Santa Anita: Closer Looks for April 4, 2014

Race 1

Tiz the Key

Draws the fence while dropping back to face maidens in her first start in half a year; filly has been working well here for her first try on dirt and the barn names a pilot who has done quite well when they call upon him; she showed what she's capable of doing when sent long for the initial time 2 back at Del Mar and this outfit brings them back ready; one to consider.

Kool Kat

Got a hot clip in front of her when stretched out for the initial time but she showed some solid late interest while earning that big number; lightly raced filly was well ahead of the third place finisher in that one and she's returned to work well of late for this one; looks like her main foe may get the jump on her, but she's certainly one to fear in the lane.

Iconic Spirit

She's had her share of chances but enters this one fresh and has run well of works in the past; filly hit the board in each of her 4 local spins and when right the trip is right up her alley; pace issues with her as well and she'll need to show up with her best, but the price should be right to give her a look.

Sheza Dish

Proved little threat for the last out runner up who returns in here as well when splitting the field in her local debut off 6 months on the shelf; filly showed some solid tracking foot in that one and should again find herself close to the top from the bell in a field that doesn't contain a lot of lick; don't think she's good enough to win this, but maybe she holds on for a minor slice.

Thisonesforricky

Mare draws outside after getting nosed at odds on in her second start back from the long break; while she's disappointed several times at short prices now, she does have some positional foot which could prove to be a huge asset in a field that doesn't look to contain much early interest; they'll have her to run down. - Steve Grabowski

Race 3

Bananappeal

34 days away for the 1st-dirt start of career; does not show a published workout on the main track; most runners move forward 2nd-time out but his Beyer speed figure regressed; his-latest GG workout was not quick; moves all the way inside after being outrun in 1st pair; others appeal more.

Bart the Barrister

Bet to under 5-2 odds for the off slowly-debut run; W. Giles is the one to beat here but this one has a lot of upside especially if able to move forward 2nd-time out like so many runners; the barn's had 22%-win success 1st off the claim since 2013; is the one to beat.

Yodeling Honey

Working well enough to do damage at 1st asking in a race lacking superstars; sire is 59-for-537 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 2-for-12 dam (59K) who won her 1st two starts; her only other foal to race is 1-for-2 No Ez Money (12K) who won his 2nd career start in an SA-MSW dirt event.

Malbros

The 1st-blinkered MSW-to-maiden-claiming drop angle did not work out well for last showing up with front wraps on for the 1st time producing the 2nd lowest Beyer of his career; has been in with some good ones; the 3-back winner repeated in an SA-alw. with a 91 Beyer; the debut show finisher Beyered 83-81 in next-out FG-MSW and OP-150K stakes wins.

Surfer Moon

Keeps dropping in price for his high-percentage SA trainer; figures to be a major pace presence who has to answer the stamina questions; turf obviously wasn't the answer from last when taking betting action with 1st blinkers; his SA workout for this was not very enticing.

W. Giles

Try to catch me wondering how much the blinkers removed may hurt/help the gate speed following a field-best Beyer performance; his barn is winless since 2013 using the blinkers-off angle; dueled for the front in last but hopes to make a clear, easy advantage here then keep on going.

Southern Digs

MSW-to-maiden claiming dropper a 13%-win angle for his barn; today would be his 1st dirt start with a steady-SA worktab for this; faded in 3 of the 4 losses; hopes to work out a stalking trip for this; 1st-time TBaze who seemingly had other options but was listed to ride here.

Mosso

Working well off the nearly 10-week absence; the runner-up finisher from last graduated next out in an SA-50K-maiden claimer with a 78 Beyer; he beat the the 5th and 6th-place finishers from last; they Beyered 69-62 in next-out SA-30K-maiden-claiming wins; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-optional claimer with a 78 speed figure; widest drawn so sure to lose ground; he is 5-0-0-0 during career with blinkers on. - Art Gropper

Race 4

Water Issues

She ran well the first time she raced over turf, and when considering that this is only her second start for the Mullins barn after a claim, and that she's dropping out of a stakes, it might be a good idea to take her seriously in this spot; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 2/17 going 6 1/2f vs. 50k OPC's with an 85 Beyer.

Backintheacademy

Not wild about what she's shown us in her five starts over turf, but her latest race over dirt was one of her better efforts, and she showed improved early speed as well; nevertheless, others entice more.

Room for Me

She made it look pretty easy against five rivals in breaking her maiden two starts back, but she found it to be much tougher in her turf debut while meeting up with winners for the first time in her latest outing; she's going to need to step up her game to get the better of this field.

