Santa Anita
Santa Anita: Closer Looks for April 25, 2014
Race 1
| Carly P. |
| Newcomer draws the fence in a heat that starts pretty close to the turn so a quick start would benefit her today; sire is winless from 27 debut runners and the dam was 0 for 9 on the track prior to dropping one foal to race who lost all 22 of her starts; don't know much about the barn but they haven't done much with limited starters this year and this gal's steady worktab is slow. |
| City Ride |
| Sire gets about 10% first out winners from his offspring and the limited sprint winning dam earned her lone score first time out prior to dropping 5 sprint winners; barn is profitable with its babies and this gal has been working quickly at Los Al for her unveiling. |
| Sweet Mz. Poppet |
| Sire gets 15% winners with his runners right out of the box and the G3 SP dam banked 106K before dropping 5 winners, 4 of whom did so sprinting; tipped her hand with the sharp drill here on 4/12 but this outfit isn't known for its work with this type so have to keep an eye on the board. |
| Take Back Spring |
| Sire hits with 15% winners from his debut runners and the dam was a SW Cal bred who banked 208K and took her own juvenile debut prior to dropping this gal; limited amount of morning moves on this one's tab but the outfit is certainly capable of firing right out of the box and she's got the pedigree to do so. |
| Robo Girl |
| This gal's sire is 1 for 18 with his firsters and the dam was a 2 time sprint winner; both sibs to race are sprint winners including 111K earner Unhitchthetrailor, a juvenile SW; she boasts some decent moves over the local main track and the barn is profitable with its firsters of late, but the pilot named hasn't had any recent luck when called upon by the outfit. |
| Wacky Miss |
| Sire is 1 for 18 with his debut runners and the dam's 2 wins came sprinting prior to dropping 4 sprint winners; barn does a solid job right out of the box and this gal will get the services for a solid journeyman pilot but most of her works to date have been short. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 2
| Ready to Jam |
| Rested since a wake-up placing last September but the returning workout tab is ordinary in nature; since he is facing several newcomers today and is breaking from the fence for the first time, a wait and see betting approach is advised. |
| In Defiance |
| Beginner hails from multiple G1 victor Aptitude who captured 1.96 million and whose offspring have scored in 15 out of 350 debuts; the dam involved was unraced; among the winning siblings is 41K earner Cool Trick. |
| Live Lucky |
| Progeny of Decarchy, a G2 winner who netted 703K, have won 15 percent of their initial starts; the dam won 6 of 43 attempts and 231K; winning siblings include 15K earner My Secret Honey. |
| Giant Cowboy |
| Never factored while being caught wide first time out; the gelding's sire won multiple G2s and 1.03 million while the dam lost her sole start; among the winning siblings is 140K earner Minstrel Queen. |
| Cache Wanted |
| Steady work tab for this firster, son of G1 type Ten Most Wanted who compiled 1.71 million; his descendants have been successful in 7 of 112 debuts; the dam lost her only attempt; sib to 39K bankroller Sweepemup. |
| Stadtpark |
| Nice gate workout 9 days ago for this new face; his sire won a G3 and 484K in total; offspring of Stormin Fever are 32 for 448 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 3 of 10 and 64K; there are no winning siblings to highlight. |
| Take a Risk |
| Despite the numerical rise, this gelding looks like a good fit against this group; after a game effort 2 back, he ran into a better group earlier this month (compare the fractions of these efforts); should be within striking distance. |
| Primal Revival |
| No firepower shown thus far while going to post at big odds in both starts; his sire won a G3 and 137K while the dam won 11 of 34 and 150K; winning siblings include 30K earner Pray Meeting; pass for now. |
| Oscars On Fire |
| His sire won 5 of 23 attempts and 342K but progeny of Council Member are zero for 27 as far as winning first time out; the dam won 6 of 18 and 181K; winning siblings include 11K earner Alexersize. - Jim Kachulis |
Race 4
| Quick Casablanca (CHI) |
| Grade 1 winner in South America didn't really shine in New York where he reportedly had bleeding issues, and will try and get back on track in his first start in the west; horse that won the Grade 2 Bowling Green just missed in the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine in his next start; he might want more distance so we're just going to watch and see how he handles his new surroundings. |
| Lakerville |
| First or second in nine of ten starts and he just missed becoming a Grade 3 winner coming down the hill in the San Simeon April 13; he finished off the board the only time he tried a middle distance in the Grade 1 Kilroe but he did earn his career-best Beyer Speed Figure in the race; his full-brother Gervinho is a Grade 2 winner at a mile and he also placed in the Del Mar Derby going 1 1/8 miles; distance appears to be an issue so we're going to pass. |
