Santa Anita
Santa Anita: Closer Looks for April 5, 2014
Race 1
| Sing With Bling |
| Offered little in his sprint debut behind one of these last month and now he'll stretch out a panel; not much from a pedigree standpoint here but he did return to work well for an outfit that boasts a couple of recent second out runners. |
| Reno Rebel |
| Earned a big number in the near miss sprinting last time and he'll get a little more ground today; barn is going quite well at the stand and they worked this guy quickly at Los Al for this last week; there's not a lot of early foot in here so expect he'll be pushed hard with the move inside and will probably have to be run down. |
| J Serino |
| Returned to work well after a weak, troubled local debut spin last month; colt has a right to move forward with the experience behind him, but the barn doesn't win very often and this guy's lone sib earned both of his scores on the lawn. |
| Missing Groom |
| He's worked sharply on the dirt for a while now and he'll get his first crack over the footing in this spot; Cal bred wasn't beaten much from a wide spot going down the hill with restricted runners in his return to the races and now he'll get another solid journeyman pilot who has had a nice stand from his limited mounts; barn's numbers second back from the break suggest an improved try is on tap. |
| Guggenheim |
| Sire gets about 13% winners from his first out runners and the G3 SW dam was an 8 time turf winner and 374K earner who hit the board just once without winning on the main track; his 2 sibs to race were a combined 0 for 6 on the track; barn is profitable right out of the box and the recent drills are solid. |
| Yard Line |
| He looked pretty good getting second money behind a subsequent SW while sprinting first out on synthetic footing at Hollywood in late fall; colt adds the hood for his return and he's been working rather steadily over the footing for his first crack on dirt; barn's had a tough time finding the winner's circle here but their runners have been all around the money; from close range he looks to be the one to beat. |
| Vegas Strip |
| Wasn't beaten all that much in either of his starts over the footing and now he'll turn back to the sprint trip of his beaten chalk debut run behind a subsequent repeater; barn's numbers with the move are excellent and maybe this guy does have some more to offer in the lane today; he's kin to a couple of multiple route winners; consider. |
| Kris the Great |
| Sire gets about 14% first out winners from his newcomers and the unraced dam dropped 3 winners including G1 SP router and G3 SW Coal Play, a 528K earner, but none of them won sprinting; works are solid and he's been in streafy training for a while mow. |
| Mister Wonka |
| Sire hits with 13% of his firsters and the dam was a G1 SW sprinter and 187K earner who herself won first time out prior to dropping 3 winners including G1 SP, G2 SW router and 1.1 million earner Papa Clem; he's been working well at Los Al for this of late and the barn is capable of firing with newcomers. |
| Cotton Valley |
| Gets off the fence after offering little at a big price in his debut run last month; he returned to work well last week and one of his 2 sibs to race did win a couple of sprints and bank 158K; normal second out improvement could get him in the mix for a share. |
| Van Fraassen |
| Earned his best number when sprinting in the off the turfer second time out and now he'll get back to the local main track; colt starts from the outside slot so he could find himself in a wide spot from the outset; have to side with others on the win end. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 2
| Storm Fighter |
| Try to catch me; was dueled into defeat in latest sprint; he projects to make the front here then keep on going noting his lone win at longer than today's Mile distance; keeps latest rider who seemingly had other options here; clearly the connections were high on him to try the SA Derby in 2013. |
| Mythical Storm |
| Switches to dirt after the lawn debut produced a victory; sire won the Kentucky Derby so going long on dirt seems well within his scope; is the 1st foal from the dam who did not race past 7F; high-percentage-SA win rider stays with Volkonsky for this. |
| Poshsky |
| Gets the Volkonsky rematch from latest loss 50 days ago; has a new trainer now and clearly showed potential in is his 1st-ever dirt start with an eye-catching maiden score; the worktab for this does not leap off the form at you; off latest is ranked a notch below the top contenders. |
| I Run for Fun |
| Bounce candidate posting a field-best Beyer speed figure for his 1st start in more than 1 year; 2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle and clearly gets a good pace flow to rally into for this; steady works for a 22%-win barn off 31-60-day freshenings. |
