Santa Anita: Closer Looks for February 6, 2014

Race 1

Heaveneleven

Raced wide after getting away slowly when he reached out to a mile Dec. 27, in a race at this level which has yielded three next-out winners (the victor doubled up in an optional starter with a 64 Beyer); gelding is taking the hood off for the turnback to a shorter sprint, and could be along to pick up some of the pieces.

Mr. Cactus

Closed for second in an improved performance when he dropped to this price on opening day, in a longer sprint from which the third, fourth and 11th horses all exited to fare well; the addition of blinkers might help him to get up in time, and note that Bejarano has given him a vote of confidence; appears to have sufficient speed to run at here.

Last One Commander

Sire was a versatile 2yo stakes winner, who's 0 for 2 with debuting progeny; dam was a $76K turf/router, who's thrown the 2yo stakes winner Wolf Trail ($107K); trainer is 0 for 23 with maiden-claiming first-timers over the past five years.

California Jade

Was beaten in double digits in each of his three most recent excursions, including in a pair of $30K tilts at this price; trainer's had some success when taking the hood off, but this homebred is hard to recommend at this juncture.

Cousin Ricky

The drop from $50K Cal-bred company is noteworthy, as he returns to action on fairly short rest; Ricky is the first Mullins mount for the capable bug Van Dyke, who should have him forwardly placed; among the more likely ones.

Geldautomat

Everybody knows the biggest drop in SoCal racing is the one going into the maiden-claiming ranks, and Callaghan has a 20% win clip with such droppers in the last five years ($1.02 ROI); son of FuPeg has some positive experience in shorter sprints, and should be prominent throughout under a low-percentage jock who might add some betting value; preferred.

Goldnesian

Sire was a stakes-placed sprinter ($205K)--he's 0 for 1 with debuting progeny; dam was a G3 stakes-winning sprinter on dirt and turf--she's been a poor producer, but two of her offspring scored at first asking at 2; O'Neill hit with 14% of his maiden-claiming firsters going back five years ($1.44 ROI). - Ron Gierkink

Race 2

Sweet Spell

Sire Candy Ride gets over 13% debut winners, over 10% first time turf winners and over 12% overall turf winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won all 6 starts for $749K, was G1 SW on turf in Argentina, G2 SW on turf in U.S.; dam has 5 winners from 6 foals to race including Exfactor (3 wins, $158K, G3 SW, off board only turf try; dam won 4 of 12 for $212K, had 1 3rd from 3 grass starts, had 2 SWs, was SP on turf; working along nicely the past couple months.

Wasted At Midnight

Showed speed in first turf try, a sprint at BHP Nov. 9, but gave way readily and had to be vanned off; hasn't been seen since but it's most encouraging new trainer Mandella does not drop her, and of course he's superb off the bench; they thought enough of her back in the summer of 2012 that off a promising debut they tried her in the G1 Del Mar Debutante; 3 of 4 sibs to race are winners including Edge of Chaos (5 wins, $85K) and Tri Polar (7 wins, $77K).

Seattle Charlie

Sire Indian Charlie gets over 10% first time turf winners, over 12% overall turf winners; sire won 4 of 5 for $616K, won G1 SA Derby, lone loss was when 3rd in G1 Ky. Derby, no turf tries; dam's only foal is Arboria (1 win, $21K, off board 2 turf tries); dam won 2 of 4 for $65K, 1 win on turf, SP; came back after 7 months to duel and be a nice 4th at GG Dec. 29 so she can move forward off that; worked nicely here recently, too.

Provenance

Lone turf try, which came at BHP Nov. 9, wasn't bad at all; broke slowly but kept to her task well to be 4th; then dueled and ran 4th on the main track there Dec. 21 (race produced 2 next-out winners); freshened, with some nice works since; 2 sibs are Jasmine's Melody (9 wins, $79K, SP, no turf tries) and Godard (2 wins, both on turf, $82K).

Fleet Causeway

Sire Giant's Causeway gets over 9% first time turf winners, over 14% overall turf winners; sire won 9 of 13 for $3 million, was multiple G1 SW on turf in Europe; dam has 5 winners from 7 foals to race including Shafted (6 wins, $103K, SP, no turf tries), Awesome Twist (5 wins, $319K, 3-time G2 SP, no turf tries) and A New Twist (5 wins, $284K, 2 SWs, twice G3 SP, no turf tries); dam won 13 of 18 for $659K, was 2-time G1 SW, also multiple G2/G3 SW, no turf starts; plenty of solid works for a trainer who's terrific first out (33%) and top rider Bejarano takes the call.

