Santa Anita
Santa Anita: Closer Looks for April 13, 2014
Race 2
| Redressthebalance (IRE) |
| Her best effort is strong enough to get the job done against these and the drop to the 50-45k claiming level might be just what she's looking for; she appears to be well meant well going sprint-to-route for her second start back from a layoff and getting a rider switch to Bejarano. |
| Zipping My Way |
| Have to respect the impact that her early speed can have on the way that this race shapes up but it is fair to question her ability to carry her speed today's one mile distance; prefer to give the nod to others in this one. |
| Innocent Love |
| Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 19 starts for 68k, and she didn't make a turf start; interesting to see her new connections go right to turf with her after a claim, but it will take a much improved performance for her to get the job done. |
| Meltarib |
| Obviously her latest performance wasn't one of her sharper starts but she figures to appreciate being stretched back out in distance for this; winner from latest won next out at GG on 2/22 going 1m vs. N1X alw. rivals with a 78 Beyer, and runner up won next out at SA on 2/22 going 6 1/2f vs. 32-28k claimers with an 80 Beyer. |
| Le Fascinator |
| Hat Trick has proven to be a strong influence as a turf sire and this filly might be ready for a sharp try while going sprint-to-route and making only her second start for Proctor; Van Dyke has won with 5 of 16 (31%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting. |
| My Lil Shamrock |
| Stakes placed miss figures to appreciate the drop in class for her first start routing over turf and the runner up from her latest race returned to win next out here on 3/9 going 1m over turf vs. 62k OPC's with a 92 Beyer. |
| Fantastic Mizz |
| She's been a very consistent perfomer, and if horses like Redressthebalance and My Lil Shamrock don't bring their best with them, this mare is eligible to be the one most capable of taking advantage; note how well she's performed from eight starts over the SA turf. - Brian Pochman |
Race 4
| Phonybooksnrecords |
| Respect this barn but filly is giving away winning experience to the entire field; out of the money in the other try at this demanding distance, she gets no respect with the weights at 113 and note she got away with pedestrian splits lats October and still spit out the bit; hard to adore today. |
| Miss Serendipity (ARG) |
| Finally off the rail, she has much more speed than she just flashed; note she ran into the road block in the stateside debut and the show horse that day cashed next out in a $100K stakes with a 96 Beyer; proven at this distance and she packed 132 that day; outside of the McCarthy charge, there is not a ton of speed in here; mare should have her sea legs under her by now and can't fault those that project a theft attempt. |
| Stormy Lucy |
| Game in the win last time and she is fit enough to drill several times leading up to this race; note she was inching toward the winner at this distance back in the day in the Grade 1; she doesn't have to be 6th early on today and she could sit a nice pocket trip; repeat well within the realm. |
| Champagneandcaviar |
| Proven fresh, but against optional claimers; and she was 57-1 that day; mare should be relatively close to the pace but she lost ground late in her last pair and this distance could be pushing the envelope; would think long and hard before taking too short a price. |
| Floral Romance |
| At least she got a feel of the course; one slice in the stakes and it came at Tampa; the winner that day took a Grade 3 next out with an 88 Beyer; steadied in her 2014 opener, note she was fully extended in the last win and it may have just zapped her; look for her in the final stages if at all. |
| Changethechannel |
| Been given time since stopping badly in the N2X spot; she wilted late in her other stakes attempts including the return effort at Pomona last summer; the drills are ideally spaced and on a positive note she was game in the victory holding on for the lone try at this distance; the waters are just much deeper here. |
| Customer Base |
| Proven fresh on the course, love the spacing of the return drills for barn that is rolling; mare was hung wide from the marooned slot in last and never really got untracked; 5th finisher in last took the Grade 2 Santa Ana next out and the 6th finisher won an $85K stakes; in tight in that G2 defeat last year and the winner 11/3 took a Grade 1 next out and was 2nd a length in the Buena Vista since; respect. |
| Topic |
| If you figure she just needed her last you can make a case for a move forward; the trip is no problem and maybe Drysdale had this race in mind all the time; note she had wraps for the last effort; look for rider to take a little hold, try to get her to settle, then make the one run. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 5
