Santa Anita: Closer Looks for December 27, 2013

Race 1

Winninginfashion

Boasts a speed and fade line when shades were added for her first run off this barn's claim; filly didn't run so well after breaking poorly at the local trip and level 2 back but she has worked ok for her return to this footing and she'll likely be hustled from this inside slot; she hasn't looked very good at all, but they'll probably have to come and get her to win.

Kylee's Star

Last out runner up as the chalk did get closer on the drop to this level in her return from the break; she doesn't have any speed and that's a big concern in a cozy heat like this one as she goes for an outfit that doesn't do so well with its runners second back from the break; still, she figures to be doing her better running in the lane and looks to be the one to fear late.

For the People

Connections are capable of firing first out and they couldn't have found a much softer spot for this gray's debut; her sire gets 11% winners from his newcomers and the dam was a G1 SW and today's local trip while banking 590K and dropping 2 winners from 3 foals to race; obvious concern is the fact she's in for such a cheap tag.

I'm No Patsy

No one in here has run as fast on dirt as this gal did going a little shorter in her first crack over the local main track a couple of months back; added panel may not be ideal for her, but she has been working well of late for a profitable return outfit and there's not a whole bunch in this heat; contender.

The Mothership

Drops from the Cal bred MSW ranks to face open claimers in her second career start; 4 year old gets off the fence and that could be a big help as she gets on the footing she's been based over for some time; dirt moves suggest a big move forward could be on tap today. - Steve Grabowski

Race 3

Rough Passage

Commendable first run last month after a slow getaway; his sire won 6 of 15 starts and 148K (all victories in sprints); the dam never made it to the starting gate; among the winning siblings is 145K earner Attendant; worth following up.

The Admiral

The probable favorite in light of a sharp showing 20 days ago, a race above average in overall quality; his sire won multiple G1s and 3.07 million; the dam won 8 of 22 and 239K; winning sibs include G1 Madcap Escapade who netted 1.05 million.

Cool Samurai

Closed with a rush first time out at Belmont but that was around one turn; his sire won multiple G1s and 915K while the dam went zero for 6 lifetime; there are no winning siblings to report; difficult call with the switch to the round mile.

Icy Ride

Same profile as several of the others in this small group: closing well in his maiden voyage after a so-so start; this colt's sire was undefeated, a multiple G1 winner who banked 749K; the dam won 2 of 10 attempts and 110K; sib to 10K earner After Josh.

Fuzzy Logic

Seems a natural for the extension in distance; his sire won a G1 and 597K while the dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 99K earner Hand I Was Dealt; met a quick group in his unveiling back in June; consider. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Hanserella

Good-gate speed and hopes to carry her speed this far but has Sea John's Spirit and Autumn View to battle with from the gate; posted a field-best Beyer speed figure 2-back at today's distance on SA grass; favored loss on synthetic in last and clearly is in best form on turf currently; curious the rider from her huge 2-back attempt sides with Autumn View for this.

Hot and Pleasing

The winner and runner-up finishers from last posted 80-79 Beyer speed figures in next-out BHP alw. and SA-MSW wins; 9%-winning fresh trainer off the 74-day absence does not add to the appeal; has not raced this short of a distance since October, 2012; her best Beyer at 1 Mile suggests we take a wait and see approach and wait for longer than 6.5F.

Velvet Mesquite

Has been working like a runner; sire is 60-for-338 with 1st-turf starters; 117-for-724 with debut runners; is out of an unraced dam who produced 3 winners from 4 other foals to race including 1-for-3 turfer Vaundell (51K grass).

Little Unusual

Was no match for these in November the last time cutting back to 6.5F; back with blinkers on she compiled a 13-0-1-1 record with the hood on from October, 2011, to January '13; the 2-back runner-up finisher graduated next out in a BHP-MSW event with a 76 Beyer.

Yes She's Unusual

Sire is 20-for-341 with 1st-turf starters; 91-for-634 with debut runners; is out of a stakes-winning dam (5-for-24, 332K) who went 4-for-22 on turf (319K); her only other foal to race did 0-for-1 Christmas Mirage did not race on the green.

Van Dien Avenue

47 days since fadiing in a key race; has gate speed in a race top heavy with early zip; the 4th and 7th-place finishers from last both Beyered 73 in next-out TUP alw. and BHP-25K-claiming wins; cuts back to her shortest-distance test since June.

Diablita

Sire is 14-for-113 with 1st-turf starters; 30-for-205 with debut runners; 6-0-2-0 dam (11K) did not race on grass; 1 of 2 foals to race is a winner (9-for-42 Lil Dish 79K who did not race on turf); others appeal more.

Autumn View

Speedster figures to be a pace presence from bell to finish here; the great news is the regular rider stays right here despite seemingly having other options; just her 2nd start since June, 2012, but gave a good accounting of herself in last and her best surface has been turf; beat the 3-back show runner an 84 Beyer BHP-MSW next-out graduate.

Tickle Again

Exits back-to-back Beyer Tops the latest at today's distance on SA grass 54 days ago for a high-percentage fresh trainer; the 2-back narrow loss looks better since the winner and runner-up Beyered 80-79 in next-out BHP alw-SA-MSW wins; figures to be flying late in a race loaded with gate speed; the pick.

Sea John's Spirit

Only turf start was a last-place finish which is the main knock against; figures as one of the ones to catch here off the favored-fresh loss which represents a career-best Beyer; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 76 in her next-out BHP-MSW graduation.

