Santa Anita: Closer Looks for December 26, 2013

Race 1

Angel Charge

Tries dirt again for the first time since beginning his career with a couple of dull efforts here last winter; grey draws the fence for th stretchout and maybe that helps him secure a decent spot early in a field without a lot of lick; not a whole bunch in here but he's yet to as much as hit the board and the dam's side of his pedigree suggests his best efforts should have come on the green.

Crusher

Earned a nice number when runner up at the level at Hollywood when sent long for just the second time in his third career start; removal of the hood did seem to get him going and his effort when beaten chalk here last month wasn't bad; guy who beat him in that one returns in this spot as well, but the inside draw and more likelihood of improvement may give this gelding an edge; off his last he's the main danger.

Bringon the Wain

Statebred stretches out after tiring from his pace efforts at the level at Hollywood last time; he hasn't been in good form for a while now and he's clearly had plenty of chances; expect he'll be close early for an outfit that does well with stretchouts, but don't know that he'll be able to offer enough late.

Tiz Futurity

He's another who has had his chances but he does often offer a solid late kick; he ran big in the near miss here in the fall and a repeat of that effort would put him in the thick of this one, but winning clearly doesn't look to be his top priority; limiting his use to underneath in exotics.

Mikey T

Drops to his lowest level while stretching back out in his return to dirt over which he ran a number good enough to win this in the fall; gelding is another who has had his share of tries, but he's better than these on his regular effort and with his speed sharpened he could find himself closer to the top here; one to beat.

Warren's Cliff S.

Showed solid early lick in his first crack back under this barn's claim but didn't have much to offer in the lane in his Hollywood finale; return to dirt could agree with him, but he hasn't hit the board in 3 local spins; maybe he wakes up some here, but his ceiling figures to be a minor award.

Gold Tie Please

Adds the hood for his return to dirt while making his first start for a barn that does nice work with this type; nice to see Bejarano take interest in this lightly raced gelding who certainly have a right to improve off the troubled run at Hollywood; consider.

Perfect Magic Man

Outside drawn 5 year old showed speed when drawn down inside sprinting at Hollywood last time, but he had nothing to offer thereafter; he'll try dirt for the initial time in this spot and has yet to post a drill over the footing; maybe he moves forward second time in shades, but it's tough to get excited about his chances, even in here. - Steve Grabowski

Race 2

Next Right

Offspring of Orientate, winner of the Breeders' Cup Sprint and 1.71 million overall, have scored in 54 out of 463 debuts; the dam won 1 of 8 and 29K; among the winning sibs is G1 pure sprinter Smiling Tiger who banked 1.45 million; respect.

Well Lawyered

Made a strong move to command in his turf debut earlier this month only to fade in the final yards; sprint effort 3 starts can be misinterpreted as it was his first outing in more than a year and involved a wide journey.

Profire

Sudden wake-up in October when switching to the main oval; his sire won 752K including G1 success while the dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 63K earner So Great; moderate workout regimen during the last month.

Forest Boy

Did not lose by much to Battled last month but had ideal position that day behind dueling speeds; ran a strong second in his last appearance at this course and needs a similar accelerated early pace now; legit exacta chances.

Battled

He will prove very dangerous if able to establish a daylight lead for a change; has been cooked in pace battles in the last pair and now cuts back an important sixteenth of a mile; bound to be overbet once again, however.

We Have Lift Off

New face shows an unusual work tab, featuring a series of drills at seven-eighths; the colt's sire went zero for 2 (descendants of Perfect Mandate have won 19 out of 169 initial starts); the dam went zero for 7; sib to 152K earner Perfect Hostess; puzzling. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Buckingham Bull

Flashy Bull has been a poor influence as a turf sire, but this miss is out of a dam who won 5 of 12 turf starts for 105k, and her turf form has been strong enough to suggest that she can run with these; Nakatani gets his share of live calls from this barn and he just missed aboard her last time.

Cavalletta

She's not the most consistent performer, and her 1-for-19 career mark is a reason to look in another direction for the top spot, but her best effort can get her into the mix against these; interesting to see blinkers getting scrapped and her career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned over this turf course.

