Santa Anita: Closer Looks for January 16, 2014

Race 1

Apostle Paul

Longtime maiden hasn't cracked the top three since early June, and was a disappointing fifth most recently on the Hollywood sod; his inside draw is a positive, but his new jock has been shut out at the meet so far; maybe for a piece.

Presenceofagenius

Son of under-rated sire Sky Mesa is bred to be a miler, so it was encouraging to see him rally three-wide for third in his six-furlong opener on the Hollywood turf; has since worked a bullet there on the Cushion Track, after two other morning moves; the addition of Eclipse Award finalist Gary Stevens is a plus; Florida-bred probably has the most upside in the field.

Incline Village

Placed in both of his six-furlong turf starts across town, which were seven months apart; the average win distance of the late Unbridled's Song's progeny is 7.2 furlongs; dam has thrown three stakes winners, and the average win distance of her offspring is just 6.3 furlongs; 5yo might be a closing sprinter.

Perfect Set

Finished on the edges behind Apostle Paul in two one-mile maiden specials here last spring, and note that his best effort came over nine furlongs; his return from a long layoff on the dirt here Dec. 29 wasn't anything to write home about, but it could set him up adequately for this outing; minor player in his second try for the younger Mandella.

China Girl Lover

Trainer's stats when adding the hood are excellent, and this son of the late Lawyer Ron picks up a hot turf rider in Corey Nakatani; benefited from a good trip when he just missed second to the favorite in his second race off the shelf Dec. 22; should be in the thick of the battle.

Tale of Power

Was beaten in double digits in both of his starts, and is experimenting on the grass here with Arias back in the tack; sire's offspring were 2 for 36 first-time on the grass, and have won at a 9.5% clip overall on the turf; dam was stakes-placed on the lawn, but neither of her progeny who tried the turf were victorious; unlikely, but not impossible. - Ron Gierkink

Race 3

Clouds Clearing

Nice 3rd in a turf route across town Dec. 15, all the nicere when you consider it was his first time on turf, first time routing and he got away slowly; back to dirt today, a surface he handled quite nicely at BSR last summer; gets blinkers and there's a big bullet :46.80 move here Jan. 12 to say he's feeling spry.

Hobbits Hero

Came outn firing to gamely win his debut here Oct. 4; wasn't disgraced when next 5th in a stakes at GG (had to ship, face winners and synthetic for the first time), returned south to BHP, dueled and faded to 5th for $32K; not only did Mullins see fit to claim him, though, but he brings him back in a spot where he can't lose him via another claim, which is most encouraging; handled this dirt nicely Oct. 4, though it's a new distance today; at least it's one he's bred for.

Papa's Paisley

Could be he's turned the corner; first few starts weren't bad - he likely was just overmached; then came a couple nice 3rds sprinting for $50K at BHP, then he came here, dropped, moved to a route and gamely won; daddy was a sprinter but the way this guy kept to his task in that Dec. 27 win here hints he can go at least this far; question is, can he got this far fast enough?; it's first time vs. winners today so the water is deeper and that winning Beyer doesn't exactly get the pulse racing (52).

Lieutenant Seany O

Maiden win came at this trip Nov. 23, albeit on BHP's synthetic; good news, though, is he handled this dirt decently prior to that; comes off a better-than-looked 4th in a turf route at BHP last month; remember, he had a poor draw and got away slowly, and still wasn't that far behind today's foe Clouds Clearing in 3rd; 3 nice works since bode well, too.

Capo

Moved to a route for the first time Dec. 12 and that did the trick as he rallied to beat maidens; that being said, he also tumbled in price and was racing on synthetic; back to SoCal, now must deal with winners and dirt; at least didn't run badly on this dirt in the fall but obviously the water is much deeper today; that last was a nice step forward so the trip apparently suits, but he likely needs another move forward to be a player here.

I Rock the Party

Broke his maiden at 34-1 in a stakes at TUP last fall; of course, that's a sales stakes so there were a number of maidens in that race; freshened and came back with a couple decent Dec. sprints there; now must deal with new surroundings and a brand new trip, and the foes here likely are on par with what he faced at TUP last time; at least daddy was a G1 SW routing on dirt here but as you can see the hurdles are not insignificant.

