Santa Anita: Closer Looks for February 21, 2014

Race 2

Prospector Alley

1st race off the claim produced a slight-Beyer speed figure improvement; a good sign that the front wraps were removed for latest; posted a bullet workout for this; the debut winner on dirt repeated in an SA-optional claimer with a 78 Beyer.

Sir Macho

Exits a field-best Beyer speed figure racing at today's distance on SA dirt; leaps up in claiming price which is obviously the main concern; best races are when stalking the speed; has been working like he's ready to fire a big one.

Prince of Paris

Added distance off latest fade is a concern; in with the lighest-weight assignment ever; has not raced past 6F yet; sire was a Grade 2-stakes winner at 9F on dirt; dam went 0-for-2 in routes both on turf; the runner-up and 5th-place finishers from last Beyered 77-62 in next-out SA-50K-30K-maiden-claiming wins.

Lucky Jack

Adds blinkers for the 1st time after showing nothing; exits a new Beyer Top; the trainer is 0-for the last-6 using the MSW-to-maiden claiming biggest class-drop in racng angle; the debut winner repeated in an SA-optional claimer with a 70 Beyer; worked well prior to each start while latest drill was average.

Matt the Hammer

Claimed off the debut middle-moving fade; has worked superbly for start 2 which can be a dramatic-form improvement; has not raced past 6F yet; sire took a G1 at 9F on dirt; grandsire won the Kentucky Derby; dam's only race was an 8th place dirt sprint.

Oso Smart

1st time on dirt for this; his Feb 1 SA main-track drill was solid; the 3-back loss was vs. 2 next-out G1-SWs (88-78 Beyers) including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner; back in 2 weeks after being outfinsihed on the lawn at today's distance; today is the 1st time back in for the original June purchase price. - Art Gropper

Race 3

Awesome Return

Have to respect the performance that this colt showed up with in his only start over turf two races ago and like the idea of him getting back over turf after facing a tough bunch over the main track here in his latest outing; runner up from latest won next out at GG on 2/15 going 1 1/8m in a G3 with a 91 Beyer.

Better Bet

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 21 starts for 84k, including 0-for-2 over turf; Stakes winning colt is the only one in here with two wins next to his name but this colt faces some potentially strong turf runners in here.

Neverwherecauseway

He deserves credit for getting the job done when last seen, but he did benefit from an ideal early pace scenario that day, and it doesn't look like he'll have such a favorable setup in this event; prefer to look in another direction.

Lucky Views

He's already earned a stakes placing in his first three starts, and he earned it in his only start over turf; his early speed can prove to be a key in a race that might not have a very fast early pace, and with Bejarano at the controls, it's probably a good idea to respect him as a gate-to-finish threat.

Texas Ryano

He has a big time pedigree and he's out of a dam who was a G3 winner while winning 8 of 20 starts for 448k, including 7 of 13 turf starts for 443k; he jumped up on a field in his career debut after being ignored in the wagering and he commands his share of respect against these off of that performance. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Serious

Ran a giant race as the rank outsider in the wagering recently when assuming command with a strong bid only to be run down by the odds-on winner; bargain claim can continue to add dividends here especially if lurking right behind battling pacesetters; respect.

Sugar Spice

On the shelf for more than 3 months, her most recent workout over the course was sparkling; has won off the bench in the past but faces a likely immediate pace battle today if all runners go; conflicting signals for this mare who has no known rating capability.

Goldilocks Planet

Claimed out of a fine try against conditional claimers, she faces some stiff company now for the price tag involved and is spotting weight to older rivals; that combination of factors may prove too difficult and a repeat victory will be hard to achieve.

Vicki Victoria

A steady exacta presence throughout her career but there are many gaps in the profile; makes only her third start since 2012 but her recent comeback race, a clear-cut second, was very sharp; latest half-mile drill was an upgrade as well and she should be on or near the pace throughout.

Cayanna

Did not lose by much at all in her last turf assignment; has never won over the main track, a major shortcoming, yet she races for the lowest price tag of her career today; will benefit if a prolonged speed duel takes its toll on the pure pacesetters to her left.

Tangerine Tickle

A deep rallier, she closed with a rush to just miss last month in the same affair as the previous runner; only non-turf effort in her career was in an added money event; the shorter distance today may limit her chances of victory unless there is a maniacal pace; puzzling. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Next Right

Moves to the hill for his first start since tiring from his pace efforts on the main track first out on Opening Day of this stand; colt has been working well in the interim for his return and he is kin to a couple of pretty good ones - multiple G1 SW sprinter and 1.4 million earner Smiling Tiger who was third in his lone turf try and G1 SW and 725K earner She's a Tiger who was just awarded the Eclipse Award as last year's champion juvenile filly; sire gets 10% first time surface winners from his offspring; should be rolling from the bell.

Incline Village

Cuts back in distance in his return to the hill after tiring in his initial route spin; gelding earned a big number in the 2 back placing at Hollywood and he's certainly quick enough to sit a tracking spot from here; given his 2 turf sprint tries he looks to be the one they'll have to beat.

Heat Flash

Makes his first start in nearly 7 months while returning to the hillside course over which he began his career; he's been working quickly of late which is of particular note because he's shown very little speed in his races and this barn boasts some recent luck with its returnees.

Misdeed

He's been away from the races for 10 months and boasts a steady recent return worktab; barn doesn't do so well with its absentees, but this guy has run well sprinting on the green in the past and the new pilot has had some recent luck in combination with the outfit.

