Santa Anita
Santa Anita: Closer Looks for April 19, 2014
Race 2
| Love Rules All |
| Sire Tribal Rule gets over 16% first time turf winenrs, over 15% overall turf winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 2 of 4 (2nd in both losses) for $77K, no turf starts; unraced dam has 4 winners from 5 foals to race including this guy's full-bro Tribesman (13 wins, $551K, 5-time SW, off board only turf try) and Saipan (5 wins, $108K, SP, off board only turf try; game win on GG's Tapeta Track March 22, which is nice, but today it's first time turf, first time here and first time vs. winners so there are hurdles to be sure. |
| Valdirone |
| Showed turf talent in his only grass start at BHP in December 2012 when he set the pace and finished a sharp 2nd (beaten justg a neck); was gone over 13 months before a decent return run on dirt here March 27 (pressed the pace, ran 4th); nice to see no layoff, no drop and the surface switch may be key, too...but geez, could he have worked much slower than he did at LA April 8 (4fs in :52.60, slowest of 5 that day), hmmmmm? |
| Bobby Z Man |
| Have to like his progress; first 4th in his first turf try, on this hillside course, Feb. 21, then 3rd here March 9 and thena smart winner here April 4; must deal with winners but obviously the hillside suits and he's progressing well; it's not as if he's facing any monsters, either. |
| Luz Atticus |
| No match for big winner Bettys Bambino on this course March 21 but still was a nice 2nd and before that a very sharp 3rd on this course Jan. 30 (beaten just a neck); those outings stamp him a proven commodity playign this game and he's got speed and versatility, too; also worth noting rider NIcolas has been aboard for a couple of his best starts. |
| Boozer |
| Looks pretty tough; after all, he's 2 for 2 on this course; that includes a game maiden win here 13-plus months ago, and then a big 20-1 upset here March 14 after 9 months on the bench; if anything he figures fitter and tighter and that 2nd win not only validated his love of this hillside course but showed he's no need-the-lead type, either. |
| Back to Bako |
| Can motor early; set a hot pace routing here March 1 before finishing 4th (winner of that race is SW Surfcup); wasn't seen again for over a year but he came back on this hillside course March 21 to set the pace before fading to 4th; you can surely be forgiving for that fade job after the long layoff and particularly after setting a hot pace; nice to see no layoff since and no panicky drop, but there's other speed to deal with today. |
| Bright Ocean |
| Sire Ocean Sound 0 for first 6 first time on turf, 1 for first 17 (over 5%) overall on turf; sire won 2 of 15, was 1 for 3 on turf, $163K, G1/G3 SP; dam's 1st foal; dam won 2 of 26, 1 win on turf, $78K; debut was smart as he dueled on dirt and gamely prevailed, and it looks even better when you note that the horse he beat back into 2nd (W. Giles) came right back to win. - Michael Hammersly |
Race 3
| Yahilwa |
| Fizzled at the end of her English career last summer with 2 dull outings but appears to have a new lease on life here; U.S. debut here in a spot similar to this was a solid 4th, and then came 2 fine stakes tries, 4th in the G2 Santa Maria and 5th in the G1 Santa Margarita; was in no way embarrassed in either and doesn't face that type of opposition here; drop may be just what the Dr. ordered, though there's a smidge of worry she runs to the level of her opposition. |
| Proud Vixen |
| Lone win came on dirt, at LRL last summer; first 4 starts vs. winners, all at about this level weren't bad; that being said, while she was 3rd in a spot similar to this here March 23 she still finished well behind today's foe Onna Bugeisha in 2nd (3 1/2 lengths) so she's got to make up some ground on that gal, and still deal with the rail filly. |
| Onna Bugeisha |
| Freshened after a so-so turf try at GG Dec. 14 and when she resurfaced here Feb. 27, in her first dirt try, she gamely beat maidens; to prove that no fluke she came back to be a sharp 2nd (3 1/2 lengths clear of 3rd) in a route at this level here March 23; speed to be in it from the start and there's still room for development. |
| Fleet of Gold |
| Nice win over maidens at LRL Dec. 11; that was enough to earn a stakes shot on AQU's inner in the Busanda Jan. 4 and she was a nice 3rd, so that earned her another stakes shot there Feb. 1 in the Busher; OK, so that didn't go so well (7th) but she's been freshened since; however, not only must she deal with a layoff but it's her first time here and first time vs. elders, and it's no small hurdle for a 3yo to face elders this early in the season. |
| Melanistic |
| Dueled and faded to 3rd vs. N2X foes here at this trip Feb. 13; that being said, she wasn't much of a threat (beaten 8 3/4 lengths); remember, though, she was facing tougher and she got into a duel as well; hey, she's a pro - you don't win 10 times by accident but now there's a worry she's on the downside of her form cycle after 2 outings at this level here where she dueled and hit the brakes in each. |
| Sagebrush Queen |
| Have to like her progress; after a dull turf try off the bench Jan. 23 she nearly beat Cal-bred N1X foes on dirt here Feb. 6 and then did beat Cal-bred optional claimers here March 9; of course, not only were those 2 outings vs. state-breds only, and she faces open foes today, but both were also sprints, whereas she's routing today, and her best efforts by far have been in her 4 sprints; nice to see Bejarano stick with her, however. |
