Santa Anita: Closer Looks for June 1, 2014

Race 1

Wrightwood

Broke slowest of all in both attempts last year and never got involved thereafter; his sire won multiple G3s and 413K while the dam scored in 1 of 21 races earning 171K; there are no winning siblings to highlight; rail slot may prove troublesome.

Knuckle Curve

New face hails from G2 victor Proud Citizen who netted 638K and whose progeny have won nearly 12 percent of their first tests; the dam was without a tally in 7 tries; winning siblings include 123K earner Tapajo.

Steep N Deep

Steady work tab for this colt, son of 148K winner Flatter (whose descendants are 10 percent winners first time out); the dam never raced; among the winning siblings is 196K earner Caffe D'oro.

American Pride

Hurt by pace battles in both tries last summer while favored each time; his sire won 3 of 9 and 986K while the dam won 2 of 7 attempts and 73K; sib to 24K winner Data Plan; dangerous if getting away unpressured today.

Juansagain

Firster hails from multiple G1 type First Samurai who notched 915K and whose offspring have won 10 percent of their initial starts; the mom won 7 of 14 and 507K; winning siblings include 90K earner Favorite Meeting.

Rusty Road

His most recent workout, at today's trip, was sizzling; the gelding's sire won multiple G1s and 3.96 million; offspring of Point Given are 29 for 321 in the first time victorious department; the dam lost her only race and there are no winning sibs to report. - Jim Kachulis

Race 4

Wasted At Midnight

If you're looking for the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here, your search can end now, and it doesn't hurt to see that she earned that figure racing over the main track here; this is the first time she's experiencing the rail post sprinting, but she has to be viewed as a legitimate threat.

Best Efforts

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his first-time starters and minor stakes winning dam won 4 of 16 starts for 144k, and all of her wins were earned sprinting; 200k purchase is tough to ignore while going out for a barn that has been hitting at a 25% clip with firsters.

Little Miss S

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his first-time starters and dam was unraced; this filly is a 1/2 to G1 winner Crisp (3-10, 286k, all wins routing); another firster in here for a strong first-out operation and a number of her workouts look strong.

Southern Sunshine

Starting to wonder if she just isn't better off racing over a synthetic surface than she is over dirt, but have to respect the early speed that she brings with her, and she isn't going to mind the turn back in distance.

Point Endurance

Half-sister to multiple stakes winner Private World (3-6, 166k, all wins sprinting) was beaten by a couple of today's rivals in her career debut but she's eligible to be ready for better now that she has some racing experience to draw from.

Spy Girl

One of two speedy filly's lined up in here for the Miller barn and like to see the effort this miss showed up with at second asking with Maldonado aboard; feel that it's a good idea to respect her as a gate-to-finish threat.

Delphia

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his first-time starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won once from four starts for 12k, and that one win was earned sprinting; this barn can be live with a firster, but it's tough to give her the nod over the others firsters in here.

Denotation

Her career debut can be viewed in a positive light and it looks like she's trained well in between starts; Reddam-owned filly has every right to be ready for better with a race behind her and like the outside post for her in here. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Artest

So was it maturity, the class drop, jock change or addition of blinkers that produced that bounce-back to form down the hill May 11 whne he posted a 25-1 upset?; maybe a bit of each; many of those factors still apply - blinkers remain on and Maldonado stays; also very nice to see new trainer Mulhall feels good enough about him to chuck him right back into stakes ranks.

Rosengold

Won the Baffle on this course vs. 3yos only here in March 2013; however, since he faded badly in the G2 La Jolla at DMR last summer things haven't gone so well; he's got just 1 good outing (2nd) in his last 4 starts; at least that good outing came on this course, though that was last October; after that came 4 months off, a sizzle-and-fizzle vs. some of these in another hillside stakes and now another 3 months on the bench; more questions than answers here but it's nice to see a sharp guy like Julio feels good enough about him to bring him back in a tough spot like this.

Pure Tactics

They thought enough to enter in the G3 American here a couple weeks ago - and they thought enough to scratch so that he didn't run into a beast named Obviously and get cooked; that was routing, too - he can handle it but at this level this (sprinting) may be his best game; lost his only 2 prior hillside tries but he ran very well in each finishing 3rd and 4th in a couple stakes.

County Lineman

First hillside try was most encouraging - he stalked the pace and kept to his task well to finish 3rd, not far at all behind winner and today's foe Artest (1 3/4 lengths); seems to have acclimated well to his new surroundings after spending the earlier part of his career back East; has some versatility, too, so that gives Nakatani options; it's also nice to see him reunited with Nakatani - they were together when this guy won on the main track here Feb. 27.

