Santa Anita
Santa Anita: Closer Looks for April 12, 2014
Race 3
| Disregarded |
| She finished behind a couple of today's rivals in her latest outing, but like what she's done in her first two career starts, and she's still plenty eligible to have more to show us; she deserves to be listed among the contenders. |
| Lethal Story |
| Her two starts over turf have been her two strongest performances and this filly is a 1/2 to multiple graded stakes winner Lethal Heat (6-17, 655k, including 2 of 7 turf starts for 211k). |
| See Ya Signe |
| Don't like to see that she only beat one to the finish in her career debut over turf after being sent to post at over 20-1, but she does have a turf leaning pedigree, and perhaps she can prove to be capable of better routing on grass. |
| La Pequena Gigi |
| She's shown a little something in her two turf starts sprinting down the hill and there's a chance that she might be able to grab the early lead while making her first start routing; if anyone in here is going to lead this field every step of the way, this might be the one. |
| Sedona Gal |
| Pioneer of the Nile is off to a good start as a turf sire and it wouldn't be a shock to see this filly show up with an improved performance in her third career start while making her only second start routing. |
| Precious Caroline |
| Sire wins with approximately 17% of his turf starters and dam won 7 of 20 starts for 82k, including 5 of 11 turf starts for 55k; third-place finisher from latest won next out at LA on 3/22 going 4 1/2f vs. 3.5k MCL's with a 47 Beyer. |
| Cryptic |
| Sire wins with approximately 16% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and G3 stakes placed dam won 2 of 11 starts for 85k, including 0-for-1 over turf; this filly is a 1/2 to This Ones for Jodi (1-2, 12k over turf). |
| Tiz Sweet Bliss |
| Sire wins with approximately 14% of his first-time starters and with approximately 12% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal from an unraced dam; Ziebarth-homebred goes out for a currently live barn that is capable of having one ready to fire at first asking. |
| Star Act |
| Nicely bred miss is out of a multiple G1 winning dam who won 6 of 20 starts for $1 million, no turf starts, and this filly is a 1/2 to Guest Star (2-11, 98k over turf); her three turf starts have been strong enough to stamp her a top contender and Van Dyke has won with 5 of 16 (31%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting. |
Race 4
| Jump the Wall |
| Cee's Tizzy about 9% with debuters in a 514-horse sample; sire didn't run at 2, won second start, got through the N2X level; dam 2nd in only start; lone half sister lost 17 times; steady moves in Orange County, could need experience. |
| Profire |
| Can't fault those that are a bit gun shy after the double chalk flop; backers can hang hat on fact lone sibling was 3 for 5 and was never out of the money; must be left in the mix. |
| Best Ransom |
| At least he flashed some semblance of speed in last; one red flag is he had to take 2013 off; the other is he has lost ground in the lane every time; the 4th and 6th finishers in last won at this level next out; mostly winners in the tree, none were monsters; apparently not much of a work horse. |
| Ice Cream Truck |
| Gelding is out to snap the seconditis; connections wouldn't mind if he starts acting like top kin Lookingatlangfuhr, a double winner and over $100K earner; should be rolling along late if at all. |
| Spectacularjourney |
| Similar style to rival on the direct inside and neither motion is all that pretty; a couple of regressions since the February finale; he's had aim a few times and has not been able to get it done. |
| The Prime Mover |
| Soph was only brief threat when probably overmatched in the debut; 2 for 12 dam earned almost $60K; all 3 siblings won, one took debut at 2 in only start; would not be shocked if he runs much better here. |
| Soul Saver |
| Lack of speed a concern and although he got a nice slice in last, he was losing ground late; drawn better this time; must at least be kept in the exotic conversation. |
| Slewissurfing |
| Hung wide when wraps evident in the debut, now Ellis adds blinkers to the equation, which has been a good ploy for him; Ellis is 5 for 21 or 24% the last 5 years with first-ttime blinkers on maiden claimers with a median payoff of 5-2 and 3 others ran second; 4 for 15 dam banked about $135K; 2 of 3 siblings won; top kin Slew Man Slew took 3 of 25, earned about $45K; expect much better effort. |
| Tancred |
| Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael and Smith, Derrick were named as owners for the debut; he was kind of cold on the tote for a Baffert charge and just picked up the bit late; 4th finisher in bow took a MSW next out, place horse took a $100K optional and the winner repeated in a $100K stakes; stakes placed 2 for 5 dam earned over $60K; this is her first to race; would be careful here. |
