Santa Anita: Closer Looks for January 23, 2014

Race 2

Salutos Amigos

Wasn't a factor in a host of graded stakes last year, after breaking his maiden here in a dirt sprint; he flattened out after leading the way in a recent $40K turf experiment, but is capable of cracking the top three in this $40K starter; Guillot is 0 for 6 with turf/dirt turnbacks over the past five years.

Cinco de Mario

Had his string of seconds snapped when he came up empty as the favorite two weeks ago in a $25K non-winners of two tilt; shortening up from seven to five and a half furlongs might be to his benefit, so use him prominently underneath in vertical wagers.

Advisory

Ran hot and cold in his three outings, all on synthetics, and has been working fairly quickly here on the dirt; Mullins is having a fine meet, but his stats with similar comebackers are weak; figures to flash some speed before tiring.

Perfectly Legal

Only got a 58 Beyer when he graduated at first asking early in the meet, and will have to take his game to a much higher level if he's to be competitive in this starter; the runner-up from his opener came back to run second for $30K with a 69 Beyer; not crazy about his chances.

Hello Frankie

His second try at this level going down the hill here in October was much improved, and his fourth in an N1X at Hollywood wasn't bad--the winner subsequently ran fourth in the restricted On Trust Handicap with an 86 Beyer; Frankie has not worked extensively leading up to this engagement, but he should have a say in the outcome.

The Cleaners

Put up a fat 80 Beyer while earning his diploma for $30K a week ago under the live bug Orozco; trainer is 0 for 4 with 7-day comebackers over the last five years, but three of them finished second and the other was third; son of City Zip should be dangerous with that confidence-builder under his girth.

Race 3

My Samurai Warrior

Lone turf win (in 12 tries) at least came on this course, so that's encouraging; trouble is, that was 10 months ago and after that came a layoff and his form has sorta gone south since; didn't run badly when 5th in a tough route at this level here Jan. 3; that was also his first start in almost 2 months so maybe with that under his belt and the move back to a sprint he'll snap back to life...maybe.

A Toast to You

Posted an 18-1 upset in the California Flag on this hillside course Oct. 18 so you know he handles this course; trouble is, considering he ran so well that day, and was previously SP on the hill, whey then 3 months off and a return for a tag, hmmmm?; after all, they don't give anything away out here; at least it's a BIG tag and Gutierrez, who was up for that Oct. 19 SW stays put for a trainer who's having a strong meet and who is sharp off the bench.

Swift Eagle

7yo was still going strong last spring/summer both here and at BHP; however, the pattern since is worrisome - 2 dull races at DMR/7-week layoff/dull race here/3 months off; drops for his return and at least has been working steadily; if he can return to top form he can be a player, but that's no small 'if', is it?

Zimmer

A good 3rd when last seen in a dirt sprint vs. tougher at GP; trouble is, 'when last seen' was just over a year ago so there's a long, long layoff to deal with; and, while he drops, it's not like he's facing a bunch of patsies today either; 1 for 9 on turf, so he's handled it, but you have to go back to to Aug. 2012 to find that win (which was also his last victory); this also marks his first time on the hill; sure did work well here Jan. 18 but the hurdles are not insignificant.

He's a Dance Star

Veteran hasn't seen a lot of action the past few years but usually when he turns up he fires; posted 10 straight top-3 finishes but then was in a race washed off the turf at BHP Nov. 30 and he hit the brakes pretty hard; good news, though, is he's back to turf (2 wins on the hill) and while Baltas saw fit to claim him for $40K last time it's most encouraging he brings him back UP in price, also Bejarano sees fit to ride.

Royal F J

Just 1 for his last 15, and you have to go back to early 2013 to find that 1 win; good news, at least, is 3 of his 4 career tallies came on this hillside course, and he's spent the majority of that time facing tougher; down in class today and that drop could be just enough to put him right into the mix.

Hotradamus

Comes here sharp; after a long layoff (9 months) he's come back with 5 top-3 finishes in 6 starts; a good 3rd for $32K on this course Oct. 31 (was claimed), then a good 3rd vs. some toughies at BHP last month; slight drop helps, and it's most encouraging that he remains in well above his claimed price.

Race 4

White Front Freddy

Freddy showed speed before fading in three of his four races, and has worked an average five-eighths leading up to this event; has a race over the track under his belt, and the hot bug Orozco stays aboard; can see him cracking the top three.

Gutsy Ruler

Top California sire Tribal Rule has produced nearly 14% debut winners; dam placed in a sprint, and this is her first foal to make it to the races; chestnut has worked fast on occasion for a trainer who hit with 15% of his maiden-claiming firsters over the past five years ($2.53 ROI).

