Santa Anita: Closer Looks for April 20, 2014

Race 1

Stepinmoon

First 3 starts weren't very pretty and what's worse is all 3 came at this level and on this track; freshened since being a well-beaten 6th (last) here Feb. 22; works don't exactly the get the pulse racing either; 2 sibs are winners including full-sis Neatasthemoon.

New Nature

Sharp 2nd for $30K here Feb. 27, then a well-beaten 3rd (6 1/4 lengths) for $30K here March 13, 2 efforts that would stamp her a big threat for this; however, then came a not-so-hot 5th for $30K here March 27 so you wonder if she's now going the wrong way; while the drop may help, note, too, all her work has come vs. peers (3yos) whereas here she faces some elders; they're not monsters surely but a 3yo facing elders is still a pretty big chore this early in the year.

Chasing Hope

Debut wasn't much but hey, it was just a debut and you can always forgive a first run; nice to see there's no layoff and no drop and note trainer Hofmans has sharp 2nd-time-out numbers (3 for last 12, 25%); all 4 sibs are multiple winners including Big Honey Bee (5 wins, $139K) and Web Gem (6 wins, $331K, twice SP including a G3).

Wine Country Wanda

May be ready to turn the corner; ran on nicely for 4th in her debut at this level here Feb. 28 after a sluggish start; then broke much better in start No. 2 here March 20 at this level, prompted the pace and stayed on well for 2nd; not only did she only lose by a 1/2 but she finished 8 clear of 3rd; it likely won't require any big step forward for her to beat these.

She's Flush

Had plenty of chances to be sure (16); the good news is she has just enough good efforts showing (3 2nds, 3 3rds) that she still merits respect, particularly when you note all that work came vs. more expensive; of course, it also all came vs. 3yos so she's facing some elders today but she's got some versatility and 4 of her 6 in-the-money finishes did come over this track.

Desviado

Tough to be too enthused; was no factor inher debut here in Dec. 2011, which you can forgive; trouble is, she wasn't seen again for over 26 months and when she did resurface here this meet she was no factor in 2 starts, both at this level; at least there's no another layoff and Whitehouse tries blinkers but those last 2 make you wonder if whatever sent her away for so long took too much of the run out of her; lone sib is Gotta Haveitall (1 win, $28K).

Que Sorpresa

Difficult to build much of a case; daughter of multiple G1 SW Dixie Union did face tougher in each ($30K) here this meet but save for a hint of speed in start No. 2 March 27 she's been no factor; also, while those 2 outings came vs. more expensive they also came vs. 3yos only so she's facing some elders today, no small hurdle this early in the year. - Michael Hammersly

Race 3

Stoney Fleece

Grade 3 winner has been a very consistent performer throughout his career and he might be ready to give a good account of himself while making his second start back from a layoff; he did finish behind today's rival American Act in his latest start, but note that he was sent to post as the favorite in that event.

American Act

He carries multiple graded stakes placed credentials with him and he appears to be in good form entering this race after a fine runner-up finish in his latest outing; however, he might find himself caught up in a swift early tempo and not sure about today's 1 1/4m distance for him.

Irish Surf

He's another in here who deserves a good deal of respect for his consistent approach to the game and he's run well enough at today's 1 1/4m distance in the past to suggest that he can get himself into the mix against these; he's another who might be primed for a sharp run while making the second start of his current form cycle.

Abbey Vale (IRE)

His first start in America in his latest outing was a very encouraging performance against 10 rivals and the third-place finisher from that race returned to win the next out here on 4/10 going 1 1/8m over turf vs. 40k OPC's with a 92 Beyer; he commands top contender status.

Hear the Ghost

Grade 2 winner may very well prove to be the one to deny in this spot and he's being reunited with Nakatani who has been aboard for a number of his better efforts; he seemed to handle turf just fine in his most recent outing and he might find himself sitting a comfoirtable trip in behind the early speed.

Kingpin Ryno

Don't like to see that he's winless in his last 10 starts going back through 2013 and he might not be looking forward to today's 1 1/4m assignment; can't ignore the impact that his early speed can have on the way that this race shapes up, but going to look toward others.

