Santa Anita: Closer Looks for April 3, 2014

Race 1

Here Comes Bobbie

Seven furlongs was beyond her scope last month so this cutback in distance can work in her favor; her sire won 4 of 18 races and 402K while the dam won 3 of 28 and 27K; this is her only foal to compete.

Indian Fields

Legitimate excuse in that first defeat; her sire won the G1 Santa Anita Derby and 616K overall; the dam won 1 of 4 attempts and 14K; among the winning siblings is 104K bankroller Candiejas.

Swan Street Lady

Beginner was sired by multiple G1 victor Street Boss who captured 831K and whose progeny have won 20 out of 107 debuts; the dam never raced; winning siblings include 159K earner Trac N Jam.

La Quillotana

New face was sired by G3 type Stormin Fever who netted 484K and whose descendants have won 31 out of 443 initial attempts; the dam was unraced; there are no winning siblings to highlight.

Broadway Bella

Improved a bit in the latest a.m. move; her sire is G1 turf star English Channel who notched 5.31 million (his offspring are 11 for 142 as far as winning their first venture); the dam was zero for 4; sib to 15K earner Southern English.

Jalapenobusiness

Moderate work tab for this beginner; her sire won the Breeders' Cup Mile and 1.42 million overall; progeny of Silic have won 6 out of 108 debuts; the mom won 2 of 18 and 67K; winning sibs include 17K earner Sonora Windy.

Warrensdollarsigns

Flashed improved speed in her first start in nearly 2 months (note strong workout prior to that attempt); exits the same affair as today's rail entrant and the pair may upgrade with this shorter assignment; a healthy price is assured once again.

Blind Dreams

Descendants of crack sprinter Kodak Kowboy, who won 11 of 23 and 1.66 million, have scored in 4 of 36 initial races; the dam never raced and there are no winning siblings to mention; she has been training at longer distances. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Quizzical

That was a nice run last out in a fast race behind a super-quick Baffert runner in Socialbug; is obviously fond of the SA main track with a 6-2-3-0 record and now makes her third start off a layoff; look strictly at her SA dirt races and she is hard to fault; edge.

Tiz Molly

Began her career 2 for 2 before going off form in her last pair; this marks just the first time this miss hasn't gone the sidelines after a race, and the return to dirt is a reason to be feel encouraged; her maiden win came over this track in January of 2013.

Big Honey Bee

A long layoff going back to November puts this one at a disadvantage; note that the bulk of her experience has come on synthetic tracks; she's also run well three times on dirt; but she was sixth the one time she raced on dirt, which happened to come at this track.

Peppy Bolly

Was off a touch slowly and then simply outrun behind Socialbug and company on a wet-fast track Mar. 1; is probably capable of better on a dry surface; that's the conditions under which she won Feb. 6 over Our Pure Creation.

Our Pure Creation

Came back to score after a runner-up finish to Petty Bolly; now she steps into a second level allowance; though this is a below average field for a N2X, it's a tough transition from N1X to N2X.

Caraquista

Managed a third last out but was not a stretch factor; Socialbug won easily and Quizzical - who is back in this race - was 4 1/4 lengths in front of her in second place; this miss did run some faster races earlier this year, and if able to run back to those Beyers in the 80s, has a strong chance in here; good form in the allowance ranks since December, and stakes placed as a baby. - Byron King

Race 4

Sir Dadnger

Mild work regimen for this 5-year-old beginner; his sire is G1 sprinter Forest Danger who banked 423K (his offspring have scored in 11 percent of their debuts); the dam won 2 of 5 and 58K; among the winning sibs is 54K earner Lady in the Park.

Senor Pegasus

Sheds the blinkers after showing decent prompting speed in a route affair last month; ran into a swift pace in his last turnback attempt and perhaps the seven furlong trip now may afford him a chance to relax a bit more in the early stages; tough call.

End of Time

Not a bad effort 2 back considering the layoff involved; ran into swift early fractions in his last venture; newcomer to today's distance may be denied the lead once again and will face a long road if that is the case.

Take a Risk

Game in defeat nearly a month ago when losing by a diminishing length; should be able to rally from close range once again and the workouts since that latest placing are solid; obvious true contender.

