Santa Anita: Closer Looks for February 28, 2014

Race 2

Woodmans Luck

Despite being gone 364 days he's come back with solid form, including a win on turf at BHP just over 2 months ago; was a respectable 5th at this level here Jan. 25, too (beaten just 1 3/4 lengths); tried dirt Feb. 14 and didn't run badly to be 3rd, albeit well beaten (4 1/4 lengths) but he's back to what may be better footing and Nakatani stays.

Sizzlin' Joe

Game 15-1 win on this course at this trip Jan. 24 bodes well; in fact, that looks even better when you note 2 he beat that day came right back to win; all that being said, he's had a number of shots at this level but for the most part has found these waters a smidge too deep; then again, could that Jan. 24 win, after almost 2 months off, be a sign he's a better horse now than he was in those previous tries at this level, hmmmm?

Kessabtsi

Smart 4th (beaten just 1 length) going a mile at this level Jan. 25 here, not far at all behind Deep Play (2nd) and Christopher Street (3rd), who he must deal with again here; found open foes and 12fs too much to handle last time but this is surely a better situation in terms of distance and footing; only 2 wins and his only 2 turf 3rds have come on THIS course.

Volkonsky

Good 2nd on dirt at this level here Feb. 14 but if anything THIS figures his preferred footing; at all, his lone win came on turf so getting back to sod shoudl help here; was no factor vs. a few of these here Jan. 25 but that run may have been an aberration as his 2 starts prior and 1 start since were just fine.

Christopher Street

Beat $50K claimers on the BHP sod Dec. 21 and the horse he beat by a head (Imperative) came back to be 2nd in the G2 San Antonio and might be seen next in the G1 SA Handicap March 8; rallied smartly for 3rd, just behind 'Play, going a mile at this level here Jan. 25 and if anything today's added furlong helps.

Deep Play

You had to be worried when after he broke his maiden on the BHP sod in July 2012 he wasn't seen again until Dec. 22, 2013 at BHP; the good news is he came back then with a decent run (4th) considering the layoff and then was a sharp 2nd going a mile at this level on this course Jan. 25, beating a few of these; certainly looks back on track for Vienna and 3 works since, including 2 recent snappy ones on the training track, bode well; and the added furlong may be to his liking, too.

Husband's Folly

Looks back on track; posted a couple ugly outings at BHP in the fall but came here and was a nice 4th for $25K and then a very good 3rd (beaten a half-length) when bumped well up in class to a stakes race at this distance on this course Feb. 2; winner of that race (Te Rapa) would be odds-on in here and this guy darn near beat him; that hints he's over whatever funk he was in during the fall and he's done some of his best work at this 9f trip as well.

Bench Light

That 3rd to stakes-caliber Spring Up at this trip at BHP Dec. 14 shows he's got the goods; that being said, what do you then make of that dull run here Jan. 25 at this level when 8th finishing well behind a few of today's foes, hmmmmm?; well, he did have a very tough far outside post that day - but he's stuckon the far outside again here; at least has an extra furlong to work himself over before hitting the first turn; Sadler saw fit to claim him out of that dull last outing (21% off a claim) but is it noteworthy that he brings him back DOWN in price a smidge, hmmmm?; can threaten if he's ready to get back to his best form of last spring, that off that last run that's no small 'if', is it? - Michael Hammersly

Race 3

Zensational Beauty

Faded to fourth after flashing speed in each of her excursions, but some of the Baffert maidens at the meet have improved with racing experience; daughter of the swift G1-winning sprinter Zensational is questionable going this far, but could make all the running if nobody presses her early.

Not a Love Song

Finished up the track behind Zensational Beauty after saving ground in her opener, which might set her up for this longer sprint; Bonde hit with 23% of his maiden second-timers adding blinkers during the past five years ($2.05 ROI); Langfuhr filly is a half-sister to a minor stakes winner and several stakes-placed horses.

Empress of Midway

Was bet down to 2-1 in her debut, and didn't disgrace herself by running third behind two nice prospects in that rapid tilt; Smith stays aboard and is 3 for 10 at the meet for O'Neill, who has a 9% strike-rate with maiden special second-timers over the last five years ($0.93 ROI); big shot.

Katerrific

Tiz Wonderful, a debut winner at 2, has sired an impressive 23% first-out winners; dam was unraced, and this is her first baby to make it to the races; trainer won at a 6% clip with maiden special first-timers over the past five years ($0.80 ROI).

