Santa Anita: Closer Looks for January 19, 2014

Race 2

Spinning Steel

Sire gets 10% winners from his debut runners and the dam was a 3 time turf winner who dropped a minor SW turfer and another foal who won both of her main track route tries; barn boasts some recent luck right out of the box and this gal catches a weak bunch so she wouldn't need to be too much to have a say in the outcome.

Chicago Angel

Wasn't much of a threat to the top 2 finishers when third in her first local man track route spin a few weeks back; maybe she moves forward second time going long here, but she's going to need to improve several lengths in order to have a say in the outcome; prefer others.

Drink M. Pretty

Hood comes off for her return to dirt after coming up short late in a wide path on the Golden Gate sod; filly tracked a slow clip in a decent effort going long upstate last month and she did hold for second money, buy she tackles a tougher bunch in her local debut and will need to step things up some in order to get in the mix.

Raja's Rose

Came up empty after sitting a ground saving spot in her return to the local dirt a few weeks ago; filly gets a switch to a triple bug so she'll shed some weight and she did earn a career best number at the local trip in the fall, but she will need to show up with a lot more than she had last time.

Browsing

Drops in for a tag after proving little threat sprinting on the Hollywood lawn; she offered a nice late kick sprinting first out here as well as against better second time out on synthetic footing and her dam was a route winner so maybe the added trip helps move her up; contender.

Moonlight Stroll

Earned a field best last out number when runner up first out in the long one turn event at Hollywood; her interim drills are on the slow side and her sibs are a combined 0 for 15 routing so don't know that she's going to love the new configuration, but the barn boasts nice numbers on the stretchout and this gal has already proven she can run some; one to beat.

Mudge

Statebred tries open company while going long for the first time off a weak sprint try in her local return; she's yet to get back to the solid number she earned in her first out placing here and the dam's side of the pedigree doesn't suggest she's going to move forward much on the stretchout.

Race 3

La Pequena Gigi

Sky Mesa about 13% with debuters in a 367-runner sample; sire was unbeaten in 3 juvenile starts, took the G1 Hopeful; stakes winning 3 for 8 dam won debut at 2, earned over $100K; all 3 siblings won; one cashed at 2; top kin Lightly Wound took 6 of 31, banked over $165K; love fact she drilled this far.

La Casadora

Best race came for this rider with the shades off and they are removed today; she has more speed than she just showed; show horse in last took a maiden $40K claimer and 4th finisher took a maiden $30K fray; dam was 0 for 5; this is her first to race; needs a rebound run.

Adios Pelota

Stormin Fever about 7% with debuters in a 445-runner sample; sire graduated at 2, won a G3, earned almost $500K; 6 for 34 dam earned over $150K; 4 of 5 siblings won; top kin Pocosin's Game Boy took 4 of 25, banked $230K; nice move on the 6th.

Shared Image

Rocky Bar about 21% with debuters in a 78-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, won a minor stakes, banked nearly $240K; SW 2 for 9 dam banked nearly $60K; all 4 siblings won; top kin and full bro Truckin took 9 of 35, banked nearly $70K; homebred seems to have speed.

Salsita

Best race was local and she must be given long look on the drop alone; there is a winner in the tree but that guy was just 2 for 38; if she can run at all, she figures to show it here.

Mia's Storm

Been given time since being bumped at the beach; drawn right, she seems fit enough for the return; 4 for 22 dam earned nearly $65K; 6 of 8 siblings won; stakes placed top kin Stylish Yankee took 3 of 14, banked $90K; tab tote action.

Race 4

Sidebar

Showed back up in the starting gate for last off a 124-day absence with front wraps and blinkers on for the 1st time; it produced the graduation score over the SA-mai track while adding a half furlong today to face winners for the 1st time; the 2-back winner repeated with an 82 Beyer speed figure capturing a next-out SA-optional-claiming victory; the debut winner and show finisher Beyered 80-65 in next-out DMR wins.

I'm No Patsy

Has been a new-and-improved runner since switched to dirt; is another who will be class tested vs. winners off a fresh-maiden breaker; is back in just 26 days for this after graduating with 68 days between races; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 51 in her next-out BHP-18K-maiden-claiming win.

Pearl de Vere

Exits her lowest Beyer since March; her last dirt start was a victory defeating the show runner who Beyered 84 in her next-out SA-MSW victory; love that she can rally off the pace in a field top heavy with gate speed; the added half furlong here plays into her favor; the 2-back winner and show finishers Beyered 83-77 in next-out BHP wins; seems set to turn the tables off the turf loss vs. Small Moves; the pick.

Miranda Rose

Main issue is conventional dirt finishing last and posting a a career-low Beyer in her only other dirt start which occurred over today's SA oval; projects to own the best gate speed in this event but has Small Moves to fend off early then the closers in deep stretch.

Callous Effect

Won off a long layoff in March in her only other dirt start when catching a wet oval for that SA maiden breaker; defeated the runner-up finisher who Beyered 66 in her next-out SA-30K-maiden-claiming graduation; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-OPC event with a 79 Beyer; scary if ready for best; contender.

