Santa Anita: Closer Looks for December 29, 2013

Race 1

Warren's Empire

Affirmative 1 for 23 with juvenile firsters; sire lost all 4 starts; dam 0 for 2; this is her first to race; like the spacing of the drills including the blowout on Thursday; must come out running to flee the fence.

Cause Ur My Babe

Been given time since decent run at the beach; dam was unraced; several multiple race winners in the family; top earner Wild Babe won at 2, earned nearly $300K; fresh and dangerous.

Wired for Fun

She could have sulked after the poor start but miss finished with interest; this gal has teased several times, needs help with an honest pace, but if she gets it, she could make some noise.

Singleinthelast

Probably from off the pace for this gal; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; the hotter the pace the better for this racer.

Made to Worship

Ministers Wild Cat 10 for 88 with first-time juveniles; sire was 2nd in only start at 2, took 6 of 22, banked nearly $370K; Grade 3 winning 3 for 7 dam earned nearly $170K, didn't go at 2; this is her first to race; homebred sure looks fit enough; respect.

Betty Bing Bing

Steadied early and she lost her best chance; 4 for 12 dam didn t go at 2, earned $150K; both siblings won, neither won at 2, one banked nearly $50K; if she reverts back to the debut, she'll make some noise here.

Roman Express

Roman Ruler about 12% debuting juveniles in a 153-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, won the Haskell here, banked over $1.2 million; 3 for 16 dam was third in best result at 2; this is her first to race; drills well spaced and if she flashes speed, it may benefit stablemate on the direct outside.

Shakeitupbetty

Considering the poor start, the debut was solid; 4 for 12 dam earned about $140K, didn't go at 2; this is her first to race; another threat in a pretty solid effort. - Brian Mulligan

Race 3

Tale of Power

The DQ'd winner and 7th-place finishers from last posted SA-MSW and BHP-20K-maiden-claiming wins next out (87-65 Beyer speed figures); Grade 1-dirt route sire won at 10F; dam won twice at 1M on dirt including an SA allowance victory.

Airfoil

36%-winning-fresh trainer off the 65-day absence adds to the appeal; posted a bullet-gate workout for this; the 2nd highest Beyer of his career occurred in an SA-dirt route; field-best speed figure was posted on a synthetic surface; main concern is that he was outfinished by Crucero the last time sent today's Mile distance.

Modern Empire

Sire is a BEL-Stakes winner at 1M and a half; sire is 42-for-371 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 1-for-11 Grade 1-placed dam (190K) won at 6.5F on dirt but went 0-for-4 in dirt routes; her only other foal to race is 1-for-6 Riolama (82K) who only raced on turf winning 2nd-time out in a route.

Seeking the West

Adds blinkers for the 1st time a high-win percentage angle for his trainer; 48 days since a mild rally on a synthetic surface; he has never raced on dirt; the 2-back runner-up finisher won his 2 next starts with 78 Beyers; the 3-back runner-up Beyered 80 in his next-out SA-MSW victory.

Scarly Charly

Freshened up for SA dirt a winning angle for his trainer; 80 days since a sharp show finish vs. the runner-up who Beyered 86 twice in his 2 next-out BHP wins; he beat the 7th-place finisher from last an 83 Beyer BHP-MSW next-out graduate; was nosed by the 3-back winner who Beyered 97-93 in next-out SA-OPC and allowance wins.

Perfect Set

Super-long layoff trainer moves him to dirt for the 1st time; best finish was off a similar-long rest; the 111-pound assignment is the lightest of his career; mild worktab on display for the new trainer; the 3-back winner repeated with an 82 Beyer taking an SA-OPC.

Crucero

Reunites with the rider of his near-miss DMR runner-up finish over the summer; have mixed reviews from his dirt form but his 2-back Mile race over the track was rock solid when even more was expected as the favorite; needs the inside speed to fall apart in deep stretch because he will be rallying strongly. - Art Gropper

Race 4

Lilbourne Eliza (IRE)

She took a step in the right direction in her second attempt sprinting over turf when last seen and the winner of that race returned to win next out at BHP on 12/12 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. N2X alw. rivals with an 84 Beyer.

