Santa Anita: Closer Looks for January 12, 2013

Race 1

Polytechnicien

He's a Grade 3 winner racing overseas and the 83 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 1/3 going 1 1/8m over turf vs. 50-45k claimers with an 86 Beyer.

Kingpin Ryno

Have to be at least mildly concerned when seeing that his recent form hasn't been his best, but he has had success racing over this turf course in the past, and perhaps he'll be ready to give a good account of himself while making his third start after a layoff; runner-up from latest returned to win next out at BHP on 12/15 going 6f over turf vs. N1X alw. rivals with an 82 Beyer.

Yomybato

A couple of his better races have been run over the synthetic surface at BHP, but his turf form has been strong enough to give him a competitive look in this spot, and can't ignore the fact that he's making his first start for a barn that does well with new acquisitions; Bejarano has won with 5 of 12 (42%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Second City

He's a G3 winner racing over dirt, and he ran well the first time he tried turf, but he's going to need to step it up over what he's been doing lately if he's to get the job done; leaning toward others.

Trelawny

Stakes placed veteran looks like he can prove to be the dominant early speed in here, but he does appear to be better off sprinting than routing, and feel that it's fair to question his ability to carry his early speed today's one mile distance.

Half Strike

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and multiple G1 winning dam won 4 of 6 starts for 959k, and she didn't make a turf start; the poor performance after a claim in her latest outing is a concern, but she does have some solid dirt and synthetic surface form on her card to look at.

Race 2

Tenkiller Kid

Finally graduated in his 10th trip postward Dec. 6, from which the runner-up exited to topple $20K maidens with a 63 Beyer; his lone local two-turn effort on the dirt wasn't awful, so he could hit the ticket under leading rider Bejarano, who's 1 for 4 at the meet on O'Neill charges.

Dirty Swagg

Homebred is descending to a new low off a non-threatening fifth for $40K; has only hit the board twice since breaking his maiden in '12 at Del Mar, which included a third in the Real Quiet Stakes; unlikely, but not impossible.

I Don't Care Who

Was claimed for $25K for the second straight time Oct. 18--Mullins has much better numbers first-time off the claim going back five years (22%, $1.85 ROI) compared to the past year; Garcia is 1 for 2 at the meet when he's gotten a leg up from Jeff; can make his presence felt after working extensively over the last six weeks.

Full Consent

The second Mullins entrant is the speed of the party, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him go coast-to-coast in his first dirt start around two turns; his Nov. 7 score has yet to yield a winner, although the second and fifth horses both came back to run well; should take some catching with speed rider Pedroza back after a one-race absence.

Gallant Charm

Posted his fourth second-place finish Dec. 20 in his debut for Avila, who has a healthy 23% strike-rate second-time off the claim in the last five years ($4.99 ROI); consistent gelding is versatile in several ways, and note that he earned his diploma going long here on the dirt; contender.

Race 5

Incredible Journey

Considering the cut back, this gal could be left with a lot of work to do turning for home; the fact she won his debut gives her a chance to fire fresh; she's trained steadily for this but the drills are hardly eye-catching; lean toward watching one.

Peppy Bolly

Would love to see this grinder find that killer instinct; check out the 10 slices; this is her surface though and she showed renewed energy in the move a week ago; there are a couple that figure to set an honest pace; should be rolling hard in the final stages.

Rhodium

Proven locally going long, can't fault those that figure she is set for a peak performance after getting the 2 races under the belt; note place horse in the race two back was nearly 4 clear; she is coming to the race right.

Our Pure Creation

Clever last time and note place horse was clear for fun; winner of last took a $62.5K optional next out with an 83 Beyer; okay, it was Pomona but she has won on the conventional dirt; love the series of drills coming to the race and the move on the 3rd was solid; respect.

Fanny Brice

Was in the good hands of Baker in Canada; place horse took a $25K optional at Belmont and the 6th finisher took an N1X next out at Woodbine; miss has fired every time and she was agile enough to overcome a speed dule in the win; steady drills coming to this race is a positive; upset special.

Ubelongtomemissy

Seemed in a good spot on the stretch out but pressed an faded; 1/3 show horse cashed next out in an N1X with an 80 Beyer; she has worked solidly since the last effort and Bejarano enticed; connections would love to see her start acting like her top kin Havana, who took the Champagne and lost heart breaker in the BC Juvenile.

