Santa Anita: Closer Looks for January 30, 2014

Race 1

Pastero

Finished strongly to be 2nd on grass at TUP Dec. 17; but heck, that was for $6,250 - he's facing much, much toughere here and has to ship for the privilege; nice they thought enough of him to then try a stakes there Jan. 18 but he was nowhere (11th) at 78-1; this spot is likely easier, yes, but still much tougher than what he faced when he ran well Dec. 17.

Square Dancer

Nice 3rd for this price at this trip on this course Jan. 4; remember, though, that was vs. 4yos only - he's facing some tougher elders today; but hey, at least he's trending the right way and his best work has come on this turf course.

Mega Heat

Good enough a couple years ago to get a crack at the G1 Kilroe; was then gone nearly 14 months but came back firing to win for $50K at BHP April 27; the pattern since, though, is worrisome - after that win came over 4 months off, a dull race at DMR, another 5 months off with a class drop here Jan. 11 but again he was no factor; now drops a bit more; does move to turf and maybe that, combined with the drop, can get him back on track....maybe.

Hog's Hollow

Good enough when last seen that he ran 4th in a G1 at DMR and then 6th (beaten just 2 lengths) in a G2 there; trouble is, 'when last seen' was the summer of 2012 so we're talking about a long, long layoff; at least while he returns for a tag he's hardly a giveaway for this kind of price, and it's encouraging, too, Bejerano sees fit to ride; still, his other starts off the bench weren't his best and those layoffs were a lot shorter than this one.

Mambo Man

Ran on nicely in a hillside sprint for this price here Dec. 26; winner Luckarack is a former stakes horse who has a ton of wins in his pocket; this guy was slow into stride but ran on well and that was his first start in over 2 months; also, Belvoir saw fit to claim him (7 for last 23, 30%, off a claim); and while that sprint was encouraging remember this guy's best work previously came routing; snappy 1:13.60 work here Jan. 22 says he's doing well.

Anythingscookin

Sure, he got his number taken down after a very game 'win' here Jan. 11 for $25K and while it was probably the right move it doesn't take away from the fact this guy ran awfully well; speed to flee this outside slot and it's a great sign a sharp guy like Carava moves him up multiple levels; that speaks of confidence and also tells others that if they want to claim this guy, well, the bargain price of $25K last time is long gone; winless in 6 turf tries, yes, but don't let that mask the fact he's run well on turf, particularly on THIS turf.-Michael Hammersly

Race 2

Exclusive Girl

Debut wasn't much but hey, that was just her debut so you can always be forgiving about that; oddly enough, Biancone then wheeled her back quickly (8 days), moved her UP in class and she responded with a much better effort, running 2nd; yes, that came on turf but she's bred for dirt as well and it came at this trip so today's distance isn't an issue; nice to see no drop back in for a tag and she worked well here Jan. 9, too; all 5 sibs (all fulls) are winners including Repo (3 wins, $208K, 2 SWs).

Lady Bugatti

Figures plenty scary; not only was she a nice 2nd in a spot similar to this here Jan. 3 but she was a CLEAR 2nd (15 1/4 lengths clear of the 3rd horse); looks headed the right way and she's got the speed to be in a good spot from the start; lone sib is Parise (1 win, $40K).

Sweet Bliss

Only 5th first time out, yes, but that was still an encouraging debut; remember, she was away very slowly but she finished with good energy; was favored, too (5-2) so somebody saw something they liked; that came in a turf sprint but she may be better playing this longer game on this footing; 2 works since including a bullet bode well; lone sib to race is Saint Vigeur (2 wins, both routing, $192K, 2-time G2 SP routing).

Mum

Daughter of white-hot sire Tapit cost $400K at auction and she was so well-regarded first time out here Dec. 29 that she was sent off the 2-1 favorite; well, she was a bit sluggish early but at least kept to her task to be 3rd, albeit well-beaten (10 lengths); good news, though, is there's no layoff, no panicky drop by her Hall of Fame trainer, she's worked 3 times since and can surely move forward; Mandella, in fact, is 4 for last 17 (24%) going sprint-to-route, too; 2 sibs to race are winners including full-sis Hightap (4 wins, all routing, $300K, 2 G3 SWs, G3 SP).

Candy Eye

Headed the right way; getting more distance, taking off blinkers, more experience added up to a better run at GG Jan. 11 as she pressed the pace and ran 3rd; comes back south and gets leading rider Bejarano as well; it's first time dirt, yes, but the Candy Rides run on anything, just like he did, and there's a snappy work at BHP Jan. 21 to say she's doing well.-Michael Hammersly

Race 4

Tiz Futurity

He's a 21 time loser moving to the fence after failing to threaten last out at the level; gelding doesn't catch a very tough bunch and he owns some back numbers that would make him a big threat in this spot; he's had so many chances, though, it's tough to get excited about his prospects of winning this; prefer to limit his use to underneath in exotics.