| Joelito |
| He appears to be heading in a positive direction and he won't mind the added distance following a solid effort in the one-mile Thunder Road April 6; he gets tested for class here but he didn't get beat by much when he tried Grade 2 company as a 3-year-old last year and he has improved qutie a bit since then; contender. |
| Rookie Sensation |
| He won the Grade 2 Twilight Derby over this course last year and he should have won his race here March 15 but he got stuck behind horses in the stretch; when he finally found room he exploded with an impressive move to narrowly miss; he appears primed for a big effort and the only concern is that similar to his latest race, they aren't going to be going very fast up front; nonetheless, he is the pick in what appears to be a competitive event. |
| Fire With Fire |
| 6-year-old became a Grade 2 winner when he took them all the way in the 1 1/2 miles San Luis Rey and there doesn't appear to be a lot of speed in the field so he might be able to get away with soft fractions again; he hasn't won at the distance but he's right on top of his game with two straight wins and the shape of the race should work in his favor; big shot. |
| Spring Up |
| Nice claim by Sadler last July and he's another one that appears to be peaking coming into the race;; third to Joelito two back and then he looked good winning his latest when he cut back to a mile; this will be his first time trying Graded company, however, and it is hard not to notice Nakatani abandons him to ride Joelito; some things to like but others look more attractive. - Randy Goulding |
Race 6
| Hijra (IRE) |
| Not only does it look like her turf form in France was solid, but it looks like she's been training well in preparation for her first start in America; she gets Lasix for the first time and like to see Bejarano get the call as he's won with 22 of 71 (31%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Pica |
| Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 9 starts for 38k, including 0-for-1 over turf; this filly is a 1/2 to multiple stakes winner Distinguish (15-49, 345k, including 4 of 11 turf starts for 142k); winner from latest won next out here on 4/3 going 6f vs. N2X alw. rivals with an 88 Beyer. |
| Starry Skies |
| Have to respect what this multiple stakes placed mare has done in her first six starts, but she doesn't exactly find herself in a soft spot for her first start since 2012; it does look like she's been doing well in the a.m. and Smith has won with 3 of 6 mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Dinvar Diva (GB) |
| She's needed a lot of time off between starts since arriving in America, but she has shown us that she has some ability; third-place finisher from latest won next out at Dmr on 8/3 going 1m over turf vs. N1X rivals with an 81 Beyer; she might be looking for a longer event the next time around. |
| Smooth Talker |
| Not sure what to make of blinkers coming off for this and this miss might be more effective at distances longer than today's 6 1/2f assignment; she does hail from a high win percentage barn and Van Dyke has been getting live calls form them; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 1/1 going 1m over turf vs. 40-35k claimers with an 85 Beyer. |
| Velvet Mesquite |
| All three of her starts racing down the hill have been quality outings and note the trouble in her short comment from her most recent start; she has to be careful to avoid an early pace dispute, but she has every bit the look of a top contender. |
| Intoxicating Move |
| It might be worth noting the presence of Bejarano aboard another in here, but this miss commands her share of respect based on her sharp recent form, and she's proven to be quite comfortable sprinting down the hill; Espinoza has won with 3 of 9 mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Provenance |
| Really like what this filly has shown in her two most recent starts since being returned from a layoff, but she's meeting up with winners for the first time, and she finds herself in against a tough looking bunch of N1X rivals. |
| Upbeat Mood |
| She's multiple stakes placed sprinting over turf and she's handled herself well in both of her starts sprinting down the hill; she has big early speed and like the outside post for her at this trip; must consider. - Brian Pochman |
Race 7
| I Don't Care Who |
| Moves to the fence for another shot at the level after taking a step back as the chalk last out; gelding has been working well in the interim and he does have the positional foot to secure a good spot from the bell in here; looks to be the one they'll have to beat. |
| Midnite View |
| Adds the hood for the slight cut back after offering little from the fence in his initial crack with winners while returning from nearly 8 months on the shelf; colt was solid in the Del Mar maiden breaker, but note that his better efforts have come over synthetic ground; siding with others. |
| Tiznow Or Then |
