Santa Anita
Santa Anita: Closer Looks for April 11, 2014
Race 1
| Soul Crusher |
| Has upside off his debut but is here following a long absence for the dirt unveiling; was off slowly then rallied like a wild horse in the debut; was claimed by a trainer with just 1 start in 2014 and clearly the worktab suggests we take a wait and see approach off the 8-month absence. |
| Superboot (IRE) |
| The show, 7th and 9th-place finishers from last all won next out in 106K-64K and 18K events; usually 1st-time Imports will get 1st Lasix and race at their lowest-weight assignment ever but neither is true for this one; trainer wins 34% with long-layoff starters since 2013 and 31% with first-time acquisitions. |
| Grand Humor |
| Got caught up in a speed duel with Bad Behavior costing both runners in-the-money finishes; owns the numbers edge posting a best-last-race speed figure; his 3-back show finish represents a field-best Beyer; is the one to catch and beat. |
| Bad Behavior |
| Grand Humor outdueled him in last as both runners faded; the same type of trip is projected here which should help the stalkers/closers; when he beat Grand Humor out of the gate 2-back he finished ahead of him; know him early then hopes to hang on late for a share. |
| Como Mi Padre |
| Going to be a tough customer to hold off late if he runs back to his 2-back rally at longer; seeks the right level; new rider is having another high-percentage SA season; working sharply for this; the main knock is the trainer is 1-for the last-27 with maiden-claiming starters; logical contender. |
| Our Lucky Son |
| One of his 12 losses was in an SA stakes event; was primed for this vs. tougher while owing a career-best Beyer on SA dirt; worked an LA bullet for this and figures to be closing into a hot pace; icy-SA trainer (began the meet 0-for-14 with no exactas) sees the debut rider land on Melion for this. |
| Merlion |
| Sire is 71-for-469 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal out of a multiple-stakes-winning dam (6-for-18, 222K) who won her 1st two career starts; high-perecentage SA trainer is capable with 1sters and the worktab is rock solid in a race lacking superstars; have to consider a major player at 1st asking. - Art Gropper |
Race 4
| Warren's Cliff S. |
| Like to see what he did over this turf course at today's distance when facing similar just two starts ago, and that level of performance can play well in this spot; he is light on winning form after 16 starts, but he has the look of a contender. |
| Exclude |
| He hasn't shown much in his two turf attempts and he looks like he prefers distances shorter than today's one mile assignment; he might prove to be an early pace factor after breaking from the inside, but others figure to have more to offer through the stretch. |
| Luckbox Sam |
| His one victory was earned racing over a synthetic surface and feel that his best effort isn't quite up to the level of the top contenders in this one; note the step up in class for him as he makes his first turf start since early January. |
| Dreamalot |
| East Coast invader lacks in the early speed department and prefer to see a start from him over this turf course before backing him; respect the presence of Talamo but going to look toward others. |
| Lucky Cotton |
| Have to acknowledge the impact his early speed can have one the way that this race shapes up, but he looks like another in here who is more comfortable sprinting than routing; prefer to side with others. |
| Harness Mentality |
| His three starts over turf have been right in line with what it might take to win this and this is the softest spot he's seen since breaking his maiden four starts ago; it's probably a good idea to view him in the light of a top contender. |
| Elusive Journey |
| He's another in here with just a single win next to his name after many starts, but he has been a pretty consistent performer and like the drop in class for him; he might be ready for one of his beter efforts while going sprint-to-route for his second start after a layoff. |
| Desormais |
| He hasn't been on top of his game in his most recent starts, but he has run races over turf in the past that are plenty strong enough to suggest that he owns the ability to jump up with a competitive run against these; runner up from latest won next out here on 3/28 going 1m over turf vs. 40-35k claimers with an 83 Beyer. - Brian Pochman |
Race 5
| Hot Outta the Oven |
| Finished just a length off the runner up in his last and that gal returns in this spot as well; she does have a little bit of early foot and there's not a whole lot of lick in here so maybe he's able to get involved from the outset, but this barn has had a rough season; consider. |
| Secret Sorority |
| Hasn't been close in either of her dirt starts including last time when well behind some of these in her first crack of the year; maybe she's better with the try behind her and did work sharply here last weekend, but she'll need to improve significantly to have a say in the outcome here. |
| Dulcemia |
| Last out runner up at the level gives it another shot at a slightly shorter trip while boasting the field's best last out dirt Beyer; she's had plenty of chances and is far from consistent, but if she runs back to her most recent try she'll prove dangerous. |
| Marthajean |
| Sire gets 14% first out winners from his offspring and the dam was winless from 3 starts prior to dropping winners from each of her 3 foals to race; profitable debut outfit worked her sharply from the local gate last month but there are some gaps in the tab. |
