Santa Anita: Closer Looks for February 14, 2014

Race 1

He's a Dance Star

This is a tough customer but the last win was in 2012; he likes the hillside and his last victory came from this very rail; there is not a ton of speed in here and he may have to outgun rival on the direct outside to attempt to clear here but considering that runner's style, if this guy can settle a bit, that may be the ticket; trainer knows what to do with a good horse; dangerous.

Ankeny Hill

Respect this guy's speed but this distance could be pushing the envelope; off of his wins came at shorter trips and he's lost ground in the lane in the hillside efforts; place horse in the last win cashed next out in the $251K Cal Cup Turf Classic; catch him to cash.

A Toast to You

Right there at this level numerous times; you can build a case that he will sit a nice stalk and pounce trip; a proven stakes winner, he has been consistent in his career and if you figure he needed last, he could make a move forward.

Empty Headed

Was coming hard in his best effort on this hill vs. winners but still fell far short; the pace should be hot enough to help the cause but things have to break just right; look for pilot to take a hold, try to save ground, get out when they cross the dirt, and try to reel them all in.

Joelito

Fresh and dangerous; hung wide in the Oceanside, and that race came back fine; the show horse took a $16K starter next out and the place horse took the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby with a 94 Beyer; look for him late if at all.

Circa'sgoldengear

Nearly 3 times as many slices as wins; he has been in a slump and got good for about 6 weeks back in 2012; drawn where he should get a nice stalking style; backers have to hope the inside runners go to war up front and they both put on the brakes. - Brian Mulligan

Race 2

Gab Power

12-race losing streak heading into this last winning at 1 Mile on DMR turf August, 2012, with a huge-late kick; most-recent win rider Bejarano takes Volkonsky for this; dull 1st off the claim start finishing the last of 9 on grass; just one other dirt start during career was a 2010 stakes loss on SA dirt at 7F; must show more.

Woodmans Luck

Was claimed off a dirt loss returning to the main track where his 4-0-0-0 record is not very enticing; beat the 2-back show runner on turf who Beyered 84 in his next-out SA-25K-claiming win; in that October-SA main-track loss last time on dirt the winner and runner-up finisher Beyered 92-78 in next-out 25K-16K-claiming wins.

Soul Candy

Exits his lowest Beyer since the October claim; the 4-0-0-0 dirt mark does not entice; the 5th and 6th-place finishers from last Beyered 85-81 in next-out SA-GG-$22,500-claiming wins; his field-best Beyer speed figure was posted October, 2010, in a 9F-synthetic surface 150K stakes win.

Volkonsky

Makes his dirt debut today with a steady worktab on the SA-main track for this; the November 8 winner repeated with an 81 Beyer taking a GG-optional claimer; consistent Beyers and Bejarano stays to ride producing 42%-SA winners for the trainer since 2013.

Magic Mark

Longest-distance test ever today while 2nd-time Long is often an improvement angle; there is no other gate speed here and while he has never raced on the lead during career he projects as the one to catch; beat the show runner from last who Beyered 77 in his next-out SA-MSW score; the DQ'd debut winner from his career debut Beyered 87 in a next-out SA-MSW graduation.

Poshsky

Great sign that he is 1-for-1 on dirt winning at longer than this in blowout fashion in September; had a troubled-gate break in latest when outrun trailing throughout at his shortest-distance test ever; he will appreciate the return to the main track and the added 2F for this; the October turf winner repeated in a BHP allowance with an 87 Beyer.

Noble Kent

Sharp form since the September-BSR loss vs. the winner who repeated in a SA-10K claimer with a 72 Beyer; the 2-back winner repeated in a BHP-25K claimer with an 82 speed figure; lighttest-weight assignment since June, 2012 trying to repeat on the class raise. - Art Gropper

Race 3

Seeking Asylum

Moves to the fence off a solid beaten chalk effort in his first start off this outfit's claim; gelding broke slowly in that one so he'll need to be more alert from this inside draw, but there is speed signed on for this so he should get something to run at while stretching back out a panel here; contender.

Toosmartbyhalf

Drops in for a tag while turning back to sprint on the surface switch; he didn't do much in his lone dirt start here last month but he did offer a little bit of early lick in that troubled run and maybe a cleaner trip will help move him up at this level; all 3 of the dam's other foals to race were main track winners.