| Passionate Diva |
| It's her first try on dirt but she's already handled turf and various synthetics well, and heck, daddy was a G1 SW on dirt and sired the likes of Zenyatta (HOY, multiple G1 SW on dirt) and Street Sense (champion 2yo, won G1 Ky. Derby, G1 Travers on dirt); speed and versatility in her arsenal as well and while she has tactical speed she doesn't want or need to duel as she did on turf last time (and paid the price). - Michael Hammersly |
Race 4
| Lilly's Perfect |
| Eight-time winner has yet to record a victory over the Santa Anita turf course, but she's a good fit at this level of competition, and she shows up for a barn that is having a big meeting; Espinoza has won with 6 of 9 (66%) mounts for this outfit at the current stand. |
| Fiesta Express |
| She's making her 41st career start and she's going to need to top her previous best effort in order to get over on the top contenders in here; note that she's been beaten by a number of today's rivals in recent starts. |
| Born Lucky |
| She's been in good form since moving into this barn, and although she finished seventh and behind a couple of today's rivals in her latest start, she was only two lengths behind the winner; she deserves to be listed among the contenders and Perez has won with 10 of 30 (33%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting. |
| Toppers Sunshine |
| One of two signed on in here for the Diodoro barn and this miss has been sharp in her recent starts over the TuP turf; she has to be careful to avoid an early pace dispute, but she's a contender, and Franco has won with 22 of 57 (39%) mounts for this outfit in 2014. |
| Ronda Rocks |
| Her turf form has been solid form six starts and she's out of a G3 stakes placed dam who won 5 of 28 turf starts for 177k, and this miss is a 1/2 to stakes winner Shrinking Violet (5-8, 212k over turf); it doesn't hurt to see her attract the services of Bejarano. |
| Quinnette |
| She's been on top of her game in her recent starts and she's another in here who seems to be capable of making her presence felt if she shows up with one of her better performances; this barn has had a strong meeting and it's probably a good idea to look for this mare to give a good account of herself once again. |
| Kerrilynn |
| She's two-for-two over turf and the 77 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest effort represents the best last race figure in this field; however, the added distance is a cocern, and the shape of this race might not favor her front-running style. |
| Our Little Hen |
| If her turf debut in her latest start is a sign of what's to come, she has to be added to the long list of contenders in here, and she figures to get a much faster set of early splits to close into in this event; note that she beat a couple of these in her latest start. - Brian Pochman |
Race 5
| Silk in Silver |
| Miss has much more speed than she just flashed; like the way she was extending in last; probably looking at a much faster pace with the sprinters in the field going long; look for rider to still be aggressive from the sound of the bell; basically out to get revenge on the runner on the direct outside. |
| Belonging |
| With her style, things need to break just right; she could be more focused with the blinks this time; mare was inching toward the winner in last and the pace should be legit; look for rider to get her to settle, save ground and then try to reel them all in. |
| Lake Maracaibo |
| Can never dismiss sub :22 speed; more experienced pilot this time and and the trip is well within the realm; must be left in the exotic conversation at least. |
| Big Rosie Brown |
| Only a brief threat on a surface she may have disliked in last; she has a shot to have a nice career as kin to stakes placed $330K earner Jomelo; that was a solid middle move two back; backers have to hope they go bonkers early and the race falls apart. |
| A P Pepper |
| Soph could have been compromised by the slot last time; note she was over 6 clear two back; should get a good trip maintaining contact from the sound of the bell; back to the bug; look out. |
| Ruff Proof |
| Note show horse in last was nearly 10 clear; sire and dam were sprint only; the lone half sister to win took one sprint; could see her muddling the issue, not sure she will be around at the end. |
| Among the Stars |
| Considering the winner was by herself in last, the race was not all that bad; the third and 9th finisher in last graduated next out; both of sire's wins were routes; dam's lone win was a sprint; several siblings won multiple times routing; drill last Saturday should have her on her toes; don't ignore. |
| Room for Me |
| Far from disgraced in the other mile effort; she wanted not part of 9 furlongs in last; 3/7 place horse cashed next out last Saturday at this level with an 80 Beyer; this is at least her surface; rates glance at a price. |
| Mia's Storm |
| She found winners quite a bit tougher; the 2nd and 6th finishers 1/19 graduated next out; sire known a sprinter but he did win routing once; dam took one dirt sprint and 3 turf races; backers can point to fact sibling Stylish Yankee was a double route winner; she could be compromised by the post this time. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 6