W. Giles

Speed sire Swiss Yodeler has sired 11% debut winners; dam was unraced, and this is her first foal to start; trainer has a 11% strike-rate with maiden-claiming firsters during the last five years ($4.14 ROI); trainer/rider combo is 0 for 4 at the meet.

Western Showdown

Was beaten in double digits in each of his two most recent excursions, although he managed to deadheat for third in his latest; he hasn't exceeded 40 on the Beyer scale since his debut, and would be a big surprise.

New Order

Improved when he competed on dirt for the first time here opening day, when he held on for sixth after tracking a rapid pace; son of the hot sire Henny Hughes can be more effective here with the one-furlong turnback to five and a half, and should be in the hunt.

Exponentially

Placed in four of her nine races, which featured a second for $50K here on the dirt in October; Martinez was aboard for that peak performance, and should have him in contention for another share; the price might be right on this homebred.

No Longer Blue

Finished up the track in each of her races on the Cushion Track at defunct Hollywood Park, and appears to be going nowhere fast; has worked quickly here on the dirt, a surface which he's bred to handle; homebred is difficult to recommend.

Agila

Unplaced dam has been a modest producer, and this guy was beaten 40 lengths in his two appearances; the third horse from her last here in September returned to beat $30K maidens and $40K starter stock at Golden Gate, before ending third in the Cal Derby up north; the drop is a step in the right direction, but is it enough?

Race 5

We Have Lift Off

Perfect Mandate 9 for 60 with first-time turfers; sire was second in only 2 starts, both on dirt, one was a stakes; dam was 0 for 7; lone full sis to race Perfect Hostess took 11 of 31, earned over $150K, was third in best turf moment; look for rider to send and try to steal it.

Red Globe

Grinder is due to put it together; hung wide from the marooned slot in the tough beat up north 3 back but not thrilled with the way he lost ground in the lane last time; note place horse 2 back beat runner on the direct outside; 2 of the 3 siblings did win on grass; the hotter the pace the better.

Stake Hunter

Gelding could have thrown in the towel was steadied early but he got within a length and a half of the lead before reality set in; dam out of the money twice; all 4 siblings won; full sister Unusual Heather was 2nd in only turf out beaten just under 2 lengths; don't ignore.

El Tovar

Can't be thrilled with the multiple beats for a tag; backers can point to kin Comoros, a double turf winner and near $175K earner; probably needs softer to shine.

Thunder Cole

Shades off today, just like they were for his 2 best Beyer performances; love the spacing of the return drills; place horse in last won at this level in next and the 7th finisher took a maiden $20K claimer; 2 of the 4 full siblings that raced won on grass; back to the original pilot.

Awesome Prospect

Fullbridled 1 for 9 with first-time turfers; SP sire took 2 of 7, didn't run at 2, banked over $100K, was turf only; dam 0 for 7; 2 of 3 siblings won including turf winner and $185K earner Lauren C; trainer spotted them just fine last year with limited starters but this one may need sellers to show top talent.

Do Some Magic

Several solid drills coming to this race and he showed a bit more energy in the spin on the 14th; 4 for 10 dam won nearly $135K, won on grass twice; 4 of 5 sibs won; the one that tried grass was out of the money twice on turf; must pick it up.

Through My Eyes

Kafwain 7 for 138 with first-time turfers; sire took a Grade 2, earned over $700K, never turfed; stakes winning 4 for 13 dam earned over $100K, never turfed; this is her first to race; may get brave with a lonely lead.

Public Interest

Off poorly in last and just was left with too much to do; 10/6 winner won twice since, the last in an N1X with an 85 Beyer; 11/7 place horse won with a 77 Beyer, lost next pair; connections would love to see him start acting like top kin, 8-race turf winner and over $750K earner Liberian Freighter; there seems to be enough pace here to help the cause.

Roman Tizzy

Roman Ruler about 9% with first-time turfers in a 130-runner sample; sire took debut at 2, won the Haskell, banked over $1.2 million, never turfed; SW 4 for 10 dam earned nearly $160K, never turfed; both siblings won, one cashed on grass once; place horse in the debut graduated next out, then took a state-bred N1X fray; he may have just needed the last but could be compromised by the post here.

Race 7

Sagebrush Queen

Faces winners for the first time, so that's a big step up in class to be sure; did look good winning on BHP's synthetic track Dec. 6 but we're on turf today AND we're routing and her only experience in a turf route came at this distance on this course Oct. 25 and she was a non-factor 6th; has she improved enough since then to be a factor vs. these winners?; possibly but it's still a tall order.

Mangita

Looks plenty scary; posted 2 wins to start her career last spring but after a big win over winners at BHP May 3 she was gone nearly 8 months; however, she came back first time on turf here Dec. 27 and was an excellent 2nd; obviously she's just fine after that long layoff and that Dec. 27 run shows this course and trip suit her just fine, thank you.