| Deraptor |
| The SA-dirt workouts suggest he won't miss a beat switching from GG synthetic where he graduated nearly one year ago; clearly the long layoff is the biggest drawback about backing; the 2-back runner-up finisher graduated in a GG-MSW event next out with a 74 Beyer. |
| Wings of Mojave |
| Today is going to be his 1st start on a fast-main track with a steady worktab for this on dry footing; latest at shorter when tiring to finish 3rd did not give the impression that 1 Mile on the main track would be his best distance despite winning on turf racing this far. |
| Pulpit's Express |
| Gate issues in his last 3 starts; he's been best fresh during career but came up with a so-so off-the-bench effort in last when favored; would think he has a chance to move forward for this considering all the trouble; last win rider sides with Storm FIghter today. |
| Volkonsky |
| Off latest cutting back to 1 Mile should fit well; projects to stalk the inside speed then hopes to come home best; the good news is high-percentage SA-rider Bejarano stays right here when having other options; has yet to win on dirt which is one drawback but clearly has raced well enough in the 2 exacta finishes to be considered as a major player here. |
| Turn On the Pumps |
| The runner-up, show and 8th-place finishers from last Beyered 91-91-86 in next-out SA-optional-claiming and 25K-claiming wins; today gets a fast-main track for the 1st time showing nothing in his only other conventional-dirt attempt on wet footing. |
| The Mad Hungarian |
| Defeated the show runner from last who Beyered 66 in a next-out SA-16K-claiming win; 2nd-time Long has been a good-improvement angle but with 51 days between races he races off the longest layoff of career today; did not handle post 12 in his debut with the 2 post for next 3 but is drawn widest off the bench; hopes to stalk the speed then come up big in deep stretch. - Art Gropper |
Race 3
| Frensham |
| The winner of this race last year, Omega Star, came from 5th to get up by a nose with a 79 Beyer; wide in the debut but the hillside effort was solid; he probably has to be sent hard to try to flee the fence and there is plenty of speed outside of him; maidens beat winners at times but it sure doesn't happen every day, especially in a stakes. |
| Whine for Wine |
| Nice try in the debut despite going wide and the rally was timed perfectly in last; one of 3 Hollendorfers in here and all must be respected; fit enough to drills twice since the maiden breaker and there seems to be enough speed here to help the cause; look for him late if at all. |
| Well Measured |
| Proven at the trip and note place horse in the debut was well clear; he could have sulked after breaking poorly in last but he kept to his task and ran well; he's trained fast for this and he has a right to have a nice career as half sis Miss Well Molded took 5 of 19 and banked $230K. |
| Gangnam Guy |
| Two solid tries down the hill and note he was bothered last time to boot; show horse in the 2013 closer has won 2 stakes since including a Grade 3 and he may not have cared for the going in the Spiral; he has been right there on the wire in stakes before; contention goes deep. |
| Alert Bay |
| Respect his consistency and he has shown the ability to pass horses; show horse in last won next out in a $40K optional with a 74 Beyer; must prove he can win sprinting but he has been doing all the Wright things of late; he is not intimidated by competition as he has no problem passing horses and the way he closed in the 2 efforts at 6-furlongs suggest he'll adore this distance; don't discount invader. |
| Oh Daddy Oh |
| Basically flattered the Hollendorfer charge on the outside with the victory in last; dueled into submission in the only 2 off efforts, show horse in last was over 3 clear and his style is no secret; look for rider to utilize this runner's sub :44 speed and try to steal it. |
| Next Book |
| This seems like an ambitious placement; homebred failed for the tag to kick it off but was coming hard in last in a manner that suggests this distance is within the realm; hard to adore on top today. |
| Life Is a Joy |
| The fact he won the debut gives him a shot to fire fresh; this appears to be a better distance for him and he chased the monster and SA Derby chalk two back; don't be too harsh about last as the hillside can be tricky; would expect him in the picture late if at all. |
| Pray Hard |
| Between horses in the debut but very solid since; he showed a new wrinkle from just off the pace in last; the slight freshening seems to have helped as he is coming off a career Beyer; drawn right where rider will not have ask for everything but can see home the race is unfolding; respect. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 4