| Oilisblackgold |
| Away since last summer's DMR-synthetic surface best-last-race Beyer speed figure; exits 4 graded events into an event where he can be claimed; his 8-3-1-2 fast-main-track line with his career-best Beyer on SA dirt adds to the appeal; been best at longer than 1 Mile; off the long layoff will be taking a wait and see approach. |
| All Saint |
| His best game is to go to the front then play catch me if you can but has Big Kick to outbreak here; 4 of the 7 dirt winners at SA Thursday went gate-to-wire; nearly 2 years away since a last-place fade in a key-turf event; the winner and show finisher from last Beyered 96-95 in next-out BHP-optional-claiming and allowance wins. |
| Cat Burglar |
| Fires best fresh; obviously would be a tough customer if runs back to his 2-back SA-dirt Mile a field-best Beyer speed figure; figures to work out a dream trip especially if All Saint-Big Kick duel each other into defeat; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-OPC with a 103 Beyer; win-rider Garcia stays here while the other Baffert-trained runner uncoupled Govenor Charlie gets MSmith; the pick. |
| Empty Headed |
| The 2-0-0-0 dirt record with two 6th-place finishes the last January, 2013, vs. SA-maidens does not help the confidence level switching surfaces with a so-so main-track worktab for this; last win at longer he may have to go last-to-1st to shock these; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 94 in a next-out SA-OPC win. |
| Big Kick |
| Best game is racing on the lead; he will have long-layoff All Saint to fend off early then the closers late; speed was king here at SA Thursday with the lone concern being a bounce after posting a career-best Beyer with 11 weeks between starts and now back here in 24 days for this; contender. |
| Govenor Charlie |
| Going to dismiss the race out of town where catching a wet track following an 8-week layoff; graduated at 1 Mile on SA dirt and his 2-back Strub effort at longer was superb in defeat over the track; does his best work when stalking the speed but in some races has not broken as alertly; win-rider Garcia remains on the other Baffert runner here uncoupled Cat Burglar. |
| Omega Star |
| 0-for-4 in races at 1 Mile or longer; his last race longer than 7F was a September far-back finish; best races are when allowed to settle early then make one run; his 3-back exacta finish with blinkers on was strong as the winner made it 4 in a row winning next out in an SA-OPC with a 97 Beyer. - Art Gropper |
Race 6
| Oliver's Tale |
| Lost all chance in last start when breaking poorly; he wants to race on or near the lead; sire is 31-for-244 with 1st-turf starters; unraced dam produced 1-for-5 turfer Forest Sunrise (9K) from 2 foals to race on grass; faded to beat one runner home in a key race; the 5th and 7th-place finishers from last both posted 95 Beyer speed figures in next-out SA-optional-claiming wins; owns a co-field-best Beyer on SA dirt but exits a dull effort over this main track which prompts the surface switch. |
| Cacau |
| Sat just off the speed in his grass win but has lacked the finishing punch in recent losses; adds blinkers back to the mix (0-for-3) racing on the lead with the hood on 2 back where fading to the show runner who Beyered 92 in a next-out win. |
| This One's for Mel |
| Could work out an ideal trip stalking the inside speed; his 2-back-fresh race at today's distance was a super try in defeat in his only attempt at 6.5F; getting up in time is the concern here as we saw the SA green favor speed earlier in the week. |
| Hawkedon |
| 26%-win angle 1st-time in the Mitchell barn since 2013; the long absence would be more of a concern but the barn also gets them ready off 180-day plus layoffs (3-for-11 since '13); lone win at longer which is the primary issue can he get up in time? |
| Kochees |
| Needed last start where troubled vs. the show finisher who Beyered 92 in a next-out SA-OPC win; 2-back race at today's distance was the 2nd best speed figure of his career testing the winner who repeated in an SA-100K stakes with a 96 Beyer; great sign getting Bejarano who seemingly had other options here. |
| Yankee Rebel |
| 3-back winner at today's distance and a good sign he showed a Beyer improvement 1st off the claim racing for the 1st time with blinkers; the February-win rider sides with Kochees while since 2013 Nakatani is 0-for-14 for the trainer at SA; figures to be closing late. |
| Prospector's Trick |
| Blinkers on is a profitable angle from the trainer; wish he fared better in other maiden losses at today's distance; beat Kochees in last while 2-back won a key race beating the runner-up and show finishers; they Beyered 91-86 in next-out SA-OPC wins. |
| Monument |
