Santa Anita: Closer Looks for January 24, 2014

Race 1

Rsweet Serendipity

Just the 1 3rd in 10 tries, and that came on synthetic and routing; well, today we're on dirt and sprinting and her 4 prior tries on dirt weren't too hot; did at least show some early interest in her last 2, but those were also routes whereas today's trip likely means faster splits; wheeled back in a hurry so maybe that's a good sign...maybe.

Ilovefools

Difficult to build a case; been no factor in 3 starts, and all 3 came at this level; did show more early interest in her last at BHP Dec. 13 but that was routing and she still hit the brakes awfully hard; back to sprinting today and the blinks come off; kin to Lobos Roar (3 wins) and Anni's Jackpot (6 wins) but some drastic improvement is required if she's to do the family proud.

The Mothership

The good news is that after her dull straight maiden debut at BHP Nov. 8 she came here, dropped to this level Dec. 27 at this trip and improved big-time to be 2nd; now the bad news - she wasn't really a factor as she was beaten 11 1/2 lengths; still, that was a nice step forward and it does show she handles the track, trip and level, which is more than can be said for a number of her foes.

Corinthian Melody

Been knocking on the door since last February and likely won't get many chances better than this; you had to be a bit worried when after 5 straight 2nd- and 3rd-place finishes, all vs. tougher, that she was then gone almost 7 months; however, her fine 2nd for $40K here Jan. 2 puts aside those concerns and now Pender drops her a bunch; likely doesn't need any improvement to win this; lots of positives, well, except the expected very short price.

Sheza Eyeopener

Didn't do much in her first 5 starts but she then perked up nicely last time to run 2nd; that being said, it took a trip to GG and a run on that synthetic track; so was the change of venue/surface the reason for that improvement, or could it be she's getting things figured out?; well, maybe a bit of both, but she's back on dirt today and her only 2 prior dirt tries saw her earn Beyers of just 29 each time.

Winninginfashion

Looks headed the right way; even when 4th here Dec. 27 she was just 2 heads behind The Mothership, so except for heavy fave Corinthian Melody she fits with the others; improved further to be 3rd in her last 2, both here this month - though it must be noted she got beat 7 3/4 and 14 lengths in those 2 outings so it's not as if she was a real threat in the lane; does have the speed to be in a good spot from the start, but Pender also saddles the heavy favorite and he surely isn't going to let his 2 riders to toe-to-toe early and beat up one another, right?

Race 2

I'll Wrap It Up

She enters this race off of a performance that was below par for her, but that was in a tough spot over dirt, and when seeing what she did in her one start over turf, it's probably a good idea to respect her as a top contender; her dam was a G3 winner while winning 4 of 9 starts for 330k, including 1-for-1 over turf for 46k.

Brother Soldier

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam was winless from two starts, and both of her starts were over turf; G3 stakes placed colt is a 1/2 to Hot Citizen (5-28, 113k, including 2 of 14 turf starts for 59k).

Flagman

His form has steadily improved since being placed over turf three races ago and a 77 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field; must consider.

Dance With Fate

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam won once from seven starts for 26k, including 0-for-1 over turf; not willing to count this multiple G1 stakes placed performer out of it in his turf debut, especially with Bejarano aboard.

Baranof

Not wild about Bernardi as a turf sire and this gelding is really going to need to step it up over what he showed in his career debut in order to threaten the top contenders in here; he's a 1/2 to Mambo Man (2-9, 101k over turf).

Cajun Hippie

Since showing a little something in a winning performance at first asking, he's struggled to get much going in his three attempts against winners, and that includes a start over turf in his latest outing; he has the look of an outsider.

Race 3

Dreamy Blues

Never challenged in a recent turf experiment in her first venture around two turns, but is bred for the task at hand; Hofmans won at a 6% clip with first-time blinkers during the past five years ($0.79 ROI); on the edges.

Brilliant Jewel

Shirreffs is 1 for 5 with six-month-plus comebackers making their first start for him in routes in the last five years ($2.63 ROI); daughter of A.P. Indy showed promise last winter at Gulfstream, and brings the highest Beyer to this maiden special; the addition of a red-hot Mike Smith makes her the one to beat.

Thisonesforricky

Been off since the spring/summer meet at Hollywood, where she finished just behind a rival (Smooth Talker) who came right back to graduate with an 85 Beyer; her lone two-turn try on the dirt here in February wasn't bad, and she merits consideration with leading rider Bejarano retaining the mount.

Legacy

Wasn't far back in fifth last time behind a winner who returned to capture a first-level allowance (83 Beyer); Sadler might be heating up a little after a slow start to the meet, and his numbers with stretchouts are solid; minor player.

Tiz Midnight

Fought for the early lead en route to running second following a layoff in a Dec. 21 sprint at Hollywood, which was won by future allowance winner Katie's Garden; daughter of the hot sire Midnight Lute is out of a G1-winning router who banked $904K; Baffert won a maiden special the other day with a filly who shed the blinkers.