| Lord Lochinvar |
| Tries the lawn after a much improved effort when stretched out last time; colt doesn't have any lick so the inside draw won't help him much but his sire gets 10% first time surface winners from his offspring and the dam drop a couple of turf winners are well as G2 SW main track router and 1.1 million earner Master Command. |
| Heat Flash |
| Statebred owns some of the better turf numbers in here and he enters this off a couple of late running third place finishes over the course at today's trip; gelding loses his pilot and will lose the weight concession; late running style doesn't look to be flattered by the pace scenario, either; should be coming in the lane, but prefer to limit his use to underneath in exotics. |
| Billy Mac |
| Sire gets about 9% first out winners from his offspring and is 3 for 57 with his first time turfers; winless dam was off the board in both turf starts prior to dropping this colt; works aren't much but they are steady; barn hasn't had a lot of recent luck right out of the box. |
| Powerful |
| Makes his first start on the local sod after hitting the bench off a weak turf spin in New York early last summer; gelding was a pricey yearling buy so someone liked him and he is working well on the local main track for his return to the races; don't know that he's going to love the green second time over the footing, but he is kin to 2 time G2 SP dirt router and 223K earner Got Lucky so maybe some ability comes out in his first crack for this barn. |
| Gabriel's Gold |
| Sire gets 10% first out winners and 9% first surface winners from his offspring and this guy is the second foal to race out of a G2 SP, multiple turf SW dam who banked 1.1 million in her career prior to dropping a foal who ran second in 2 turf starts; barn hasn't had a lot of recent success with newcomers and the drills don't jump off the page, but this gal has a right to run over this stuff. |
| Big Medicine Man |
| Steps up to the MSW level after being taken out of the beaten chalk placing in his return to the green late last month; gelding owns some decent numbers over the local course and he's capable of finding a spot close to the pacesetters early; contender. |
| King of Jazz (ARG) |
| Sire hits with 10% of his debut runners and 9% of his first time turfers and the dam was a G1 SW in her native Argentina; he's kin to a South American winner as well; barn is having a nice local stand and this guy's recent dirt drills are impressive. |
| Aqua Revelation |
| He's hit the board in 6 straight starts including most recently when shades were added for his second crack of the season at this trip, but he's also burned plenty of money along the way; 5 year old owns a tactical advantage over his rivals as who have run as he prefers to sit with the front runners early and that should give him the jump on some of these late; he's certainly had his chances, but he's the one they'll again have to beat. |
| Big Gregg |
| Sire gets 10% debut winners and 9% first surface winners from his offspring; limited route winning dam was 0 for 1 on the green and she dropped an overseas winner as well as a 4 time main track route winner in the states; like the long recent move for the unveiling but the barn's poor run at the stand and with debut runners is tough to overlook from out here. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 7
| Bellamy Concerto |
| Sire is 17-for-155 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 2-for-12 dam (42K) who produced 5 winners from 7 other foals to race including top-earner 218K-Malusita (9-for-44); his last 2 workouts were strong ones and a great sign the trainer goes to 38%-SA-win rider Stevens for 1st asking. |
| Shakahari |
| The 4th and 5th-place finishers from last posted 84-78 Beyer speed figures in next-out SA-DMR-MSW wins; worked quickly since the favored-debut loss on a synthetic surface at shorter; from April 10-13 in six-6F races on SA dirt half the winners went gate-to-wire which helps his cause; wish the barn hit with better than 10%-long layoff runners since 2013; the one to catch. |
| Distinctive B |
| Sire is 31-for-262 with 1st-time starters; is out of an unraced dam who's only other foal to race is 7-for-21 Talent N Passion (227K); the 1-for-21 debut trainer since 2013 suggests we take a wait and see approach. |
| Grachus the Hunter |
| Sire is 33-for-265 with 1st-time starters; is out of an unraced dam who produced 3 winners from 5 other foals to race including stakes-winner E B Ryder (4-for-17, 209K); bullet workout for a 1-for-16 debut trainer since 2013. |
| Practical |
| Another runner that Bejarano leaves for Midnight Storm; this one exits a field-best Beyer speed figure best right off the long layoff; chance of a bounce here as he gets the class tested back to MSW company; figures to stalk the speedy Shakahari then hopes to get 1st on the closers. |
| Crux |
| Sire is 26-for-218 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal out of a 3-for-14 dam (42K); good sign that Talamo lands here siding over Midnight Storm; high-percentage-SA trainer is overdue to improve on their 0-for-18 debut record since 2013. |
| Doctor Dempsey |