| Snuggley Bear |
| Returns to the hill after getting beaten as the chalk going long on the local green last month; colt has been off the board just once in 8 career spins and he's shown the ability to sit close to the pacesetters regardless of trip; he's had his share of chances and Bejarano sides elsewhere but he's a contender today. |
| Act |
| Wide trip hurt him when beaten chalk last time after offering solid early foot first time out; colt returned to work well and his sire does get 12% first time surface winners from his offspring; he's the first foal to race out of a dam who won on the green. |
| Sammy Mandeville |
| Sire gets 12% winners from both is first out runners and those trying the green for the first time; limited sprint winning dam was 0 for 2 on the lawn and this guy is her first foal to race; dirt works are solid and the barn is certainly capable. |
| Silent Shark |
| Sire hits with 10% of both his newcomers and those hitting the green for the initial time; G2 SP, G3 SW dam was a 350K earner who won twice on the lawn including the first time she stepped over it; he's kin to 3 winners including G2 SW and 197K earner Chief Havoc, but none of them scored on this type of footing; barn does well right out of the box. |
| Footstepsinbronze (IRE) |
| Bejarano sticks with this colt as he returns to the local hillside course over which he ran big first time out earlier in the year; he's got speed and has been working regularly for his return to the raced after running into an impressive one on the main track; looks like they'll have him to beat. |
| Designated |
| Ships downstate with some solid Tapeta drills on his tab for the unveiling for a barn that does well with these; sire gets 14% first out winners from his offspring and about 12% first turf winners and the limited sprint winning dam ran third in her lone turf spin prior to dropping 4 main track winners from 5 foals to race including G1 SW sprinter and 1.2 million earner Idiot Proof. |
| Superlooper |
| Offered little in his 2 main track tries and now he'll try the green for the initial time; colt did go for quite a bit in training around this time last year so they're probably a little disappointed in his progress but his SW dam did drop a turf winner and his sire gets nearly 13% winners from his initial surface starters. |
| Samatt |
| Sire gets 10% winners from his first out runners and is 10 for 51 with his initial turf starters; dam lost all 4 starts including 3 that came on the green and this guy is his first foal to make it to the races; works are nothing special and the barn's been on a poor run with his newcomers. |
| Storm Fashion |
| Sire gets 7% debut winners and first time surface winners from his offspring and he's the first foal to race out of an unraced dam; he's been working ok of late and this sharp outfit is certainly capable of winning right out of the box. |
| Quick and Silver |
| Hood comes off for the turf debut as he makes his first start for this new outfit while returning from more than a half year on the shelf; gray showed lick in each of his outings and he is kin to a turf winner; sire is 1 for 10 with his first time surface runners. |
| Eddie's First |
| He's another with speed making his first start of the year in this spot; like the way he's been working for the comebacker and though his dam was winless from 3 turf tries she did drop Waveline, a first time winner who won twice on the green and was G3 SP over the footing while banking 325K. |
| Green Tag (IRE) |
| Just missed while making his stateside debut down the hill last month; he's returned to work well and is the only one in here who actually finished first on the race track; late kick makes him a serious threat in the lane today. |
| Polished Silver |
| AE showed little the first time he stepped on the green and his subsequent dirt spins weren't very much; his pedigree doesn't suggest he'll go much better second time over this type of footing; have to pass if he goes. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 5
| Fashion Plate |
| Try to catch me; she figures to race loose on an easy lead again which has been the recipe for her last 2 wins including a Grade 1 score; will give Arethusa 1 pound extra for the rematch as she has to obtain another half furlong on the lead to repeat; has been working well enough off the 9-week layoff however must note the trainer's 7%-win numbers since 2013 with similar-fresh starters. |
| Kissin Lucky Lips |
| Was entered Friday in a much-easier 1 Mile and one-eighth starter allowance event on turf; the winner and 10th-place finishers from last posted 73-64 Beyer speed figures in next-out SA-allowance and TUP-maiden-optional-claiming wins. |