Goyan

One of the main speeds to consider despite inexperience at seven-eighths; he was shot down in a duel in the latest showing and will prove a dangerous threat if not challenged in the opening stanza.

The Jeweler

Newcomer was sired by G3 victor Delineator who amassed 263K (his offspring have won their debut at a rate of approximately 10 percent); the dam won 5 of 36 and 123K; winning siblings include 4K earner Five Horizons.

Mavericks Gun

His sole try at the course and distance was pre-blinkers and against far better stock than this; showed more early zip in his last try on the turf when facing winners (as he did 3 races back); looks like a very comfortable fit today.

Puerto Williams

Did not lose by much at all when outfinished by Take a Risk; not sure if there is a more heated pace in the cards today and that will restrict his chances; can earn a minor award but cannot be endorsed for the top spot.

Angel Charge

Another turnback possibility in this puzzle; he has been a pace factor in his last pair of ventures and ran a respectable fourth (against a dozen opponents) when last trying seven-eighths; needs proper touch today when likely changing tactics.

Spectacularjourney

Scheduled to go without blinkers for the first time; had a troubled trip in his last try and in the previous race, he ran a very respectable third while caught wide; should offer betting value once again. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Bobby Flay

Like to see that he enters this race off of one of his sharper performances, and also like to see that Bejarano is aboard again; this is a competitive gathering and it's probably a good idea to list him among the contenders.

Money Cannon

He looks like he's in good form entering this race but have to acknowledge the surface switch, especially when considering that he's yet to prove that he can be at his best racing over turf; tough to give him the nod for the top spot while going out for a barn that is 0-for-38 in 2014.

Mr. Candy Bar

Minor stakes winner is light on recent winning form but like the idea of getting him back over turf and he's capable of producing a performance that is strong enough to get him into the mix against these; not sure what to make of blinkers going back on for this, but not willing to count him out of it.

Cook Inlet

He shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with Bluegrass Reward, and he earned that figure in his first start for the Hollendorfer barn; maybe there's something to be said for Bejarano being aboard another in here, and maybe there's something to be said for gelding moving back to turf, but not willing to leave him off the list of contenders.

Nahem

Stakes winning veteran is one of two signed on in this spot for the Hollendorfer barn, and not only has he been in decent form lately, but he's run well over this turf course in the past; note that Hollendorfer has been hitting at a 38% clip with starters going out first after a claim.

The Gatekeeper

Like to see that his one start over turf was a winning performance, but in a race where it looks like the winner will earn a Beyer Speed Figure in the upper 70's to low 80's, this gelding has topped out at 68; looking toward others.

Cloud Hopper

Obviously things didn't go his way when last seen, and can't ignore that he was claimed away from the barn of Steve Sherman, but his turf form hasn't been bad, and it looks like he's been working well in preparation for his return to action.

Macias

This has to be considered a favorable spot for this multiple stakes winner to land in, and not only does he show up for a barn that is having a strong meeting, but note how sharp he was in a winning performance in his most recent turf attempt two starts back; ignore this bona fide horse-for-course at your own risk.

Bluegrass Reward

Don't care to see that you have to go back more than a year to find his most recent victory, but he's been a steady performer, and he's shown the ability to run hs race over any surface; at the very least, he's worthy of consideration underneath in the exotics. - Byron King

Race 7

Villeneuve (GB)

She's minor stakes placed racing overseas, but her form since arriving in America has only been so-so, and don't like to see that she has just one win and one runner-up finish after 17 starts; prefer to keep looking around in here.

Sweet Red Cat

It would have been nice to have seen this G3 stakes palced filly show more in her latest outing while making her first start for this barn after a layoff, and it might be worth noting the presence of Talamo aboard another in here.

Ginger Tap

This miss has a strong pedigree for turf and she might be ready to dial up a strong performance while making her third start of the year and getting a rider switch to Bejarano; like many of these, her lack of early speed makes her vulnerable to a slow early pace, and that may very well be the case in this spot, but still feel that she has to be respected as a legitimate threat.

Remarkable Moon

The long layoff alone is a reason to look in another direction and it isn't like her form prior to needing the time off was up to the level of the top contenders in here; late running type has the look of an outsider.

