Santa Anita: Closer Looks for February 1, 2014

Race 2

High Jinks (BRZ)

She shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with Boller Bomb and she earned that figure when coming up just a nose short to that rival; she looks like a solid fit at this level of competition and a repeat of her latest performance places her squarely in the mix against these.

Buckingham Bull

Flashy Bull has been a poor influence as a turf sire and it looks like this filly will need to be ready to take her game to another level if she's planning on getting over on the top contenders in here; siding with others.

Boller Bomb

Stakes placed filly has gotten the job done in 4 of 10 starts over turf, including 3 of 5 over this turf course; she was claimed from her latest race, but her recent form has been plenty strong enough to give her a competitive look in this spot.

Fantastic Mizz

Have to respect how consistent this mare has been racing over turf and she looks like she fits right in at this 50-45k claiming level; note that she got the better of today's rival High Jinks in a similar spot three races ago.

Silver Hustler

This mare looks like she'll appreciate being stretched out in distance after a start down the hill in her latest outing and she's run races over turf in the past that have been strong enough to suggest that she can run with these; she does need to be careful to avoid falling too far out of it through the opening stages, but feel that she deserves respect as a contender.

Smart N Dreamy

Like to see the way that this filly has stepped it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in her two starts over turf since moving into this barn and she gave a solid account of herself when finishing behind a couple of today's rivals over this turf course just two starts ago. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

Let's Get Crackin

Bet down to even money a month ago despite the layoff involved; spots much in the way of route experience to these foes yet still has to be respected because of his overall consistency; may receive ideal trip behind battling pacesetters.

Appealing Tale

Course and distance winner last time out but he was holding the pace aces, had the rail advantage and was never challenged; that may not be the case here with the stretchout sprinter to the left and some back classy rivals to the right; difficult call.

Avare

Versatile performer can handle all types of footing and pace situations; spots minor weight to the entire field yet still seems a logical candidate; will probably try to settle in behind the front-running group rather than try to control the pace.

Holy Candy

Confirmed rallier made a strong middle move in his last showing but could not inhale the pacesetters; had a comfortable trip when defeating Appealing Tale 2 starts back and may not secure such a journey today; respect his perfect in-the-money local slate.

Phantom Lover

The grey's latest morning trial showed some improvement and he has run very well following lengthy freshenings in the past; midpack type of runner will have to launch his rally at the appropriate moment; should be a square price as well.

Hear the Ghost

This G2 stakes-winner is scheduled to race with blinkers for the first time; had legitimate excuses in the latest defeat while the 7 to 5 favorite; recent half-mile drill suggests he is at the ready and can atone here for veteran connections; hard to say how the betting public will react to the last performance. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Granny Calling

Not a good sign that she exits her 1st ever non-exacta finish on conventional dirt; 7-0-1-1 record since claimed off a career-best Beyer speed figure in an April-SA dirt victory; the 2-back winner and runner-up finisher Beyered 76-69 in next-out 25K-20K-BHP-claiming wins.

My Brite Caroline

Winless in 12 races since a February, 2012, SA-6F dirt victory taking an optional claimer rallying from midpack; she finished 5th, 5th and 6th in her last 3 starts racing with 45 days or longer away; today's extended absence makes her a tough call even though she's been best on SA dirt during career.

Appealing Resume

Good sign that the win rider stays right here despite the barn change; finished off the board in her last race carrying more than 123 pounds giving Woebegon a 2-pound concession off the under 1-length victory when claimed; new trainer is 0-for the last-6 first off the purchase since 2013; been very best on GG synthetic during career; her SA loss in November saw the show finisher Beyer 80 in her next-out BHP-alw. win.

Pebble Beach Baby

Best game is stalking the speed; the 0-for-7 record since winning 1st off the claim on SR dirt is not easy to take; her only SA dirt start was her last main-track attempt representing the 2nd lowest Beyer of her career; only the debut loss was a lighter speed figure.

Woebegon

Try to catch me; was claimed off a high-win percentage trainer which is not a good-win angle however the new barn is hot at SA and does well 1st off the buy; receives a positive 2-pound weight swing off the under 1-length loss to Appealing Resume; scary if ever fires best; the October-stakes runner-up finisher Beyered 80 in her next-out TUP-OPC win; nearly one year since her field-best Beyer speed figure posted on SA dirt at today's distance.

Vicki Victoria

Trainer is 1-for the last-11 with runners off similar layoffs; posted a new Beyer Top off the long layoff when racing on a synthetic surface; this is just her 2nd start since September, 2012; has gate speed but must outbreak Woebegon then hold off the closers; likes this oval posting a March, 2012, allowance victory on SA dirt at today's distance.

Valarta

Began career 0-for-9 but captured 2 of her last 3 races including latest win picture producing a new Beyer speed figure Top on SA dirt at today's distance sitting just off the speed; projects to stalk Woebegon early then hopes to pass the class test; she has not been for this high of a claiming price since January, 2013. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Tama County

Both of his starts over turf have been in the neighborhood of what it might take to get the job done in this spot and it's interesting to see that these connections saw fit to reclaim him from his latest race; it does look like there's enough early speed signed on in this race to help give his late running style a decent setup.