Madre Luna

She's developed a nice level of consistency to her game and the 80 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest effort represents the best last race figure in this field; she's eligible to be ready for a sharp try while making her second start back from a layoff.

Zanbo

A case can be made for this filly being better off routing than sprinting but she ran well from off the pace sprinting down the hill just two starts ago, a race that saw her beat a couple of today's rivals; note that Bejarano has been aboard for a couple of her better efforts.

Escape Act

The sub par performance after a layoff in her latest start is a concern, but her turf form prior to that had been quite good; winner from latest won next out at BHP on 12/7 going 6f vs. 62k OPC's with an 83 Beyer and 3rd finisher won next out at BHP on 12/7 going 1 1/16m vs. N1X alw. rivals with a 77 Beyer.

Fadeintoinfinity (GB)

She didn't run badly sprinting down the hill in her first start in America and she returns to Southern California while making her first start for a barn that does well with new acquisitions; runner up from latest won next out at AP on 5/24 going 5f over turf vs. 75k OPC's with a 79 Beyer.

Tribal Spy

She finished behind a couple of these in her latest start, but she did go to post as the favorite in that race, and she's only two races removed from a stakes placing sprinting down the hill; she has the look of a legitimate player in this spot; winner from latest won next out at BHP on 12/12 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. N2X alw. rivals with an 84 Beyer.

Heat Du Jour

Her recent form has been her best, and she posted a victory in her latest start sprinting down the hill; however, she's going to need to see a few of these show up with less than their best to have a chance at something more than a minor award.

Black Witch

Majestic Warrior has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this filly hasn't made much of an impression in her two starts over turf prior to this; it's tough to give her a favorable push against these based on what she's shown so far. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Noise of the Crowd

Returns from the break after tiring as the chalk on the class rise over the course; she looked good in victory after fighting off a pace challenge against cheaper 2 back here but there is some other speed signed on so he'll likely again have to work from the bell; consider.

Thermal Nermal

Cuts back to try the hill while dropping a bit in price for her first start since the spring; filly was pretty solid going long on the local sod last year and she did handle a sprint trip earlier in her career; barn boasts excellent numbers with its fresh runner so with a solid recent worktab in tow, expect this gal will return running.

Cayanna

She's been away better than 10 months since just missing on this course at the level, behind one of the gals she'll catch again in here; mare hasn't won in over 2 years but she does like the local sod; barn's fresh numbers suggest she'll be better next time.

Tribal Dress

Speedy sophomore makes her first start on the lawn here for an outfit that hasn't had any recent luck with the move; filly steps up to tackle older in this one and her SP dam was 0 for 3 on the green, but her other 2 foals to race are a first time surface winner and the impressive main track SW Sunday Rules, a 130K earner and a perfect 2 for 2 on the track; sire gets 16% winners from his first time turfers.

Blushing Martha

Gets back to the hill over which she won the last time she started on it last winter; she does have solid tactical foot and is always in the picture early; maybe the wide trip did her in when dropped to this level at Hollywood, but she's got some moving forward to do to get in the mix here.

Distant Image

Got run down when stretched out on the Hollywood lawn at this level last month and now she'll move back to the hill; filly is a decent sprinter, but her record over the local sod makes it tough to get excited about her chances of moving forward in this spot; maybe for a share.

All On the Table

Returns at the level of the barn's last out claim after being beaten just over a length in her return to the green at Hollywood; she owns some back number that fit pretty well in this spot and her most recent try down the hill against better puts her right in the thick of this one; with only 4 starts under her belt this year she's worth a look.

Tribal Chatter

Wired a Hollywood main track field at this level a couple of weeks ago and now she'll get back to the lawn; she does own a win on the green but that came against maidens and she hasn't been able to step over the stuff with winners; prefer to side against the repeat.