Head South

Just missed lasting when cut back to a shorter trip a few weeks back; his prior efforts at today's 7 panel distance was also pretty solid and he has the speed to be involved from the outset in this one; his lone sib to race is a 7 time sprint winner; 2 time runner up looks to be the one they'll have to beat.

Steppingood

Fresh gelding returns at the level of his sharp third place finish first off this outfit's claim; he did run ok on the Fairplex dirt late last summer and encountered trouble from an outside draw in his local try at this level; he's run well fresh, and expect he'll be close early, but don't know that he'll have enough to go on late here.

Code of Pleasure

Didn't take much money before having little to offer first out at the level here in early fall; he boasts a solid recent work pattern for his return and the barn has had some recent luck with runners making their second career start; dam's lone win came routing and maybe this guy will be better with this try behind him.

Bobby Z Man

Sire gets 9% winners from his debut runners and the limited sprint winning dam dropped 3 winners including SW and 275K earner Lindz Winz; works aren't much and the barn hasn't had any recent luck with its newcomers.

Gates of Zion

Sire is 0 for 2 with his first out runners and he's the first foal out of an unraced dam; slow drills are on tap for a little known outfit and the pilot named doesn't win too often; would have to take unusual tote support to warrant a look.

Shark's Cup

Outside drawn gelding drew the fence first time out at the level and after breaking at the back of the pack didn't have much impact behind some of the guys he'll catch again in here; he returned to work ok at Los Al and 4 of his 6 sibs to race are sprint winners so he has a right to improve and the price should be right. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

More Complexity

Speedster has to outbreak Cause Ur My Babe then hold off the closers; her 1st dirt start did not give the impression that today's extra half furlong would help the cause as she's been defeated by similar rivals during career; mild-dirt workout for this suggests she will be a pace presence for part.

Warren's Jen Fizz

Sire is 1-for-52 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 7-0-0-0 dam (4K) who produced 1 winner from 2 other foals to race (1-for-34 Warren's Lover 44K); the trainer is 2-for the last-25 with debut runners although she shows an improving worktab leading upto today's unveiling.

Gouyen

Figures for an ideal trip stalking More Complexity and Cause Ur My Babe; lone start is a field-best Beyer speed figure 54 days ago racing on a synthetic surface; today is start 1 for dirt; has worked like she will like this new surface; the debut rider stays right here and since 2013 is 0-for-17 for the trainer at SA.

Western Kitty

Sire is 25-for-190 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 4-for-10 stakes-winning dam (158K) who produced 2 winners from 3 other foals to race including 48K-earner Prince of Gotham (1-for-9); on the tab posted a 4F-bullet workout suggesting she will show some gate speed for this.

Here Comes Bobbie

Has been outworked by the other 3 debut runners; sire is 4-for-35 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal out of a 3-for-28 dam (27K); the trainer with just 6 starts went winless in 2013; he does not have a debut runner in that span; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Wired for Fun

Was screaming out for more distance in last and gets it here noting her 2-back near-miss finish was at longer than today's event; should work out an ideal trip stalking More Complexity and Cause Ur My Babe; wish the workouts for this sparkled more.

Shakeitupbetty

Working like she will fire a much-improved race following the 47-day layoff; trainer only wins 8% with similar layoff runners since 2013; has been knocking on the door for the diploma earner while cutting back to 6F seems like a great fit; a dangerous rival if ready.

Cause Ur My Babe

Projects as the one to catch with More Complexity; the debut winner repeated in a BHP-100K stakes with a 66 Beyer; exits a career-best Beyer on SA dirt when outfinished at shorter; Lasix has moved her up in last 2 races; seems the one to catch and beat.

Wild At Best

Has outworked the other 3 debut runners while racing for a high-percentage debut trainer; benefits catches a field lacking superstars; sire is 24-for-197 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 1-for-13 dam (27K) who produced 4 winners from 4 other foals to race including SW-Tales in Excess (2-for-9, 122K). - Art Gropper

Race 5

Peace and Justice

Lightly raced 4-year-old is a 1/2 to G2 winner Hudson Steele (7-15, 513k, including 6 of 12 turf starts for 486k) and he's been very sharp in winning two of his first four starts, and he was most impressive in beating 10 rivals in his latest start; must respect.

Drill

He has a G1 win to his credit, but you have to go back 13 starts to May 2012 to find his latest victory, and he hasn't finished better than fourth from three turf starts; connections command respect, but prefer to lean toward others.

Huntsville

Grade 2 stakes placed veteran is light on winning form after 38 starts and he enters this event on a 20-race losing skid; not going to be surprised if he lands a spot underneath in the exotics but going to look in another direction for the top spot.