Senor Pegasus

Sprinter moves inside for the initial 2 turn stretchout in a field that doesn't contain a lot of early zip; his pedigree suggests he'll like the added ground as he is kin to 3 route winners including SP, 154K earner Senora Dubai who won 7 times going long; sharp drill on tap and the mission looks to be clear but it's a long way from 5 1/2 panels to 9 and it's far from an easy transition; one to catch.

Angel Charge

He's yet to hit the board in his 11 race career and now he'll get off the fence after failing to make any type of impact at the level; gray catches a weak bunch, but he hasn't run a recent dirt number that would make him a threat here; have to pass on him.

Tempest Rising

Sire is 0 for 10 with his newcomers and the dam was 0 for 1 prior to dropping a limited sprint winner from 2 foals to race; works don't offer many clues but the barn does boast a recent debut winner and this colt wouldn't need to have too much ability to have a say in the outcome, but it's never easy running a big one first out at this trip.

Awesome Okee

He's had little to offer late in his last few sprints starts and now he'll try 2 turns; gelding has only run 5 times and he is kin to a pretty food one in multiple SP router and 387K earner Seminole Native who was better on the lawn but still won going long on the main track; worth a look as he figures to at least be forwardly placed in this weak field.

Destino

Goes postward for career start number 30 while tacking 2 turns on the stretchout today; one run type did pass some runners from a wide spot in his local return and maybe the added real estate will help him keep going, but even at a price we'd have to cap him to contend for a minor share.

Stauffenberg

Drops in half in claiming price after sharpening his foot sprinting in his first local crack; 5 year old offered little in that one but his synthetic route 2 back, behind a subsequent repeater, wasn't terrible; may be grasping a bit, but that just may be the way to look at this heat.

Indygo Andy

Owns the field's best last out number and he earned it from the back of the pack early; 4 year old has only run 3 times so he certainly has a right to improve quickly and his running style suggests the added ground will be right up his alley; he's returned to work well and couldn't have caught a much softer bunch; price will be short but they'll have him to hold off.

Fearsome Charisma

Returns from a year and a half on the shelf following a couple of weak synthetic sprint tries; 5 year old is bred to like the added real estate and he is working well over the local dirt for a barn that stretches them out well, but it's tough to imagine this guy is set to fire a much improved try first time back from this long break.-Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Sidepocket Run

She's looking like the type that might hang around the maiden ranks for a while, but her best race can get her into the hunt against these, and it looks like she's been training well for her return to action; at the very least, she's worthy of consideration underneath in the exotics.

Kana Flavor

Like the effort she showed up with in her first attempt routing over turf in her latest outing and this filly is out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 6 of 24 starts for 366k, including 4 of 19 turf starts for 321k; she looks like a good fit with these.

Diablita

Don't care to see that she's making her second career start at the age of 5, but she can prove to be an early pace player while stretching out in distance; winner from debut won next out here on 1/12 going 6 1/2f over turf vs. 25k OPC's with a 78 Beyer.

Hot and Pleasing

She may have needed her most recent race after a layoff and like the idea of her stretching out in distance for this; she can get the job done in a spot like this on her best day and it's interesting to see her wearing blinkers for the first time.

A Little Luckier

Sire has won with 2 of 18 (11%) of his turf starters and G2 stakes placed dam won once from seven starts for 31k, including 0-for-1 over turf; his dirt and synthetic surface form has only been so-so and this is his first start since September 2012.

Hanserella

Not only does she look like she's better off sprinting than routing, but it's tough to ignore the 0-for-26 career mark, and she finished behind a couple of today's rivals in her most recent start; looking toward others.

Van Dien Avenue

Half-sister to multiple G1 winner The Usual Q.T. (8-23, $1.5 million, including 8 of 16 over turf for $1.2 million) beat a few of these in her latest outing while making her first start for this barn and her first start after a layoff; feel that she can be ready for better this time around while getting more distance to work with.

Little Unusual

Not to be outdone by Hanserella, this mare is seeking her first win in career start number 33, and she's recorded just a single runner-up finish from 23 turf starts; perhaps a spot underneath in the exotics isn't out of the question, but looking in another direction for the top spot.-Brian Pochman

Race 6

Day of Fury

Trained fast to kick it off, could have just been a big shell shocked; dam 0 for 2; lone half sis Day of Litany won twice going long on grass; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one.

Hoppertunity

Made a decent move after slow start and has a shot to move forward; Grade 2 placed 3 for 13 dam earned over $100K, was turf only; 5 of 6 siblings won; a couple won routing including G1 winner and near millionaire Executiveprivilege; expect much better effort.

Como Mi Padre

Borrego 5 for 105 with debuters; sire won twice at 2, took 2 G1s including the Pacific Classic, banked over $2 million; 4 for 24 dam was sprint only; the sibling that won once took a sprint; love the spacing of the drills.

Arkenstone

Wide in every race, drill 8 days ago screams off the canvas; SW 4 for 31 dam earned $170K, won twice routing; 3 of 5 siblings won; top earner Preservata won 7 times, twice routing, banked nearly $140K; should be on the muscle fresh.