Surfer Moon

Wide trip may have hurt as he chased the quick clip on the main track first time out; hot barn boasts some recent luck with both second out runners and those trying the green for the initial time; sire gets about 9% winners with his new turfers and the dam was 0 for 1 over the footing prior to dropping a 2 time surface winner; eligible to go better today.

Secret Wishes

He's another who has been away since last spring and he'll try the hill for the first time in his return to the races; gelding boasts some solid drills for this and he did show some speed going long before hitting the bench, but this is a tricky course and the barn is having a rough stand.

Bobby Z Man

Never factored when in against statebred claimers first out on the main track; gelding does return quickly for a barn that does well with this type and this guy's sire hits with 12% of his first time surface runners; he's kin to a couple of multiple turf winners including SW and 289K earner Lindz Winz who scored down this hillside course.

Warrior's Ridge

Adds the hood for his return from the short break after a weak effort on the Hollywood lawn; 5 year old ran well sprinting as a sophomore and given last weekend's drill maybe the new shades will move him up, but he'll have to prove himself some before we could back him in this spot. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Bobby Flay

He might be better off racing over dirt or a synthetic surface than he is over turf and it might be worth noting the presence of Espinoza aboard another in here; runner-up from latest returned to win next out here on 2/8 going 6 1/2f over turf vs. starter alw. rivals with an 80 Beyer.

Meringue Pie (GB)

Respect the early speed that he brings with him, and it's interesting to see the addition of blinkers for this, but he will need his sharpest performance to date in order to prove to be the one in this spot.

Wistfullee Mine

This gelding is out of a minor stakes placed dam who won 3 of 15 turf starts for 141k, but he hasn't shown enough in his first six starts to help give him a competitive look against these, including a couple of turf starts, and he's still a maiden.

Tiz Futurity

It took him 22 starts to get to his first career win and he's going to need to find a way to take his game to another level in order to prove to be a threat in his first attempt against winners.

Turn On the Pumps

Like to see Espinoza land here and this gelding has run a number of races over turf in his career that are strong enough to get the job done in a spot like this; he might be ready for a top try while making his second start back from a layoff, and he might appreciate blinkers coming off.

Sheer Talent

Stakes placed 5-year-old looks like he's heading in the right direction as he gets ready to make his third start back from a very long layoff, and it doesn't hurt to see that he has performed well at today's one mile distance in the past; feel that he's worthy of top contender status.

Dancer Humor

He has some early speed, and he did get the job done in his only start over turf prior to this, but he is going to need to step up with his sharpest performance to date to threaten the top contenders in here; respect the fact that he's making his first start for a barn that does well with new acquisitions, but leaning toward others.

Trouble X Two

This gelding has a little bit of turf in his pedigree, and it is interesting to see the improved performance he showed up with in his first start wearing blinkers in his latest outing; he needs to improve to get the job done, but this really doesn't look like a bad spot for him meet up with winners for the first time and give turf another try.

Warren's Cliff S.

He's another in here meeting up with winners for the first time and this gelding has yet to produce a performance that is up to the level of the top contenders in here; he has the look of an outsider. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Schmaltzy

Hung wide to kick it off, now has to deal with the fence; 4 for 24 dam earned $40K; lone half bro to race Shakerattlenrule, took 2 of 14, earned just over a grand a start; needs a turn around.

Bushida

May need even softer after 2 dull efforts; stakes placed 3 for 9 dam banked $85K; this is her first to run; nice to see Palma off to a good start this meet but this gal has to hustle.

Parade Bound

Hate to see them give up clear leads but she was whipless in the drive; 4th finisher in last took a maiden $20K TUP seller and the show horse beat maiden $30K foes here next out; backers can point to the fact there is a triple minor league winner in the family; top last-race Beyer in the pocket; major threat.

Honky Tonk Diva

Sasha's Prospect 6 for 65 with debuters; sire took debut at 2, lost next 9; dam out of the money in only start; 4 of 5 siblings won; top kin Sally's Blade took 7 of 42, earned about $63K; note gap in published drills till 1/20.

Oh Boo Hoo

Homebred wanted no part of the miler but must be given a look on the drop alone; stakes winning 3 for 21 dam earned over $150K; 3 of 4 sibs won including G1 placed near $150K earner and winner Palacio de Amor; if she can run at all, she figures to show it here.

Kahala

Soph could have been intimidated by the rail last time; dam was unraced; all 3 siblings won; top kin McCarren Park took 6 of 20, banked over $200K; capable barn due to get rolling.

Among the Stars

Sadler doesn't jump into the claiming game all that often so fact he does here is interesting; nothing but winners in the tree but none were monsters; the hotter the pace the better for this gal.

Girly Ghost

Miss pushed issue but had nothing left when the real racing started; dam just one for 12; both sibs won including 7 for 26 racer and over $60K earner Atticus' Ghost; barn has been firing and Bejarano enticed; hmm.

Run Rosie Run

Overmatched in the debut but just a brief threat last time; SP 4 for 16 dam earned over $160K; 4 of 5 siblings won; top kin Senior took 4 of 27, banked nearly $150K; has some things to iron out.

More Stormyweather

Checked in the debut but miss flashed career speed in last; Grade 3 placed 4 for 24 dam earned nearly $200K; lone half bro to race The Rock Rolls took 2 of 10, earned over $40K; steady moves, she should be on the muscle fresh and should give a good account of herself. - Brian Mulligan