Zimmer

You always worry about what effects may linger after a disaster like his G3 San Simeon run (gave way; distanced); but you put your faith in a horse's trainer and this runner's sharp conditioner Proctor brings him back against tough customers so he apparently is just drawing a line through that San Simeon dud; prior try in the Hernandez down the hill was excellent as he ran 2nd to Sweet Swap, who may be the best horse on the circuit going down the hill; been working steadily since that debacle to indicate he's doing well, too.

Chips All In

No shame at all in running 2nd to a beast in Obviously in the G3 American here May 17; remember, there was a G1 SW behind him that day in 3rd (Silentio) and it was also this guy's first start in almost 5 months; and while he can route it's possible this (turf sprinting) is his best game; proven on the hill (won the G3 Eddie D here last summer) and with his speed, class and proven affinity for the hill he figures pretty darn salty. - Michael Hammersly

Race 6

Pearl de Vere

133 days since posting her lowest Beyer speed figure since March, 2013, in a key race; was defeated by the runner-up finisher who posted an 87 Beyer in her next-out CRC-starter allowance win; the 5th and 6th-place finishers from last Beyered 80-74 in next-out GG starter alw. and SA-25K-claiming wins; there is talent here but is 3-0-0-0 since posting the 4-back field-best Beyer on SA dirt at 6F; all-freshened up for a high-pecentage SA fresh trainer; have mixed feelings.

Rich in Tradition

28 races to graduate and class tested with winners today; has shown the ability to stalk the pace well and has plenty of speedy targets to go after for this; to win at 5.5F on SA dirt breaking in top flight is essential; has 11 minor awards overall with 6 on SA dirt she has spent most of career racing well in defeat.

Our Glitter Ball

The only time she raced on the lead she won but catches a field top heavy with gate speed; did not make the lead with winners in last beating just one runner home; the rider change is a major plus going to a 28%-winning SA-jockey-trainer combo since 2013; view as a pace presence for part.

La Quillotana

Primed for this at much longer; she returns to the distance of her debut win; has a lot of ground to make up on More Stormyweather from the 2-back loss; rider of all 3 races sides with Fly to Freedom for this; have her ranked a notch below the top players.

More Stormyweather

Projects for an ideal trip stalking the outside speed; 82 field-best Beyer speed figure for latest when rallying from 7th; will need to break sharper cutting back a half furlong for this; the first 11 winners at the current SA meet at 5.5F were won by runners 1-2-3 at the 1st call; beat the 2-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 71 in a next-out SA-30K-maiden-claiming win; the pick.

Yodel Up a Storm

Goes from 2-year-old races to facing older rivals for the 1st time today; graduated 1st off the claim at Del Mar noting last-out DMR starters at the current-SA meet have won 5 races; the worktab suggests she will be come out running; has big gate speed in a field loaded with other early zip; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 29 finishing 3rd next out in a BSR-MSW; the winner from her debut finished 8th in a MNR-100K stakes next out.

On Golden Pawn

12%-winning long layoff trainer began an icy 1-for-24 at SA this meet; nearly 11 months away with a good-LA worktab while latest loss looks better since the runner-up finisher Beyered 75 in a next-out DMR-40K-claiming win; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Fly to Freedom

Impressed in her 1st dirt start; she adds a lot of gate speed into this event on the lead in 21 and 4 in latest; hopes to be the speed of the speed; beat the 2-back show finisher who Beyered 72-64 in next-out SA-MSW and GG-starter alw. wins; good sign that the win rider stays here when having other options; the one to catch and beat.

Goodbye Roselina

The show finisher from last Beyered 61 in a next-out SA-20K-maiden-claiming win; all three outside posts here all were on the lead in last so the stalkers seem ripe to pick up the pieces; in 11 races at 5,5F at SA all winners were 1-2-3- at the 1st call which helps her repeat chances however the debut-win rider shows up on Our Glitter Ball for this. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Mr. Itkins

Sire wins with approximately 7% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 7 starts for 43k, and she didn't make a start over turf; runner up from debut won next out here on 3/8 going 6 1/2f vs. MSW rivals with an 85 Beyer.

Distinctive B

He's basically been outrun at every point of call in his first two starts and it's going to take a much improved performance in his first start beyond 6 1/2 in order to contend.

Nowalking

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and stakes placed dam won 3 of 12 starts for 77k, including 0-for-2 over turf; a two-turn mile is demanding for a firster, but a few of his workouts hint at ability.

Sunny Kat

Full brother to Kitten Love (3-13, 91k, including 2 of 11 turf starts for 74k) hasn't run poorly in his first three starts but he is going to need to dial it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale if he's to prove to be the one in this spot.

Wicked Finance

His lack of early speed has been making things a little bit tough for him, but his best effort is right in line with what it might take to win this, and Van Dyke has won with 10 of 39 (26%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

J Kat

New connections saw fit to grab him for 75k from his latest start and like to see the direction his form headed in after being placed over turf three back; he's a 1/2 to G3 winner Strike the Bell (5-19, 285k over turf).