Tiz Zoe Cee

She's meeting up with winners for the first time after breaking her maiden in an off-the-turf event and she's going to need to be ready to take her game to another level if she's planning on getting the better of these.

Joint Attempt

In four attempts against winners, she hasn't produced a truly competitive performance, and she was beaten by a few of today's rivals two starts back; she's another in here who will have to step up her game to see her number posted on top after this one.

Commander Cloud

She's never run a race that is fast enough to suggest that she can threaten the top contenders in here and she might even have a tough time trying to produce a late rally to land a minor award; third finisher from latest won next out at GG on 11/30 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. starter alw. rivals with a 70 Beyer.

Luckyvic

She's another in here with just a single victory after many starts, and when seeing that she hasn't been on top of her game lately, it's difficult to give her a favorable push; however, don't ignore the impact her early speed can have on the way that this race shapes up.

Amanda

Sire wins with approximately 16% of his turf starters and stakes placed dam won 3 of 16 starts for 127k, including 0-for-2 over turf; although against 20-18k maiden claimers, she was a sharp winner in her latest outing, and this really isn't a bad spot to find out what she can do over turf. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Drover Crazy

Projects to save groun then make one run; 56 days since his dull effort on SA dirt a career-low Beyer speed figure defeated by the show finisher who Beyered 99 in his next-out BHP-allowance victory; rallied to win graduating at longer over the track.

Got Even

Stakes-placed on SA dirt at 2.5F longer than when posting a career-best Beyer; has not raced this short since July, 2012; brief speed in latest while his last SA-dirt start was a last-place finish when defeated by Drover Crazy and the show runner a next-out 99 Beyer-BHP allowance winner.

Designer

Have to love the versatility winning on the lead and from off the pace; he has not done much wrong in 3 races; is a nose away from being 3-for-3; leaves the high-win percentage Baffert barn but claimed by a 29%-winning 1st-off-the buy trainer; clearly the more than year layoff and returning in a claimer were drawbacks heading into latest where he drew off like a good thing; his best Beyer was posted on SA dirt; the one to beat.

Hadfunlastnight

His 0-for-5 SA dirt record is a drawback but in his 2-back fade faced the winner who repeated in the Breeders' Cup Sprint with a 98 Beyer; dueled for the front in latst and in this event a number of these could press him hard up top; began career 2-for-2 on dirt winning in 2011 on the TUP-main track at 5F.

Wild Media

His last dirt start was the SA-maiden breaker at today's distance; scored that win gate-to-wire but hasn't made the lead since and this field is top heavy with other frontrunners; he 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 91 in his next-out BSR-optional-claiming victory; view as pace presence for part.

Door's Open

8 weeks since a dull effort on SA dirt; posted a career-best Beyer following a similar layoff at today's distance in October and a good sign the win rider returns again; beat some of these in latst; hopes to outlast the other gate speed.

Salutos Amigos

His 4-back SAR show finish vs. Grade 2 company represents a field-best Beyer speed figure; that huge number came with 50 days between starts today has 67 days to regroup off the turf loss a surface he dislikes; SA-dirt graduate at today's distance is a 1-time winner in a race vs. multiple winners; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 109 in his next-out BEL-G3 stakes victory.

Five Palms

Owns the right style here a closer in a race packed with inside gate speed; just 2 races during career so tons of upside but today will be start 1 on conventional dirt; his SA-bullet dirt workouts suggest he will love this surface while the debut victory looks better since the runner-up finisher Beyered 87 taking a BHP-MSW event next out; the pick.

Big Macher

Only dirt start was the maiden breaker when crushing the runner-up finisher who Beyered 75 in his next-out BHP-20K-maiden-claiming win; owns gate speed in a race filled with it but have to like the improving-Beyer pattern; view as a major presence from bell to finish; contender.