| Georgia's Niece |
| Six year old hasn't been close to the winner in her 9 starts; while she could offer a little early interest her most recent try behind these is tough to overlook; looms another long price in here. |
| Tropical Moon |
| Makes her first start since the summer while trying dirt for this new outfit; barn has had no recent luck with this type but this gal has been working well of late at Los Al; just watching her in the comebacker. |
| Chautauqua Creek |
| Makes his first start out here in her return from more than a year on the shelf; like the late run she made first out on the Gulfstream lawn and she has been working well over the local footing for her first crack on dirt; can't overlook. |
| Awesome Request |
| Five year old took no money first out and did little running in that try at the level; dam won 3 sprints so maybe she improves with racing but it's tough to make a serious case she does that today. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 6
| Sweet Boss |
| Sire wins with approximately 23% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; she's already shown us that she has a good deal of natural ability to work with and she might be looking forward to getting a chance to see what she can do racing over turf. |
| In Dad's Honor |
| Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and dam won 11 of 45 starts for 170k, including 0-for-2 over turf; she's been in good form since being returned from a layoff back in November and it wouldn't be a shock to see her handle the move to turf. |
| An Unusual Group |
| Full sister to Unusual Meeting (2-9, 65k over turf) took a sharp step forward with a move to turf at second asking, but she is going to need to be ready for further improvement if she's to beat these in her first attempt against winners. |
| Lil Swiss Echo |
| Lightly raced 5-year-old has a little bit of turf in her pedigree and like the effort she showed up with in her first start back from a layoff in her latest outing; she appears to be well meant while going sprint-to-route for this. |
| Hanserella |
| Tough to ignore the 1-for-29 race record when trying to build a case for her for the top spot, but she has some early speed, and she might be able to hang on for a spot underneath in the exotics if she brings her 'A' game to the table. |
| Browsing |
| She's finished 1-2 in four of five starts but she is going to need to step it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale to threaten the top contenders in this one; third-place finisher from latest won next out at TuP on 2/22 going 1m in a 35k stakes with a 60 Beyer. |
| Chilada |
| Her form took a noticeable turn for the better when placed over turf for her third career start and it's interesting to see Bejarano get the call for this, especially when considering that he was aboard for a sharp runner-up finish two starts back. |
| Sweetest Secret |
| She's developed a nice level of consistency to her game but this has a chance to prove to be a tough step up in class for her after a steady diet of cliaming engagements; runner up from latest won next out here on 3/29 going 1 1/8m over turf in a 41k stakes with a 77 Beyer. |
| Anniversary Kitty |
| Based on what she's shown in her first three starts, including a couple of stakes races, she can prove to be tough to deal with in this spot; she's a full to stakes placed Indian Ashton (7-31, 285k, including 4 of 16 turf starts for 200k); runner up from latest won next out at SA on 4/5 going 1 1/8m over turf in a G3 with an 83 Beyer. |
| Clearly Anointed |
| She didn't run poorly in her first two starts for this barn at Del Mar last summer, but it would have been nice to have seen her show more in her first start back from a layoff in her latest outing, and she's faced with a tough step up in class today. |
| Tanquerray |
| A tough outside post awaits in the event that she draws in but she's the only one in here with four wins next to her name and all of her wins have been earned racing over turf, including two over this turf course; at the very least, she's worthy of consideration underneath in the exotics. - Brian Pochman |
Race 7
| L T Reckless |
| Exits a best-last-race Beyer speed figure when stretched out to today's distance while a good sign racing very well over the SA dirt competing on it for the 1st time; displayed a new rating gear for last while she had been more of a pure-speed type; hopes not to bounce; is right back in the entry box 3 weeks after that sharp effort directly following a 6-month freshening. |
| D'ya Knowwhatimean |
| She hasn't fired back to her caeer-best Beyer when claimed; blinkers off is a high-win percentage angle for her trainer trying to shake up the form; obviously the connections liked her a lot to have made the trek to New Mexico for the SUN Oaks in last; concerned that her win riders land on Taste Like Candy and Satirical for this. |
| Larocco |
| Been a terrific November claim; in her only dirt attempt for the newest barn it produced a win at today's distance over the track; figures for a similar midpack closing trip; blinkers off 5 races ago has made a world of difference; the 3-back winner repeated in an SA-81K stakes with an 84 Beyer. |
| Big Break |
| Claimed off the debut-maiden breaker; she is shooting very high here to face stakes runners; style from unveiling suggests an added furlong won't hurt her chances any; so-so LA workouts for a trainer 0-for-6 first-off-the-buy since 2013; keeps the winning debut rider but has to pass a stern-class test here. |
