Santa Anita: Closer Looks for January 3, 2013

Race 1

Morning Star

Cozy slot here and she has enough speed to try to take advantage of the quick run to the first turn; 1 for 6 dam earned nearly $50K; this is her first to race; expect much better effort this time.

Artemis

Miss has a shot to show more speed on the stretch out; winner of the debut repeated in the Grade 1 Starlet with an 81 Beyer; lone half bro to race lost 7 times; legit trouble in the debut when she bobbled; can't fault those that give her another shot at glory.

Tiffany's Honour

Youngster lost all chance when she walked out of the gate; Grade 2 winning 2 for 8 dam earned over $250K; 5 of 6 siblings won; kin Jazil took the Belmont Stakes, and half sis and champion Rags to Riches took several G1s including the Belmont, banked over $1.3 million; could be any kind.

Lady Bugatti

She ran into the clear winner the other time at this trip; the place horse that day graduated in a MSW, lost next pair; 3 for 7 dam took 2 stakes, banked over $250K; lone half bro race took 1 of 3, earned $40K; Talamo got a chance to figure her out; should be right there.

Abide in Me

Never liked to see them give up clear leads but maybe she just was too keen to run; she has a shot to have a nice career as kin to near $200K earner Triple Cross; look for Smith to coax her along on the front end trying to tow rope this group; could be long gone.

Race 2

Roman Threat

Figures for an ideal trip saving ground while stalking Follini; major-class relief off 4 stakes 3 graded; the runner-up finisher from last posted a 105 Beyer speed figure in his next-out G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile win; debut winner on SA dirt; his Grade 3-synthetic-surface stakes score May, 2012, represents a field-best Beyer speed figure when beating the show runner a next-out 112 Beyer-BHP G1-SW; 90 days since latest dull efforts; the 2-back winner repeated in a BEL-G1 with a 108 speed figure.

Wild Dude

Gets Roman Threat's and Rolling Fog's win rider which is clearly a sign of confidence for this synthetic-surface winner from last who posted a career-best Beyer; main knock is the negative 2-pound weight swing off the more than 2-length loss 3-races back vs. Let's Get Crackin at today's distance on SA dirt.

Let's Get Crackin

2-back winner at today's distance over the SA dirt; today is his lightest-weight assignment since July, 2012; 81 days since posting a new Beyer Top when chasing a sharp SA-dirt winner who repeated in the G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint with a 98 speed figure; chased the 3-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 87 in a next-out DMR-40K-claiming win.

American Act

Winless since April, 2012; his lone dirt win was posted January, '12; gate-to-wire in an SA-5.5F-MSW graduation; needs to break on top which won't be easy with Follini here; lost all chance in last when breaking slowly out of the gate in most-recent defeat; the winner from last Beyered 93 in his next-out -SA-G1 victory.

Rolling Fog

2-year-old-Grade 1 stakes winner is a 2-for-2 runner who sees the win pilot side with Wild Dude here; has been working like he will love dirt racing traveling on it for the 1st time today for a high-percentage long-layoff trainer; figures much like the uncoupled Baffert-barnmate Roman Threat to stalk Follini from the gate before getting 1st run on the closers.

Follini

Winless on the main track which is the main issue while he posted a career-low Beyer at today's distance in March on SA dirt; he Is the one to catch after 4 straight starts racing 1st at the 1st call; likely has Roman Threat. American Act and Rolling Fog breathing down his neck from the bell; the runner-up finisher 2-back Beyered 91 in his next-out BSR-OPC win; the 3-back runner-up and show finishers Beyered 89-83 in next-out SA-alw. and DMR-OPC wins.

Race 3

Hawk's Eyes (BRZ)

He has to bounce back from a performance that was below par for him, but if he feels like bringing his 'A' game to the table, there isn't any reason why he can't have a say in the outcome; he should have every opportunity to manage a comfortable ground-saving trip after breaking from the rail post.

Vibrato Jazz

Stakes placed 5-year-old is fast enough on his best day to get himself into the mix against these, and it doesn't hurt him to have Bejarano at the controls, but it's just tough to trust him with the win dollar when seeing that he has just a single victory after 17 career starts.