Splendid Fortune

Fresh and dangerous; 2/23 place horse has won 5 times since, the last in a Grade 1 with a 97 Beyer; miss may be a bit more relaxed with the blinks off this time; drawn right, move a week ago suggests she is feeling pretty good about herself; look out.

Katie's Garden

Miss has fired at every venue; the winner of the debut took a $35K optional next out; could see her sitting a nice stalk and pounce trip as Nakatani takes the reins; slight improvement and she will be a handful.

Race 6

Hidethegoodstuff

If you take out a synthetic surface start against stakes competition, she really hasn't run a bad race to date, and it certainly looks like she's been training well as she gets ready to make her first start since the end of November; like to see that she ran well in her only start over this turf course.

Vegas Rules

Late running type has put together some pretty decent performances sprinting over turf lately, but she did finish behind a couple of today's rivals in her latest outing, and this might prove to be a tough spot for her to try to secure her first 1-2 finish over turf.

Sweetest Secret

The 75 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field and it's worth noting that she earned that figure while making only her second start over turf; third place finisher from latest returned to win next out here on 1/5 going 6f vs. 25-22.5k N2L claimers with a 66 Beyer.

Cayanna

Multiple stakes placed veteran is one of two signed on in here for the O'Neill barn and she's run well enough sprinting over turf to suggest that she can prove to be a threat for the top prize; she might be ready to run a good one while making her second start back from a layoff.

Always a Chance

Have to respect the presence of Bejarano aboard this O'Neill-trained miss and this filly ran well in her latest outing when splitting a couple of today's rivals; she's capable of producing a competitive performance against competition of this caliber on her best day.

J and S Express

This mare has been in good form lately and she got the better of a couple of today's rivals in her latest outing; this barn is off to a good start at this meeting and they appear to have another live one to send out in this spot.

Velvet Mesquite

She was well backed against 10 rivals in her career debut and she didn't disappoint, and it doesn't hurt to see that she ran that race over this turf course and at today's distance; she has to be taken seriously while meeting up with winners for the first time.

Warren's Internet

Since recording a stakes victory as a maiden in her second career start, her form has really only been so-so; she must improve over what she's been doing lately if she's planning on getting the better of this bunch.

Race 7

Halo Dolly

Ships back into this circuit and picks up Bejarano for her first crack over the local dirt; versatile filly looks to catch a rather moderate bunch here and her tactical foot should help her sit a good spot from the bell from this inside draw for a barn that excels on the surface switch; mare knows how to win and looms a major threat today.

Miss Serendipity (ARG)

Argentine import makes her first start in over a half a year in her North American debut; 6 year old did keep some good company in her native land and this new outfit has certainly had its share of success with this type, including the gal for whom this heat is named; works suggest she's set to offer the best she's got and a top pilot will take the call.

Irish Presence

Filly was soundly defeated when runner up behind one of these on synthetic footing at Hollywood a couple of months back; she didn't have any impact in stakes company as a sophomore and it doesn't appear as if she fits so well at the level here; have to pass on her in this spot.

Golden Production

Takes a good step up the class ladder in search of her fourth straight score; new outfit has done quite well with this sprinter and now she'll return to the footing of her maiden win where she earned her career best number in her first route try during her sophomore campaign; expecting she'll be more prominent from the bell at this trip but the outside drawn gal will probably be gunning to beat her to the top.

Warren's Veneda

Cal bred wasn't a threat to the top 2 finishers in the G2 Bayakoa at Hollywood but she easily bested the rest and now she'll return to dirt over which she earned a career best number going long the only time she tried the local main track; filly always shows up with a solid try and she's been working like she remains on her toes for this; contender.

Stanwyck

Fresh mare fought to take a G3 stake at one turn in New York, earning a career best number in the process; mare has been working regularly at Hollywood for her return to the races and she did break her maiden here as a sophomore so the local return should help perk her up; if things are honest up top she should come rolling late.

Rock and Glory

Speedy mare got back on track while wiring allowance runners at Hollywood in her second start back from 13 months on the shelf; she's been given a little extra recovery time off the effort but now she'll go from the fence to the outside slot for her return to stakes company; she did break her maiden in the local slop a couple of years back and boasts impressive scores in each of her tries at this trip; expect they'll again send her and look to take them all the way.