Ghost of Harrenhal

Maiden win came on this track around 2 turns so he's handled this game; they thought enough of him that for his first start vs. winners he got tossed into a sprint stakes at BHP Dec. 22; OK, so that was biting off too much, not only in terms of the class level for, but he'd never sprinted before, never run on synthetic before, and had also been inactive a couple months; well, he's back to dirt, back to routing and down in class and maybe all that can get him back on track...maybe. - Michael Hammersly

Race 5

Pebble Beach Baby

Has been competitive against $25K opposition since Nov. 11, when she wasn't all that far back in a $62.5K tilt for 3yos; daughter of Rock Hark Ten has never been down the hill, and her inside post is a negative; use underneath in the tri and super.

Happybirthdaybaby

Hollendorfer has exceled first-time off the claim in SoCal in recent years, and the Hall-of-Famer is 8 for 18 at the meet when using leading rider Bejarano; this gal just missed to a Bonde-trained front-runner in her lone turf race going five-eighths at Santa Rosa; not convinced that she wants to go this far, but she should make her presence felt.

Indygo F M A

Took the long way home last time across town when a close fourth behind Burns Turn in a $62.5K route, from which the third-place finisher exited to beat $40K starter foes with a 67 Beyer; note that she graduated over this unique layoff on the turnback in October; post 3 going down the hill at the meet is 3 for 10; contender.

Zipping My Way

Came up empty after a troubled break in a recent Cushion Track excursion which was taken off the turf; daughter of City Zip appears to prefer shorter sprint distances on the lawn, and her lack of experience over this course is cause for some concern; the live bug Orozco is 1 for 1 at the meet aboard Chew charges.

Set'n On Ready

Turf Paradise invader notched a minor stakes there in the fall of 2012, just before a seventh-place finish with excuses in her lone grass outing; had been idle for nine months when she checked in fifth in a Nov. 29 optional event, which has yet to yield a next-out winner; don't like her chances one bit.

Julio's Gold

The probable pacemaker is stepping up off yet another claim--Cerin is 1 for 12 (8%) first-time off the claim on turf over the past five years ($0.81 ROI); three-quarters may be about as far as she wants to go, and her win streak appears to be in jeopardy; consider her for the bottom of intra-race wagers.

Travesura

Faced much tougher traveling down the hill in an optional event Oct. 11--the third horse came back to topple N2X allowance rivals, and the fourth runner returned to take a $50K seller, also at Hollywood; she earned her diploma over this course early in her career, before going on to capture the G3 Miesque Stakes; the hot Mullins barn has mediocre stats with similar comebackers, but this one has fired fresh in the past.

Disko Dasko (FR)

French import is returning on fairly short rest off a trailing ninth in a challenging optional claimer; her previous form was drab, and this will be her first start in the claiming ranks; trainer/rider tandem is 0 for 4 at the meet; on the edges.

Burns Turn

Router wasn't beaten far after lagging way back early in her lone attempt down the hill early in her career; her recent form is encouraging if you factor in her wide trip in an N1X, and it includes a gutsy score over $62.5K sophomores at Hollywood; picks up an accomplished turf rider in Nakatani, who's done okay for Sadler at this stand; she's made-to-order for those who adore turnbacks on this hillside course. - Ron Gierkink

Race 6

Run for Pleasure

96 days since the career debut where he was screaming out for more distance and gets 1.5F additionally to get up in time today; super-fresh trainer is 1-for the last-24 with maiden-2nd-time starters; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Midnight Mayhem

Has not worked out or raced on conventional dirt yet; another who wanted more yardage in his rallying-career debut; 61 days since his synthetic-surface unveiling while switching trainers to a 25% win barn in 2013; must break a lot better to have any hope of landing a major portion.

Common Confusion

Could have used the extra half furlong for latest when rallying well wide; moves inside from post 12 so will be able to save ground for this; the 2-back show runner Beyered 52 graduating next-out in an SA-30K-maiden claimer; the first 3 winners from his debut Beyered 74-72-69 in next-out DMR-Grade 2 stakes and MSW wins.