Miss E U

First 2 starts weren't much, but hey, those were just her first 2 starts; they came on turf and while she hasn't run in almost 10 months it's most encouraging to see Eurton brings her back without a tag attached; he's also solid off a long layoff like this (17%); been working well; 4 of 5 sibs are winners including Joey Whispers (5 wins, 1 on turf, $153K), Ubelongtomemissy (2 wins, 1 on turf, $104K) and Havana (2 wins, $708K, won G1 Champagne, 2nd in G1 BC Juvenile here a few months ago, no turf starts). - Michael Hammersly

Race 4

Kerrilynn

First 8 starts, all in NoCal, were super (3 1st, 5 2nds); can't just say she's a GG synthetic specialist, either, as none of the wins came on that footing - 1 came in her only turf try, the other 2 on dirt; broke very slowly and was no factor at GG Dec. 14 when 5th; freshened, comes to new surroundings with a drop; has versatility, too; quite playable.

Small Moves

Plenty of speed here, and it looks as though Glatt bought at the right time; claimed her for $25K off a good 3rd here Jan. 5 and she flattered his judgement by coming back (without a tag attached) here Jan. 19 and gamely prevailing; faces tougher today but she's worked well since and appears on her way up; best work has come on this track, too.

Fanny Brice

Considering her Jan. 12 run here was her first here, her first on dirt and her first action of any kind in over 4 months that was pretty darn smart; she broke slowly but bided her time and finished well; that also showed versatility - after all, in her 3 starts on WO's Polytrack she'd been right on the pace each time; worked nicely twice since.

Our Pure Creation

Dueled and paid the price here Jan. 12, fading to 7th (well behind today's foe Fanny Brice, who was 3rd); still, very nice to see no panicky drop by Bonde AND that Bejarano sees fit to ride; her Dec. 7 win at BHP came wire-to-wire, yes, but that was routing; we're sprinting today and note her debut win at BSR last summer when pressing the pace, so she's no need-the-lead type; wouldn't be surprised at all so see her bounce back with a much better effort.

Peppy Bolly

All 3 wins have come on this track, so we're in her sandbox; that being said, she was a non-factor 5th here a few weeks ago, finishing 2 1/4 lengths behind today's foe Fanny Brfice; had speed last spring but of late she hasn't shown as much of it; at least she's proven she can win from off the pace and while her last wasn't her best she showed before she's not a fish out of water vs. this kind and as noted, she likes it here; all that being said, regular rider Smith ends up on Cougarontheprowl to her right today instead, so read into that what you will.

Cougarontheprowl

Debut was a beaut - like a pro she pressed the pace, took over into the lane, gamely put away the others and was drawing off late; nice stuff; sure, it's a big step up today first time vs. winners but there appears to be plenty of upside here, she's worked smartly twice since and maybe most encouraging is Smith was up last time but has been the regular rider for Peppy Bolly as well....and ends up here. - Michael Hammersly

Race 5

Chicago Angel

Exits a solid placing second time at the trip after opening up a big early lead from a similar draw; maybe she faces a little early heat in here, but she gets the best of the starting slots and does own the highest last out number; looks like they'll have her to beat.

La Casadora

Sprinter drops to a new low level while tackling the route for the initial time here; expecting she'll find herself closer early from the outset at this trip and her sire was a G1 SW router, but the dam's side of the pedigree suggests 2 turns may not be her ideal trip.

Warrens Goldnugget

Trailed a big part of the way after breaking slowly at a big price first out; she did return to work ok here last weekend and her dam was a limited route winner, but she's got a lot of moving forward to do in order to threaten for a money spot.

Moonlight Stroll

Proved little match for the runner up who returns here as well when stretched out in her second career start; filly's one turn debut run at Hollywood was pretty solid and her pedigree says she has a right to be better second time going long; looks to be the main danger.

I Dig Elle

Did little in her 2 sprint starts over the local main track and now they'll stretch her out for a barn that boasts some recent luck with the move; don't know that this first foal of a SP sprint dam is going to love the added ground so we'll just watch her today.

Cheeky Stone

Hood goes on for her second route spin after backing out of it late last time; she's worked quite well in the interim here and maybe she has a move forward in her second time going long; returning pilot hasn't had a great meeting, but he's certainly a capable journeyman and this gal has only run a few times so she's eligible to move forward.

Lovely Instinct

Tries 2 turns for the initial time after a decent third place finish when stretched out to 7 panels a couple of weeks back; filly should be closer from the bell at this trip and she is kin to 4 route winners including G3 SP, SW and 285K earner Ballado's Thunder so though she's had her chances she has a right to move forward at 2 turns.

Alissa R N

Filly debuts for an outfit that has them ready to fire right out of the box, but they don't usually send them this long right away; drills are steady and her sire does get 12% first out winners from his offspring; she's the first foal to race out of a dam who was winless from 2 turf starts.