Race 8

Rauschenberg

This is a very solid group of 62k OPC's sprinting down the hill but this veteran has run races in the past that are strong enough to suggest that he can show up with a competitive performance against a field of this caliber; at the very least, he's worthy of consideration underneath and the exotics.

Razorbill

Not that his form has been bad since arriving in America, but he finds himself facing a pretty tough bunch today, and he is going to need to show us his best stuff yet to get the job done; third place finisher from latest returned to win next out at Lrl on 10/31 going 1m over turf vs. 25k OPC's with an 88 Beyer.

Pure Loyalty

Grade 2 stakes placed colt ran well in his only start sprinting over turf, and that was off of a layoff over this very turf course; like to see him being reunited with Bejarano and the runner up from his latest race returned to win next out here on 1/1 going 1 1/16m vs. 62k OPC's with a 104 Beyer.

Dreamcatcher

Despite the fact that he has just one win from 12 turf starts, his turf form has been solid, but when seeing that he's done most of his work routing, perhaps this race is being used as a steppingstone to a longer event the next time around.

Tripski

Stakes winning veteran has gotten the job done in six of 17 turf starts, and when seeing that he got the better of a few of today's rivals in a sharp winning performance in his latest outing, he has to be considered a threat to make it back-to-back wins.

Royal F J

Grade 2 stakes placed runner has a strong reputation for settling for minor awards, so even though he's capable of producing a performance that is fast enough to get him into the mix against these, it's tough to recommend him for anything more than a spot underneath in the exotics, even if Stevens is taking over.

Circa'sgoldengear

7-year-old has developed a nice level of consistency to his game and he commands his share of respect in this spot after finishing close behind a couple of today's key rivals in his latest outing.

El Mirage King

He battled it out every step of the way with today's rival Tripski in his latest outing and it's interesting to see the rider switch to the hot-riding Nakatani for this; going to look for him to be involved in the running every step of the way.

Ready for More

He's been on top of his game in recent starts and like to see that he earned one of his better Beyer Speed Figures while making his first start after a claim for this barn in his latest outing; he's run while sprinting over turf in the past, and it looks like he's been doing some nice work in the a.m. in preparation for this.

Race 9

L X Sunrise

Kodiak Kowboy 4 for 27 with debuters; sire won 4 times at 2, won multiple Grade 1s, never turfed; 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; she looks fit enough.

Red Barris

Only one poor effort and that was the synthetic debut; backers can point to the 2 6-figure earners in the tree including stakes winner Kinz Funky Monkey; must be left in the exotic mix at least.

Run Rosie Run

The drop is logical after the dull opener; stakes placed 4 for 16 dam earned over $160K, won once at 2; 4 of 5 sibs won; SP top kin Senior took 4 of 27, banked nearly $150K; in for $40K less than purchase price.

Moscato Girl

The best race was here; dam was unraced; 3 of 4 sibs won; top earner Heat Trap took 2 of 5, earned over $100K; the hotter the pace the better for this gal.

Parade Bound

Runner was crushed the other time for a tag; 4 for 19 dam earned over $120K; the sibling that won cashed thrice in the minor leagues; would look elsewhere for a key top horse.

Vegas Bound

She has had her chances; she's been around the wire but has not been able to carry through with the momentum; there is a half bro that won twice and earned over $100K; a slice may be the ceiling.

Wildcat Janine

Miss could have sulked after the poor start but she put her head down and showed some try; stakes winning 9 for 40 dam banked nearly $250K; this is her first to race; respect.

May Fine

In Excess about 16% with first-timers in a 726-horse study and about 19% with first-time grass runners in a 118-horse study; sire won his debut in Europe at Lingfield at 2, was a multiple Grade 1 winner on dirt; 1 for 5 dam banked about $40K; several multiple race winners in the tree including over $500K earner Romanceishope and over $700K earner and G1 winner Romance Is Diane; look out.

Warren's Salute

Affirmative 1 for 48 with firsters; sire lost all 4 starts; SW 3 for 19 dam earned over $200; lone full bro was out of the money in only out; may need experience.