| Baffert's 24% win percentage with 1sters is a great sign; sire is 67-for-489 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 1-0-0-0 dam who produced 5 winners from 6 other foals to race including top-earner 203K-earner Omaha Beach (10-for-61). |
| Sooner Born |
| Sire is 92-for-641 with 1st-time starters; is out of a SW-dam (5-for-38 142K) who produced 1 winner from 2 other foals to race (4-for-49 Sky Venture 130K); unveils for a trainer scoring an amazing-30% debut winners since 2013. |
| Midnight Storm |
| Debut rider lands on Crux while the new rider seemingly had other options but lands here winning 30% for the trainer at SA since 2013; was screaming out for more distance in the debut and gets it here; hopes for a pace meltdown; speed has been king in SA sprints so will have to rally against the bias to graduate. - Art Gropper |
Race 8
| Life's Journey |
| He's one of four in here meeting up with winners for the first time and he's going to have to step up his game in a noticeable way if he's planning on putting pressure on the top contenders in here; prefer to keep looking around. |
| On Draft |
| He's making his first start against winners after earning his first victory over the synthetic surface at Golden Gate and he's yet to show us that he has the ability to prove to be a threat for the top spot against the likes of these; going to side with others. |
| Flamboyant (FR) |
| He hasn't finished worse than fourth from four turf starts racing in France, and even though he doesn't find a soft spot for his first start in America, it's probably a good idea to respect his chances while getting Lasix for the first time; that turf workout on April 12 looks sharp. |
| Excessive Kid |
| Of the horses in here meeting up with winners for the first time, he appears to be the one to focus on, and he's by a fine turf sire and out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 3 of 5 starts for 173k, including 1 of 2 turf starts for 76k; Williamson-homebred still has plenty of room for improvement. |
| Diamond Bachelor |
| War Front has been a strong influence as a turf sire and this stakes winning colt hasn't run a bad race from four turf starts; he didn't disgrace himself when chasing a couple of today's rivals through the stretch in his latest outing and he might be ready for a sharp try while making his third start back from a layoff. |
| Enterprising |
| Multiple stakes winner beat a couple of today's key rivals in his most recent start and he's now a perfect three-for-three racing over turf; he's displayed excellent positional speed and Stevens has won with 11 of 30 (37%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting; must respect. |
| Home Run Kitten |
| He was sharp in his first route attempt over turf in his latest outing and he finished close behind one of today's key rivals in Enterprising in that race; have to respect him as a top contender based on what he showed last time. |
| Argentine |
| Like a few of the others in here he's meeting up with winners for the first time, but this colt is still maiden eligible; respect that he's shown some improvement lately, but he finds himself faced with a very difficult assignment today. - Brian Pochman |
Race 9
| El Canon |
| At least he showed some semblance of speed; dam was unraced; 4 of 5 siblings won; top kin Leesider took a stakes, won 7 of 50, earned nearly $300K; needs a turn around. |
| Glitter of Silver |
| Off an improved effort and note he was nearly 4 clear; 3 for 25 dam earned nearly $70K; 5 of 6 siblings won; the best was probably Sammy P, who took 3 of 22, earned nearly $80K; love spacing of the recent drills; respect. |
| Tavern Law |
| Only a brief factor when probably just overmatched in the debut; winner that day repeated in an N1X with an 85 Beyer; 3 for 7 dam banked $40K; both siblings won; they are a combined 3 for 22 and earned over $50K combined; expect better effort. |
| Cinematic Cat |
| Soph appears to have found the proper level; backers can point to the fact there is a triple race minor league winner in the family; one more jump forward and he ll be a handful. |
| Short Heat Wave |
| Unusual Heat about 10% with firsters in a 464-runner grid; sire won juvenile debut going short in Europe, won multiple stakes, all on grass; dam was unraced; 1 of 3 siblings won; that runner, Short Route, took 3 of 12, banked over $200K; lean toward watching one. |
| Bart the Barrister |
| He's a hot claim box item for a reason; secrets are not easy to keep on the backstretch; 2 for 8 dam earned nearly $45K; the sibling that won took one of 6; another slice? |
| Dark Timbers |
| Off rail today but he's had his chances; both siblings were triple winners in the minor leagues; with his style, things will need to break just right. |
| Gospel Music |
| He showed talent in the debut, maybe he didn't care for the rail last time; show horse in last graduated 2 weeks ago at GG in a MSW with a 69 Beyer; connections wouldn't mind if he starts acting like top kin Adam Suances, who earned over $150K; must be respected on the drop alone. |
| Play Maker |
| Been a bad actor at the gate but like the way he was getting to the winner and the race over the surface can only help; dam was unraced; several siblings won, none were much stock; should sit a nice stalk and pounce trip again; logical player. - Brian Mulligan |