze jumps to outside filly, but Pereira has made a nice impression since arriving; contender.

Elusive Mistress

Showed some early interest while taking the short way around and then called it a day at the furlong pole; can't endorse.

Sharla Rae

First of 3 new faces and they each figure to get some serious support; Afleet Alex has clicked with 8% of his debuting babies and O'Neill has put a steady string of works into her across town.

Don't Blame Me

Blame, vanquisher of Zenyatta, has had 1 winner from his first 4 starters; Mulhall engages Trujillo and a nice appearance coupled with some tote action would add to the appeal.

Midnight Belle

This filly brought down the hammer at 400K last September; top sire Bernardini has won with 18 of 132 debut 2-year-olds; this is where Tyler lands and the Glatt charge has the preferred outside slot for her introduction.

Race 8

Global Hart

Dropped into a claimer for the 2nd appearance under the Periban banner and made every pole a winning one despite drifting out a tad through the lane; this is going to be a much tougher assignment and a minor award is the best we can see for her.

Heart of Paradise

More Than Ready filly could be any kind; extremely impressive in that June 5 unveiling, as she dueled hard from the rail to the stretch, then kicked into another gear and motored away with something still in reserve; a sizzling :57 and change move in the interim, which is not usually part of the Hollendorfer playbook; appears to be holding the aces in this spot with Smith taking over controls.

La Grange

Curlin offspring showed some promise in last month's unveiling at Arlington Park and looms the main threat to the heavy favorite drawn just to her inside; Team Desormeaux production has had a couple of acclimating spins at SA since arriving from Chicago.

Shh She's Ours

Has the advantage of being the only member of the cast to have raced over this strip, proving a punctual favorite at first asking last week for the high percentage Aguirre/Puglisi combination; that said, she will have to step up her game to deal with Heart of Paradise.

Abets Abet

First of 2 for Harrington; gets a chance to race over the track where she does her training, but looks to have her work cut out; went evenly in the first 2 tries with maidens, then never a factor while chasing home a couple of very nice prospects in the Landaluce last month across town.

Slew's Charm

Debuted in productive heat as Enchanting Lady and Seduire came back to dominate the Landaluce good try in the next outing, despite the pilot losing his whip at the furlong pole, and 3rd-place Desert Thief got the job done here opening week. maiden has a difficult assignment.

Race 9

Spot Play

TAKEIT TO THE LIMIT (#7, 6-1) pressed the pace early at this level at SA June 15 as the even-money favorite but paid the price, fading to 6th. It’s nice to see no drop for the colt by Pender, who also adds blinkers with a strong 4f workout in tow July 8 at SA (:47.20). He has a foundation now, has speed and the blinks can keep him focused for the entire 5 1/2fs. -Michael Hammersly

Now You're It

Well beaten in the 3 appearances last summer, including a restricted sales stakes at Barretts; drops into claiming company for new trainer Craigmyle, who has put some modest local moves into the gelding.

Patriotic Lion

Second start off the bench and that 0-for-30 mark isn't very encouraging; on a brighter note, this guy he has come close on several occasions and those figures are actually best of those who have faced the starter.

Gliding Love

Off at over 100-1 in both tries and has run like it; blinkers go on and an easier assignment, but lookintg elsewhere.

Mr. Cappuccino

Only a tick behind Patriotic Lion as he has missed 29 chances; this year's outings leave quite a bit to be desired.

Surfing Angel

First of 2 new faces and they both deserve a long look; Surf Cat was a nice one for Headley and that June 9 move from the gate over in Arcadia catches the eye; debuts in a pretty soft spot.

Yo Ho Marino Go

Was bothered at the start when making his introduction at this level late last month and failed to threaten; very slow Pomona spin in the interim and obviously has to pick things up.

Takeit Tothe Limit

Hammered down to even-money in his 2nd outing while dipping to this bottom rung, showed improved speed and then stopped; note front wraps went on that day and now they try blinkers; at least the price is going to drift up.

Astutely

Made first start since Sept. here opening week, battled from the inside and weakened late behind a well-meant invader; could be dangerous up front if the beginners aren't much.

Weekendwithbernie

Good Journey has a 9% strike rate with his first-timers and Pupye has clicked with 3 of his last 16 debut maiden claimers with a positive ROI; gets Talamo, has been working locally and appears very live.

Caddy Cain

Been thrashed in both outings, including a miler here last week when the odds were triple digits; pass.