| Uzziel |
| Was trounced by Taste Like Candy when making her only other dirt start; exits a last-place fade when defeated by the runner-up finisher who Beyered 83 in a next-out SA-Grade 3 stakes win; all freshened up which is a good win angle for her trainer; gets a 2nd chance on the main track. |
| Midnight Dream |
| Projects as the one of the main speeds here with L T Reckless; rallied to win at today's distance 2 back but clearly has the gate speed to be a huge pace player here; willing to dismiss latest loss racing on a wet-main track producing a career-low Beyer; she has been working smartly for this and hopes to shake free early then keep on going. |
| Morning Fix |
| Perfect-GG runner is 1 of the 2 Hollendorfer-uncoupled trainees; the other runner G1-placed Taste Like Candy gets a top-SA rider while the pilot listed here has yielded 3% winners at the current meet and replaces the all-time win pilot. |
| Satirical |
| Plenty of upside off the debut win; the connections think so too going right into stakes company; worked well since the 1ster win breaking next to last then scoring at 1F shorter; the trainer yields 24% winners with stakes runners since 2013 suggesting when his starters make the class leap they are ready for it. |
| Taste Like Candy |
| Easiest spot since the debut win; posted the field's best Beyer in her debut at 1F shorter on SA dirt; the winner from last repeated in the G1-SA Oaks with an 87 speed figure; the 2-back winner where she was G2-placed at today's distance repeated in an SA-G2 with an 82 Beyer then Beyered 79 taking a SUN-200K event. - Art Gropper |
Race 8
| Cee's Tizzy Belle |
| Been given time since educational run at the beach; never been a big fan of the rail on the hill unless a runner has legit speed; dam was unraced; both siblings won including Grade 1 winner, 5 for 10 grass racer and near $800K earner Tiz Flirtatious; look for rider to take a hold, try to save ground, roll out crossing the dirt and then try to reel them all in. |
| Exclusive Girl |
| Finished with interest and the race on the hill can only help; there is no turf success in the family but kin Repo banked over $200K; she did already fail for a tag but she has more speed than she just flashed; the trip will be everything. |
| Kantina Kowgirl |
| Hung wide and whipless late in last but the effort is something she can build on; connections would love to see her start acting like top kin, Grade 2 placed near $350K earner Roi Charant; Baze got a chance to figure her out; due. |
| Jennyway U Want It |
| She may have hated the rail in the debut but she showed she can handle this course; snappy move last Sunday screams off the canvas; 4 for 22 dam earned over $100K, won on grass once; this is her first to race; the one to beat. |
| Warren's Jen Fizz |
| Legit trouble when off slowly in the debut; dam was 0 for 7; the 1 for 37 sibling took a dirt sprint; tactical speed should give her first run on those that will be flying late; should be right there. |
| Itsherprerogative |
| Tribal Rule about 13% with debuters in a 375-runner grid, about 16% with first-time turfers in a 167-runner grid; sire graduated as older horse, took 2 of 4, banked nearly $80K, never turfed; 4 for 15 dam earned over $100K, won twice on grass; this is her first to race; miss looks fit enough. |
| More Complexity |
| Only one poor effort and she was bothered at the break that day; there is a 4-race winner in the tree but that one never tried grass; 2/14 place horse cashed next out at this level with a 63 Beyer; needs to improve to cash here. |
| Say's Who |
| Is It True about 6% with first-time grass runners in a 344-runner study; sire graduated going short in third start at 2, won multiple Graded stakes including the BC Juvenile, was 5 for 15, earned over $800K, never tried grass; dam 2nd in best result; lone sibling lost 13 times; note improved energy in the drill on the first. |
| Ski's Copper Penny |
| In good hands, off a career Beyer and she s worked solidly since; lone half bro lost only start; the freshening seems to have done her some good and she did show career speed in last; rates upset glance. |
| Suances Retro |
| Suances 5 for 56 with firsters, 5 for 30 with first-time turfers; sire won second career start, took a Group 1, was turf only banked over $400K taking 8 of a dozen; 9 for 41 dam earned nearly $300K, won 8 times on grass; lone half sis took one for 16, a dirt sprint; could need experience. |
| Little But Lucky |
| Lucky Pulpit 7 for 68 with debuters, 4 for 34 with first-time turfers; SW sire, who sired California Chrome, won at 2, took 3 of 22, banked over $200K, won twice on grass; 2 for 28 dam earned nearly $140K, won on grass once; lone full sis took 2 sprints, never turfed; blowout last Sunday should have her on her toes. |
| Sixy Eddie |
| Miss comes off an improved effort but she didn t scare the winner; dam was 0 for 4; both siblings won, the one that tried grass was out of the money in only turf out; would be careful here. |
| Lethal Story |
| Mirror races in the grass efforts and neither was pretty; the blood is there as full sister Lethal Heat won over $200K on grass; even if you figure she needed the last, miss has some things to prove. |
| Peg's Journey |
| Good Journey 8 for 80 with debuters, 10 for 53 with first-time turfers; sire didn t run at 2, was turf only, banked over $1.7 million; 4 for 35 dam earned over $80K, won twice on grass; lone half sis was 2nd in best moment; drills are ideally spaced. - Brian Mulligan |