Stoney Fleece

Grade 3 winner was reclaimed by Barber and Sadler from his latest outing and feel that this consistent performer merits top contender status against these; like to see that Nakatani was aboard for a couple of his sharper recent starts.

Extensive

Stakes winning veteran hasn't been at his best in his two most recent races but not willing to count out the possibility of him producing a competitive performance against competition of this caliber; he's only three races removed from a performance that can make him tough to deal with in this spot.

My Samurai Warrior

Late running type is another in here who is capable of producing a solid performance on his best day and perhaps the drop to the 50-45k claiming level is just what he's looking for; it doesn't hurt to see that Talamo has had success aboard this gelding in the past.

Maybe Tuesday

He ran well when getting the job done in his most recent start over this turf course two races ago, and that was a race that saw him get the better of today's rival Stoney Fleece; his early speed might prove to be a key as it looks like the early pace will be slow to develop.

Race 4

Lake Maracaibo

7-time beaten-betting favorite did not finish latest as the chalk; today is the 1st time ever in a maiden claimer the biggest class drop in racing; worked well on dirt prior to last making her 1st-main-track attempt here; her field-best Beyer speed figure was posted in a turf sprint back in April, 2012; the 3-back winner captured her next 2 races in SA-BHP allowance. events with 84-81 Beyers.

Sugar High Kaylin

Stamina was lacking from 1st pair while stretching out beyond 6F for the 1st time is not easy to take; 6-for-6 sire took the 10F G1-Pacific Classic on dirt; dam did not compete past 6.5F; stays with the rider who is 1-for-19 for the trainer at SA during the last year; know her early but unsure about late.

Supreme Ballerina

Long absence for a trainer 0-for-2 since 2013 with similar-extended layoff starters; brief speed in latest loss and today gets in with her lightest-weight assignment ever likely trying to steal this one up top; the winner from last repeated with a 71 Beyer taking an SA-25K claimer.

Shandy

Has not been past 6.5F yet; sire was a G2-SW at 9F on SA dirt; dam finished 3rd in the only dirt route of her career; the 3-back show runner Beyered 77 in a next-out MSW win; the debut runner-up Beyered 54 taking a BSR-25K-maiden claimer next out.

Rsweet Serendipity

Not much to bite into on dirt off 2 losses combining nearly 15 lengths however one of her races without blinkers on the main track represents a career-best Beyer; adds more gate speed here while racing with her heaviest weight assignment since the 7F-SA-dirt outrun line.

Just Dancing

Broke slowly in both losses; her sire won the Kentucky Derby on dirt so would assume she can wakeup here racing on the main track for the 1st time; April was her last SA-dirt workout with a steady but unspectacular main-track tab for this.

Onyx Be Good

Defeated 2 runners combined in 2 dirt losses; eased-walked off running line the last time competing on dirt; owns a career-best Beyer on turf 4 races ago chasing the winner who repeated in an SR-$12,500 claimer with a 57 Beyer.

Music and Me

Lost by more than a dozen lengths in her only dirt start which doesn't bode well for the surface switch; needed last start off the 93-day break when rallying well at 2.5F shorter than this; trainer is just 1-for the last-11 going sprint-to-route; others appeal more.

Nezi O's Gold

Career-best Beyer was a dirt Mile in October but is 4-0-0-1 since; 3 of those recent losses can be excused racing on synthetic surfaces; today is the lightest-weight assignment since July, 2012, hoping to carry her speed a lot longer than latest dirt defeat.

Race 7

Remise (AUS)

6-year-old mares makes her first start in America off of a long layoff, and even though it looks like she's been doing some nice work in the a.m. in preparation for this, it might be best to just watch her today with an eye on what she might be capable of going forward.

Birdlover (GB)

She's a stakes winner racing over this turf course, and even though she was beaten by a few of today's rivals in her latest start, it's not like she disgraced herself in that contest; she has her share of appeal with Smith taking over.

Llandudno

She chased a couple of today's rivals to the finish in her most recent start over turf two races ago at BHP, but when seeing what she's done in her two starts over this turf course, perhaps the change of venue can prove to be a key for her.