Empty Headed

Like the idea of this gelding getting back over turf for this and it doesn't hurt to see that he equaled a career best Beyer Speed Figure in his only start at today's distance; he's been at his best racing over this turf course, and even though the top spot might be slightly out of his reach, a minor award is certainly within his grasp. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Chain Lightning

Was claimed off a high-win percentage trainer which is not a good-win angle; would prefer back on a synthetic surface but remains on dirt; the runner-up finisher from last posted a 71 Beyer speed figure in a next-out SA-30K-maiden-claiming win; offered brief speed in 1st pair regressing 45 Beyer points 2nd-time out; others appeal more.

Faith Hope Love

The good news is she can rate off the speed like 3-back and might be best if she sat just behind Spy Girl then got 1st run on the closers; of the 3 experienced runners in the field she owns the 3-back field-best Beyer speed figure while latest-exacta finish defeat is a best-last-race Beyer; keeps a hot-SA pilot and has been best at today's 5.5F distance; 1st blinkers is a 25%-win angle for the trainer; defeated the 2-back show finisher who Beyered 61 in a next-out SA-MSW win then Beyered 72 when 2nd in a SUN-200K stakes; the pick.

Denotation

Sire is 7-for-43 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal out of a dam who finished 2nd in her only start a nose loss (71 Beyer) in a GG-MSW event; high-percentage SA barn with swift works however the trainer is 0-for-11 since 2013 with 1sters.

Suzy Malibu

Sire is 106-for-760 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 2-0-0-0 dam who produced 4 winners from 8 other foals to race including top-earner 275K-DImaond Head (1-for-34 in Japan); working well for a 40%-winning-SA-jockey-trainer combo

Spy Girl

30%-winning long-layoff trainer adds to the appeal; 1st time on dirt today after showing a 2nd-time out Beyer improvement; the winner from last Beyered 71 in a next-out SA-Grade 1 fourth-place finish then 2 starts later captured a SA-G1 of her own with a 79 Beyer; has been working well enough to give her a big chance of taking these a long way up top on a speed-favoring SA strip.

Queen Kalyrra

Sire is 71-for-672 with 1st-time starters; is out of a stakes-winning dam (4-for-14, 85K) who won her 4th start; her only other foal to race is 3-0-0-0-full Jenazalea; Hall of Fame trainer is yielding an amazing 30% debut winners since 2013.

Alexis Tangier

Sire is 44-for-614 with 1st-time starters; win-early family; she is out of a multiple-G3-SW dam (9-for-18, 522K) who won her 2nd-career attempt; she produced 3 winners from 3 other foals to race including top-earner 275K-G2-SW Schiaparelli (5-for-9, 274K) won captured her 1st-two career races.

Enchanted Fortune

Sire is 105-for-649 with 1st-time starters; is out of a G2-SW dam (8-for-22, 989K) who won her 2nd-career start; she produced 2 winners from 2 other foals to race including 72K-earner Splendid Fortune (1-for-6) who won her 2nd start.

Redheaded Muse

Sire is 20-for-109 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal out of a 5-time-SW dam (8-for-17, 356K) who won her 3rd start; another debut runner here with a good-looking worktab; the barn is winless in 2014 and with their last 8 debut runners. - Art Gropper

Race 5

Comealongwithme

Draws the rail for her return to the hill after offering little late behind a couple of these in a main track route spin; like the speed she showed second time out and maybe her last helped dulled her lick to put her in a good spot from the bell; dam was a limited turf winner and the barn boasts a recent winner on the surface switch.

Her Lucky Spirit

Filly didn't do much at big prices in 2 main track sprints against cheaper and now she'll try the green; sire is 4 for 34 with his initial turfers and the dam was a turf winner but the barn hasn't had any recent luck with its first time turfers.

Hugh Knew

She was used in pace on the drop to this level but held reasonably well to be beaten just over a couple of lengths; while there's other speed signed on she may be the quickest of this bunch early; expecting they'll have her to run down in the lane.

Papa's Dancing

Filly has been working sharply at Los Alamitos for her second start back from the break; statebred did run well first in shades on the main track against cheaper and this barn does well with its turfers; sire is 2 for 4 with his initial surface runners and the dam was 0 for 2 on the green.

Tough Business

Sire hits with 13% first out winners and 12% first time surface winners from his offspring; limiting sprint winning dam never tried the green and dropped 2 sprint winners who didn't step over the footing; this isn't an easy course to negotiate but the barn knows to get them ready.