Power Ped

Don't like to see that he showed up with a subpar performance in his latest outing after taking some time off and not viewing it as a positive that he's needed more time off prior to this; note that he was beaten by today's rival Brother Pete just two starts ago.

Cervaro

Relatively lightly raced 4-year-old has a fine pedigree for turf and he has seen his game steadily improve from day one; it might be worth noting the presence of Bejarano aboard another in here, but still feel that he's a good fit at this level of competition.

Master Cip

Not only does he appear to be much more comfortable sprinting than routing but his one start over turf prior to this wasn't an encouraging performance; third-place finisher from latest returned to win next out at BHP on 12/1 going 6 1/2f vs. N1X rivals with a 99 Beyer.

Scorcher

After being light on winning form after 18 starts, he's recorded back-to-back wins prior to this, but this does look like it will prove to be a tough step up in class for him in his return to Southern California from Turf Paradise.

Brother Pete

Just about all of his starts have been on the level of what it will take to win this and he appears to be the stronger of the two Sadler-trained horses in here; he has come up short as a favorite a few times in his career but he clearly commands respect as a top contender.

Tortola

He's a 1/2 to stakes placed Delmarva (2-8, 93k over turf) and he appeared to be heading in the right direction after breaking his maiden three races ago; not going to be too hard on him for what he showed in his first attempt against winners two back, and he might not have cared for the synthetic surface in his latest outing; runner up from latest won next out here on 1/11 going 1 1/16m vs. 50-45k claimers with a 90 Beyer.

Counting Days

He's G3 stakes placed racing over the synthetic surface at Golden Gate and he's shown enough the last two times he's raced over turf to suggest that he can produce a competitive performance off against these; a number of good looking recent workouts suggest that he's ready for his first start since June. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Saintly Joan

Returns to the footing of her maiden sprint score in the fall after failing to prove a threat in either of her subsequent stakes spins on different surfaces; dam's other foal to race was G1 SP router and 243K earner Iotapa; maybe the surface switch helps, but she was handily defeated by one of these in each of those last 2 and facing several stakes winners, she'll get her toughest class test yet in here; have to side with others on the win end.

Fashion Plate

Figured things out the first time she tried dirt and ran away from maidens after setting quick splits in that sprint heat; pricey in training buy draws inside for the stretchout as she steps in with stakes foes for the first time and though she loses Bejarano she gets a pretty nice replacement; her sire was a G2 SW going long and the dam did drop a route winner so maybe she keeps going at this longer trip; may have to be run down from here.

Arethusa

Arrived on the scene with a big maiden score in the Sharp Cat at Hollywood but didn't prove much of a threat to a couple of the big gals in here subsequently in the G1 Starlet; she has run ok on dirt in the past but don't know that the switch in surfaces will be enough to help her make up the needed ground on her rivals at this shorter trip; prefer others on the win end.

Artemis

Stretchout did the trick in the maiden breaker first time over the track and now she'll tackle winners; filly's pedigree suggests she has a right to get better with racing and though she loses Bejarano she will get a hot journeyman pilot for this; she'll need to keep improving but the price will be much better this time.

Earthflight (GB)

Import makes her first stateside start in search of her third straight score after a couple of open lengths synthetic scores within a week in England; she's the lone 3 time winner in here, but she'll try dirt for the first time and though she's had time to acclimate, she hasn't worked so well over the local training track.

Sushi Empire

Barn's second runner in here broke her maiden in the local turf stake on New Year's Day and now she'll try dirt for the initial time; waters get much deeper here, but she worked well last week for this and the barn hits at a nice clip with its runners moving to this type of footing; improving filly is worth a look.

Taste Like Candy

Retains Bejarano for the stretch back out after sharpening her lick sprinting in her local return early last month; gal drawn to her outside here did defeat her going long prior to that in the G1 Starlet at Hollywood, but she found herself on the lead in that one and with some sprint speed signed on here maybe she's able to settle on the move to an outside draw; with a recency edge over her main rival and the possibility of getting first run we'll give her the nod to turn the tables today.

Streaming

G1 SW router has done what was asked of her in each of her 2 starts over synthetic footing at Hollywood; she's been working extremely well in the interim over the local dirt and she did fire off drills to begin her career so expect she'll have little problem firing off the brief freshening; price will be a lot shorter today and she does draw outside her main rival, but they'll have her to hold off. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Procurement

He looks like he's on top of his game entering this race after earning a G2 stakes placing in his latest outing in a race that saw him beat a few of today's rivals, but it does look like he's going to have to see a few of these show up with less than their best to have a chance at something more than a minor award; it might be worth noting the presence of Talamo aboard another in here.

Vagabond Shoes (IRE)

Have to respect the sharp form that he displayed after being returned from a layoff last July and he gave a very good account of himself in the BC Turf when last seen; he's been at his best at distances longer than a mile since arriving in America, but it is encouraging to see how well he performed at today's distance racing overseas.