My Lil Shamrock

Stakes placed filly ran well in a tough spot in her turf debut in her most recent start, a race that saw her finish behind today's rival Kinz Funky Monkey, and she's making her first start for a barn that has been doing well with new acquisitions.

Kinz Funky Monkey

She's a stakes winner sprinting over turf and she's run well in both of her turf starts; she brings a high degree of early speed with her and her latest effort after a layoff can prove to be a useful conditioner for this.

Miss Lucky Sevens

She usually shows up and gives a solid account of herself and like to see what she's done in her two most recent races sprinting over turf; respect the presence of Bejarano and feel that she has the look of a contender after splitting a couple of today's rivals in her latest outing.

Disko Dasko (FR)

A little concerned when seeing that her two most recent races haven't been up to par, but if she can rediscover the form that she displayed when she first arrived in America, she can prove to be a player in this spot.

Silver Hustler

She commands some respect in this spot based on what she's shown in her nine starts over turf, but it is worth noting that she is testing the turf sprint waters for the first time; late running type might find herself with a lot of ground to cover when she hits the top of the stretch.

Blues and Silvers

10-time winner has won nine of 14 over turf and she beat a number of today's rivals in her latest start; there's very little to knock in this direction and she's ideally drawn in an outside post at this trip; she has every bit the look of a top contender with Stevens aboard.

Race 8

Polished Silver

Must be respected on the drop alone but gelding has to deal with the inside; dam out of the money thrice; this is her first to race; he kept his legs moving with a couple of drills since last; don't ignore.

Western Showdown

The debut was okay but he has gone the other way of late; never thrilled to see the beats at Pomona; 3rd finisher in last took a maiden $32K seller next out and the winner repeated in a $40K starter with a 72 Beyer; connections would love to see her start acting like top kin and near $130K earner Lovmeister; passing.

Hallett Boy

This is a first-time gelding; hung wide in last pair and blinks didn't help two back; 5th finisher in last took a maiden $32K seller next out, place horse took a maiden $30K claimer and the winner was 2nd a nose in a $40K starter; dam was unraced; 7 of 8 siblings won; top earner Alpine Sport earned over $200K in a long career; 4th new pilot takes the reins.

Short Sword

The light is starting to go on for this soph; stakes placed 4 for 21 dam banked $160K; this is her first to race; major player.

Fulmerized

He may have been overmatched in the debut; show horse in last was well clear and that runner graduated next out at this very level with a 52 Beyer last Friday; SP 4 for 13 dam earned nearly $90K; all 3 siblings won; top earner took 3 of 11, banked about $80K; could get brave if he gets a lonely lead.

Dustin's Mission

This is a first-time gelding; cold on the tote at Pomona and runner was getting out to boot; dam out of the money 4 times; this is her first to race; may need even softer to shine.

White Front Freddy

Gelding should have his sea legs under him by now; a couple of nice drills since last including the 2nd best of 52 spin last Saturday; dam was unraced; lone half sis was third in best moment; due to get off the 4th treadmill.

California Jade

Bet like a good thing on the drop but runner only flashed brief speed; backers can point to the fact there is a $135K earner in the family; key off that second career outing and he s a player.

Johns Journey

In career cheap spot and the drills are steady; 2nd finisher in last took a MSW fray, show horse took a maiden $50K claimer and the trailer took a maiden $5K claimer; fans can hang their hat on fact both siblings won twice, one banked about $80K; must be left in the exotic conversation.

Sams Blue Cat

The grass effort could have help the stamina; SW 10 for 34 dam earned nearly $300K; lone half bro Toccet Man took 7 of 25, banked $70K; drawn right, clever move on the 26th; another threat.

Sharkbait Willie

This is a first-time gelding; at least he flashed more speed in last; 3 for 48 dam earned almost $200K, was turf only; lone full bro Inquisitive Son took 2 of 27, earned over $80K; expect much better effort.

Gliding Love

Not sure how you spin the dull debut in the right direction; dam out of the money in only try; this is her first to race; looking elsewhere for a key top horse.