Heavens Stairway

Sire is 14-for-113 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam; 1 of 2 foals to race is a grass winner (2-for-4 Risky Reward 86K green); adds a half furlong for the surface switch when she has been outfinished in both losses; likely presses the pace wide. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Oh Daddy Oh

Hood comes off for his return to the footing of his 2 back maiden score over fellow Cal breds; gelding does have plenty of early foot but there's a lot of that commodity in here and drawn doesn inside he figures to be under the gun from the bell; tough task taking these all the way.

Street Icon

He's working well for his first start in half a year for this new barn; his speed kept up with early season stakes runners second out at Hollywood and he's proven that he can fire fresh; maybe he fits better at this level, but he's yet to try the dirt and there is quite a bit of lick signed on.

Papa Turf

Speedy colt was no match for Shared Belief in the G3 Hollywood Prevue, but that guy is one of the top juveniles in the country so there's little disgrace in that front running performance; he'll return to the dirt over which he was able to kick off his pace challenger in the maiden breaker 2 starts back, but the concern is the heat's pace scenario as several look to want the same spot early that he looks to occupy.

Beach Hut

He's another exiting the stakes ranks after finishing off the board; he was visually impressive in breaking his maiden first out at the local trip and he proved in that one that he's capable of tracking the leaders and that ability could play out quite well for him in a field full of speed; if he gets the scenario that looks on paper as it may play out, he could be the fresh legs in the lane; contender.

Chitu

They paid 300K for this guy in training earlier in the year and he didn't disappoint while wiring his debut field from the fence in quick time; that one came over synthetic footing but he's been working lights out over the local dirt for Baffert in preparation for his first with winners and the move off the rail should allow him to settle early this time; looks like they'll have him to beat.

Benny Time

Outside drawn colt ships down here from Golden Gate off the front running debut score; he's worked like he'll take to the local main track, but he wasn't asked to settle from a tougher outside starting slot in his maiden score and now he'll take on some foes who have already run faster; consider. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Akiss Forarose

Stakes placed filly enters this race off of a sub par performance, but maybe the sprint distance is to blame, and despite the 1-for-21 race record, she's shown enough routing over turf to merit contender status against these; note that her career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned over this turf course.

Krazypapaya

She's been a very consistent performer and she looks like she fits right in with this level of competition; she's one of two in here with more than a single win next to her name, and perhaps her latest victory at TuP can serve as a confidence builder.

Warren's Rosebud

Her form appears to be heading in the wrong direction at the moment, but still feel that it's probably a good idea to respect her chances for the type of effort that she's capable of on her best day; she's a solid fit at this level of competition.

Flaxen Maiden

Simply feel that her best effort is short of the mark of what it will take to get the job done in this spot and note that she was soundly defeated by a couple of today's rivals just two starts back.

Kathleen Rose

She looks like she can prove to be the dominant early speed in here, and based on what she's done in her last three starts, including her two most recent starts over turf, she has to be considered a gate-to-finish threat; she appears to be well meant while getting a rider switch to Bejarano.

Warren's Dixi Bell

She seemed to agree with the move to turf in her latest outing but she is going to need to step it up over that performance to get the better of this field; that said, she is lightly raced, so the possibility of an improved performance isn't out of the question.

Mangita

Sire wins with approximately 17% of his turf starters and dam was winless from one start, and it wasn't a turf start; this filly is a full to stakes placed Cyclometer (4-16, 270k, including 1 of 3 turf starts for 51k); third finisher from latest won next out at BHP on 5/30 going 1 1/16m vs. 16-14k N2L claimers with a 65 Beyer. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Anythingtogeteven

Gelding seemed on the verge after the November finale and then was put in a tougher spot; he has some semblance of speed but not sure he can make the top with the sprinters going long; cozy slot can't hurt as Bejarano takes the reins and note he was over 5 clear 11/23; due.

Reps and Warrants

Off the rail and he should have his sea legs under him by now; sire was a proven router; dam took 4 sprints and a turf race; multiple siblings won routing and kin One Chin Again banked over $100K; would have liked to have seen a local drill.

Runaway Que

He passed tired horses two back, needs help up front here; place horse in the SA finale returned to beat rival on the direct inside on 12/5; both of sire's wins were routes; dam was sprint only; this is he first to race; looms late threat here.

Cactus Shines

Debuted vs. winners, hung wide, and now off a career Beyer; sire was unraced; dam 0 for 3; she dropped several sprint winners and one banked nearly $170K; the speed component of the Mullins; look for Garcia to send and try to steal it.

Bluegrass Fox Trot

Arguably his best race came in the stakes; the last race came back okay as the place horse took a MSW and 9th finisher took a maiden $40K seller next out; in good hands, backers have to hope the drop shakes him up.

Papa's Paisley

Mirror races in the last pair but he only beat one to the wire in the local debut; sire was sprint only; dam was unraced; 2 siblings won long including 6-time route winner Tour for Love; another slice?

Still Unbroken

He caught career splits and could not keep up; show horse in last graduated in this very league and the winner repeated in a $40K starter with a 72 Beyer; both of dam s wins were sprints; this is her first to race; should give a very good account of himself.

Samurai Assault

Drops here but is still in for double his purchase price; sire proved stamina taking Fountain of Youth; dam was unraced; both siblings won multiple times, earned about $170K a piece but were sprint only; like the series of local works.

Illybilly Boy

At least the Beyers are going in the right direction; sire was sprint only but was third beaten a head in a mile at Anita; dam took 5 sprints, earned over $100K; this is her first to race; needs very best.

Heaveneleven

Poor starts twice, and then he took the overland route; half of sire's wins were routes; dam carried speed long successfully; this is her first to race; could be compromised by the post today. - Brian Mulligan