Even Echo

Lack of speed is a concern; no help from 2 siblings that are a combined 0 for 10; look for him late if at all.

Magna Warrior

He has shown talent, now must show it in this league; dam 0 for 2; the one for 18 sibling to win cashed sprinting; could see him pushing the issue, not sure he'll be around at the end.

Snuggley Bear

Colt has been knocking on the door and he got a boost when the winner 12/13 repeated in the Grade 3 Sham with a 95 Beyer; should be around the wire once again.

Rident

Fusaichi Pegasus has hit with about 11% of his firsters in a 586-runner study; sire ran 2nd in only start at 2, took Kentucky Derby on way to near $2 million bankroll; dam's lone win was a sprint; all 4 siblings won; top kin Web Gem took 6 routes, banked over $330K; may need a race.

Kimnjet

Just ran out of real estate at the beach, but love the spacing of the return drills; dam 0 for 4; lone half sis lost only start; things have to break right with his style.

Icy Ride

Another Baffert in the marooned spot, winner of the debut repeated in the $75K San Pedro with a 97 Beyer; 2 for 10 dam won routing, earned over $100K; the sibling to win took one dirt route; Nakatani got a chance to figure him out, contention goes long.-Brian Mulligan

Race 7

Full Consent

Sire Southern Image gets over 6% first time turf winners, over 7% overall turf winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 6 of 8 for $1.8 million, won G1 Malibu, G1 SA Handicap, G1 Pimlico Special, also 2nd in G1 Stephen Foster, no turf starts; unraced dam's 3 foals are all multiple winners, though each was 0 for 1 on turf; shown talent, yes, but those came vs. cheaper and came on dirt and synthetic so there are hurdles today to be sure.

No Contingency

First turf try here Jan. 5 was ugly, yes, but that was a pretty tough spot; it was also routing and he was still in it turning for home before weakening; well, he's not only down in class today but back to a sprint, and he showed in the summer/fall he handles this game; question is, can he handled it well enough on THIS footing to be a player?

This One's for Mel

Posted a long run of good races - until Dec. 14; shipped to GG to face N1X foes but dueled and gave way badly; was the the function of the race-shape, of shipping north, of being in new hands (had been claimed the race prior) or the result of a busy campaign?; well, there's the rub; the good news is he's been freshened and is back to SoCal; and while all his work since last August 2012 has been routing note a good sprint at CRC way back in mid-August 2012 so it likely means this trip is just fine; in for a tag and is below his claimed level ($62,500) but it's not as if he's a giveaway for this number either.

Botch

Headed the right way; rallied for 3rd in a $25K turf sprint at BHP Dec. 21, then ran 2nd (awarded 1st via DQ) in a $25K route here Jan. 11; love that Belvoir now doubles him in value and surely turf is just fine for this guy; and while that last win came routing note plenty of strong sprints so this trip should be just fine for him, thank you.

Magic Channel

Came from England in good form and made a very smart first impression in the U.S., winning his American bow at DMR July 20 and then winning for $50K there Aug. 11 (claimed by Hollendorfer); that was enough to earn a shot at a tough optional claimer there Sept. 4 but things didn't go well that day; could be the spot was too tough (winner Te Rapa was competing in stakes afterward) or maybe that 3rd start in just over a month was a bity too much; well, Hollendorfer has freshened him and moves him back to his claimed level and maybe that's just what the Dr. ordered.

Luz Atticus

Came back after 4 months and was most game winning a $25K turf sprint at BHP Dec. 21; dueled and looked beaten in midstretch but he rerallied to win, and was 31-1 as well; today's foe Botch was 3rd and came back to win (via DQ) to flatter this guy; love that Machowsky now doubles him in value and while he dueled and won last time note he's shown versatility in the past so he's not one-dimensional - though his 2 wins did come when right on the pace from the bell.

Dirty Swagg

They thought enough of him a year ago to get a shot at some graded stakes on dirt here; alas, those waters proved too deep but more disconcerting is that things haven't gone well since despite moving down in class; just the 1 3rd here Oct. 31 stands out; yes, that came on turf, but he failed to hit the board in his other 6 grass starts so it's not as if this footing is really his forte; tries turf again and is asked to step up a couple notches on the claiming ladder for the privilege, too.

Salutos Amigos

He's G2 SP sprinting so today's distance suits and he has 1 2nd from 3 grass starts so he's no fish out of water on this footing, too; that 4th in a $40K turf route here Jan. 4 wasn't bad at all; comes back fairly quickly and while Guillot moves him in for a tag it's not as if this is some fire sale for this kind of price, is it?

Craving Carats

Interesting new face; won 2 of last 3, on TAM sod and BEL sod and had previously run well on CD turf so odds are he'll handle this place; trainer Miller having a fine meet and this guy's versatility routing likely means he can play this game; had a rocky summer at SAR with 2 ugly outings but as noted, winning 2 of his 3 starts since indicate he's on the right track.-Michael Hammersly