| Ria Antonia |
| Late runner has the blinkers removed while making the 1st start for trainer Baffert returning to SA for the distance and surface of her Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies-placed 1st victory; the winner from last Beyered 106 in a next-out FG-Grade 2 stakes win. |
| Honey Ride |
| Exits a field-best Beyer speed figure when stretched out to 1 Mile for the 1st time graduating; the added distance today may not be an issue being sired by a Pacific Classic winner; the debut runner-up finisher Beyered 75 in a next-out SA-MSW win. |
| Arethusa |
| Was closing in on Fashion Plate at 1 Mile; the added half furlong for this is a plus noting she's a stakes winner at today's distance; reunites with a high-percentage-SA-win rider and gets a positive 1-pound weight swing off the little more than 1-length loss to Fashion Plate. |
| Artemis |
| The winner and 4th-place finishers from last both Beyered 79 in next-out SUN-200K stakes and SA-optional-claiming wins; to back here would have to get over her being defeated by similar rivals 2 back when off slowly then finishing evenly; win rider takes Arethusa, the 2-back jockey sides with Ria Antonia and the rider from last is on Fashion Plate for this. |
| Bajan |
| The 1-for-1 fast-track record includes a victory at 6F; her only route test was 2-back when fading behind the show runner who Beyered 100 in a next-out G3 win then posted a 106 when scoring a G2 victory last Saturday in the FG Oaks; Artemis gets the rider from her first 7 starts. |
| Smoove It |
| Defeated by Bajan the only other time racing off a 45-day layoff or longer; seeks her 1st-dirt exacta finish; her only race going long was a 1-Mile career-low Beyer; recent style suggests she may want to race longer on grass?; will be taking a wait and see approach. - Art Gropper |
Race 6
| Norastone |
| Turns back for the surface switch after showing solid early foot going long in her turf debut earlier in the year; filly wired a softer bunch through quick splits back East second time out; rail draw means she should again be involved from the bell and there isn't a whole bunch of early lick in here, but still don't know that she'll have enough left for the drive. |
| Sprague River |
| Tries dirt for the first time after being given a little break off a pace fade down the local hillside course; filly doesn't need the lead for her best as she showed in winning at Hollywood in late fall and she's been working on a dirt surface for some time now; maybe for a share. |
| Sprouts |
| She's another whose never tried dirt though she has been working well over the stuff of late; filly was sharp against stakes foes on synthetic footing last year and maybe she just didn't like the green or the route in her first start of the year; worth a good look at a price in this field. |
| Chati's On Top |
| Makes her first start for a new outfit while stepping in with stakes runners off the freshening; gray looked pretty good breaking her maiden second time out and she'll get a top journeyman pilot for her local debut; she's been working quite well on the local dirt and shouldn't have trouble taking to the new footing, but the class jump is significant. |
| Harlington's Rose |
| Earned a big number in besting an overmatched bunch in her second dirt start of the year; filly's sharp tactical foot should have her in a great spot from the outset here and if her last didn't take too much out of her she looms a big threat in the lane; contender. |
| Rovenna |
| Filly enters this fresh after wiring allowance runners in her return to the local main track; she's got solid early foot and though there's other lick in here a hard send could put her on the lead here; thinking she proves to be the one to run down. |
| Princess Genevieve |
| She's only run a few times and never on the lawn so she'll make her surface debut for a barn that does pretty well with both that type and those turning back in distance; gray ran well sprinting on the green first out at Hollywood and she's been training on the local main track in the interim for this. |
| Cause Ur My Babe |
| Last out graduate tries stakes foes in her first with winners while returning from a freshening; nice to see Bejarano stick and this filly has certainly been on the improve since moving to dirt; won't be easy against some proven stakes runners, but she can't be overlooked. |
| Gouyen |
| Maiden has only run twice and now she'll try stakes company in her return from a brief freshening; filly has some tactical foot and she draws a good stalking post but sh ewas no match for one of these last time and her slow breaking habits won't help her much in here. - Steve Grabowski |