Storm the Channel

He's by a top turf sire and out of a multiple graded stakes placed dam who won 5 of 19 starts for 262k, including 2 of 10 North American turf starts for 195k; he was a sharp runner-up finisher at second asking as a 2-year-old and commands a good deal of respect with that performance behind him.

Bayview Drive

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam won once from seven starts for 13k, and she didn't make a turf start; this colt is a 1/2 to Gentle As a Breeze (5-18, 61k over turf).

A Red Tie Day

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 11 starts for 53k, including 0-for-1 over turf; this colt is a 1/2 to G3 stakes placed Alydarla (3-14, 150k, including 1 of 6 turf starts for 55k). - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Celebrity Status

Just missed getting there at the level while tackling a slightly longer trip last time; he'll move to the fence but he does look to get a good amount of lick in front of him and he's proven capable of sitting well within striking range of the front runners; price makes him worth considering.

Peacenik

Steps up seeking his third straight score and fifth out of his last 6 tries; career .500 local hitter draws inside which could help give him the lead for this hot outfit and he showed last time that he's capable of sitting early as well; faces his toughest bunch in some time but looms a big threat.

Chasintheaces

Lightly raced 4 year old kicked away a pace foe and rolled home to an impressive maiden score in his return from 16 months on the shelf; 300K yearling buy will tackle winners for the first time here, but he's had a full month to get over the big score and this outfit hits at a nice clip with this type; he's the one they'll have to beat.

The Cleaners

Drop to claimers helped him get going as he was able to control the early splits, but he couldn't hold off the winner who returns in this spot as well; while he clearly likes it locally, the presence of other speed won't make it easy for him from the outset in this heat.

Raised a Secret

Blew out sharply the other day for another crack at the level after hitting the board in each of his last 3 local main track starts; colt should be able to find a tracking spot off the front runners, but he remains winless here so prefer to limit his use to underneath in exotics.

Parliamentarian

Returns in just a couple of months for the first time in his brief career; statebred does try open company in this spot, but he showed some high speed in that last out score an he's working like he's ready to return running; picks up weight with the switch to a solid journeyman pilot, but he can't be overlooked.

American Tanker

Makes his first start since Del Mar for a new outfit with a reasonably steady line of drills on his tab; gelding will try dirt for the first time today, however, and he spots these plenty of impressive experience over the footing; just watching him here.

Syndicated

Got going too late in his first start of the year last month and now he'll cut back a half panel; gelding hasn't shown early foot in quite some time and maybe that helps him here as the pace does figure to be quick, but he could still find himself with a lot to do in the lane. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Stealth Fighter

Trainer tinkers with blinkers and why not?; runner has not shown much zip so far; connections would love to see him start acting like his 3 siblings that banked 6 figures including over $300K earner Scofield Barracks; back to original pilot.

Aftermarketslam

Homebred takes the huge drop and if he can run at all, he figures to show it here; stakes placed 2 for 5 dam earned nearly $20K; this is her first to race; expect much better effort.

Real Deal Appeal

Fresh and dangerous; he's trained okay for this and got a boost when the show horse in last graduated next out and has been in the money 7 straight times; at least 2 of his 3 siblings won; slight improvement and he should be right there.

Tasha's Courage

He can be his own worst enemy since he has limited speed; off poorly in most of his races and that must be addressed; it looks like it's a habit; would be careful here.

Wistfullee Mine

Can't be thrilled with multiple beats vs. softer; he was hung wide in last; just can't see all that many positives.

Triunfo

Soph needed last and he has fired every time; dam was 0 for 10; this is her first to race; if you figure he just needed the last you can build a case for a move forward; valid player here.

Super Reagan

Wide in the debut, must be given long look on the drop alone; dam out of the money 5 times; 2 of 3 siblings won but they are just a combined 2 for 47 and banked less than $100K together; this racer looks very live.

Alsace

Off fence but he has had his chances; he has drilled solidly for this; a slice may again be the ceiling.

Ready to Jam

Even after the career Beyer two back fans backed off to the tune of 42-1 and they were dead right; look for pilot to be much more aggressive early on.

Warren's Sunny Boy

Don't be too harsh on the stoppage in last; he flashed super speed and the hill is tricky; drill on the 23rd is promising; 3 for 12 dam earned $40K; one of 3 siblings won; that racer, Lake Dayjur, took 6 of 17, earned about $60K; homebred can't be discounted.

No Barneys

Off a career figure as more experienced pilot hired; SP 3 for 38 dam banked $200K; all 4 siblings won including double stakes winner and near $625K earner Deputiformer; no reason he won't run better. - Brian Mulligan