Editor's Cut

Newcomer is by a sire who is 7 for 46 with his newcomers and 3 for 22 with his initial turfers; dam banked 196K and won on the green prior to dropping this guy; barn is profitable right out of the box and the top local pilot takes the call.

Not a Love Song

Cuts back to try the hill for the first time after holding third money in her initial route spin; she's kin to 2 turf winners including G2 SP turfer and 279K earner Yacht Spotter so the new footing should agree with her and her sire gets 9% winners from his first time turfers.

Ann's Gold

Drops out of the MSW ranks while shortening up after fading from a wide spot in her return from the freshening; barn doesn't do so well with its runners second back from the break and this gal's pilot sides next door, but she'll likely appreciate the class relief today; contender.

Secret Appeal

Filly ran big first out at the level to get beaten just a half length for all the money; barn doesn't do as well with its second out runners and there's not a lot of pedigree power here, but she has already shown she can handle the course and has a right to be better with the initial experience behind her; with Talamo siding here she may prove the main danger.

Veronica Bay

Showed some early foot when stretched out against older statebreds last time and now she'll move back to the hill; barn is profitable with its runners tackling a shorter trip and maybe this gal has some bottom from her last, but have to limit her use to underneath in exotics.

Nazareth

Outside drawn miss is offered for sale for the first time after coming up short late in her return to the hill; she ran big over the course first time out and the barn does well with the move to this level; class relief makes her the one they'll have to down.

Soar Home

AE earned her career best number when second in her first start in shades on the stretchout; barn doesn't do so well with its first time turfers and her sire gets 6% winners from his first surface runners; winless dam was 0 for 3 on the green and her lone foal to try the footing was 0 for 4 over it. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Circa'sgoldengear

Proven on the course at this very level, never been a bit fan of the rail on this course unless a runner has clearing or close to clearing speed; 2/14 place horse cashed next out in this league, then was 2nd beaten over 2 in a $79K stakes; he has trained steadily and Bejarano enticed; look for him down the center of the track late.

Coastal Breeze

Beaten nearly 9 in the lone sprint; was in the good hands of Catalano last year and has drilled cleverly for this; like fact he got a 7-furlong spin under his belt too; barn continues to roll; surprise package.

Zenji

Sheikh Abdullah Almaddah was named as owner in the lat race; note both wins came against small fields; he only beat 2 to the wire in the last sprint on grass; pace was very slow in last; probably a late threat if at all.

Royal F J

A total of 22 slices and only 4 wins makes him a tough on top only ticket; he has been a decent check earner and has been some semblance of value in the gimmicks; that is where his strength may like once again.

Safety Belt (ARG)

Like fact he drilled farther several times coming to this race; winner of last took a classified allowance and then won a $78K stakes with a 107 Beyer; if you figure he needed last, a case could be made for a jump forward; Talamo has had success for this Hall of Fame barn.

Greeley Awesome

Colt sure looks comfortable with San Luis Rey surroundings; wonder of Sadler has a race down the line in store for him?; note his last win came in a stretch out situation; he was inching toward the winner in the last sprint on grass; look for him in the final stages.

Stormberg

Respect hillside specialist; show horse in last win cashed 4 times since, the last in an $80K optional; Bonde solid when he saddled new stock to the tune of 29%; since he is fresh, runner could sit a nice stalk and rally trip; well drawn, look out.

Rangi (GB)

Three solid efforts under the care of Baltas; he finally broke through to get that stateside win last time; 1/17 winner repeated in the $100K Sensational Star; you gotta keep going with what works and what works for this runner is to gun out of there and try to discourage the other speed.

A Toast to You

These are his friends; Miller thought enough of him to take him back and gelding just wanted no part of the route in last; hung wide the last time on the hill; has every chance to run better here.

Examen

Runner got good for about a month last year; he bobbled in his section of the Oceanside last year and chased the live pace in last before reality set in; Proctor has been rolling and he has put the bug on some live stock; rates upset glance. - Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Legacy

Steps up to face restricted stakes foes after getting up to beat entry level allowance runners at a slightly shorter trip; she's worked well in the interim for by far her toughest test to date but she'll have the misfortune of running into the defending Breeders Cup Distaff winner and no matter how much on the improve this gal is right now, stepping with that foe is a huge stretch; maybe for a minor award.

