Santa Anita: Closer Looks for February 27, 2014

Race 1

Perfect Tango

Drops back in with maidens after showing speed against limited winners on the local lawn a few weeks back; filly draws inside for the move to dirt and though she hasn't run so well over this footing the barn does hit at a nice recent clip with the move; maybe she's able to work out a ground saving trip from here, but she's got some improving to do in order to factor.

Belonging

Takes what's termed the biggest drop in the game while also trying this type of surface for the initial time; 5 year old was again given some time after returning from 11 months on the shelf with a poor effort on the local lawn but she's been working quite well over the local dirt in the interim for this; she did show some ability on the green last winter and ran into a handful of next out winners in her tries on other footing; fact they are willing to lose her may be a concern, but this does appear to be now or never time.

Ilovefools

She's done little in her 5 race career and now she'll stretch back out off a couple of poor local sprint tries at the level; filly doesn't look to catch a very tough bunch, but the barn doesn't do so well with its stretchouts and there's not a lot to suggest she'll take a good step forward in here.

Gin Jan Lizzie

Fresh filly was runner up in each of her last 2 going long on synthetic footing and now she'll move back to dirt in her return; she's been working regularly of late over this footing for the comebacker but hasn't shown much early interest at all and could find herself with a lot to do in the lane.

Sheza Eyeopener

Most experienced filly in here was no match for the money finishers when stretched out at the level earlier in the month; she did return to work a solid half mile over the track last week and maybe that means she's set to move forward some here, but a minor award looks to be her ceiling.

Silk in Silver

Speedy filly stretches out to try 2 turns for the first time while getting a huge rider switch in her first off the barn's claim; maybe the removal of the hood allows her to relax a bit and she shouldn't have any trouble making the top against this bunch; her dam won a handful of times going 2 turns on the lawn so maybe she's able to handle the route for a barn that stretches them out well; one to run down. - Steve Grabowski

Race 2

Oh Daddy Oh

Lots of speed here - hasn't been behind a horse at the first margin call OR the 2nd margin call; best finish came on this track, too, when he drew off to blast maiden claimers Sept. 27; set a brisk pace down the hill and faded here Jan.16 but he's back to and well down in class, both of which may help a bunch; oh, and 3 recent SLR bullets say he comes here feeling pretty darn good.

Pray Hard

Whipped maidens on BHP's synthetic Nov. 30; don't assume he's a synthetic-only horse, though, as he was a very nice 2nd in his only dirt try, on this track, Oct. 12; then tried a stakes at BHP Dec. 22, dueled and finished a well-beaten 3rd to California Chrome, who came back to win the Cal Cup Derby and may be a legit Derby horse; freshened, doesn't face anyone like that here and Bejarano stays with him.

Well Measured

Came out firing to gamely win his debut here Jan. 25; dueled from the start and showed a lot of courage to edge a tough Even to the Man (who was another 4 1/4 lengths clear of 3rd); that also earned him a 77 Beyer, tops in this field, albeit it no by much (Pray Hard has a 75); faces winners for the first time but you can see he's got speed, talent and guts, and there's certainly the possibility he can improve further.

Patriots Rule

Debut here wasn't pretty at all but hey, that was just his debut and you can always be forgiving about a first run; you can also be more forgiving when they then come back and rally to win, as this guy did Jan. 25 at 33-1; that came for a $50K tag but you can see Diodoro takes no such risk of losing him today; must deal with winners and Beyerwise he needs to move forward, but such a move is hardly out of reach for a guy who's run just twice; oh, and that Jan. 25 win looks even better when you note 2 he beat that day came right back to win.

Image of Joplin

Speed shown in first 2 starts at GG, both vs. straight maidens, but he weakened in each; then dropped a bunch to face $12,500 foes there Feb. 7, bided his time and finished well to win, and Miyadi saw fit to claim him; still, there are big hurdles today - it's first time vs. winners, first time dirt and first time shipping, and today he's offered for $50K so he's well up in price, meaning it's surely a tougher spot; at least looks headed the right way; lone sib is Raised a Secret (2 wins, $141K, 3-time SP). - Michael Hammersly

Race 3

This Cat's Awesome

Sire Awesome Gambler is 1 for first 18 (over 6%O first time turf, 3 for first 46 (over 6%) overall on turf, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 2 of 6 for $98K, was SW, SP, no turf starts; dam's lone foal is this guy's full-sis Awe' Some Kitten (2 wins, 1 on turf, $128K, SP); dam won 2 of 11 for $61K, had 1 2nd from 4 grass starts; 3 of 4 starts have been solid but all 4 came sprinting and all 4 came on dirt (2) and synthetic (2), and none of that applies today; did work very nicely on dirt here Feb. 21.