Ryderroo

Wound up on the fringes in all three of her main track excursions, and didn't show much improvement with the addition of blinkers in her latest; Martinez is 0 for 2 at the meet for this veteran trainer; doubtful.

Race 4

Swiss Sugar

She has lost ground in the lane in 6 of 7 and never thrilled to see multiple defeats at Pomona; she may have to out gun Glance's Rule to make the top; backers will at least get a brief thrill.

Parade Bound

Miss seems to be figuring it out; 4 for 19 dam earned over $120K; one sibling lost thrice; the other, Monwaya, took 3 of 4, banked nearly $30K; backers would probably be happy to see a speed duel and for the race to fall apart.

Miss Swiss Rose

Harrington 4 for 38 or 11% with debuting maiden claimers with a median payoff of nearly $43; Swiss Yodeler about 11% with debuters in a 533-horse sample; sire took debut at 2, won first 5 starts, including a Grade 2 and Grade 3; dam was unraced; both full siblings to race won once; like fact she drilled farther than this race is carded but would have liked to see some local activity.

Tim's Go Girl

Kitchingman 6 for 37 or 16% the last 5 years with second shooting maiden claimers; soph has a right to run better here; dam was unraced; all 6 siblings won; top kin Acceleration took 2 of 14, was G3 placed, banked nearly $135K; expect better effort.

Gala Moon

Was only a brief factor in the debut; 1 for 7 dam earned nearly $35K; all 6 siblings won; 3 won at 2 including a debut winner; top kin and full sister Spectaculous took 6 of 36, earned nearly $70K; would think long and hard before taking too short a number here.

Jenneral With a J

Craigmyle 2 for 27 the last 5 years with debuting maiden claimers with a median payoff of over $25; Papa Clem 4 for 18 with debuters; sire won at 2, took multiple Grade 2s, banked over $1.1 million; dam was unraced; lone half sis to race Poison Kiss took debut at 2, went 1 for 3 after, banked under $20K; rates upset glance.

Glance's Rule

Wide from marooned slot in the opener and the show horse that day graduated next out in a maiden $50K claimer, then was third beaten 5 in a $25K claimer; 3 for 28 dam won at 2, banked just over a grand a start; several multiple race winners in the family; 3 banked over $200K including near $325K earner Moving's Gold; major threat.

Girly Ghost

Bonde 11 for 68 or 16% the last 5 years with debuting maiden claimers and 22 others ran in the money; unraced Sought After 8 for 56 with debuters; 1 for 12 dam earned nearly $32K; both siblings won including 7 for 26 racer and over $60K earner Atticus' Ghost; she looks fit enough.

Race 5

Ransom Canyon

Returns in a protected spot after running out of ground as the chalk in each of his last 2 in the ranks of limited winners on this circuit; late runner moves to the fence without much early lick which doesn't look to benefit him and Bejarano will side elsewhere today; maybe his kick helps get him up for another minor award.

Sizzlin' Joe

Tries better after getting beaten just a couple of lengths as the chalk when moved in to face limited winners on the Hollywood lawn; gelding doesn't have any early foot and hasn't seen the winner's circle in a long time, though that score did come off a freshening; another whose late kick could help grab him a share at this extended trip.

Tommy O

Gelding returns to the lawn with a switch back to Stevens after being given some time off a solid late running third at the level over synthetic footing; he offers a nice late kick when right and ran ok fresh in his first start on the coast here last summer; barn shows great patience with its runners and the price does figure to be better today.

Midnight Casanova

Showed a nice mid-race turn of foot towards the leaders before fading going down the hill first time off the barn's claim; gelding did earn a career best number going long in the 2 back maiden breaker and though his pedigree doesn't suggest turf is his ideal footing, he handled it well enough last time to warrant a second shot over the stuff; consider.

Yankee Rebel

Makes his first start off the claim by a barn that excels with this type and Bejarano sticks with him as he steps up to face older foes; gelding has yet to go this far, but he certainly gave the indication last time that he wants to go longer and he's run pretty well several times over the local sod; thinking he'll prove to be the one to beat.

Handsome Dennis

Offered some late kick first time on the lawn when stepping down the hill in his initial crack with winners; colt does enter this one on the improve from a figure standpoint and maybe the stretch back out to 2 turns helps in his current form, but he'll need to take another good step forward to get in the mix here.

Bobby Flay

Just missed in his last 2 while showing a nice turn of foot each time; runner up in 4 straight tackles a better bunch than he has been in here; his return to the lawn was pretty solid and maybe he goes better second time over the local sod, but it doesn't look as if he's going to get a lot of pace in front of him in this spot; consider.

Copper Bay

Gelding has been right there at the finish in each of his last 3 starts including most recently behind a couple of these in his local return; he broke his maiden over the course last spring and he was able to sit within striking range of the pacesetters early and maybe that helps him on the rise to this level.

Race 7

Joeandbetty'sbaby

Consistent performing filly is making her first start after a claim for a currently live barn that scores well in that category, but her complete lack of early speed is always a concern, and this does appear to be a tough step up in class for her.