Omega Star

Have to go back to his December, 2012, career debut to see a race as short as 6F on his form; late runner's both wins at a half furlong longer than this; doing a rain dance his best Beyer on a wet-main track; last dirt start 2 back was vs. the winner who repeated in an SA alw. with a 97 Beyer. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Sweet Lulu

It's just tough to knock anything this G1 winner has done through her first six starts and like to see that she wasn't fazed by the rail post sprinting in her first two career starts; she can prove to be a tough out on the front end, and if a couple of these decide to get aggressive from the break, she's shown the ability to sit a trip if need be; note that it looks like Bejarano had other options to consider in here.

Heir Kitty

One of the better performances of her career was in a Grade 1 run over the main track here and this multiple stakes placed miss got back on top of her game with a sharp winning performance in her latest outing; can't count her out of it with Stevens getting the call.

Miss Lucky Sevens

She's shown ability from day one and respect the fact that she's improved along the Beyer Speed Figure scale since moving into this barn, but this has to be considered an extremely difficult spot for her to make her first start over a dirt surface.

Executiveprivilege

She's the only multiple graded stakes winner in this race, but not wild about what she's shown in her two starts this year, and her one start wearing blinkers prior to this resulted in a career low Beyer Speed Figure; she loses the services of Bejarano to Sweet Lulu, but Smith has won with 8 of 25 (32%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Journey On

Since a dull showing in her career debut, she hasn't run a bad race, and that includes a G3 stakes placing two starts back; however, this is easily her toughest test to date and it's difficult to envision her getting the better of this bunch.

My Happy Face

Like the idea of this G3 winner turning back in distance for this, and it's interesting to see how well she performed when narrowly beaten by today's rival Sweet Lulu at today's distance in the G1 Test at Saratoga, a race that saw her run well from far off of the early pace; she commands her share of respect with Rosario at the controls.

Madame Cactus

Five of her six starts have been quality ones and she was last seen earning a G2 win over the synthetic surface at Keeneland; runner up from latest won next out at FG on 11/29 going 1m over turf in a 72k stakes with a 94 Beyer; like to see the way that she performed in her only start over this surface. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Outside Nashville

Not only does he look like he's at his best racing over a synthetic surface, but he appears to be better off sprinting than routing; respect the fact that Hollendorfer sees fit to sign him up for this, but prefer to look toward others.

Tiz a Minister

Like the idea of giving this G3 winner more distance to work with after a stakes placing sprinting down the hill when last seen, and there is a chance that a few of these will heat things up on the front end to help give this stone-cold closer a favorable setup; nevertheless, this isn't an easy spot for him to be seeking his first turf win.

Educated Guess

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his turf starters and dam was winless from six starts, and she didn't make a turf start; he's been very good in winning his first two career starts, but this is a tough assignment for his first turf test, and he loses the services of Maldonado to another in here.

Dice Flavor

He's a multiple graded stakes winner, and one of those wins was earned over turf, but he must bounce back from a couple of starts that were well below par for him; not willing to count him out of it, but feel that his two most recent races are cause for concern.

Horizontalyspeakin

He's going to need to show up with the race of his life to get the better of this group, but like what he's done since removing blinkers five starts ago, and Sadler must feel that he's going well at the moment to sign him up for this; at the very least, he figures to play a role in the way that this race shapes up.

Gervinho

The next time this multiple stakes winner runs a bad race will be the first time and this colt has run well against some strong competition in recent starts; this is a sharp barn that has had kind of a quiet 2013, but they're in with a good chance to end the year on a positive note.

Procurement

He's another late running type who needs to see some pieces fall into place and this colt has been beaten by a few of today's rivals in recent starts; the graded stakes ranks haven't been all that kind to him prior to this, and perhaps a minor award is the ceiling.

No Jet Lag

Don't want to ignore the presence of Smith aboard another in here, but this gelding loses nothing with Rosario taking over, and he's been very sharp in three consecutive starts since arriving in America; third-place finisher from latest won next out at BHP on 11/29 going 1 1/16m over turf in a G2 with a 99 Beyer.

Tom's Tribute

He's done little wrong since breaking poorly from the rail post in his career debut and viewing it as a positive indicator that Smith lands here; he deserves a shot at graded stakes competition and it doesn't hurt to see that he owns the ability to adapt to any early pace scenario; feel that there's plenty to be positive about in this direction.