Passing Shower

Showed nothing after a tardy start when she debuted early in the meet, from which the winner exited to double up in the G1 Las Virgenes (83 Beyer); Shirreffs boasts solid stats with maiden second-timers, and has had a productive meet so far; trainer/rider combo is 2 for 5 at the meet; daughter of War Pass is bred to run long. - Ron Gierkink

Race 4

Tricky Journey

Was outfinsihed by Gospel Music in last as those 2 dueled for the front and a similar trip likely leaves the win in the hooves of a stalker/closer; TBaze does score a lot for this trainer and 6-year-old is eligible to show better stamina 2nd time back off the more than 7-month break; view as a pace presence for part.

Tizapalooza

28%-winning 2nd start trainer and his rallying-debut style is helped by a possible speed duel between Tricky Journey and Gospel Music; keeps Smith who has cooled off after a hot start racing for a hot-SA barn; looms a logical contender for win honors closing well after saving ground.

Bettys Bambino

Sire is 45-for-368 with 1st-turf starters; 44-for-462 with debut runners; is out of a 4-for-12 dam (150K) who went 2-0-0-0 on grass producing 2 winners from 3 other foals to race (top earner 47K-Bettyboomboom 2-for-14); 1 foal to race on grass went 1-0-0-0 on turf.

Tavern Law

Sire is 9-for-124 with 1st-turf starters; 33-for-262 with debut runners; dam did not race on grass but overall went 3-for-7 (40K) producing 2 winners from 2 other foals to race (top earner 31K-Tavern 2-for-10); 1 foal to race on turf went 1-0-0-0 on grass.

Heat Flash

Exits back-to-back Beyer Tops which why cutting back to his 1st sprint since June is puzzling; 8%-winning route-to-sprint trainer since 2013 while back in just 6 days; the short return angle has worked well for his trainer; wish we saw better 6.5F races out of him in his first 3 attempts.

Proud Fighter

Sire is 7-for-97 with 1st-turf starters; 20-for-186 with debut runners; is out of an unraced dam who produced 6 winners from 8 other foals to race (top earner-113K-Enchanted Gold 3-for-14); 2 foals to race on grass are 3-0-0-0 combined.

Stake Hunter

Primed for this at 1 Mile 1st time on SA grass; the fade looks better since the winner repeated in an SA-starter alw. with an 81 Beyer; worked very well on dirt for this but his barn is just 2-for the last-41 with maiden-claiming starters.

Gospel Music

Debut-show finish on a synthetic surface represents the field's best Beyer speed figure when landing behind the runner-up finisher who Beyered 80-78 in his 2 next-out wins; dueled into defeat in latest by Tricky Journey when favored 1st turf; he gets a high-percenatge win angle for the trainer with 1st blinkers; is the one to catch and beat. - Art Gropper

Race 6

D'ya Knowwhatimean

Toss that turf try at BHP Dec. 20 and you're left with 2 smashing wins, including a big one here Jan. 23 over $50K foews; Miller saw fit to claim her that day, too, and not only is he superb off the claim (21%) but it's great to see he brings her back without a tag attached; that being said, the Beyer wasn't overwhelming (71) and she's up in class; and that aforementioned turf dud came at this level so was that the culprit or was it the sod?; at least you know she likes this dirt.

Find Your Spot

Can't knock a gal who's finished 1-2-3 in all 5 starts, 2 of them being wins; OK, so maybe there is a way to knock her - all came vs. lesser foes and both wins came on GG's synthetic; did run well in her only dirt try in her debut at EMD Sept. 22 when 2nd, but that was in the slop (which may apply today) and the Beyer was meager (38).

Bosserette

Maiden win came on the hillside turf course here Oct. 24; then came 2 months off and a nice 4th in a turf sprint at this level at BHP Dec. 20; didn't repeat that down the hill Jan. 19 as she pressed the pace at this level but wilted; still, she's shown talent and while it's her first try on dirt that might not be an issue; after all, daddy was a G1 SW sprinting on dirt and damsire was a G1 SW routing on dirt.

Belle of the Fleet

Maiden win at DMR Sept. 2 was a beaut; it was so good that for her first start vs. winners they picked the G1 Chandelier here, so she was WAY up in class and was also being asked to route for the first time; well, that was a disaster but they've given her time to regroup, she's worked well, drops and returns to the game at which she's proven (sprinting); now, just so long as that Chandelier dud wasn't due to dirt...

Midnight Dream

Dueled but was no match for Taste LIke Candy in her debut here Oct. 20, but 'Candy is now 2-time G1 SP; then dueled and fizzled on BHP turf Dec. 14 but she put it all together here Jan. 19 as blinkers came off, she showed the patience to stalk and finished well to win; not only looked good but she earned a field-topping Beyer (81); obviously it's a much tougher task today but she's worked smartly 4 times since and usually once Mr. Baffert gets 'em on the right path they tend to stay there. -Michael Hammersly

Race 7

Betty Bing Bing

She deserves another chance to see what she can do racing over turf after being involved in a fast early pace in her turf debut in her latest outing, but she will need to be careful to avoid getting caught up chasing the early speed of Winninginfashion.