Kathleen Rose

Her connections have to be very pleased with what she's shown since being returned from a long layoff back in September, and perhaps she still has more to show us, but she is going to need to step up a with her best performance to date if she's to get the better of this field.

Madre Luna

She's developed a nice level of consistency to her game but it just looks like her best effort isn't quite up to the level of the top contenders in this one; note that she was beaten by today's rival Zanbo in her latest start.

Special Charm (IRE)

This mare has a lot of quality to her pedigree but she has just a single victory next to her name after 18 starts and this looks like a tough spot for her to be trying to secure her second career win; third-place finisher from latest returned to win next out here on 1/1 going 1m over turf vs. 40-35k claimers with an 83 Beyer.

Mesana

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 13 starts for 108k, including 3 of 11 turf starts for 106k; she was a very sharp winner in her career debut, and a turf-leaning pedigree and strong looking recent workouts make her tough to ignore.

Blake's Magic

She's run well in two of three starts sprinting over turf to begin her career and this filly is a 1/2 to multiple graded stakes winner Mobil (12-29, $1.8 million, including 5 of 13 turf starts for 877k); respect what she's shown so far, but this does look like a tough spot for her return to action.

Zanbo

She's consistently performed at a level that is strong enough to suggest that she can get herself into the mix against these and a couple of her better recent performances have been her two starts sprinting over this turf course; she commands her share of respect with Bejarano at the controls.

Escape Act

This filly has a quality pedigree and she ran well the first two times she sprinted over turf, but she is going to have to bounce back from a couple performances that have been well below par for her in order to contend.

Diaminda (IRE)

She has to be considered an interesting player in this spot while making her first start in America and she was last seen taking on a very tough group in a G1 at a distance that she probably didn't care for; like to see Smith take the call and she gets Lasix for the first time.

Macaabra (IRE)

She ran well in her first start in America back in August and perhaps that's a reason to look for her to be ready to give a good account of herself after taking some time off; winner from latest returned to win next out at BHP on 12/12 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. N2X alw. rivals with an 84 Beyer.

Deity (GB)

She needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race in order to draw and she has run some decent races sprinting over turf in her career, and her career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned over this turf course; at the very least, she can add fuel to the early pace fire.

Race 8

Among the Stars

One of a number in here taking the MSW to maiden claiming drop and any are eligible to run big; Walsh is 5 for 18 or 28% the last 5 years with MSW to maiden claimer runners and 4 ran second; she could be more relaxed and aware of her surroundings with the shades off here; first time on the conventional dirt and with no local drills, will have to adapt on the fly; 1 for 11 dam earned nearly 12 grand; all 4 siblings won; 2 won at 2 including a debut winner; top earner Touch of Sun took 8 of 34, banked nearly $85K; don't ignore.

Warrensdollarsigns

Knapp 1 for 27 the last 5 years with second shooting maiden claimers; was an ice cube on the tote and never really got rolling; 2 for 12 dam banked $45K; 3 of 7 siblings won; the best was For an Occasion, who took 4 of 17, banked nearly $50K; must turn it around.

Ipolita

Ellis is 2 for 24 the last 5 years with MSW to maiden claimer runners and 4 ran second; off slow and wide, must be respected on the drop alone; 4th finisher in last took a MSW and 7th finisher took a maiden $35K claimer; dam took 3 of 4, banked $90K; family is solid; all 5 siblings won, Grade 2 placed top earner Snapshot took 9 of 37, banked $260K; respect.

Passion Bucket

West 2 for 9 the last 5 years with second shooting maiden claimers with a median payoff of 4-1 and another ran third beaten under 2 lengths at 32-1; miss flashed brief speed but was finished after a half; 1 for 15 grand earned nearly $20K; several multiple race winners in the family; top earner Rainman s Request took a stakes at Pomona, won 4 of 25, banked over $120K; she has a right to run better here.

Reflective Glory

Finally broke with her field in last but she had to hail the taxi cab in a hurry; stakes winning 6 for 21 dam banked over $300K; 6 of 7 siblings won; SW top kin Bench Glory took 4 of 14, banked $220K; 4th new rider takes reins.

Controller

Over 3 clear and the race over the surface can only help; dam was unraced; the sibling to win took one of 7, banked 11 grand; she is starting to figure it out.

Very Thankful

She caught the fast splits and just could not keep up; 2 for 18 dam earned nearly $45K; this is her first to race; must pick it up.

Julie S.

Miller 21 for 89 the last 5 years with debuting maiden claimers with a median payoff of 4-1 and 12 ran second; Tribal Rule about 13% with debuters in a 149-runner grid; sire graduated as older horse, took 2 of 4, banked nearly $80K; Grade 3 placed 2 for 11 dam earned $75K; this is her first to race; like fact she drilled farther than this race is carded.

Hayley's Gray

Fanning 0 for 8 the last 5 years with maiden claimers coming back from an extended layoff like this but 2 ran second at odds between 2 and 17-1; been given time to recoup from the press and fade beach debut; 1 for 15 dam took a sprint in the off going; both siblings won; top earner Surplus took 4 of 24, banked nearly $165K; should at least muddle the pace.