Race 5
| Ciao Bella Luna |
| Tribal Spy rematch with a positive 3-pound weight swing for this; was troubled when breaking in the air in last; she has every right to improve 2nd time off the bench; see lots of upside for this; figures to save ground then will be ready to pounce on a possible speed duel featuring Biorhythm; seeing Bejarano go to Sky High Gal does not help the confidence level; beat the 2-back runner-up finisher who posted an 83 Beyer speed figure in her next-out GG-59K stakes win. |
| Macaabra (IRE) |
| Away since the allowance upset showing a huge improvement off a freshening and is all-freshened up again for this; deep closer gets a hot pace to rally into for this; the 2-back winner repeated in a BHP allowance race with an 84 Beyer. |
| Llandudno |
| Positive 7-pound weight swing off the 2-length loss vs. Biorhythm; main issue is a bounce candidate after firing a career-best Beyer right off a 10-week layoff; do not like that she was outfinished for the exacta money but may have needed that race. |
| Biorhythm |
| FIeld-best Beyer speed figure posted in last was coming directly off a long layoff so obvious concerns if she will bounce for this with just 30 days between starts; won right on the lead but will likely have Sky High Gal and Tribal Spy breathing down her neck from the gate. |
| Sky High Gal |
| Obviously Bejarano showing up here helps the cause although she's comes off the bench for a 12%-fresh trainer; the 2-back winner scored Grade 2 wins in her next 2 starts (98-97 Beyers); she's won from off the pace during career but was so sharp in last she went right to the front; figures to sit just off Biorhythm then figures tough to hold off late. |
| Tribal Spy |
| Negative 3-pound weight swing from Ciao Bella Luna off the gate-to-wire win; she likes the front but has Biorhythm and Sky High Gal to fend off early then the closers late; consistent sort's fired in 8 of last 9 starts; getting caught up in a speed duel with Biorhythm and not stalking the front at this advanced level is the biggest concern. |
| Minds Eyes |
| Sky High Gal beat her 3-back the last time racing on grass at this same G3 SA-grass sprint test; 2012 alw. winner here closing well she's been off her best game since DMR last summer on synthetic with Bejarano who sides with Sky High Gal. |
Race 6
| Rum Point |
| Stretches out a panel after failing to threaten the top 2 in a 3 runner affair here last month; he kept some good company last year, but he wasn't a factor in any of those heats and his lone score came over synthetic footing; tough to make a solid case for him in here. |
| Ferocious |
| Tries winners for the first time off a narrow maiden score over a runner up who returned to win with a 92 Beyer last weekend; there's some speed in here so maybe they choose to take hold of him and find a tracking spot as he's proven he can pass runners and the added half panel can help; threat to repeat. |
| Lolo El Canonero |
| South American import beat a field of questionable quality first out in Peru and now he'll get Lasix for his first local start; he's worked well in the morning for his initial try with winners and he'll get a capable pilot but there's not a whole bunch to go on here as he catches a decent bunch. |
| Papa Turf |
| Turns back to sprint off a solid initial route spin last month; colt banged heads early in the G2 San Vicente at this trip and just missed lasting for the show behind a runaway winner; he's had plenty of chances since his maiden score and will need to show some improved stamina to have a solid say in the outcome, but maybe the last out route try helped; consider. |
| Beach Hut |
| Broke his maiden over the track first time out last fall but hasn't been in a threat in any of his starts since; maybe the time off served him well and he is working better for the comebacker, but one of today's foes defeated him quite handily in each of his last 2 starts. |
| Chelios |
| Enters this fresh off a front running maiden score in his second career start; colt has been working well for his first with winners and he'll get a weight concession with the capable bug named; there's other speed in here and he moves off the fence so making the top may not be so easy, but he does figure to be involved from the bell; seemed to skip through 7/8s in preparation for this so maybe the added half panel poses him little problem. |
| Horse Laugh |
| Exits a couple of turf stakes and returns to the footing of his most recent score here; gelding could have a little extra to offer in the lane and his style is flattered by a pace scenario that looks to feature plenty early foot; don't know that he's this good but he worked well last weekend and is worth a look. |
| Top Fortitude |