Illybilly Boy

The 3-0-0-0 SA dirt record is not too enticing with his last start being his best over the track when passing a few then finishing evenly at longer; cutting back 1F does not help the confidence level; best Beyer was posted on a synthetic surface; others appeal more.

Documenting

Sire is 10-for-115 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 1-for-8 dam (35K) who's only other foal to race is 1-for-10 Commanding Lead (44K) who finished 2nd in his career debut and did not graduate until race 7.

Reps and Warrants

Not a good sign that he posted a career-low Beyer 1st time on SA dirt; tired 2-back at shorter which represents a career-best speed figure; has not given the impression yet that 7F would be a good distance for him; the good news is the rider from first 3 starts keeps the faith but will be seeking the winner elsewhere.

Still Unbroken

Forgive latest when breaking slowly from the gate; based on his October and November starts he projects to chase Anythingtogeteven for the lead; the 2-back winner and show finisher Beyered 71-59 in next-out GG-starter alw. and BHP-28K-maiden-claiming wins.

Anythingtogeteven

Hopes cutting back 1F will help his stamina; is the one to catch today; the 3-back synthetic surface route-exacta finish represents the field's best Beyer speed figure; lone-dirt exacta placement was at a shorter distance than this; 1-for-21 route-to-sprint trainer since 2013 does not help the confidence level but hot jockey Bejarano stays right here.

Warrensbrotherbill

His best race 2-back suggests 7F on dirt might be a good distance but showed nothing in last or in the career debut when defeated by the winner who repeated in a DMR-G1 with a 78 Beyer; wish the SA workout for this sparkled more.

Stenoa

Sire is 3-for-40 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 1-for-16 dam (56K) who produced 2 winners from 2 other foals to race with top earner 16K Sugar Kuwalski (2-for-13) who finished 10th in her career debut earning her 1st win in start 7.

Matzoh Ball Magic

Lacked stamina at a shorter distance on SA dirt hoping the 111-pound weight assignment shedding 2 pounds off last will help him turn the tables on Common Confusion; being widest drawn and sure to lose ground today is another drawback; is ranked a notch below the tgp contenders. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Toowindytohaulrox

Dangerous as he's proven, not only on turf but on THIS course; broke his maiden here Oct. 6, then was a nice 2nd (6 3/4 lengths clear of 3rd) in the Juvenile Turf Sprint on this course Nov. 2; freshened with some good works and he's shown the versatility to give rider Smith options; that being said, is it noteworthy that Talamo, who was up for those 2 good outings on this course, ends up on Oh Daddy Oh instead, hmmmm?

Street Icon

Sire Street Boss gets over 22% first time turf winners, over 21% overall turf winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 7 of 13 for $831K, won G1 Bing Crosby, G1 Triple Bend, also 2-time G1 SP, G3 SW, never tried turf; unraced dam's 4 foals are winners including Latent Rush (6 wins, 1 on turf, $113K) and Poet's Place (2 wins, on turf in England); smart 2nd to the highly regarded Baffert runner Chitu on dirt here Dec. 27 so he's got som equality and there are 2 big works since, too.

Gangnam Guy

Sire Roi Charmant has yet to have a turf starter; sire won 8 of 27 for $337K, was G2/G3 SP, won on turf; dam has 1 winner from 2 foals, Indian Nana (4 wins, $92K, SP, off board only turf start; dam won 4 of 30 for $181K, 3 wins on turf; did some good work last spring/summer but things tailed off in the fall; freshened and if moving to turf also snaps him back to life he's got a shot.

Recanted

Interesting new face; won his debut, a turf sprint, in England last June; then found 2 G2 spots too much to handle and comes off an OK 3rd (there were just 4 runners) in England Oct. 8; that was at 1 1/4 miles, though, and this shorter trip may be more to his liking; worked well for his first U.S. start; lone sib to race is Swashbuckler (3 wins, $72K, off board 2 turf tries).

Bourne Hot

May have turned the corner; good 2nd on this course Oct. 27 to Global View (who came back to win the G3 Generous at BHP); freshened and then whipped foes in a turf sprint at BHP Dec. 15, a run that looks even better when you note that he not only won geared down but 2 he beat came right back to win; faces winners for the first time but there's obviously some quality here.