Creditcardroulette

Wasn't beaten much after sitting a ground saving spot on the Hollywood lawn last month and now she'll get back to the hill over which she hasn't been a threat in 2 tries; maybe her last is a sign she's set to move forward, but a minor award looks to be her ceiling in here.

Joeandbetty'sbaby

Three year old draws outside for her return to facing older while being offered for a tag for the first time since this barn took her at Del Mar; she looked good running the pacesetters down over this course in early fall but she got a pretty solid clip in front of her that day and hasn't been able to replicate the effort; with a sharp recent drill in tow maybe she's set to roll again against these; contender.

Spiced Latte

Speedy router cuts back to try the hill for the first time after again tiring on the Hollywood lawn; her lone crack over the local sod did come in the overnight stakes ranks and she wasn't beaten much that day; expect she'll have a little more to offer in the lane today. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Passing Shower

Sire gets 13% first out winners from his offspring and the G2 SP dam was a limited route winner prior to dropping this gal; barn does a decent job getting them ready and they began this gal's preparation in New York this summer so they likely believe she's better on dirt that the synthetic footing she's been working over of late.

Star Sighting

Sire hits with 14% of his debut runners and the SW dam won 4 times, including 1 sprint, while banking 134K; filly's 3 sibs to race are all winners including a multiple SW overseas and J.B.'s Thunder, a debut winner and 280K earner who took Keeneland's G1 Breeders' Futurity this fall; 375K yearling buy isn't working as quickly as her stablemates generally do, but the barn certainly knows how to get them ready.

One More

She's one of just a few in here with racing experience which provides her with an edge in that regard over the newcomers; they did think enough of her to try the boys in stakes company first time out and she wasn't beaten all that much in that debut run; maybe the move to dirt helps as she did work sharply from the local gate last week and the new hood could move her up significantly.

Greenfield d'Oro

Sire gets 10% first out winners and the dam was a Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner who banked 1.3 million while winning 8 sprints; her lone sib finished off the board in his sprint debut; barn's been on a poor run with its newcomers of late, but this gal has certainly been working over the local main track as if she has some ability.

Fashion Plate

Earned a field best number when third at Hollywood in her return from 4 months on the shelf; 340K in training buy this spring was short in her Del Mar debut, but she has shown some speed and up close early is a good spot to be in inexperienced maiden heats; she's working as if she likes the dirt and will have to be beaten.

Mum

Sire gets 12% debut winners from his runners and the dam was winless from 3 starts prior to dropping winners from each of her foals to race including 300K earner Hightap who was a multiple G3 SW router; they paid 400K for her last year and she does boast some solid local morning moves for a profitable first out barn.

Reckless Tink

Ships in from Kentucky off a couple of weak sprints spins; filly did show some first out lick and she worked well on synthetic footing last week for this, but both of her dam's wins did come routing so maybe she gets better when they stretch her out.

Beverly the Boss

Sire has seen 21% of his first out runners win and the unraced dam dropped 2 limited winners; 250K in training by debuts for an outfit that excels right out of the box and this gal's recent drills say that she can run a little; expect she'll be live today.

Ann's Gold

Sire gets 14% winners from his debut runners and the dam was 0 for 14 on the track; all 4 of this gal's sibs to race are winners including 2 who won first out and G1 SP juvenile Emerald Gold; she'll start from the outside slot and maybe that helps keep her out of trouble; works aren't much but a hustling pilot gets aboard for an outfit that is profitable in the debut category while showing just one recent first out winner. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Becky Lou

All four of her turf starts since arriving in America have been good ones and she enters this race off of what can be viewed as being the sharpest performance of her career; she's stepping back up in class for this but feel that she's capable of making noise in here if she's ready for another top try.