Blazen All Star

Won on turf for $25K at BHP Dec. 8 so she can handles this ground; that being said, that win came over $25K claiming 3yo fillies whereas today she's facing allowance foes as well as elders so it's a surely a tougher spot; at least that win shows she's headed the right way and it's actually nice that a sharp guy like Puype puts her where he can't lose her via a claim.

Miss Well Molded

Looked super romping for $32K on this course at this trip Oct. 10 (claimed) and then looked super again romping over N1X foes at BHP Nov. 7, again on turf at this trip; last time?; well, she had a dreadful draw an dwas facing some tough N2X foes and that was all too much to overcome; back to a much better level and surely today's draw helps; also has the versatility to give her rider options.

Warren's Rosebud

A good 3rd on this course at this trip Dec. 27; was just 1 1/4 lengths behind Mangita and if that gal is a big player here (and she is) then doesn't it follow that this gal merits respect, too?; darn tootin'; that being said, that last good run was her first in a few months and note recent riders Talamo and Bejarano end up elsewhere here, so read into that what you will.

Tanquerray

Won for $25K on this course Oct. 24, was freshened 2 months, came back to win again, this time on the BHP sod; all 4 wins have come at this distance, too, so you know the trip suits; beat Highly Rated in those 2 wins but that gal keeps getting beat (ran 2nd again here last Friday).

Lil Swiss Echo

Could be she's turned the corner; no surprise she likes turf - daddy was a multiple G2 SW on the stuff; showed promise in March 2012 but was then gone 19 months; howver, she came back firing with a real good sprint, a not-so-hot sprint and then a smart maiden win at this distance at BHP Dec. 15; looks as though she's got things figured out, but it's first time vs. winners today so the water is deeper, but it's also noteworthy Talamo was up for her big maiden win and stays put today.

Akiss Forarose

4th behind Mangita and 'Rosebud on this course at this trip Dec. 27, but she wasn't far at all behind (1 1/4 lengths; neck) so she's by no means out of her element; just 1 for her last 22 and she's 0 for 12 on turf, but she has run some good races, on this course at this trip no less; still, she is mired way outside and could it be she's simply always going to find some just a smidge better at this level, hmmmmm?

Race 8

Thunders Echo

Hess 4 of 21 or 19% the last 5 years with sprint to route maiden claimers and 5 ran second; in kind of tough on the cut back in last but at least he was inching toward the winner late; dam was unraced; 2 of 4 siblings won, both were sprint only; he should be fit enough by now.

Samurai Assault

Soph took a bit of action on the stretch out in last but never got untracked; he opened up at 15-1 on the morning line; 9th finisher in last graduated at this level next out and the winner repeated in a $40K optional; dam was unraced; both siblings won multiple times including Grade 3 placed 3 for 13 racer and near $180K earner Burnum; must pick it up.

Runaway Que

Maybe he just wanted to go long all the time and he was pressured every step of the way; not a ton of speed in here, runner should be forwardly placed from the sound of the bell and slight improvement and he will be a handful.

Keeneland Kitten

The race over the surface can't hurt and he seems to prefer a route of ground anyway; lone full sister was 2nd in best out; note show horse in the CD finale was over 3 clear; respect.

Bluegrass Fox Trot

Ran big on the huge drop, just could not carry on with the momentum; the 2nd and 9th finishers two back graduated next out and the winner repeated in the $83K Eddie Logan, then was 2nd beaten a half in the $100K Cal Derby last Saturday at Golden Gate; should give a very good account of himself.

Jackhammer

Sherman 8 of 15 or 40% the last 5 years with sprint to route maiden claimers; was sluggish early and never rolled; sire won a stakes at 7 and a half furlongs; stakes placed dam won 3 times, cashed routing, banked over $100K; all 3 siblings won, all were sprint only, one banked over $60K; expect better effort here.

Hallett Boy

Bothered in the abbreviated race at Pomona, has not been in the hunt since; sire won routing and earned nearly $500K; several multiple race winners in the tree but all were sprint only; has some things to iron out.

Sir Macho

In tight early in the local and maybe he didn't care for the rail last time; stakes winning dam carried speed long on grass, banked nearly $200K; this is her first to race; this guy is coming around.

Run for Pleasure

Glatt 1 of 19 the last 5 years with sprint to route maiden claimers but 6 others ran in the money; youngster improved a bit off the off slow debut as he goes inside to the outside; unbeaten sire proved stamina repeatedly; dam was unraced; 4 of 5 siblings won including Pleasure to Ride, who won over $230K and carried speed long on grass; homebred has to get into the race early to have best shot today.