Mini Candy

Showed improved lick on the stretchout in her second career start but still didn't have much to offer late; outside draw should put this lightly raced filly in a great tracking spot from the bell and she is kin to a multiple turf winner; price will be bigger this time, but she's got a lot to prove. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

J and S Express

Been knocking on the door and maybe today is her day; remember, too, 3 of her last 4 good efforts came on turf and while she handles that she may be better on synthetic and dirt (has won on each); has tactical speed and versatility and 2 nice recent works say she's doing well.

Georgie's Sweetie

Broke her maiden back in June 2010 like a gal with promise; alas, the pattern since hasn't been pretty - 11 months off/dull return run/over 17 months off/dull return/over 6 months off/dull return/now another 8 months off; at least they still don't risk losing her for a tag but those big gaps in her schedule give caue for pause; oh, and it's first time on dirt today to boot.

Always a Chance

She and the rail gal finished next to one another in her last 2; those came on turf, yes, but this ggal handles dirt, even if she hasn't been on it for some time; biggest issue is her lack of speed recently as she's been leaving herself with a lot to do, but Bejarano stays put and if 'Express is a player here (and she is) then doesn't it follow that this gal can be, too?; darn tootin' it does.

Yawannagokid

4 solid outings to start her career, including 2 3rds on this track, so she handles this place that being said, she hasn't been seen in 4 months so there's a layoff to ponder; good news, though, is her lone win came at DMR off the bench (5-plus months) so she can fire fresh; been working along steadily and Victor stays with her.

Sagebrush Queen

Last wasn't very pretty but you can be a bit forgiving; not only was it her first try vs. winners but it came on turf, and she ran poorly in her only other turf start so that may not be her game; also, she was 53-1 so not much was expected anyway; back to dirt and sprinting, a game she handled decently here when 2nd in her debut Oct. 4; also nice there's no panicky drop in for a tag; all that being said, she still needs a sizeable step forward if she's to challenge these.

Mark of a Gem

Returns after nearly 9 months; broke her maiden down the hill here last Feb. 24, then dueled and gave way to 7th on the BHP sod in her first try vs. winners when last seen; that layoff is something to ponder to be sure, but she handled this main track decently last winter and she's sure been working smartly for Yakteen for this return. - Michael Hammersly

Race 8

Los Borrachos

Pulpit about 10% with first-time turf runners in a 441-runner sample; sire won debut by over 7, took the Fountain of Youth and Blue Grass, never turfed; stakes winning 4 for 16 dam earned over $100K, was 2nd in best turf moment; this is her first to race; 5th and 6th finishers in last won in this league next out and the two others ran 2nd; never been a big fan of the rail on the hill.

Relative Time

A bit more keen to run early but he just had nothing left; he does have the important experience on the hillside; place horse in the debut graduated next out and the winner repeated in the Grade 3 Generous; dam's lone win was a dirt route; this is her first to race; blowout on the 28th is a good sign, look for rider to send hard here.

Melatonin

Colt has trained fast since turf debut and note he was over 3 clear; SP 4 for 16 dam earned almost $100K, won once on grass; the sibling that won cashed 6 times in the minor leagues, once on grass; should be around the wire again.

Van Fraassen

Giant's Causeway about 11% with debuters in a 655-runner study, about 12% with first-time turf runners in a 444 -runner sample; sire won juvenile debut by 7 and took a Group 1 at 2 as a turf monster; dam's lone win came on grass; the 2 siblings to race are a combined 0 for 3; he has drilled steadily for this, must hurry.

Excessive Kid

Lemon Drop Kid about 9% with debuters in a 528-runner study, about 10% with first-time turf runners in a 441-runner sample; sire won twice at 2, banked over $3.2 million, never tried turf; dam took 2 stakes in 3 for 5 career, won on grass, earned nearly $175K; this is her first to race; colt looks fit enough.

Elle Street

Street Boss 20 for 102 with debuters, 13 for 51 with first-time turfers; sire didn t run at 2, won debut at 3 with a 86 Beyer, took a Grade 1, banked over $800K, never turfed; SW 6 for 30 dam earned over $200K, lost 5 times on turf; lone half bro cashed thrice, once on grass; drill are rather snappy.

J Kat

Horse Greeley 0 for 18 with first-time turfers; Grade 2 winning sire won twice at 2, earned over $225K, never turfed; dam was unraced; both siblings won including G3 winner, 5 for 23 performer and strictly turfer Strike the Bell; educated in the poor start up north, rates upset glance.

Dothraki

Solid try on the hill two back, just was left with too much to do last time; several siblings tried grass and one cashed once on turf in England; the hotter the pace the better for this guy.

Kozani

Like this progression; he was inching toward the winner in the debut, and the miler could have helped the stamina; SW 3 for 15 dam earned over $225K, was turf only; the 2 siblings to race a combined 0 for 11; major player. - Brian Mulligan