| Looked sharp in the professional debut score at Hollywood last fall, earning a big number before subsequently hitting the shelf; barn boasts a recent winner off this type of break and they'll name a capable journeyman pilot for his first with winners; drills over the local footing don't appear to be anything special and he will try that surface for the first time today; don't know that he'll be as good on dirt, but he must be respected. |
| True Ten |
| Beaten chalk in his first with winners turns back to sprint while switching to Bejarano for this; statebred beat restricted runners over the track first time out and the effort gave the indication he'll handle today's added panel; barn does ok on the decrease in distance and this guy worked sharply here last weekend. |
| Indexical |
| He improved quickly once equipped with shades at Del Mar and showed good speed in the G1 Futurity there before fading; he boasts some solid drills for his first start since the fall and they give the indication he can handle dirt but he may just be better next time. |
Race 7
| Moscato Girl |
| Her recent form has been improved and feel that she deserves another chance to see what she can do racing over turf; this miss is a 1/2 to Palladian General (2-6, 75k over turf) and Heat Trap (2-4, 81k over turf). |
| Yesterday Sings |
| Sire wins with approximately 4% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 3 of 35 starts for 99k, including 2 of 21 turf starts for 50k; this might prove to be a tough spot for this filly to make her first start over turf and her first start against winners. |
| Lets Get Frisky |
| Have to respect the early speed she showed while making only her second start over turf in her latest outing and she's a 1/2 to Iza General (3-11, 117k over turf) and multiple stakes winner La Nez (5-18, 417k, including 2 of 5 turf starts for 132k). |
| Writer Fever |
| A case can be made for her one start over turf being her sharpest performance to date, but she's going to need to take a strong step forward over that effort to see her number posted on top after this one is run. |
| La Casadora |
| Sire wins with approximately 16% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who was winless from five starts, including one turf start; turf is a question, but like to see the way that she's improved her game in her two most recent races. |
| Blake's Magic |
| Her lack of early speed can leave her with a lot of ground to cover when she hits the top of the stretch, but she's a good fit at this level of competition, and she's a 1/2 to multiple graded stakes winner Mobil (12-29, $1.8 million, including 5 of 13 turf starts for 877k). |
| Grammy Times Six |
| The move to turf seemed to agree with this filly in her most recent start and note that she finished right behind a couple of today's key rivals in that race; she's a 1/2 to Pindaric (6-30, 214k, including 2 of 19 turf starts for 149k). |
| Callous Effect |
| Perhaps she can be ready for better while making back-to-back starts for the first time since last April, and if she can remeber what she did the first time she raced over turf, she can have a say in the outcome. |
| Jetbird |
| Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 10 starts for 36k, and she didn't make a turf start; she'll have to be ready for an improved performance in her turf debut if she's to prove to be the one in this spot. |
| Intoxicating Move |
| She appears to be going better than ever entering this race, and after beating a few of today's rivals in her latest outing, she has to be considered a top contender; like the outside post for her at this trip and she benefits from the services of Bejarano once again. |
Race 8
| Mongolian Saturday |
| Try to catch me; raced on the lead in 3 in a row and 10 of 11 starts; his 3-0-0-0 record in graded-stakes starts and recent loss vs. stakes runners leaves him waiting to pass a class test for his 1st-SA dirt test; last-out GP runners seem to be winning everywhere; his lone dirt win was at 5.5F so the last furlong for this is the concern. |
| Wine Police |
| Trainer change off the near-miss finish/career-best Beyer speed figure in New Mexico; his 2-0-0-0 SA record contains 8th-place finishes in Grade1 events; today's distance seems to fit him perfectly; projects to save ground stalking Mongolian Saturday then get 1st run on the closers. |
| Zeewat |
| Would need a massive-form reversal off latest loss to Big Macher after posting his lowest Beyer since February, 2013; obviously his huge Malibu Beyer and G1 loss by under 2 lengths was a super performance and would be tough to beat if we ever see that runner again; off latest will be siding with others. |
| Midnight Transfer |
| A stakes winner at today's distance; he is another runner in the field who has performed best for rider Bejarano who keeps the faith with Wild Dude for this; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-78K event with a 107 Beyer; his last 2 stakes starts saw him finish behind similar rivals leaving him ranked a notch below the top contenders for this. |