Zuzu's Petals

Exits a career-low Beyer 171 days ago noting her only dirt start was the SA-debut victory over the runner-up finisher who Beyered 70 in her next-out BHP-MSW win; high-percentage fresh trainer adds to the appeal; her May field-best speed figure looks even better since the winner repeated in a 200K stakes with an 88 Beyer; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 76 in her next-out DMR-starter alw. win; the 2-back winner repeated in a DMR-OPC event with an 86; if ready is the one to beat.

Small Moves

Improvement is expected after claimed off a 2%-win trainer and into a barn winning 29% first off the purchase; set the pace in latest but has Miranda Rose to fend off early then the closers; lone race at 6.5F was a stakes loss and career-low Beyer on SA dirt.

Race 5

Lady Asano

Her turf debut in her latest outing can be viewed in a positive light, but it's not like she's meeting up with a soft group as she gets ready to make her second start over turf; prefer to keep looking around in here.

My Gi Gi

Grade 2 winner has been a very consistent performer and she has to be respected as a top contender, especially with Bejarano at the controls; her lack of early speed might be a mild concern but going to look for her to be putting in a bold stretch bid.

Caraquista

Stakes placed filly has been in fine form lately but a case can be made for her being slightly better off racing over dirt or a synthetic surface than she is over turf; she is out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 5 of 18 starts for 323k, including 2 of 8 turf starts for 153k.

Fantastic Mizz

Like to see the tactical speed that this mare has to employ and she's performed well in her five starts over this turf course; note that she finished right behind one of today's rivals in Wittgenstein in her latest outing.

Hard to Resist

She carries multiple stakes placed credentials with her, and if this mare is ready to bounce back with one of her better performances, she can prove to be tough to tackle in this spot; that said, she is light on recent winning form.

Flashy Ways

Her lack of early speed can cause some problems for her, and note the trouble in her short comment from her most recent start when finishing behind a couple of today's rivals; regardless, she's a stakes winner over turf and merits respect as a top contender against these.

Sensationalize

Her two turf starts since moving into this barn have been sharp winning performances and this filly is out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 7 of 21 starts for 367k, including 6 of 18 turf starts for 323k; she has a live look to her in this spot.

Indecise

She was beaten as a favorite against a few of today's rivals in her latest outing, but she's capable of dialing up a performance that is strong enough to make her a threat to walk away with the top prize, and this mare has shown the ability to adapt to any early pace scenario.

Bonnie Lesley (IRE)

She's another late running type who will likely need to see some pieces fall into place in order to have her best chance, but after the improvement she showed in her final two starts as a 3-year-old, she isn't totally out of the question.

Wittgenstein (IRE)

Not wild about the outside post at this trip, but this multiple stakes placed filly was last seen earning a career best Beyer Speed Figure, and she beat a few of today's rivals in that contest; it doesn't hurt to see that both of her career wins have been earned over this turf course.

Race 6

Not a Love Song

A much improved workout from the gate recently to consider; her sire won multiple G1s and 698K (offspring of Langfuhr have won 85 out of 864 debuts); the dam won 2 of 10 and 22K; among the winning siblings is 279K earner Yacht Spotter.

Dirty Blonde

New face hails from Dunkirk who won 2 of 5 and 393K and whose progeny are 3 for 41 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 4 of 11 and 62K; winning siblings include G2 victor Birdrun who netted 622K.

Queen Mad

After a fine first run where she closed with a rush for third, she came up empty thereafter; her sire won a G2 and 793K while the dam won 2 of 11 and 38K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Beverly the Boss

Adds blinkers after rallying after the fact first time out; her sire won multiple G1s and 831K while the dam involved was unraced; winning siblings include 21K earner He's a Bandit; most recent gate workout was encouraging.

Kool Kat

Beginner was sired by multiple G1 type Scat Daddy who captured 1.33 million and whose descendants have won 14 percent of their first races; the dam never competed; winning siblings include 45K earner Brian the Brave.

Rambunchkie

Sharp drill from the gate a few days ago to note; her sire won a G1 and 811K; progeny of Bellamy Road have won approximately 12 percent of their initial tries; the dam won 3 of 14 and 56K; winning siblings include 212K earner Ms. Cruisen.

Faith Hope Love

Impressed in defeat first time out when breaking from the extreme outside; her sire won a G2 and 495K; the dam won 3 of 10 and 20K; winning siblings include 201K earner Awesome Son; can upgrade with this surface and distance switch.

Zensational Beauty

Used up in a speed duel in her unveiling of nearly a month ago; her sire won multiple G1 sprints and 669K; the dam won 1 of 6 attempts and 38K; among the winning sibs is 33K bankroller Stormy Beauty.

Oh She's So On

Progeny of Not For Love, who won 6 of 29 and 178K, have scored in 98 out of 708 debuts; the dam lost her only attempt; among the winning siblings is 146K earner Storm Play; respectable half-mile work from the gate 8 days ago.

