Santa Anita: Closer Looks for January 5, 2014

Race 2

Siena Grace

A little disappointed with that last start; she was more forwardly placed than in her preceding start, seemingly in good position, but just didn't finish; was freshened after that race but shows a steady worktab leading up to her return; benefits from catching what appears to be a soft field for the level; threat.

Caribe d'Oro

Owns the top last-race Beyer, a 74, for finishing fourth at Hollywood, but that was on Cushion Track and way back in June; steady works leading up to his return and plenty of pedigree for a winning barn; apprentice Vandyke has already teamed with Proctor to win a race from seven attempts; things to offer.

Ryderroo

Doesn't have much speed and is moving out of the Cal-bred ranks; that's not a good combination; Beyers strictly in the 50s; unlikely.

Lyla Della

Badly outrun in two starts, but in each case he had a troubled trip; he was off poorly first out and then steadied in his last race at Del Mar; above average works leading up to his return; likely better than what he has shown.

Jetbird

Ran third over this track last year before heading up to GG and fading; went to the sidelines after that and shows quick works leading up to his return; reunited with Bejarano, who was aboard for the third first time out; contender.

Cougarontheprowl

Is by a top sire in Unbridled's Song and has been firing plenty of bullets leading up to his first race; sire gets 14% winners with first timers; dam was a precocious sort who her first three races, including two stakes; lone foal out of the dam, by Storm cat, is 1 for 7 with 33K in earnings; choice in her debut. - Byron King

Race 4

Beautiful Spirit

Drops in for a tag for her return from the break for her first start under the care of a barn that does nice work with this type; filly has local experience and plenty of early foot so expect to see her gunning from the fence and her pace rivals are drawn on the outside here; may prove to be the one to catch.

O Happy Gray

She's another going first time for a new barn while returning from 8 months on the shelf; gray worked ok here last week but she hasn't been a serious threat in a while and there's not a lot to suggest she's going to return with a much improved try; have to pass on this price.

Raven Wild

Gets Bejarano for her return to dirt after offering a decent late kick to get second money against slightly cheaper; filly doesn't have any early foot which often leaves her with a lot to do in the lane, but she does make her second start back from 10 months on the shelf here and she has a right to move forward.

Two Blue Hens

Ran ok for third money on the Hollywood lawn while making her first start off the claim by an outfit that does boast a winner from its lone starter at the local stand; filly did get up for second money in her debut run while tackling dirt for the initial time and her effort 2 back at the level with a triple bug aboard was solid; worth a look.

Rolanda

Failed to factor after getting off to a rough start on the drop to this level at Hollywood; she hasn't been a threat of late, but she did break her maiden the last time she stepped on the local dirt; has quite a bit of improving to do off her recent efforts in order to get in the mix for this low percentage outfit.

Elusive Luci

Lightly raced filly tries winners for the first time after breaking her maiden off the brief freshening at Hollywood; her speed should have her involved from the bell but she will run into the fresh lick of a pretty quick pace foe drawn on the fence; she ran ok here in the fall and her local Opening Day drill suggests she retains her sharp form.

Small Moves

Outside drawn filly is another who has early foot and she'll drop in for a tag for the first time with winners today; she's starts from a slot that should allow her to sit a tracking trip outside the speed and she owns the fastest dirt numbers of the bunch; looks like they'll have her to beat. - Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Coranto

In his last try at 7 furlongs, he was compromised by a wide post and path; it appears he will be receiving an honest pace today if all runners go and that can enable him to earn a major share as a result; the betting value will be there.

Deception Free

Gets some post position relief today and he was a sharp second at the course and distance 3 races back when breaking from this slot (under this same apprentice); should be able to middle move with some effectiveness today. .

Gentlemen Pete

Even effort last month could set him up well for this assignment; did not lose by much at all in his sole try at seven-eighths and may be able to stay within striking range today; long overdue

Attempt

Came up empty in the last pair which featured wide journeys; the previous effort is of interest where he lost both ground and momentum; latest drill at five-eighths was a slight upgrade; will fly under the betting radar.

Ice Cream Truck

Decent showing last month when breaking from the rail while facing 13 opponents; unleashed a bold run 2 back and if he can improve upon that particular performance, should be a solid threat in the late stages today.

El Pinto

Only one blemish on the record where he failed to fire while a big price; his sire won 3 of 22 starts and 209K; the dam won 2 of 19 races and 97K: among the winning siblings is 158K earner Comedy Girl.