Race 7
| Soresca (IRE) |
| She was beaten by a number of today's rivals in her most recent start and she's going to need to improve her game in a hurry if she's planning on making a bid for the top prize in this spot; prefer to keep looking around in here. |
| Practising (GB) |
| Have to give her credit for the solid maiden breaking performance in her first start in America two races ago, but she finished behind today's rival One More in her first start against winners in her latest outing, and that rival doesn't look like her biggest concern in this one. |
| Tiz Kissable |
| She took a strong step forward in her turf debut in her latest outing and she finished right behind a couple of today's key rivals in that race; this lightly raced miss commands her share of respect based on what she showed us last time. |
| Nashoba's Gold |
| Half-sister to Nashoba's Key (8-10, $1.2 million, including 4 of 6 turf starts for 600k) has been very impressive in her first two career starts, and she proved that she can run with competition of this caliber in her latest outing; she has to be viewed as being a top contender. |
| Full Ransom |
| She's a Grade 3 winner racing over turf and she's clearly capable of a sharper start than what she showed up with after a layoff in her latest outing; looking toward others for the top spot, but not willing to count her out of the exotics mix. |
| Savings Account |
| She finished right behind today's rival Full Ransom when earning a graded stakes placing two starts ago, but she was beaten by a number of these in her latest start, and it's just tough to give her the nod over the other Proctor-trained filly in here. |
| Margot Machance (GB) |
| She ran well at a nice price in her first start in America and she probably deserves a little extra credit for that win when seeing that she broke out of post 11; however, this has to be considered a tough spot for her to make her graded stakes debut. |
| Diversy Harbor |
| She's done nothing wrong in two starts and she beat a number of today's rivals in her most recent outing; she's a 1/2 to multiple graded stakes winner's Keertana (10-25, $1 million over turf) and Snow Top Mountain (6-21, 469k over turf); Stevens has won with 10 of 28 (36%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting; obvious player. |
| Kukaluka |
| She finished behind a couple of these in her latest outing and she's yet to produce a performance that is strong enough to suggest that she can be competitive in a spot like this; she has the look of an outsider. |
| One More |
| Her early speed can prove to be a key after breaking from the outside and there is a chance that the early pace in here won't heat up all that much; however, even if she does benefit from an ideal early pace scenario, she might find it difficult to repel the challanges of the top contenders through the stretch. - Brian Pochman |
Race 8
| Rprettyboyfloyd |
| Grade 2 placed runner has talent, has been consistent, but has yet to break through; he's been a bad actor at the gate breaking slowly in 2 of 5 efforts; pedigree is enticing as sire won Graded routes, was second in the Kentucky Derby and his dam also won routing; lone sibling to race, Stick to Your Guns, was turf only but did win at 9 furlongs; never thrilled to see a horse give up a clear lead like he did in last; Breuer one for 4 with first-time blinkers runners the last 5 years and another ran third at 35-1. |
| Friendswith K Mill |
| Youngster must prove he can win on dirt; game in his maiden breaker and was getting to the winner last time; he has only run one poor race and that was on the synthetic when he had to deal with the rail; not sure he was beating anybody in the win; play horse in the win returned to run third beaten 2 and a half lengths in a $75K maiden claimer; pedigree is solid on top as his sire won a Grade 1 at this distance; dam lost 7 times and the 3 siblings to win were sprint only; figures in the picture late if at all. |
| Hoppertunity |
| Colt is off a game career Beyer when he would not back down when confronted; he was flattered when the winner of his debut beat entry-level allowance rivals since by 15 lengths and that runner would have been highly regarded in the San Felipe but scratched; Vicar s in Trouble, who beat this runner only a length and a half on 2/22 exited the Risen Star win the Louisiana Derby with a 91 Beyer; could envision him sitting 3 or so off the pace hoping the speed comes back; he'll likely need a career effort to win. |
| Big Tire |