Unbridled's Note

Multiple graded stakes winner is one of two live looking horses signed on in here for the Asmussen barn, but this 5-year-old has to prove that he can be at his best routing, and it is interesting to see Nakatani aboard another in here.

Si Sage (FR)

It's safe to say that he outran his odds while earning a G2 stakes placing in his latest start, and when seeing that there is a good deal of early speed signed on in this race, perhaps he'll be able to put together another solid late run to get himself into the mix against these.

Regally Ready

Grade 1 winner was super sharp in getting the job done in his latest outing and have to respect the early fractions that he set in that gate-to-finish triumph; he'll have to be careful to avoid an early pace dispute in this event, but note how well he performed from off the pace in a winning performance just three starts ago.

Peace and Justice

Son of top turf influence War Front has been very sharp in two of his first four starts and he absolutely blitzed 10 rivals in his latest start when drawing off to win by more than five lengths; that said, he's making his graded stakes debut today and he finds himself in a race that has a lot of early speed in it.

Tom's Tribute

It's interesting to see Stevens take the call aboard this stakes winning colt with Smith apparently opting to pilot Regally Ready, and there's really very little to knock in this direction after seven starts; he might not have cared for being caught up in a fast early pace last time, and this colt has shown the ability to run his race from off the pace.

Suggestive Boy (ARG)

Obviously there's some concern with a long layoff in play, but this G1 winner has shown the ability to run well after taking time off, and he was very impressive in both of his starts in 2013; it looks like he's been working right along since the middle of December and going to look for him to be ready for his return to action.

Winning Prize (ARG)

He was an extremely sharp winner at today's distance in his first start in America and he found himself in a couple of very difficult spots after that; have to respect his chances as a top contender while being reunited with Bejarano, but the shape of this race might not agree with his front-running style; runner up from latest won next out at GP on 1/11 going 1 1/16m over turf in a G2 with a 99 Beyer.

No Jet Lag

Can't ignore that G2 score over this turf course in his second start in America and he might find himself getting a trip that is very similar to the one he got that day; as long as he can avoid getting caught up in the early pace like he has in his two most recent races, he might be able to produce a solid stretch bid. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Puerto Williams

No speed, no asset and now he has to deal with the fence; several winners in the tree, none were special; you can say his best race was at this distance 3 back; would be careful here.

Silectico

At least he got a feel of the surface but he just has not shown much ability; backers can say a full bro did win twice; he's only beaten 3 horses in his career.

It Is Living Water

Good Journey 8 for 75 with debuters; sire didn't run at 2, took a Grade 1, was turf only, banked over $1.7 million; 5 for 32 dam earned over $100K; this is her first to race; love fact he drilled this far, spin on the 9th was solid and he will not have to be a monster to have a major impact here.

Anzeau

Could been overmatched in many of the efforts last year and he ran much better the first time for this price; runner was inching toward the winner in last and he can be close up if in the the mood; don't ignore.

Gold Tie Please

Bejarano gave him another shot on the cut back in last but he was just a brief threat; shades off as they were for his best Beyer last November; he has a lot of work to do to match top kin Four Cards Too, an over $200K earner; tough to adore after the last effort.

Dickery Do

Ran well at the strange distance and maybe he just needed the effort; slight improvement and this guy will be right on the money.

Profire

Colt could have been shell shocked after hooking Western speed last time but if he can run at all, he figures to on the drop; the 3rd and 4th finishers in the GP finale graduated next out; dam was unraced; lone sibling So Great took 3 of 5, banked nearly $65K; he's trained sharply for this; all systems go.

Rob's Pal

Out of the money in all the sprint efforts; owners would love for this guy to mature like top kin Charlie and Chris, a 10-time winner and over $200K earner; fit enough to drill twice since last; must be left in the mix.

Spectacularjourney

If you figure he was just dead short, you can make a case for a move forward; if you think he was just intimidated by the rail, then one could be generous in the opinion; a slice may be the ceiling.

Captain Salt

In good hands, forced to steady last time and considering the winner was clear, the race was not all that bad; may need even softer to shine.

Sofos Quick Logic

He has had his chances and fans totally gave up on him last time at 126-1; he did show a bit of speed last time and could be more on the muscle with the blinks; place horse in last won in this league next out and the 9th finisher took a maiden $3500 Los Al claimer; not seeing it.

Soul Saver

Finally off the rail; maybe he needs the grass; lone kin Favor Factor won twice on that stuff and banked over $100K; can't endorse.

Dehere Is Gone

Drawn right, he flashed legit speed, and has every right to improve; he was boosted when the winner repeated in a $40K starter with a 77 Beyer; dam out of the money twice; family is solid; all 5 siblings won including double stakes winner and near $350K earner Golden Country; look out.

Warren's Cliff S.

Note his best effort at this distance came at Pomona; at least there are 2 multiple race winners in the tree; capable barn due to get rolling. - Brian Mulligan