Horizontalyspeakin

He made it look pretty easy against four rivals in his most recent start when recording a gate-to-finish victory and he has shown the ability to put in a sharp mile on his best day; however, he does appear to be a need-the-lead type and a couple of the others in here have sharp early zip.

My Best Brother

Grade 2 winner hasn't been on top of his game lately and he will need to regain some of his better form to have a chance at getting the better of this field; this might prove to be a tough spot for him, especially when considering that his best races have been run when a part of the early pace and that there's some sharp early speed lined up to his inside.

Mr T Bird

He surprised a field after benefiting from an ideal early pace scenario in his latest outing and there's a chance that he might find himself getting a similar setup in this event; looking in another direction for the top spot, but not going to be shocked if he sneaks his way into the mix.

Outside Nashville

Despite being disqualified from third and placed fourth, he ran very well in a tough spot in his latest outing, and a repeat of that performance can make hin tough to tackle in this spot; Bejarano has won with 13 of 41 (32%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Di Giorgio (ARG)

He ran very well behind a sharp winner in his first start in America in his latest outing, and not only will he appreciate the drop in class, but he might be looking forward to stretching back out in distance; he has a live look to him in this spot with Stevens taking over.

Fire With Fire

He carries multiple stakes winning credentials with him, and if he brings his 'A' game to the table, he can make some noise against these; he gets a rider switch to Smith and he might find himself getting first run on tiring pacesetters approaching the top of the stretch. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Djimmah

Goes first time for a new outfit while shipping out West for her return to the races after running down claimers at Gulfstream in her career debut; sire was a 2 time G1 SW sprinter on this circuit and the dam was a limited main track route winner; rail draw doesn't help a runner without much lick, but first time Lasix and the presence of Bejarano complete a package that warrants a look.

Grammy Times Six

Speed led to her maiden score on the turn back to sprint here a few weeks back; filly moves inside for her first with winners and her pace foes are drawn towards the outside in this heat; expect they'll push her to the top from here and the dam did drop 4 router winners including SW and 419K earner Speak Logistics so maybe she takes to the added ground; one to catch.

Papa's Flashy Girl

Needed the move to Arizona to get through the maiden ranks, though she did get the job done rather handily; ran ok first time on dirt at Fairplex, but her subsequent local spin wasn't much and she'll be taking on winners in her first crack with winners; have to side against the repeat.

Big Rosie Brown

Took a step forward when rallying for second money in her first route crack against her own kind 7 weeks back; filly does catch the winner of that heat again in here, but she was rather far out of it early in that one and maybe her positional lick is more tuned while fresh in this spot; still, she's tackling winners while eligible to remain with non-winners and will need to significantly improve to have a say in the outcome; have to pass on her.

In Dad's Honor

Field's highest last out Beyer earner missed less than a length while sprinting in her first winners last month and now she'll stretch out for an outfit that's going quite well at the local stand; lone sib's 4 wins all came sprinting, but the dam won 3 times going long and this gal's sire was a G1 SW router so she should take to the trip; they'll have her to beat.

Warrens Lil Margie

Last out graduate returns from the freshening off the open lengths local score first time going long; filly's interim drills have been improved and maybe she's just turned the corner, but she'll need to move forward several lengths to get involved in the outcome in her first with winners.

Pay the Debt

Runner up in her last 2 against straight claimers will try the route for the initial time here; her dam did drop a route winner and this gal's sire was a SW going long so maybe they added trip agrees with her, but the stamina issues she's shown at shorter trips make it tough to get excited about her chances of going on in this one.

Browsing

Switches to the Kid who has had some success when taking calls here of late; recent graduate really exploded to kick away from maidens in her initial route spin and the number she earned in that one does put her in the thick of this one; contender first time against winners.

One More Wild Ride

Outside drawn filly is offered for the optional tag while removing the hood in her return to the main track here; field's lone 2 time winner should find this bunch easier and from out here she should be able to find a tracking spot just off the pacesetters; dangerous foe at this level. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Boyett

He hasn't run a bad race since moving into this barn and being placed over turf, and his form is right in line with what it might take to get the job done in this spot; he benefits from the services of Bejarano again and he might not have to work all that hard to grab the early advantage.

Black Spirit

He's a G3 winner racing overseas, and despite finishing fifth and last in his first start in America, that performance wasn't bad by any means; it's interesting to see Smith taking over for this and it's also interesting to see that he'll be racing with Lasix for the first time.