| Colt improved once he got off grass; finally greeted the cameraman after a mile last time and note he made a solid middle move going from 6th to a half-length off the pace; he has a right to get the trip on top as the unbeaten sire Candy Ride took the mile and a quarter Pacific Classic; dam lost 3 times but the lone sibling to race Grand Corredora took 2 routes at a mile and a sixteenth and was extending late in both wins; not sure he was beaten by anybody in the 2/17 race; the winner that day returned to run out of the money in the Sunland Derby. |
| California Chrome |
| Brilliant Cal-bred is coming to this race on top of his game; his tactical speed gives him options and that is always preferred; runner he beat in his 2014 opener, Tamarando, returned to loop the El Camino Derby field before failing to fire in the Spiral on the synthetic; he showed career speed last time and the way he drew off, suggests he'll have no problem with the distance; runner-up in last who was clear for fun, again ran second in Chitu's Sunland Derby; he's has trained fast for this and the :46 2/5 bullet drill last Sunday was 2 ticks the best over maiden Reno Rebel; Sherman has been around the game for decades and he firmly believes this colt will run all day. |
| Candy Boy |
| Improving runner seems to be maturing by the hour; connections thought enough of him to try the CashCall Futurity for his final 2013 start and he was far from disgraced when 2nd to the Eclipse Award champ Shared Belief; extremely impressive taking the Robert B. Lewis and was boosted somewhat when Chitu won next out, although that was a suspect field; love the series of drills coming to this race and colt should sit a stalk and pounce trip; should be right there and he better be if he wants to go to Kentucky. |
| Schoolofhardrocks |
| Hofmans 9 for 94 or 10% the last 5 years with second off the layoff runners but 23 others ran in the money; it's not easy to win routing in a debut but he pulled it off; he has every right to thrive with distance as his sire won this very race; dam only raced once but she made the most of it coming from dead last in an 8 and half furlong turf race winning at Del Mar; all 3 three siblings won, two banked 6 figures including Coffee Clique, who won a Grade 3 at a mile and a sixteenth and earned over $190K; considering his inexperience and the layoff, his race in the San Felipe was not as bad as it looked as he at least pushed the issue and has the race to build on now; this would be a heck of a feat to win this off just one prep. |
| Dublin Up |
| Soph just posted a career Beyer but is still seeking the diploma; has some semblance of speed but hard to see him clearing here; sire was a Grade 1 winner routing, his dam was unraced and this is her first to race; Miller is very comfortable training at San Luis Rey and this runner s 1:11.80 work on 3/25 was a full second the best over move recorded by another Miller student Oh Daddy Oh, who has shown sub :44 speed and won for the second time last month in a $40K starter; would look for rider to put him into the race early but he has lost ground late in every race and now it's 9 furlongs. - Brian Mulligan |
Race 9
| Sir Macho |
| His recent form has been improved and he deserves another chance to see what he can do racing over turf; he's out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 6 of 32 turf starts for 186k. |
| Advisory |
| It remains to be seen how he'll handle routing, but his turf debut in his latest start was a much improved performance; he's out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 4 of 16 starts for 302k, including 3 of 7 turf starts for 190k; Delgadillo has won with 4 of 11 (36%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting. |
| Gallant Charm |
| His recent form has been right in line with what it might take to get the job done in this spot, but he does have to be approached with some caution when seeing that he hasn't been shy about settling for minor awards through his first 16 starts. |
| New Order |
| Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 13 starts for 53k, including 1 of 9 turf starts for 35k; he's going to need his sharpest performance to date in his turf debut while making his first start against winners if he's to contend. |
| Tommy O |
| A few of his turf starts have been solid performances from off the pace and he looks like a decent fit at this level of competition; he loses the services of Bejarano to Brave Act, but he has a live look to him in this spot with Talamo at the controls. |
| Red N Black Attack |
| He's flashed some ability through his first four starts and like the idea of him stretching out in distance for his second turf attempt; however, he might have a tough time avoiding an early pace dispute in this event. |
| Hello Frankie |