Moulin de Mougin

Tries dirt for the first time while moving back to the stakes ranks off a close finish off the freshening in a slow paced turf route; filly is bred to handle the main track and the barn does move them forward second back from the break so wouldn't be surprised if she were to get in the mix for a piece of this in her current form.

Beholder

Champion filly makes her first start of the year while returning to a venue she adores with a steady line of drills in tow; each of her 5 G1 stakes scores has come over this footing and she proved in the Breeders Cup Distaff that she didn't need the lead to fire; there are much more lucrative opportunities down the road in her plans so she's not set to peak in this spot, but the impost is reasonable and the lead will likely be hers from the bell; figures pretty tough to catch at a very short price.

Magic Union

Ran second last out behind a filly who returned to take the G1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn with a 100 Beyer last week; she did get some moisture in the track in her return from the freshening and isn't likely to see that here, but she's handled dry strips before and returned to work several times in the interim so maybe the effort didn't take that much out of her; appears second best.

Eblouissante

Lightly raced mare didn't fare too well when making her first start of the season against second level allowance runners and was again given a little time; she's got her issues and she'll likely never be as good as her big sister Zenyatta but she's been working like she's on her game and she did show some ability to begin her career.

City At Dawn

She's another tackling dirt for the first time in this spot and her recent works suggest she'll take to the footing; she was a big price against cheaper on the local lawn last time and really didn't do much running from the outside slot; looks to have her work cut out for her in here.

Irish Presence

Outside drawn filly returns to dirt after failing to prove any type of threat with cheaper on the lawn last month; she's got little early foot and it's been over a year since she's seen the winner's circle; tough to make a case for her making a serious impact today. - Steve Grabowki

Race 9

Mr. Candy Bar

He's won about a 10th of his starts; veteran responded nicely to the blinks in last and the show horse in last cashed next out in a $20K claimer with a 79 Beyer; 7th the last time for this price; may need easier to shine.

Pocket Prince

He beat the smallish field up north for the last score; the splits were solid last time and he still could not make up any ground; at least he got a feel of this distance; beaten 14 the last time for this price; not sold on chances.

Hawk's Eyes (BRZ)

Beaten just over two in a race he had to need in last; the race came back okay and the 3rd and 6th finishers took $40K optionals next out; he beat some huge fields in native land but that was ages ago; this is the softest spot since he has been in the states and he figures to be forwardly placed; still has some things to prove.

Accelerant

Beyers going in the right direction but why did he have to take 2013 off?; like fact he was inching toward the winner in the last pair and he has drilled solidly since; don't sell too short.

Proud Boss

Gelding has more speed than he just flashed; look for bug to be aggressive and send hard here; like the spacing of the return drills; just may get brave if he can relax on a lonely lead.

Bench Light

Nothing like a quick turn on the investment to keep the spirits up back at the barn; runner has shown a nice turn of late foot, the way he was finishing in the 2013 closers suggests he'll take to this distance; repeat well within the realm.

Affrettando

Note he has only finished in front once; spotty race record is a concern and he has a tendency to be a bad actor at the gate; troubled the other time at this trip, note wraps were re-added in last; try to get a good look at him on the track before thinking about taking a swing.

Dreamcatcher

Been awhile between drinks but runner is under the purchase price for the first time here; he was gaining with every stride the only time at this trip; Blanc got a chance to figure out what's under the hood; this racer looks well intentioned.

So Elite

Only one of the 5 wins came on grass; he did run far successfully at Pomona last summer and he is proven for this price up north; pushed along in last, he may be better served settling, trying to save ground and then make the one run; don't ignore.

Husband's Folly

Gelding has never been a win machine; check out the 9 thirds; he responded in the lane last time, just ran out of real estate and note the way he closed the last time going 9 furlongs on grass; a close like that again would put him in the thick of it.

Extensive

Gelding has some back class to draw from here; spotty race record is a concern but Cerin can point to a race as good as anybody; could see him sitting midpack, maybe 4 or 5 off a legit pace primed to roll; could easily be enticed into the exotic action. - Brian Mulligan