Mambo Man

He's shown the ability to step up with a performance that is sharp enough to make him a threat for the top spot against these and have to respect the performance that he showed up with in a turf route back in September at Del Mar.

Just Fishin

He needed 12 starts to get to his first career win and it would've been nice to have seen him show more in his first attempt against winners in his latest outing; looking at this as being a tough assignment for him.

Money Clip

Today's 1 1/2m distance can be tough on a lightly raced runner, but he did take a step in the right direction in his first turf attempt in his latest outing; he's a 1/2 to multiple graded stakes winner Keertana (11-29, $1 million, including 10 of 25 turf starts for $1 million) and multiple graded stakes winner Snow Top Mountain (7-24, 525k, including 6 of 21 turf starts for 469k); Stevens has won with 5 of 14 (36%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Kessabtsi

He's been on top of his game lately and like the early speed that he brings with him as he projects to sit a comfortable trip racing just off of Boyett through the opening stages; however, he has just two wins after 37 career starts and feel that a minor award is likely the ceiling.

Valtari

He's been beaten by today's rival Boyett in his two most recent races and he will need to be ready to take his game to another level if he's planning on turning the tables on that rival in this one.

Code of Conduct

He has at least mild appeal in this spot while moving back into the Miller barn and getting back over turf, but it is of some concern to see that he hasn't been at his best since exiting the Catalano barn back in August.

So Elite

He's a stakes winner racing over turf, but his better races were run early on in his career, and this looks like it can prove to be a tough step up in class for him after getting the better of five rivals in a 25-22.5k claiming event. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Controller

Mirror races in last pair, but the last was slower; blinkers could help but she will have to gun to avoid getting shuffled; dam was unraced; the sibling to win took one of 7, banked 11 grand; the extra sixteenth should work to her favor.

L X Sunrise

Maybe she hated the rail to kick it off; snappy move on the 2nd suggests she is feeling pretty good about herself; dam's lone win was a route; all 5 siblings won; 3 won at 2 including a debut winner; top earner Reveron took a stakes and earned over $300K; a clean start and it could be a whole new ballgame.

Ninnavee

In for $18K more than purchase price; she has some semblance of speed but there are stamina issues; 9th finisher in last took a maiden $12.5 claimer at Northlands Park and the place horse beat $50K maiden claimers at Del Mar with a 64 Beyer; there is a 12-race winner and an over $100K earner in the tree; another brief threat?

Her Lucky Spirit

Lucky Pulpit 7 for 63 with debuters; SW sire won at 2, took 3 of 22, banked over $200K; 2 for 12 dam earned over $125K; this is her first to race; she looks fit enough.

Star Image

Legit trouble in the debut, nice forward in last; dam was unraced; 3 of 4 siblings, a pair earned about $60K a piece; the hotter the pace the better for this gal.

Wildy Excessive

Boxcars every time and she has just flashed zero speed; one for 9 dam cashed on grass; this is her first to race; 1 for 9 dam won on grass; this is her first to race; needs a turn around.

Mon Petite

Papa Clem 4 for 20 with debuters; sire won at 2, took multiple Grade 2s, banked over $1.1 million; 2 for 31 dam earned nearly $90K; both full siblings won including over $80K earner Le Heat; trainer spotted them just fine last year with limited starters.

Hayley's Gray

Can never dismiss sub :22 speed; if you figure she just needed the last, then you can build a case for a move forward; 1 for 15 dam took a sprint in the off going; both siblings won; top earner Surplus took 4 of 24, banked nearly $165K; may need softer to shine.

Divine Josephine

Yakteen 8 for 50 the last 5 years with debuting maiden claimers with a median payoff of 4-1 and 5 ran 2nd; Mr. Greeley has won with about 11% of his debuters in an 826-runner sample; sire won third start, took multiple Grade 3s, earned about $475K in 16 starts; 1 for 4 dam won on grass, earned over $40K; both siblings won; top kin took 2 of 11, banked over $60K; like fact she at last drilled this far.

Fashionably Rich

She should have her sea legs under her by now and the bug got a chance to figure her out; there is an over $100K earner in the tree but that runner raced 64 times; due to punch it in.

Miss Swiss Rose

Bothered early but she kept to her task; dam was unraced; 2 of 3 full siblings won; they were a combined 2 for 15 and earned nearly $30K together; homebred has every right to improve. - Brian Mulligan