Big Rosie Brown

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this miss is a 1/2 to multiple stakes placed Jomelo (6-28, 325k, including 3 of 12 turf starts for 169k); third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 3/23 going 1m vs. 30k MCL's with a 57 Beyer.

Lakota Road

The 74 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field and like to see that she earned that figure over this turf course; this is only her second start for the O'Neill barn and they see fit to call upon Bejarano for this.

Tiz Zoe Cee

That wasn't a bad run for her after a layoff two starts back and she might not mind getting back over turf for this after being beaten by a couple of today's rivals over the main track here in her latest outing.

Djimmah

She's by a strong turf sire and have to respect what she did racing over turf in her career debut as a 2-year-old, even if that was against maiden claimers; runner up from latest won next out here on 3/13 going 1 1/16m vs. starter alw rivals with a 67 Beyer, and third finisher won next out at TuP on 2/22 going 1m in a 35k stakes with a 60 Beyer.

Belonging

Have to be at least mildly concerned with the decline in her recent form but she ran well in her first few starts and viewing it as a positive that she's getting back over turf after a couple of dirt starts.

A P Pepper

A. P. Warrior has been a poor influence as a turf sire, but this filly has improved her game since being returned from a layoff two starts ago, and that was a pretty decent effort over turf two back; looking at her as being a solid fit with this bunch.

Kissin Lucky Lips

She needs to see a scratch in order to draw in and she is going to need to show more than she has in her first two starts if she's to contend; she's out of a G1 winning dam who won 8 of 28 turf starts for 435k and the winner from her latest race returned to win next out here on 3/13 going 1 1/8m over turf vs. N1X alw. rivals with a 73 Beyer. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Viva Carina (ARG)

She was disqualified from a G2 victory over this turf course two starts back, and her overall turf form has been strong enough to give her a competitive look against these; this barn has been quiet to this point in 2014 but they appear to have a live one to send out in this spot.

High Jinks (BRZ)

She's been in pretty good form lately but this might prove to be a tough spot for her to land in while making her first start for a new barn after a 40k claim; she's seeking her first win in America and her first win since November 2012.

Wittgenstein (IRE)

She's multiple stakes placed and has performed at a consistent level, but she is light on recent winning form and she's probably going to need to see a few of these show up with less than their best to have a chance at the top spot.

Rhagori (GB)

She has a strong pedigree for turf, and based on what she showed us in a winning performance in her first start in America in her latest outing, she has to be respected as a top contender in this spot; it doesn't hurt her to benefit from the services of Bejarano again.

Charlie Em (GB)

She's seeking her first win since earning a G3 victory in her first start in America, but she's faced solid competition along the way, and she's run well in just about all of her turf starts; runner up from latest won next out at GG on 3/16 going 1m vs. 62k OPC's with a 92 Beyer.

Chokecherymary

Stakes winning mare looks like she's rounding back into form while making her third start of the year, and if she feels up to one of her better efforts, she's capable of getting herself intot he mix against these.

Include the Aussie

Her complete lack of early speed is always a concern, but she hails from a sharp turf barn that has been very live at this meeting and it doesn't hurt her to be going back to a veteran rider; she does appear to be the weaker of the two Proctor-trained horses signed on in here.

Moulin de Mougin

Like what she's done in her seven turf starts and it's a positive to see what she did when stretched out in distance two starts back; she's out of a multiple graded stakes winning dam who won 9 of 18 starts for 522k, including 9 of 16 turf starts for 521k; the presence of Smith is a plus.

Lady Asano

Teuflesberg has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this late running filly is probably going to need to see a lot of pieces fall into place to get the better of the top contenders in here; prefer to side with others.

Theatre Star

Since failing to get much going in her career debut, she's produced three consecutive sharp winning performances, and she'll have to be regarded as a top contender if she draws in; this is her first start for Proctor and it's worth noting the presence of Stevens as he's won with 10 of 27 (37%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Seattle Charlie

Maybe she just didn't adore the synthetic in Albany; from from disgraced on the tricky hillside two back and Provenance exited that race to take a MSW with an 84 Beyer next out; nice move last Sunday, she has the sub :22 speed to flee the rail; could get brave if nobody goes with here.

Spooky Lady

Proven locally, she has tactical speed and could be on the muscle fresh today; troubled in the last pair but she got a boost when Home Journey exited the last race to win over N1X foes with an 86 Beyer; this is not the easiest spot to return.