Station House

Made quite a first impression in his debut in a turf route at DMR July 4, leading all the way to win like a real comer for Mandella; alas, then came a dull stakes run there (was eased) and then he set the pace and gave way readily in another stakes, this time on this course Oct. 6; Mandella opted to regroup, probably the right move, and off plenty of good works he returns him with a class drop; Gary isn't giving up either, as he stays with him; kin to Pamona Ball (SW, G2 SP).

Oh Daddy Oh

Sire Scat Daddy gets over 15% first time turf winners, over 14% overall turf winners; sire won 5 of 9 for $1.3 million, won G1 Champagne, G1 Florida Derby, 2 G2 SWs, G1 SP, no turf starts; dam's 2 foals are Tres Peach (0 for 11, $11K, 3rd in only turf start) and Mightry Craic (1 for 9, $7K, 1 3rd in 2 grass tries); dam won 6 of 33 for $315K, 3 wins on turf, 3-time G3 SP on turf; certainly shown talent in his last 2 with a big win on dirt here then a game 3rd on BHP's synthetic track last month; it may be noteworthy, too, that Talamo takes the call in a race where it appears he had options. - Michael Hammersly

Race 8

Crystalline Indy

Must be respected on the drop alone; check out the final drill on 2013; miss has shown limited speed but that could change with the blinks today; place horse 2 back graduated in a MSW with a 79 Beyer, then repeated in a $25K optional with that same figure; winner 10/14 took a state-bred N1X next out, then was third in an open N1X when beaten under 2 lengths; connections would love to see her start acting like top kin Cat Talk, a near $185K earner; must pick it up.

The Mothership

Homebred walked out of the gate when probably overmatched in the debut; considering she caught the freak last time, the race was not all that bad; 2 for 4 dam banked $45K; 3 of 4 siblings won including 4 for 27 racer and near $120K earner Free Time; rates long look in all the slots.

Frannie'sspirittoo

Hung wide from the marooned slot, miss has had her chances; could see her sitting a stalk and pounce trip; if you figure she just needed the last, then you can build a case for a move forward.

Sugar High Kaylin

Miss cost $100,000 but debuted for a 5th of that price; what s up with that?; stakes winning 2 for 12 dam earned over $100K; lone half bro to race Meadowood won only start in a MSW at Monmouth with a 71 Beyer; miss is due to break through.

Elegant in Silk

This miss is due; she s in the career cheap spot and the drill on the 6th suggests she is feeling pretty good about herself; note show horse in last was nearly 3 clear; must be left in the hopper.

Hot Outta the Oven

Vronsky 6 for 63 with debuters; sire took 3 of 11, all on grass, banked over $135K; dam was unraced; all 3 siblings won including stakes placed 11 for 37 performer and near $400K earner Master Chef; mare looks fit enough.

Putahexonher

Bellamy Road about 17% with debuters in a 149-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, won the Wood on way to over $800K career; 3 for 17 dam earned nearly $80K and she won her debut at 2; the 2 siblings to race are a combined 0 for 9; love the spacing of these drills.

Marina Martini

Mare has yet to raise a gallop; dam just one for 18 and it was a route; this is her first to race; tough to adore after first two non-efforts.

Georgia's Niece

Six and still trying; wonder if she had a setback?; note no published works in December; last race came back ultra live; the show horse beat $30K maiden claimers next out, 4th and 6th finishers graduated in this league, 7th finisher took a maiden $25K claimer in Philly and the winner repeated in a $40K starter; nice; interesting.

Heavens Stairway

Miss was over 3 clear the last time up for sale; don't be too harsh about last; it was a tough assignment and she flashed solid speed on the tricky course; the winner of last repeated in a $25K optional with a 76 Beyer; dam was unraced; all 3 siblings won; top kin Risky Reward took 2 of 5, earned nearly $100K; could be a good thing in an ordinary race.

Kid Rollins

Educated on the grass last time, note the rival on the direct inside in the debut handled her; dam 0 for 13; the 2 siblings to race never were in the money in 9 races combined; respect everything from this barn.

Charger Girl

Boxcars every time and is looking at the same fate; several winners in the tree but none were special; can't endorse. - Brian Mulligan