On Holy Ground

Makes his 30th attempt in these ranks and third start off the bench angle may not matter; doubt that the return to this distance will make any difference either; cannot endorse for the top spot.

Adamor

Tries the claiming realm for only the second time after a rail-running try last month, a race above average in quality; the extra sixteenth of a mile can suit his style and he is meeting several professional maidens today.

Awesome Okee

Rested 2 months, he should be involved early against this lot; in his brief career, he has unfortunately ran into a pair of blowout, repeat winners; reverts to the original rider and looks like a cozy fit today; playable.

Storm Caution

Broke alertly in the last assignment but could not sustain any run; yet to hit the board, he is a very tough take today even though the latest gate workout showed some improvement; pass for now.

Ten Tequilas

Raced evenly in his first attempt around 2 turns; the effort 2 back is noteworthy where he earned a clear-cut second; looks like a very good fit against this group but will not offer much in the way of betting value.

Puerto Williams

Unleashed a strong run at this distance 2 back but was aided by swifter early fractions that day; came up empty in the subsequent assignment; latest blowout was fair but still believe he will arrive too late for this party.

Destino

Like several of his foes today, he is a one-run type who is probably going to be caught up in a logjam at the back of the pack in the early stages; can round out a healthy exotic wagering payoff but cannot be given the main vote.

Italian Mirage

Should have gained some valuable conditioning on the turf last time out; previous placing at this oval was sharp and if he can improve upon that performance, he should be a major presence here even from this extreme outpost. - Jim Kachulis

Race 6

Kessabtsi

Gelding tries open company after failing to factor again against statebred allowance runners; 2 time course winner doesn't have much early foot and his numbers don't stack up too well with this bunch; looms another long price.

Brother Pete

Runner up in his last 2 was given some time off the last out near miss at the level and worked well on New Year's Eve for the comebacker; barn hasn't had a great start to the stand, but Bejarano returns and this guy should find himself in a good spot from the bell; consider.

U S Citizen

Gets a weight break with the triple bug named for the stretchout to 2 turns; maybe he's closer from the bell in here but the 5 year old didn't do much in his lone route try and there's not much to suggest he'll go a lot better in this spot; prefer others on the win end.

Peace and Justice

Looked good breaking his maiden on the engine in New York first out in June but neither of his subsequent spins with winners was much; he's been working well at Hollywood for his first crack out here and the barn boasts sharp numbers with its fresh runners.

No Contingency

Steps back in with older in his return to the lawn after running away from claimers on synthetic footing; his turf spins weren't much and have to question whether he'll handle the 2 turn trip today; can't back him in this spot.

Footbridge

Four year old was quite good on the local main track last winter before the ambitious try in Keeneland's G1 Blue Grass sent him to the bench for 9 months; barn hits at a nice clip with its initial turf starters and his sire gets 11% winners from his first turfers; dam was a 2 time winner overseas; working like he'll have run in him, but he'll also probably be better next time.

Money Clip

Broke his maiden going from last to first in his second career start off 10 months on the shelf; late running sprinter tackles a route of ground in his turf debut and his dam did drop several turf winners including G1 SP, multiple G3 SW turfer and millionaire Keertana; sire gets only 5% first time surface winners from his offspring.

Jules Journey

Ran ok despite trouble in his local return from nearly 8 months on the shelf; gelding's effort 2 back here in the winter was excellent and he's working like he's ready to take a step forward here; never off the board in 5 local course spins, he's one to watch in the lane.

Just Fishin

Took him 12 cracks to get through the maiden ranks and he did it with a career best number in that Hollywood heat; 5 year old has had over a month to get past the effort and he has run well over the local sod; still, against this bunch his ceiling will likely be a minor award.

Jonny's Choice

Statebred wasn't beaten much sprinting in the Hollywood stake last time and now he'll stretchout in his return to allowance company; he did break his maiden going long 20 months ago and he worked a decent 5/8s for this last week, but the added trip may prove a little much for him against this bunch.

Quiet Force

Lightly raced 4 year old draws the outside slot after being given time off the beaten chalk effort at 9 panels here; colt has been working regularly for his return from the break for a sharp fresh outfit and today's trip could turn out to be his best; Bejarano goes elsewhere but this guy is worth a look.

Cervaro

AE will start from a tough draw if a scratch allows him to meet the starter; 4 year old broke his maiden at this 8 panel trip 2 back at Hollywood but wasn't able to get back to the effort in his first with winners; his late kick will likely be subjected to a wide run today and that could limit his impact.