Si Sage (FR)

He showed a little something in his first two starts after arriving in America, but he's yet to show us that he can get the job done at this level of competition; maybe he still hasn't shown us his best stuff yet, but prefer to look toward others. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Syndicated

Gelding must prove it on conventional dirt but the way he's trained here suggests he has taken to the surface; show horse in the $50K claimer two back cashed next out in a $40K seller with an 83 Beyer; reformed claimer was with the wraps again last time and he is 0 for 2 with them; too late from this very rail two back; try to get a good look at him on the track before taking a swing.

Shakin It Up

Superstars like Round Table, Native Diver, Buckpasser, J.O. Tobin, Ferdinand and Spectacular Bid have won this race over the decades and last year Jimmy Creed rebounded from a poor run in the BC Sprint to come from 4th inching away late in 1:20.36 to post a winning 105 Beyer; nice to see Flores back in Cali but he has been winning in bunches in the Bayou; colt is proven fresh and this tricky trip and he may have not adored the Sunland surface; drilling like he means business as you would suspect from a Baffert charge, value should be there with this guy.

Heir of Storm

Proven here and at this demanding distance; nice; former connections thought enough of him last year to try the stakes; whatever got into him last time is anybody's guess; he had never shown anything like the ability to go :43 and change and was inching away late; love the series of drills since last effort and the show horse in last cashed next out in an N1X with a 99 Beyer; with the 4 horses on the outside having speed, there should be enough pace to help the cause; soph gets the acid test.

Flashback

Almost overcame the slow start in the last effort and he may have hated the rail to boot; note he was nearly 5 clear in defeat; he doesn't have to be over 5 lengths back this time and the gate drill on the 16th suggests he is feeling pretty good about himself; the blood sure is there too as full sister Zazu took a Grade 1 on the way to a near $700K career; could see this running sitting a nice stalk and pounce trip with anything near a clear start; respect.

Zeewat

Hung wide from marooned slot after shipping 3,000 miles two back, but colt was extra game in his debut at this trip; 9/21 place horse cashed next out in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler, then was out of the money in the G1 Cigar; love the series of drills since the Damascus and the 7-furlong spins should have him dead fit; this guy is a fighter and he can win a slugfest if that is how it shakes out.

Demonic

If you figure he just needed the last then one could make a case for an improvement here; bet like a good thing in the debut but he was fully extended to get up; runner showed renewed energy in the drill last Thursday but similar to the rail, this one-time winner is giving away a ton of experience; needs very best.

Central Banker

Too late against 3 rivals in last and this is a tougher assignment; not sure he was beating anything special in the last win at Saratoga; the place horse that day returned to press and faded in a good stakes and has just passed the N2X level; runner was nearly 6 clear in last though and the Beyer was impressive; rates upset glance.

Holy Lute

He's trained solidly here but the wins came at the beach; nice try considering the off going in Indiana but he got no respect in the Dirt Mile and fans were right on the money; he was 4 wide in that race and figures to be getting into the mix late, if at all.

Zee Bros

Fried in the duel in the Belmont finale; youngster has trained quickly for this and he brings sub :22 speed to the party; winner of the June swoon took a G2 next out with a 102 Beyer, lost next several; Capo Bastone exited the June 8 race to win the Grade 1 Kings Bishop with the same figure; show horse in the Chick Lang took a $60K stakes at Monmouth next out with a 96 Beyer; with the other Baffert runners a bit speed challenged, look for this guy to be sent hard to get a legit pace in play; interesting.

Bakken

Freaky good to kick it off and a nice ride in last as pilot slowed it down early and was coming away late; plenty of chances in Florida for this guy so the fact that he ships speaks volumes; runner has a right to grow into his skin too as kin Justwhistledixie won multiple Grade 2s, earned nearly $450K in 12 starts; toss anything from this very clever barn at own risk; his trainer in Ed Golden's SA notes, Brown: He always showed a lot of talent in the morning. It just took him time to get to the races. We have a lot of confidence in him.