| Absentee is in for the optional tag while making his first start in nearly 15 months here; he does have some early foot and he handles the trip, but though he's been working ok over the local surface, he's yet to try dirt in the afternoon; expect he'll need one before we see his best. |
| Magic Mark |
| Lightly raced statebred offered little when in against open company at the level last time and now he'll give it another shot; he did return to work well in the interim and he does have some positional foot, but he'll need to prove he's good enough to step with these before we could take interest. |
| Bettys Bambino |
| Tough to knock an undefeated runner, especially one who has been as impressive as this guy in his 2 starts; gelding does tackle the route and open company both for the first time here, but he showed the ability to track the front runner and fire in his first with winners; he worked well for the stretchout and he deserves a shot at it, but don't know that he's going to get much better at 2 turns; consider. |
| Garen |
| Barn aimed high with him off the front running maiden score and he proved little match for those classier foes at Sunland; maybe the move to the allowance ranks helps him in his first crack with older and he does get a nice weight break, but he's going to have to work pretty hard from the bell in here. |
| Counting Days |
| Four year old has been a disappointment since the barn took him over a year and a half back; he's been unable to find a home on any type of footing and his lone dirt spin, which came at the level, wasn't very good; maybe the equipment change helps, but it's tough to make a case for him having a serious say in the outcome. |
| Honduran |
| He's begun to come around on the figure scale and enters this off a career best number earned first time in shades; gelding starts from the outside slot and maybe that helps keep him out of trouble in a field that looks to contain some early lick; worth a good look. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 8
| Navarre (GB) |
| O'Neill good with this move; he is 23% the last 5 years with MSW to maiden claiming moves after 141 starters; gets 5th new pilot stateside; racer lost some heartbreakers across the pond and would expect rider to send hard trying to take advantage of the cozy slot; the blood is there as 2 of his siblings are millionaires including multiple Grade 1 winner, multiple grass winner and over $1.7 million earner Proviso; don't ignore. |
| Compete Everyday |
| Unusual Heat about 10% with debuters in a 464-runner sample, about 13% with first-time turfers in a 373-starter sample; sire won juvenile debut going short in Europe, won multiple stakes, earned over 140 grand, all on grass; 6 for 43 dam earned nearly $80K and she handled grass; one sibling lost 10 times; the other took 5 of 21, banked over $200K, adored grass; drills ideally spaced. |
| Bertrane |
| Gelding exited the live debut and show horse on 3/15 graduated next out in a maiden $75K claimer with a 76 Beyer; stakes winning 2 for 20 dam won on grass, earned over $150K; all 4 siblings won including triple grass winner and near $200K earner Big Bane Theory; must pick it up. |
| Van Fraassen |
| Colt has had some eventful trips but must be respected on the drop alone; O'Neill 14 for 76 or 18% the last 5 years with sprint to route maiden claimers and 28 others ran in the money; 2/6 place horse graduated next out in a MSW, was out of the money in the Wood Memorial; would expect this runner to be sent along on the stretch out. |
| Village Kitten |
| Colt caught the fast splits in last and could not keep up; 1 for 17 dam cashed short on dirt; both siblings won, the one that tried grass lost 3 times on turf; must display more. |
| Misdeed |
| One of a number in here that shows for a tag for the first time and any are eligible to move forward; there are several 6-figure earners in the tree including G2 winner, triple grass winner and over $300K earner Capital Plan; gelding has the 2 races to draw from now; don ' sell too short. |
| Chattering Class |
| Badge of Silver 7 for 108 with first-time turfers; sire took only start at 2, won multiple G2s, banked over a million, won on grass the first time he tasted the stuff; dam lost only start; lone half sis to race She s Not Lazy took 2 of 7, earned nearly $90K, was turf only; look for bug to send hard and try to steal it. |
| Rob's Pal |
| Improved energy in the drill last Thursday and note he did have the lead between calls in last; there are several grass winners in the family; another slice? |
| Secret Wishes |
| Cassidy shakes things up taking off the blinks; off a career Beyer, he seems to be figuring things out; not impossible task. |
| Kozani |
| Hung wide from the outside slot, would expect runner to be aggressive with the blinks this time; the 2 siblings that raced are non-winners; colt should have his sea legs under him by now. |
| Stauffenberg |
| Can't be thrilled with the defeats vs. softer and he has to find a way to turn the tables on the Mullins runner among others; 2/23 show horse cashed next out in a maiden $20K claimer, then was 4th beaten over 6 in a $20K claimer; family on weak side and several tried grass to no avail; could be compromised by the slot today. - Brian Mulligan |