My Sweet Addiction

Tons best of the rest in the debut and she showed agility overcoming adversity in last; the winner of the debut won twice since, the last in the Grade 1 Acorn with a 100 Beyer; Orange County spins are clever and barn is winning with everything that is not nailed down.

Tres Belle

Love the spacing of the drills and the best of 63 bullet last Saturday screams off the page; dirt appears to be her thing; 5th finisher 6/29 won twice since, the last in a $62.5K optional; show horse 6/29 won 5 times since, including 2 Grade 2s; the winner 6/29 beat optional claimers, took G1 Test and was 2nd in a G1 here opening day; fresh and dangerous.

Sidebar

Valid trouble in the debut but the rest of the races have been solid; miss has a nice stalk and pounce style and nothing wrong with spacing of the drills last month; note show horse in last was over 4 clear; she can finish; she got her last furlong last time in :12.50.

Sweet Factory

Overcame slow start to kick off career but then fell and that can leave a toll; if you figure she just needed her last, then one can make a case for a move forward; drill on the 24th was 6 ticks the best over the runner that beat My Sweet Addiction in her debut; don't ignore.

Rhodium

Pinched early, she has much more speed than she just showed; the win against winners was in conditioned claiming land; this field seems to have much more potency; would be careful here. - Brian Mulligan

Race 8

Stake Hunter

A poor start hurt him in his career debut but he followed that race up with an effort that is right in line with what it might take to win this; winner from latest won next out here on 2/15 going 1m vs. starter alw. rivals with an 81 Beyer.

Cut to Run

He's eligible to be ready for better now that he has some racing experience to draw from, but it would have been nice to have seen more out of him that day, and he didn't attract much wagering support; looking toward others.

Smart Journey

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won once from seven starts for 32k, including 0-for-3 over turf; runner up from latest won next out at BHP on 4/27 going 6 1/2f in a 60k stakes with an 81 Beyer; 5-year-old makes just his second start after a long layoff, but he does have a little turf in his pedigree.

Mr Lemon Tree

He has an experience edge over his rivals in here and his best effort is fast enough to be competitive in this spot, but after 10 starts, he's starting to look like the type that might hang around the maiden ranks for a while; winner from latest won next out here on 3/15 going 1 1/16m vs. starter alw. rivals with a 78 Beyer, but was dq'd, and runner up from latest won next out at SA on 3/27 going 1m over turf vs. MSW rivals with an 80 Beyer.

Bobby Z Man

His form took a noticeable turn for the better when placed over turf at second asking and it does look like he's stepped it up in the a.m. since his latest start; feel that he deserves to be listed among the contenders.

The Custodian

Sire is 0-for-7 with his turf starters and this is the first foal form a dam who was winless from five starts, and she didn't make a turf start; he enters this race of of a useful career debut and it's interesting to see his connections get him over turf rather quickly.

Tuff Storm

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his first-time starters and with approximately 11% of his turf starters, and dam won 2 of 15 starts for 111k, including 2 of 10 turf starts for 104k; this gelding is a 1/2 to Stormin Cee's (2-8, 49k, including 1 of 5 turf starts for 32k); this barn can be live with a firster and they call upon an aggressive rider.

Golden Chalice

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and dam won 3 of 30 starts for 111k, including 0-for-3 over turf; this is a barn that can have one ready to fire first out and a number of his workouts hint at ability.

It Is Living Water

Both of his starts have been solid performances and he exits the same race as today's rival Mr Lemon Tree; winner from latest won next out here on 3/15 going 1 1/16m vs. starter alw. rivals with a 78 Beyer, but was dq'd, and runner up from latest won next out at SA on 3/27 going 1m over turf vs. MSW rivals with an 80 Beyer.

Diablo Caballero

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his first-time starters and with approximately 14% of his turf starters, and G3 winning dam won 5 of 13 starts for 220k, and she didn't make a turf start; his workouts hint at ability and connections see fit to call upon Nakatani.

Durango Flier

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 6 starts for 60k, including 0-for-1 over turf; this colt is a full to Kathleen Rose (3-7, 134k, including 3 of 5 turf starts for 118k); he showed a little something at first asking and he might be looking forward to getting a chance to see what he can do over turf.

Sun Spots

He's had a few chances to show us what he can do and he'll have to find a way to produce a much improved performance if he's to have a say in the outcome; he has the look of an outsider.

Know Plans

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam was winless from five starts, and she didn't make a start over turf; this gelding is a 1/2 to Miss Guts (5-37, 193k, including 1 of 5 turf starts for 34k) and a full to G3 winner Lightmyfirebaby (6-24, 444k, including 5 of 20 turf starts for 416k). - Brian Pochman