Tortola

AE will need some help to make her return to the lawn in this spot but he did break his maiden at the local trip in the fall; his 2 subsequent cracks with winners weren't much, though, and neither looks to have a viable excuse; tough to back him off those tries. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Patriots Rule

Decent work tab on view to begin his view; the gelding's sire won 2 of 4 attempts and 77K (progeny of Tribal Rule have won 50 out of 361 debuts); the dam scored in 5 of 13 appearances earning 257K; winning sibs include 128K earner Candy's Sunrise.

This Cat's Awesome

Two solid efforts thus far, both while heavily backed; his sire won 2 of 6 starts and 98K while the dam won 2 of 11 races and 67K; among the winning siblings is 128K earner Awesome Kitten.

Even to the Moon

Game in defeat last time out while jammed up between rivals; drilled today's distance recently and should be able to be on or near the pace as a result; obvious true contender but far less appealing odds today.

Sunday Pulpit

Newcomer hails from 209K earner Pulpit whose descendants have won 7 out of 61 initial starts; the dam won 1 of 3 and 8K; among the winning siblings is 58K bankroller Mr. Sierra; December work tab was fair.

Public Policy

Turns back from a turf try where he held on well; debut race over this course, although against claimers, was dead game and if he can come close to that performance level here, he is a major player; another short price is assured though.

Lucky Jack

Never threatened in his first assignment when losing to some of these same rivals; turned in a vastly improved a.m. move thereafter; his sire won a G3 and 632K; the dam went 8 for 24 earning 669K; this is her only foal to compete.

The Custodian

Beginner hails from G1 type Square Eddie who compiled 837K and whose progeny have won 2 of 13 initial starts; the dam was without a tally in 5 attempts; sib to 399K earner Soul Candy.

Hye I'm Jack

Showed a lot more energy when negotiating the turf for the first time; the colt's sire won multiple G2s and 1.03million while the was 1 for 6 earning 3K; winning siblings include 51K earner Blade Scuffler.

Toosmartbyhalf

Commendable first run when he was caught up in a pace battle until the stretch; his sire won a G3 and 703K; the dam won 1 of 3 and 16K; among the winning siblings is 51K earner Blade Scuffler.

Sir Vronski

Despite the fact that he was outfinished by some of these same opponents in November, he did all of the yeoman pacesetting work that day; his sire won 3 of 11 and 135K; the dam won 2 of 8 and 30K; this is her only foal to start.

Cousin Ricky

There is a legitimate excuse to that first defeat; the colt's sire won 5 of 23 and 342K; the dam won 4 of 34 and 127K; there are no winning siblings to mention; may have difficulty with this demanding post position.

Nooten

Showed some promise 2 back in a turf sprint but then found the mile distance too tough; the gelding finished midpack from the outside in his maiden voyage here in November; most recent workout at five-eighths was encouraging. - Jim Kachulis

Race 8

Judy In Disguise (GB)

Stakes winning miss has run well in all three of her starts sprinting down the hill, and although it was over a synthetic surface, she earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure in her latest outing while teaming up with Garcia for the first time; she finished well when chasing a couple of today's rivals to the finish over this turf course three back.

Kindle

Maybe the long layoff is a reason to be concerned, but based on what this mare has done in her three attempts sprinting over turf, she has every right to prove to be tough to tackle in this spot; her recent workouts look strong, and this barn can have one ready for a top try after a long layoff like this.

Purim's Dancer

She hasn't run a bad race from nine starts over turf, and one of her poorer turf starts was going a mile; she finished behind a few of these in her latest outing, but she certainly didn't disgrace herself in that event, and feel that she's a threat against competition of this caliber on her best day.

Golden Production

From a Beyer Speed Figure standoint, his better races have been run over dirt and synthetic surfaces, but he's riding a three-race win streak, and two of those wins were earned sprinting over turf; looking at this as a tough step up in class for him and it might be worth noting the presence of Talamo aboard another in here.

Ciao Bella Luna

One of two signed on in here for the Miller barn, and not only does it appear that this filly isn't quite good enough to beat these on her best day, but she wasn't at her best in her one start over turf; looking toward others.

Sky High Gal

Have to respect the early speed she displayed when turned back to a sprint distance in her latest outing and she finished right behind a few of today's rivals in that race; however, she's going to need to step up her game to get the job done in this spot, and she's going to have a tougher time trying to secure the early lead.