A Little Luckier

She sports the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here and it's worth noting that she earned that figure in her turf debut while making her first start back from a very long layoff; this looks like a good spot for her to try to secure her first career win.

Veronica Bay

Not wild about what she's shown us in her first three starts, but she did display some improved early speed in her latest outing, and she does have a turf leaning pedigree; nevertheless, others entice more.

Winninginfashion

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam was winless from three starts, and she didn't make a turf start; her most recent race was the sharpest performance of her career and perhaps she'll agree with the move to turf.

I'msoulflattering

Sire wins with approximately 7% of his turf starters and dam won once from eight starts for 15k, and she didn't make a turf start; runner up from debut won next out here on 2/14 going 6f vs. MSW rivals with a 72 Beyer; a couple of her recent workouts look improved and this is a good spot to find out what she can do over turf.

Turn On

She ran well enough in her career debut to be given a competitive look against this bunch and it certainly wouldn't be a surprise to discover that this barn has her ready for better the second time around.

Little Unusual

Her best race is clearly fast enough to get her into the mix against these but it's difficult to place any confidence in her for the top spot when seeing that she's seeking her first win in career start number 36.

Inherit the Throne

She put together a decent performance just two races ago, but that type of effort has not been the norm for her, and it's tough to give her a favorable push when considering her overall form.

Russian Silk

This filly ran into a very sharp winner in her career debut and she figures to appreciate facing Cal-bred competition for her second start; leaning in another direction for the top spot, but wouldn't consider her a total shocker if she proved to be capable. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Coast Starlite

Zucker is 1 for 15 the last 5 years with debuting maiden claimers; that runner paid $25 and 5 others ran in the money at odds between 5 and 38-1; Macho Uno about 12% with first-timers in a 354-runner sample; sire won thrice at 2 including debut, won multiple Grade 1s, earned over $1.8 million; dam took debut at 2, lost other outing; 1 of 2 siblings won and that runner was just one for 14; love the work pattern here.

Am Another Lover

The extended layoff is a concern but she did show some semblance of speed; dam out of the money twice; 3 of 6 siblings won; top kin Lovehi was stakes placed, took 3 of 26, earned nearly $200K; she has some things to prove.

Exemplary

Bernstein 1 for 22 the last 5 years with second shooing maiden claimers; took her share of action and lost best chance when she hopped in the air; dam lost only start; 3 of 4 siblings won; top kin Buck's Bro took 9 of 38, banked over $200K; a clean start and it could be a new ballgame.

Janes Ship

After 17 chances, it s hard to identify the upside; she has missed in Phoenix, at Ruidoso and at Pomona; not my kind of play.

Notbyemyrules

Mirror races so far and neither was pretty; 1 for 2 dam took debut at 2; lone half sister lost 3 times; look for rider to be aggressive from the sound of the bell.

Hot Outta the Oven

At last mare should have her sea legs under her by now; dam was unraced; 3 of 4 siblings won; 2 banked 6 figures including stakes placed near $400K earner Master Chef; could at least muddle the pace.

Shandy

Off the rail today, but she has not shown much talent; lone half bro to race Better Bet took a stakes at 2, won 3 of 13, banked over $255K; hard to endorse.

Rich in Tradition

Miss loses 22 times and fans jump on 5-1; she has been around the wire several times but just has lacked that killer instinct; nothing but winners in the tree and one banked 6 figures; long overdue to hit paydirt.

Wine Country Wanda

Kruljac 5 for 83 or 6% the last 5 years with debuting maiden claimers; Stormy Jack 6 for 110 with first-timers; sire took debut at 2, took several stakes, earned nearly $600K; dam out of the money twice; this is her first to race; she will not have to be a monster to make an impact here.

Diablita

Miss should be fit enough by now and she did flash career speed in last; clever former rider Black gives the bug a chance today and mare comes back pretty quickly; dam lost 6 times; one of 2 sibs won including 9 for 45 racer and near $85K earner Lil Dish; could enjoy this drop.

Classic Candy

Mare took to the bit after bobbling just had nothing left; there are a couple of winners in the tree, but neither was much stock; drills this month are solid.

Amina Perfect

Bothered in the debut, wide, and then like the way she kept to her task in last; dam was 2nd 4 times but never won; lone half sister Amina took 3 of 10, banked nearly $100K; drawn right, fits in the Beyer department and barn has been winning everything that is not nailed down. - Brian Mulligan