Playful Humor

After struggling a little to get to her first career win, she's won three of her last four starts, but she's never run a race that is strong enough to suggest that she can be competitive against graded stakes competition; she has the look of an outsider.

Moone's My Name (GB)

Like to see the versatility she's shown in her three starts since arriving in America and she enters this race off of what can be viewed as being an ideal conditioner; she shows up for a strong turf barn and Bejarano has won with 32 of 104 (30%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Gulsary (IRE)

She finished behind today's rival Moone's My Name in her latest start and she's going to need to produce a much sharper performance to get over on the top contenders in this spot; respect the fact that she has top connections behind her, but looking toward others.

Stormy Lucy

Multiple Grade 1 stakes placed filly appears to be on top of her game right now and she'll appreciate the class relief after taking a shot in the Matriarch in her latest start; she has to be considered a top contedner while going out for a barn and rider that win a lot of races together.

Champagneandcaviar

Stakes winning filly has run well in back-to-back starts since moving into this barn, but she's going to need to take her game to another level to have a shot at the top spot in this one; going to look for her to be involved in the running through the opening stages, but others figure to have more to offer through the lane.

Customer Base

One of two signed on in here for the Proctor barn, and even though there might be something to be said for Stevens piloting the other one, this stakes winning miss merits respect as a contender; her latest effort was a very sharp run and the winner of that race returned to win a G1 here on 12/1 going 1m over turf with a 97 Beyer.

Nickels Wild

Her overall form has been solid, but she finds herself faced with an extremely tough assignment as she gets ready to meet up with winners for the first time; strictly an outsider.

Appealing (IRE)

She's run well against graded stakes competition in her two most recent starts and she nearly pulled off a big upset when sent to post at just under 35-1 two races ago; she's a legitimate player in this spot and there might be some value to be had in this direction. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Grammy Times Six

Dropper lands cozy slot; dam s lone win was a sprint; family is solid; all 8 siblings won; several won routing including over $400K earner Speak Logistics; trainer spotted them just fine this year with limited starters.

Raja's Rose

She split the field in the local debut; note runner was well clear two back; she has shown the ability to pass horses but is due to get there.

Chicago Angel

Mirror races in last pair and she s lost for a tag already; dam 0 for 2; this is her first to race; may need softer to shine.

Cheeky Stone

Between horses now twice, and that s never comfortable for young horses; sire routed with ease; dam lost 9 times; this is her first to race; should be pushing the issue.

Mini Candy

Bet like a good thing but she never got rolling; unbeaten sire routed for fun; dam was unraced; the full sibling to win carried speed long on grass, banked over $100K; can't fault those that give her another shot.

Semtex

Tough to concede 10 or 12 lengths and get it done; sire known as sprinter but did take a route; Grade 1 winning dam was route only, banked nearly $450K; both siblings won including 4-race route winner and over $400K earner Bowman's Causeway; must hurry.

Big Rosie Brown

Lost best chance when she walked out of the gate; sire won Derby proving stamina; dam was unraced; the sibling to win Jomelo won long twice, banked over $300K; has some things to iron out.

Impeccably

Nice try up north but she just failed at crunch time; dam was unraced; all 3 siblings won; one cashed twice routing in the minor leagues; would expect bug to be aggressive from the get go.

Warrens Lil Margie

The freshening seems to have helped this gal; sire was a non-winner; dam lost 4 times; there is a route winner in the family; has to be left in the mix.

Notonthefirstdate

Been a bad actress at the gate; sire took a stakes routing; dam's lone win came on grass in a sprint; the top sibling won routing once and banked nearly $100K; looking elsewhere.

Mudge

A couple of regressions since the debut opener; dam took a stakes won 3 sprints; lone half sister won 4 times, all sprints; rates legit glance if scratches are kind.

Filli Vanilli

Maybe she was intimidated by the rail last time; dam was unraced; 4 of 6 siblings won; top kin Tanquerray took grass routes, banked over $100K; backers have to hope the drop shakes her up. - Brian Mulligan