| Exits a best-last-race Beyer when rallying well in this same spot; the 2-back show finisher posted a 92 speed figure in his next-out SA-alw. win; the 3-back winner repeated in an SA-OPC with a 103 Beyer; fits well here but another who will have to rally to win vs. a speed-favoring turf. |
| Unusual Heatwave |
| Win rider lands on Kochees; he has been very-best on DMR synthetic; 1-for-10 overall grass mark is not enticing in a field with 8 other gass wins combined; races off the long layoff after beating one runner home; will be taking a wait and see approach. |
| Major Truth |
| Win rider lands on Kochees; had to like the way he rated just off the speed to win on dirt with a career-best Beyer attached; have mixed reviews from his 2 grass races while breaking widest is sure to lose ground for this; off recent races projects to press the inside speed wide.- Art Gropper |
Race 7
| Bench Press |
| Earned a career best number while bossing maidens as the chalk when dropped to claimers last time; colt as given a little break to prepare for his first with winners and the inside draw means his lick should again be on display; there's some other speed in here that he'll need to clear, but if he does he could prove tough to catch. |
| Sidepocket Champ |
| Turns back to sprint for his return from the freshening after tiring on the stretchout last time; gelding ran ok sprinting 2 back over the local strip and maybe he'll have a little more to offer late at this one turn distance; can get in the exotics mix today. |
| I Buy Gold |
| Eleventh time proved the charm for his last out grad and now he'll tackle winners; he brings speed to the table but likely faces inside pressure from the rail runner and that could be enough to discourage him; don't think he'll prove a serious threat late in the lane. |
| Myfundsarelo |
| He's been idle since the beaten chalk effort second time out on dirt; gelding did break his maiden on synthetic footing first time out so he can fire off drills and his local morning moves do look solid; still, he'll have to improve quite a bit to step with some of these. |
| Justification |
| He's been away better than a year and will return to face open company in this spot; Cal bred did break his maiden with a decent number over a wet local main track and he is working well, but the barn is having a tough stand; expect he'll need this one. |
| Remind Mee |
| Speedy colt switches surfaces after tiring only late in his try down the hill first time with inners; broke his maiden at a slightly shorter trip 2 back, but he looks to face some pace heat in this one and that won't help his case; sharp recent drill in tow but he may find himself a little leg weary late here. |
| Bosque Angel |
| Gets off the fence after making the top and never looking back on the drop in career start number 2; 5 year old has only run twice, but he certainly didn't have the same late kick when taken back early in his career debut; solid interim drills, but a tougher task awaits him today. |
| Market Notes |
| Colt was reclaimed out of his last by the outfit he was taken from late last year and now he'll return in a protected spot; colt's lone score did come on synthetic footing but he's been ok on dirt; he just hasn't run fast enough to be considered a legitimate threat against some of these, though; have to pass on him. |
| Head South |
| Fresh graduate gets Bejarano for his first with winners while making his initial start off the sharp outfit's claim; maiden win came on the front end but he showed 2 back that he doesn't need the top to fire and he worked last week like he's ready to roll; giving him the repeat nod. |
| Romar Success |
| Gelding has been away a long time since getting second money over synthetic footing as a juvenile; he did break his maiden right out of the box a couple of years ago and he's been working well for this one but it's tough to imagine he doesn't need at least one before we see his best. |
| W. Giles |
| He's another last out winner trying older winners for the first time in this spot; removal of the hood got him over the hump, but he's another who wants the top for his best and that figures to make things tough on him from out here; looking at others. |
| Charbroiled |
| Brings solid early foot to the table in his first with winners off the outfit's claim; barn does well with this type right back and maybe getting off the fence helps this guy settled into a tracking spot similar to the one that helped him take down the runner up spot 2 starts back. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 8
| Chips All In |
| Multiple graded stakes winner has run some nice races sprinting down the hill, and if he's able to reproduce one of his better performances, he does have the ability to leave this field behind to battle it out over the place prize; he has to be respected as a top contender. |
| Pataky Kid |