Arctic Code

3 starts all on turf and it's a bit like Goldilocks and the 3 Bears - 1 was quite good (2nd), another lukeward (4th) and the other a bit on the cold side (5th); but, at least that shows some turf ability; all 9 sibs are winners, though it's worth noting 5 of them have tried turf - no wins.

Zackos My Man

First turf try, a route at this level here Feb. 2, was solid as he set the pace and stayed on for 3rd, albeit fairly well beaten (6 lengths); still, that was a field of 12 so he left more than a few in his wake; worked well twice since and note his good 2nd sprinting on BHP's main track Dec. 15 was from OFF the pace so he doesn't appear to be some one-dimensional speed type.

Pyrotechnics

Tough to be too enthused; yet to make a dent in 6 starts, 3 of those on turf including a race just like this here Feb. 2 when he was slow into stride before making up some ground to finish 5th (Zackos My Man was 3rd); at least there's no panicky drop by Warrn and this guy worked decently Feb. 17 but a hefty step forward is required if he's to have a say.

Dane O Mite

It wasn't exactly 'Good Times' in his debut here Feb. 2 in a spot like this as at 70-1 he made a midrace move but then hit the brakes and gave way to finish last of 12, beaten a long ways (20 1/4 lengths); in his defense, not only was that his debut but he had an impossible post that day, too (No. 11); no such hardship today, has a race under his belt and a work since; pedigree-wise there's cause for optimism, too, as he's kin to Jacob's Journey (turf winner).

Sudden Rumor

No factor in his lone turf try which came down the hill here Jan. 11; remember, though, not only was that his first try on turf, but he had a troubled start, it was his first run in 4 months and it came vs. OPEN foes; back in vs. Cal-breds on dirt here Jan. 25, dueled early and weakened; stays in vs. state-breds only as he tries turf again, and D'Amato takes off the blinks as well; 2 sibs are Janna Gal (2 wins) and Got Even (3 wins, $232K, SW, 3-time SP, but off the board only 2 turf starts). - Michael Hammersly

Race 6

Dreamy Blues

Loved today's distance in last when re-rallying when racing with 1st blinkers; her career-best Beyer was posted on SA dirt sprinting; the 2-back winner repeated in a SA-allowance with an 83 Beyer speed figure; today marks the lighest-weight assignment ever to put her over the top; the pick.

Miss E U

The conventional-dirt workout for her 1st main-track start was not very enticing; she has not raced past 6.5F yet; sire finished 6th and 8th in 2 dirt routes he was a Grade 2-stakes winner at 6F; dam went 0-for-1 in dirt routes she never won past 6F.

Fleet Causeway

Off the even-turf-debut finish when landing behind Miss E U the unveiling rider stays with Thisonesforricky for this; she has not raced past 6.5F yet; sire won as far as 1M and 5-16th on turf; he finished 2nd in the 10F-Breeders' Cup Classic on dirt; dam was a G1-SW at 1 Mile on dirt.

Onna Bugeisha

Good-long layoff barn takes over the training duties to race on dirt for the 1st time ever; mixed reveiws from her turf races at today's distance; posted some good-dirt workouts for this suggesting she may like it here; overall will be taking a wait and see approach.

Thisonesforricky

Field-best Beyer was more than 1 year ago over the SA-main track at shorter while in latest at today's distance could not handle Dreamy Blues while posting the 2nd-lowest speed figure of her career; hopes to turn the tables 2nd time back off an 8-month layoff; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 85 in a next-out BHP-MSW win; is the one to beat.

Sheza Dish

Another one who has never competed on a dirt oval before; she has worked very well for this; the runner-up and 5th-place finishers from last Beyered 73-56 in next-out SA-MSW and BSR-25K-maiden-claiming wins; the debut runner-up and show finishers Beyered 83-72 in next-out DMR-MSW wins; contender. - Art Gropper

Race 7

County Lineman

Despite recent statistics, this barn can move one forward after a trainer change, and it might be worth noting the success that Nakatani has had riding for this outfit; this is the first time this stakes placed colt has been entered in a claiming event, and feel that he's eligible to be ready to run a good one in his first start as a 4-year-old.