Distinctiv Passion

Toss the Del Mar races and the form brightens; Bonde has been setting him down in the a.m. of late and this guy has been up to the task; place horse in the October finale flattered this runner by taking the BC Dirt Mile before pressing and fading in the Cigar; drawn right, fact there is a route winner in the family helps the concept the he can get this distance; there is speed inside and outside of him and that extra furlong could be hard to negotiate.

Our Double Play

Pushed along in the Clark, runner just had nothing left with the real racing began; runner has Eastern speed, but could find it hard keeping up this time; the horse he beat 2 back was a troubled 4th at 6-1 in the Clark; this is a nice colt but this is also a far cry from winning a $100K stakes on the stretch out. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Run for Pleasure

Colt walked out of the gate and now he has to contend with the rail; dam was unraced; 3 of 4 siblings won; none won at 2 but full bro Pleasure to Ride took 6 of 26, banked over $230K; more experienced pilot for this, expect better effort.

Magna Warrior

Magna Graduate 7 for 41 with juvenile firsters; sire won twice at 2, won a number of Grade 3s, earned over $2.5 million; dam out of the money twice; the sibling that won cashed at 2 but was only one for 18; clever move on the 9th.

Dream Totem

This is a first-time gelding; took his share of action but was only around briefly; stakes winning 3 for 12 dam was third in only start at 2, banked over $100K; all 4 siblings won; 2 won at 2 including stakes winner, 11 for 40 racer and near $400K earner Streakin Mohican; drop should help homebred.

Matzoh Ball Magic

Eventful starts so far, pretty nice drill last Friday should have him on his toes; 5 for 35 dam didn t go at 2, earned a grand a start; the lone sibling took juvenile debut in Panama going 5 furlongs on a slow surface in 1:01.40 in a maiden $5K seller; must pick it up.

Confisio

Wide three times, like the fact he has been stabled locally; 2 for 9 dam was sprint only as older horse; all 3 siblings won; none won at 2, one cashed over $60K; if he can run at all, he figures to show it here.

Tax Enough

Even after the solid second two back fans didn't pounce on this guy at 4-1 and runner was just a brief threat; 11/15 show horse graduated next out and the winner repeated in a $40K starter with a 72 Beyer; needs a rebound run.

Thunders Echo

A bit more keen to run on the stretch out, maybe it helped his stamina; place horse in the debut graduated next out in a Grade 1, then ran 4th twice; winner of bow inhaled Havana next out to win the BC Juvenile with an 88 Beyer; dam was unraced; 2 of 4 siblings won, neither at 2, one earned over $40K; clean start and it could be a new ballgame.

Mr. Cactus

First time for sale since being claimed but lack of speed must be addressed; first time on the conventional dirt as Bejarano hired; probably a late threat if at all.

Toomuchinformation

Off the rail, drop is logical after three non-efforts; dam 0 for 3; 2 of 3 siblings won; neither cashed at 2, one earned nearly $60K; due to show some semblance of ability.

New Order

Best speed came with the blinks off and they are removed for this; 2 for 13 dam didn't go at 2, earned over $50K; the sibling that won cashed 3 times as older horse, banked over $55K; like the draw, nice drill last week.

Warrensbrotherbill

Gelding hooked clear winner but was losing ground late; dam out of the money thrice; 2 of 4 siblings won; neither won at 2, one earned nearly $80K; could pressure the pace.

Primal Lad

An ice cube on the tote and he ran like a poor choice; dam was unraced; both siblings won once, one cashed at 2; has some things to iron out.

Common Confusion

Fourth new pilot takes the reins and at least he showed a little zip; 3 for 18 dam didn t go at 2, banked about $75K; 3 of 6 sibs won; one cashed at 2, top earner Rite Moment took a Grade 2, banked nearly $400K; rates legit look if he rolls.

Hallett Boy

This is a first-time gelding; Pomona debut okay, but from since leaves much to be desired; dam was unraced; 7 of 8 siblings won; 4 won at 2, top kin Alpine Sport earned over $230K; Market Notes exited the 12/5 race to take a maiden $30K claimer, 5th finisher that day took a maiden $32K GG even next out and the winner was 2nd beaten a nose in a $40K starter; needs a turn around. - Brian Mulligan