| Grade 3 winner shows up for a barn and rider that have teamed to win with 11 of 30 (37%) starters at this meeting, but this does appear to be the weaker of the two Proctor-trained horses in here, and this colt hasn't sprinted over turf before. |
| Chiloquin |
| He's capable of putting together a strong performance over any surface and he's run well when fresh a number of times in his career; he beat today's rival Sweet Swap in his only start sprinting down the hill, and feel that it's a good idea to list him among the contenders; winner from latest won next out at Bel on 9/28 going 6f in a G1 with a 108 Beyer. |
| Forward March |
| His overall form has been solid, but this has to be considered a difficult spot for him to land in after a long layoff while making his graded stakes debut; have to respect the fact that Shirreffs sees fit to sign him up for this, but maybe this race is just being used as a conditioner for a longer event the next time around. |
| Sweet Swap |
| This will be his first attempt in a graded stakes, but have to respect the way that he's performed against a number of today's rivals in his recent starts, and his best effort gives him a chance to walk away with the top prize; it's probably a good idea to look for this ultra-consistent performer to give a good account of himself once again. |
| Zimmer |
| He appears to be the stronger of the two Proctor-trained horses in here and he ran well when splitting a couple of today's rivals sprinting down the hill in his latest start; leaning toward others for the top spot, but a minor award appears to be within his grasp. |
| Pure Tactics |
| His form sprinting over turf has been solid and he didn't finish all that far behind a couple of today's rivals in his latest outing; it wouldn't be a shock if he took a step forward while making his second start for O'Neill, and he benefits from the services of Bejarano again. |
| Lakerville |
| Stakes winning 6-year-old looks like he's going better than ever at the moment and like the idea of him dropping in class and turning back to a sprint distance for this; note what he did when beating a couple of today's rivals in his first start back from a long layoff three races back. |
| Handsome Mike |
| A case can be made for this multiple graded stakes winner being better off racing over dirt or a synthetic surface than he is over turf, and he must improve over his recent form if he has any ideas of threatening the top contenders in here. |
| Artest |
| Perhaps the fact that his connections are shipping him here for this is a reason to think the sub par performance in his latest outing is nothing to worry about, but still feel that this is a very tough spot for him to be making his first start over the SA turf. - Brian Pochman |
Race 9
| Splendid Outcast |
| She has the two races to draw from and like the speed she flashed in last; 2 for 8 dam banked $75K and she won routing once; 2 of 4 siblings won; top kin Flamingo Princess took 2 of 23, won routing once; due for a trip after 2 eventful outings; rates upset glance. |
| Ten in Excess |
| Some semblance of speed in the debut, could not repeat it; 1 for 3 dam took a sprint, earned over $40K; lone half bro to race Johannesbourbon took 4 of 12, earned nearly $70K, was sprint only; in light this time; must hurry. |
| Kid Rollins |
| Nice try in the first dirt route and note show horse was clear for fun; fits in the Beyer department, barn continues to fire on all cylinders and this bug has gotten on some live horses for Proctor; could be a good thing in an ordinary race. |
| Nonna Reese |
| Miss has been around the wire a couple of times, is due to punch it in; she did bobble two back; she has the 2 races to draw from now; look for rider to be aggressive on the stretch out. |
| A Little Luckier |
| Homebred was given enough time and now she shows in the career cheap spot; backers can point to the fact that the lone sibling to win earned over $160K, was sprint only; if she is going to fire, this looks like the right placement. |
| Cleverly Beverly |
| Forced to steady two back and if you key off the miler at the Gate she must be left in the hopper; the 2 for 22 lone full bro to race Aliza s Dream took 2 sprints, earned over $70K; would expect her to be in a forward position; just may be her turn. |
| Sheza Eyeopener |
| Miss has been knocking on the door; backers can point to the fact that the top sibling Kissamee Glitter was turf only but earned nearly $250K; should be around the wire right back. |
| Itsabeautifulday |
| Bet like a good thing off the nice return effort but she was hung wide and never kicked; look for Blanc to be sending hard; note runner opened up 3 in the synthetic route last year; interesting. |
| Awesome Gift |
| The one slice came at Pomona; hung wide in last and could be looking at the same fate; would expect her to get away on the tote since she was just handled by a couple of today s rivals. - Brian Mulligan |