Ultrasonic

Juddmonte-homebred looks like she did some decent work in her sprint attempts racing overseas, and when looking at her recent workouts, it's probably a good idea to respect her chances as she gets ready to make her first start in America for the Baffert barn.

Pontchatrain

Relatively lightly raced 4-year-old appears to be getting better and better with racing experience, and she beat a number of today's rivals in her latest start when securing her first graded stakes win; she has the look of a top contender while going out for a barn and rider that have been dominating at this venue.

Camryn Kate

Her ability to run her race from off the pace can prove to be a key if an early scramble develops, and she looked like she was going to put in a decent stretch bid in her latest outing when finishing behind a few a these in her latest start; she might be able to prove to be a little bit of a price player.

Winding Way

She ran well the only time she sprinted over turf and she finished right behind today's rival Pontchatrain in that race; however, it is worth noting the presence of Bejarano aboard Kindle in here; not counting her out of it, but maybe a minor award is the ceiling. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Strollin Home

The rail is again a magnet for improving filly; 4 for 24 dam took debut at 2, banked nearly $80K; both siblings won twice in their careers; stakes winning top kin Made to Love Her took 2 of 14, earned nearly $160K, both wins came at 2; in good hands, shorter trip could be just what the good doctor ordered.

Faith Proof

Idiot Proof 1 for 6 with debuters; sire took debut at 2, took a Grade 1, banked over $1.2 million; dam out of the money 3 times; several multiple race winners in the family; top kin Centerofattention took several stakes, earned over $300K; like this work pattern.

Passion Bucket

Forestry about 10% with debuters in a 572-runner grid; sire didn t race at 2, took a Grade 1, earned almost $600K; dam just one for 15; several multiple race winners in the tree; top sibling Rainman's Request took a stakes at 2, banked over $120K; blowout on Thursday should have her on her toes.

Ninnavee

Stamina the concern as she s been stopping going short; 9th finisher in last took a maiden $12.5K seller at Northlands Park, place horse graduated in a maiden $50K seller in next; backers can point to the fact there is an over $100K earner in the family; will at least muddle the pace.

Ruff Proof

See Faith Proof for sire stuff; 3 for 11 dam earned over $100K; one sibling lost 4 times; the other took 1 of 3, earned about $30K; miss seems comfortable with this surface.

Warrensdollarsigns

Affirmative 1 for 47 with firsters; sire lost all 4 starts; 2 for 12 dam took debut at 2, earned $45K; 3 of 7 siblings won; 3 earned just under $50K; lean toward watching a race.

Hanna No Sir

Pomeroy about 15% with debuters in a 136-runner grid; sire took debut at 2, won a couple of G1s, banked almost $850K; dam was unraced; 5 of 7 siblings won; top kin Rate of Exchange took a stakes, earned nearly $170K; soph is realistically placed.

Sweet Lips Pooh

Best race by far was local and interesting Bejarano enticed; at least both siblings each one once; it s possible the turf race may have dulled her speed; she can go in :45 and change if in the mood; don't ignore.

Tim's Go Girl

Borrego 5 for 102 with debuters; sire won twice at 2, took 2 G1s including the Pacific Classic; dam was unraced; family is solid; all 6 siblings won; 2 banked over $100K; the best was G3 placed near $135K earner Acceleration; like fact she drilled farther than this race is carded.

Bushida

First Samurai about 9% with debuters in a 180-runner grid; 5 for 8 sire took juvenile debut, won Champagne and Hopeful, banked over $900K; stakes placed 3 for 9 dam earned $85K, took debut at 2; this is her first to race; bug off to a good start this meet.

Controller

More experienced pilot here and like the fact she was gaining momentum late; dam was unraced; lone half bro to race took 1 of 7, banked just over 11 grand; contention goes long.

Moving Seas

Miss seemed in the right spot on the drop but she gave way when it counted; 6th finisher in last took a maiden $30K claimer and the show horse beat MSW next out; 4 for 11 dam banked nearly $30K; this is her first to race; drawn right, nice move on the 22nd; beware.

Kahala

Brief speed when hooked wide; 3rd finisher in last took a maiden $40K seller, 4th finisher took a maiden $30K claimer; dam was unraced; all 3 siblings won; top sib McCarren Park took 6 of 20, banked over $200K; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one.

Rushomatic

Miss at least kept running till the end last time; note she did exit the live Pomona race but that form doesn't always travel; has some things to iron out. - Brian Mulligan