If You Like It

A long series of gate drills for this lass whose sire won multiple G1s and 915K (descendants of First Samurai have been 10 percent winners first time out); the dam went 10 for 20 earning 460K; sib to 80K earner Coolusive; respect.

Midnight Dream

Sheds the blinkers after being burned in pace battles in both attempts; her sire won multiple G3s and 413K; the dam was without a tally in 5 attempts; winning siblings include 60K earner Malibu Mudslide.

Honey Ride

Finished strong to capture the show in her maiden voyage; best workout on the comeback trail was on 12/23; her undefeated sire won 749K including several G1s; the dam was also a G1 winner who netted 439K; sib to 82K earner Katie's Garden.

Race 7

Lazy Daisy May

Sire wins with approximately 16% of his turf starters and dam won 5 of 15 starts for 106k, including 0-for-3 over turf; multiple stakes winner is making her turf debut but she really hasn't run a bad race to date.

Bosserette

Street Boss has proven to be a strong influence as a turf sire and this filly has recorded three quality starts since being placed over turf at second asking; she has the look of a top contender in this spot.

Reflected Love (IRE)

She took a step in the right direction at second asking and it's interesting to see Bejarano get the call as she gets ready to make her first start in America; not going to be at all surprised if she gives a good account of herself against these while making her 3-year-old racing debut.

On the Backstreets

Sire wins with approximately 21% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 7 of 49 starts for 244k, including 2 of 10 turf starts for 48k; although going 4 1/2f, she was a sharp winner in her career debut, and her pedigree is turf leaning.

Diamond Stilettos (IRE)

It looks like she ran very well in her first two starts racing in Ireland prior to taking a shot in a group 3 event when last seen; she's an interesting option to consider as she gets ready to make her first start in America and her first start as a 3-year-old.

As Rulers Go

Half-sister to multiple G1 winner Switch (6-24, $1.4 million, including 0-for-1 over turf) was much improved with a move to turf at second asking, and she's out of a G3 winning dam who won 9 of 19 starts for 399k, including 5 of 7 turf starts for 312k.

Miss Loujean

She's out of a stakes winning dam who won 9 of 16 starts for 363k, including 5 of 17 turf starts for 213k, and respect the fact that she brings a good deal of early speed with her, but she's going to need to be ready to step up her game if she's planning on threatening the top contenders in here.

Larocco

After seeing the improved performance she showed up with in her turf debut in her latest outing, she has a chance to prove to be a fine 25k claim for her current connections; that said, this does appear to be a tough group for her to be meeting up with.

Famous Alice

Daughter of top turf influence Kitten's Joy ran to her backing in her career debut when making it look easy against nine rivals and like to see the sharp five-furlong workout she recorded on December 17 after that performance; have to respect the potential that is living here at the moment.

Smoove It

Sire is 0-for-1 with his turf starters and dam won 2 of 17 starts for 131k, including 0-for-5 over turf; stakes placed filly will have to show up with her sharpest performance to date in her turf debut to get the better of this field.

Race 8

Let Faith Arise

This minor stakes winner on dirt is reaching out to a route for the first time while coming off another layoff; the average win distance of Kafwain's progeny is 6.5 furlongs; dam's only other foal to race was a sprinter; her new rider Nakatani is 0 for 3 at this stand on Hollendorfer charges; the sharp winner of her last race returned to land another graded stakes down the hill; a wild card.

Ondine

Has been idle since notching her first stakes in a Sept. 6 tilt at Fairplex--the only horse to subsequently win from that two-turn sprint was the runner-up, who eventually won a restricted stakes; her route form is good, and it includes a maiden score here at this distance; has been working like she's ready to put her best hoof forward.

Oscar Party

The Academy Award nominees were announced on the day this race was drawn, and it would be appropriate to have a party if she gets the job done in this G2 fixture; her best performances have come on the grass, but her last two tries on the dirt in stakes weren't bad; maybe for a piece.

Fiftyshadesofhay

Multiple graded stakes winner was a beaten favorite in two G2 events since her runner-up placing to Princess of Sylmar in the G1 Alabama; her Santa Anita form is solid, and it includes a second to the mighty Beholder in the G1 Las Virgenes; should make some noise under Mike Smith, who's 2 for 5 at the meet for Baffert.

Broken Sword

The main speed and likely favorite came into her own in the fall, when she romped in both an optional event at Golden Gate and in the G2 Bayakoa at Hollywood; she also aired in her only dirt race, in a minor stakes at first asking at Pleasanton; Bejarano has an impressive record at the meet for this live barn; the one to fear most.

Spellbound

Got dusted in her first outing in eight months in the G2 Bayakoa on the Cushion Track, a race she probably needed; displayed good dirt form here last spring, when she didn't disgrace herself in the G1 Santa Anita Oaks; watch again to help determine her proper place in the scheme of things.

Rathbaun

Was all-out to clear the first allowance condition in a recent optional claimer at Hollywood, from which the fourth horse exited to prevail at the same level on the grass with a 78 Beyer; her crafty trainer has won two stakes at the meet, but this gal has yet to crack 80 on the Beyer scale, and would be a big surprise.