| Crimson Giant |
| 41-race losing streak; the lone win in 2011 in the SA mud at today's distance in a 40K maiden claimer; not easy to buy into the 0-for-15 with one exacta fast-dirt record; outran his 40-1 odds in last when picking up a show finish vs. lesser |
| Wild Dude |
| Was outfinished in last at slightly longer while 2-back represents a field-best Beyer; he beat Big Macher on synthetic but could not find the late punch in deep stretch of latest; perhaps the 123-pound assignment hurt his cause but remains giving 5 pounds to the one who just finished ahead of him. |
| Big Macher |
| Ends up with the same Beyer as Wild Dude a best-last-race speed figure but finished ahead of that one; cutting back to 6.5F adds to the appeal; avenged the December Wild Dude loss in latest where it appears he is the better dirt runner. |
| Cyclometer |
| Ran to those 33-1 odds when no match for Big Macher; 3-time win rider leaps off for Midnight Transfer; dueled for the front in last when his best races are sitting just off the speed; his most-recent form suggests he is better on synthetic surfaces than dirt. |
Race 9
| Sun Spots |
| Best Beyer was for this very tag and soph has the speed to flee the fence and get good position; several multiple race winners in the tree; several won on grass including full bro and near $300K earner Mega Heat; he has been beaten by a couple of today's rivals; needs a turn around. |
| Broadcaster (IRE) |
| Shades off here; note she has lost in some 4-horse fields; there are a couple of winners in the clan; like the series of drills coming to this fray; he could be more relaxed with the blinks off today; don't ignore. |
| Stolen Property |
| Cowboy Cal 3 for 35 with debuters, 0 for 9 with first-time turfers; Grade 2 winning sire won twice at 2, earned over a million, won 5 times on grass; dam was 0 for 8; 1 sibling won 3 times on grass; top earner Chrusciki took a couple of stakes, earned over $300K; he sure looks fit enough. |
| Go Jeremiah |
| Stephen Got Even about 5% with first-time turfers in a 247-runner sample; sire was 2nd in only start at 2, took a G1, was 5 for 11, earned over a million, never tried grass; 1 for 15 dam took a dirt route; lone half sis lost 10 times; mirror race so far but last race came back live; place horse won at this level next out, 8th finisher took a maiden $50K claimer and the show horse was 2nd a neck in this league; the hotter the pace the better for this runner. |
| Troy Story |
| Been knocking on the door but he s had his chances; the winner of last repeated in a $25K optional with an 85 Beyer; there is at least turf success in the family; could be another slice. |
| Cowtownmary |
| Must be respected on the drop alone and a lot of folks like milers cutting back on the hillside figuring they will have the fitness to reel rivals in late; 2/15 show horse graduated next out in a MSW with a 73 Beyer; 6 for 37 dam lost twice on grass; all 7 siblings won; 2 tried grass to no avail; could see him in a nice stalk and pounce position; interesting. |
| J Kat |
| Colt seems to have found his friends; he has a shot to have a nice career as kin to Grade 3 winner and over $300K earner Strike the Bell, was grass only; should be right there with slight improvement. |
| Unbridled Loyalty |
| Unbridled's Song about 13% of his first-time turf runners in a 506-horse study; sire graduated in debut at 2, won the 1995 BC Juvenile, the Florida Derby and Wood the next year, was 5 for 12 overall, earned $1.3 million, never turfed; Grade 1 winning 9 for 28 dam banked over $1.3 million, won once on grass; lone full bro to race was third in best moment; connections gave this $200K purchase time as he shows for a tag here; place horse 1/31 earned a 70 Beyer graduating in a MSW next out and the winner 1/31 repeated in a $40K starter, was 2nd beaten just over 2 in an N1X spot; another threat in a good betting race. |
| Distillery |
| Forced to steady in last and he should have his sea legs under him by now; Beyers are going in the right direction; can't fault those that give him another shot at glory after the flop as chalk. |
| Robert E. Lee |
| Lone Star Special 2 for 3 with first-time turfers; sire lost both starts at 2, earned over $100K, won on turf twice; 3 for 18 dam was third in best turf result; all 6 siblings won; a couple cashed on grass; trainer can get them set to roll off the extended layoff. |
| Pyrotechnics |
| Lack of speed a legit concern; the sibling that won twice did so routing on dirt; with his style, things have to break just right; would tread lightly here. |
| Know Plans |
| Unusual Heat about 13% with first-time grass runners in a 371-horse study; sire won juvenile debut going short in Europe, won multiple stakes, all on grass; dam was 0 for 5; several multiple races winners in the family including full sis and near $450K earner Lightmyfirebaby; may need softer to shine. |