Scooter Bird

She's another closer in here to take a look at and the 83 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest effort represents the best last race figure in this field; she has been beaten by a couple of today's rivals in her recent starts, but she's clearly a good fit at this level of competition, and she benefits from the services of Smith.

Passionate Diva

She's another in here with a fine turf pedigree and she's proven that she can be competitive against competition of this caliber on her best day; working in her favor, it looks like the only other runner in here who might show some early interest is Somethingabouther; can't ignore.

Feline Forum

She's gotten the job done in two of four turf starts and her sharpest performance to date was in her most recent outing while making her first start for this barn; it is a little interesting to see Nakatani land here when considering that he's been aboard Scooter Bird in her last three starts.

Somethingabouther

Multiple stakes placed filly has just a single win next to her name after 18 starts, and she's winless in her last 11 starts going back through 2013, but she's fast enough to run with these, and in a race that doesn't figure to have a fast early pace, she'll likely be forwardly placed through the opening stages. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Peg's Journey

Palma 1 for 12 the last 5 years with debuting maiden special weight runners and 3 others ran in the money; Good Journey 8 for 79 with firsters; Grade 2 winning sire didn't run at 2, was turf only, banked over $1.7 million; 4 for 35 dam earned over $80K; lone sibling lost 7 times; love fact she drilled as far as this race is carded.

Gouyen

She has shown ability despite the slow starts; stakes winning 2 for 10 dam earned nearly $145K; 4 of 5 siblings won including $240K earner Mark Up Tiny; respect.

Bert's Melody

McCarthy 7 for 45 or 16% the last 5 years with second shooters; only as brief threat for a tag; SP 1 for 6 dam earned over $70K; lone full sis to race Brilliant Melody took 6 of 16, earned almost $200K; could need softer to shine.

Lethal Story

Grinder will need things to break just right; connections just waiting for this miss to start performing like full sister Lethal Heat, an over $650K earner; crushed in the other sprints; not seeing it.

Charming Starlet

She walked out of the gate to kick it off, never kicked on the hillside; 13 for 37 dam earned over $200K; lone half sis to race Qiaona took 2 stakes, banked nearly $450K; must display more.

Runningwiththelute

Koriner 2 for 41 the last 5 years with MSW debuters with a median payoff of over $21 and 5 others ran in the money; Midnight Lute 9 for 112 with debuters; sire graduated in juvenile debut at Del Mar with a 78 Beyer, took the BC Sprint, banked over $2.6 million; 2 for 22 dam banked $35K; several multiple race winners in the family including over $200K earner Count V Ullmann; bullets locked and loaded.

Nightfall

Unusual Heat about 10% with debuters in a 463-runner sample; sire won juvenile debut going short in Europe, won multiple stakes, was Group 3 placed; dam was unraced; 3 of 4 siblings won; all banked 6 figures including SW and near $200K earner Beltene; she sure looks fit enough.

Emotional Drive

Can never dismiss this kind of speed and she could show more with the blinks; dam was 0 for 16; lone full sis took one of 5, earned about 13 grand; there are some stamina concerns.

Swiss Perfection

Harrinton 9 for 67 or 13% the last 5 years with MSW debuters and 11 ran second; Swiss Yodeler has hit with 11% of his debuters in a 537-horse sample; sire won first 5 starts at 2, winning over 750 grand total; 2 for 14 dam earned over $50K; 6 of 9 siblings won including full sister, triple stakes winner and near $350K earner Tilde; like this work pattern.

Warren's Tricia R.

Like fact she showed more energy in the drill last Friday; 2 for 4 dam banked nearly $50K; 2 of 3 sibs won; one banked about $45K; must show more.

Backseat Blonde

Tribal Rule about 14% with debuters in a 373-runner grid; sire graduated as older horse, took 2 of 4, banked nearly $80K; 1 for 7 dam earned about $20K; 4 of 6 siblings won including full sister and over $100K earner Tribalicious; don't ignore homebred.

Shakeitupbetty

Drawn right and Nakatani got a chance to figure her out; SW 4 for 12 dam earned nearly $140K; this is her first to race; major player. - Brian Mulligan