| Like Gallant Charm, he has just a single victory after many starts, and it looks like this gelding is much more comfortable sprinting than routing; the early pace in here figures to be lively, so it might be tough for him to keep something in reserve for the run through the lane. |
| Wine Stock |
| He's another who figure to be involved in the running early on while making his first start beyond 6 1/2f, and it would have been nice to have seen him show more in his turf debut in his latest outing; winner from latest won next out here on 3/28 going 6 1/2f over turf vs. 80k OPC's with an 84 Beyer. |
| Brave Act |
| Like to see what he's been doing lately, even if he was disqualified from first in his latest start, but it doesn't look like the shape of this race will favor him; like to see Bejarano aboard again, but it's going to be tough for this runner to avoid getting caught up in a fast and contested early pace. |
| Dancer Humor |
| He's run well in both of his starts over turf and he might even still have more to show us racing over grass; however, he seems to be at his best when he's involved in the running early on, and that might prove to be a tough way to go in here. |
| Patriots Rule |
| Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and multiple stakes winning dam won 5 of 10 turf starts for 254k; this gelding is a 1/2 to Candy's Sunrise (3-18, 145k, including 1 of 9 turf starts for 75k); Perez has won with 7 of 24 (30%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting. |
| Indygo Andy |
| Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam won once from six starts for 14k, and she didn't make a turf start; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 3/22 going 1 1/16m vs. 20k MCL's with a 67 Beyer. |
| Harness Mentality |
| He needs to see a scratch in order to draw in and a tough outside post awaits; he does appear to be in decent form at the moment, but looking at this as being a tough spot for him to land in if he gets to go. - Brian Pochman |
Race 10
| Toledo Eddie |
| Repeatedly proven fresh, this gelding has a penchant for finding the wire and he has enough speed to gain position from the rail; love the series of drills since the last victory and Dollase has a knack for horses like this; fits on the Beyer scale, can't fault those that bank on the threepeat. |
| Next Speaker |
| Under purchase price for this first time, colt has to prove he can handle dirt; he came back with a decent drill since the last effort and you can build a case for a stalk and pounce trip; must pick it up after last effort. |
| Too Fast to Pass |
| Nice little confidence builder in last; he was far from disgraced for this price at the beach last summer and nothing wrong with hitting the exacta in 9 of 20; note show horse was over 3 clear in last; can't fault those that stay or or jump on this bandwagon. |
| Explain |
| He has some back class off the stakes win at Pomona; Sadler offers him for sale right off the bat and would try to get a good look at him on the track; like the series of drills since last accentuated by the best of 51 bullet last Sunday; contention goes deep. |
| Airfoil |
| Long-fused runner will need things to break just right; he held his own for first time vs. winners and that experience should help him; there is plenty of speed in here to help promote the late punch; look for him down the middle of the track late. |
| Seeking the Sherif |
| Bothered in the only poor effort; protected last time and he was inching away late; must find a way to deal with Explain but he has brilliant speed and is going good now; another threat in a good betting race. |
| Raised a Secret |
| Mirror works since the race he had to need in last; last win came vs. state-breds and maybe he was just dead short in last; could slip in for a section at a price right back. |
| Battled |
| He did something two back you don't see everyday when he came back on after being headed; he has drilled steadily for his affair and the gate move last weekend should have him focused; needs to figure out a way how to deal with arch rival on direct outside. |
| Chief Lion |
| Maybe he hated the rail last time; wonder what happened to the :21 and change speed he used to flash?; drawn better here, he has the 2 races to build on now and Bejarano enticed; capable barn due to get rolling. |
| Master Cip |
| Lone win was a sprint but it was a long time ago; he was just pushing the envelope at 9 furlongs in last; he's been put through his motions since the last race accentuated by the blowout last Monday; rates upset glance. |
| Boompa |
| The spotty race record is a concern; connections thought enough of him to try the stakes after the debut but he has not threatened since; trainer has spotted them great this season and runner can bide his time from this slot; look for him late if at all. - Brian Mulligan |