Jonny's Choice

He might be better off sprinting than routing, but maybe the outside post he's drawn in his two most recent starts had something to do with those sub par performances; regardless, he was beaten by today's rival Stoney Fleece in his latest outing and this looks like a tough spot for him to land in.

Stoney Fleece

Grade 3 winner has to be considered a good fit at this level of competition and he's beaten a couple of today's rivals in his recent starts; consistent performer might have to hope that a couple of these show up with less than their best to have a chance at the top spot, but he isn't out of the question.

El Commodore

Have to respect the level of performance that this multiple graded stakes placed veteran is capable of on his best day, but he is light on recent winning form, and he might need to see a soft early pace develop to have his best chance in this spot; runner-up from latest returned to win next out here on 2/23 going 6 1/2f over turf in a 76k stakes with a 96 Beyer.

American Act

He's shown the ability to produce a sharp performance on his best day and perhaps he'll be ready to give a good account of himself while making his second start back from a layoff; don't like to see that you have to go back to April 2012 to find his most recent victory, but not willing to count him out of it with Stevens aboard.

Batti Man (ARG)

Grade 2 stakes placed runner has been in good form lately, but this doesn't look like a soft spot for him to be trying to go after his first turf victory, and with El Commodore and American Act signed on, he isn't likely going to get away with anything early on; have to list him among the contenders, but others entice more.

Magic Channel

Respect the fact that he goes out for Hollendorfer and Bejarano, and Bejarano has won with 14 of 49 (29%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting, but he was claimed for 50k just three starts ago, and he's going to need to step up his game to get the better of these.

Royal F J

He has a history of settling for minor awards, and when seeing that he's facing a tough group of 75-55k claimers today, it's hard to envision him having a chance at landing anything more than a spot underneath in the exotics.

Vibrato Jazz

He's the only one in here with just a single win next to his name and he's been beaten by today's rival Stoney Fleece in a couple of his recent attempts; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 2/14 going 1 1/2m over turf vs. 40k OPC's with an 85 Beyer. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Wildy Excessive

Lack of speed a concern as it's never simple to concede 10 or 12 lengths and get the job done; she has started poorly in 2 of 4 and now has to deal with the fence; has some things to iron out.

Very Thankful

In light but she will have to pick it up; 2 for 18 dam earned nearly $45K; this is her first to race; miss has sneaky speed, needs to get brave on the front end to make the best impact.

Majestic Gem

Miss at least passed a few horses in the drive; Grade 2 placed 4 for 8 dam earned nearly $200K; 4 of 7 siblings won; two earned nearly $100K, one was stakes placed; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one.

Gala Moon

Never thrilled to see the defeats at Pomona; 1 for 7 dam earned nearly $35K; family is solid as all 6 siblings won; top kin Spectaculous took 6 of 36, earned nearly $70K; hard to be overly positive about this miss.

Divine Way

Miss has much more speed than she just flashed and she should appreciate the cheaper company; backers can point to the several winners in the tree including an over $150K earner; could be a good thing in an ordinary race.

Tiz But a Dream

Baltas 2 for 10 the last 5 years with debuting maiden claimers with a median payoff of over $21 and another ran 2nd at 14-1; Tiz Wonderful about 20% with debuters in a 193-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, won a Grade 2 as a juvenile, banked over $250K taking 3 of 5; dam out of the money 3 times; 3 of 5 siblings won; top kin I've Got the Fever took 6 of 30, banked nearly $140K; miss looks well intentioned.

Precious Caroline

Conlon 1 for 9 the last 5 years with debuting maiden claimers and 3 others ran in the money at odds between 5-2 and 20-1; unraced Kitalpha 10 for 77 with debuters; 7 for 20 dam earned nearly $85K; lone full sister to race Kate s Star took 3 of 22, banked over $60K; love the spacing of the drills.

New Nature

Miss was over 3 clear and has every right to improve; 6 for 44 dam earned nearly $80K; lone half bro to race D Fighter took 3 of 38, banked just under a grand a start; drawn right again, nice move on the 15th; major player. - Brian Mulligan