Santa Anita: Closer Looks for June 13, 2014

Race 1

Apostle Paul

That wasn't a bad effort in his first try with winners especially considering Schoolofhardrocks won for fun and he missed finishing second by just over 2 lengths; he ran well when he went this far and also at 1 3/16th miles so the added distance shouldn't be a problem; horse he beat in his maiden win won right back with a 79 Beyer Speed Figure; consider for the exotics.

Big Kick

He's regressed quite a bit following his sharp score in a $40K claimer three back and this will be the first time he's been on the lawn for a quite a while; he did finish second in a maiden special weight race at Monmouth in 2012 but was unplaced in his only other try going 1 1/12 miles in a Canadian-bred $500K stakes at Woodbine; his last couple have been pretty dull so we're going to look elsewhere.

Deep Play

He went unplaced the only time he went this far but he was chasing very fast fractions and it was a key race; the winner won back-to-back marathon stakes at Turf Paradise and the third horse won a $40K optional race here with an 89 Beyer Speed Figure; it's possible he'll be able to stalk Monastic and if they don't get carried away early he could be around late; some things to like.

Timeless Indy

No luck in five previous tries on the lawn and despite his breeding he seems a bit suspect at the distance; claimed out of his latest and beginning in 2013 Baltas has a 17 percent strike rate running them back the first time; he's been showing speed in his last couple on the main track so he might be heard from early but probably not late.

Street Maven

That was a pretty impressive win in his first try with winners; he checked sharply at the quarter-pole and then when it looked like he might have to wheel out to find room midstretch he split horses with authority when a hole opened up; can he go this far? his half-brother War Politics won going 1 1/4 miles on the main track so we'll assume he can, especially the way he finished off his latest; the race could also set up perfectly for him; the pick.

Monastic

He earned an 89 Beyer Speed Figure the only time he went this far in Jan. and if he can post a similar figure he'll be tough to beat; he has tailed off quite a bit since then, however, and he went too fast on the lead in his latest; claimed by Treece who the past five years has a 26 percent strike rate running them back the first time; if he can relax early he could be a handful late; playable. - Randy Goulding

Race 3

Cookielamour

Draws the fence for her local course debut after showing tactical foot in her first start of the year at Golden Gate a couple of weeks back; it has been a while since she's won and she is in fact winless on the green, but she does own the back numbers to prove a threat here and has a right to move forward with the return try behind her.

Loveintheshadows

Takes a big drop in company after stepping against N2Xs upstate last month; mare was quite good on the green in her prior couple of cracks over the stuff and the 9 time winner has the positional foot to secure a spot up near the front runners from the bell; looks like they'll have this highweight to beat.

Igotnosixes

Stretches out and switches surfaces off the sprint prep in her first start of the year; mare didn't do much after being taken by this outfit last summer and looks to be a big price again in this spot though she has run ok on the lawn in the past; still, have to side with others for the money spots.

Acute

Goes first off the claim by a barn that can turn them around and move them up quickly; filly has speed so she figures to be prominent from the bell today, but she's yet to try the lawn; sire gets about 8% winners from his initial surface starters and the dam was 0 for 2 over the footing, but she did drop 2 turf winners who each own multiple scores on the stuff including G2 SP, 216K earner Salty Humor.

Teasing Moment

Limited winner tries a more accomplished bunch in this spot after taking a step back in her last over the course; she ran ok in a troubled heat 2 starts back but will still need to step things up to get involved in the outcome today; prefer others.

Silk in Silver

Sheds some weight for her turf debut while making her first start under this new outfit's care; filly brings sharp early foot to the table and she's worked since her last as if her lick remains intact; sire is just 4 for 111 with his initial surface starters but the minor SP dam won 5 times on the green, including the first time she tried the footing; lone sib won her dirt sprint debut but never started again; know her early.

Lindz Winz

Returns to the lawn for the first time in nearly a year after being given a little time off a sharp score at odds on in the Golden Gate sprint try; mare is a 2 time surface winner who owns a local course score and has fired fresh in the past; must be considered. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Goyo

Best recent workout was the gate drill on 5/30; his sire won 2 of 11 starts and 86K (offspring of Rio Verde have scored in 11 percent of their debuts); the dam won 3 of 6 and 63K; sib to 241K earner Rgirldoesn'tbluff.

Tribal Echo

Earned minor spoils in his first test, a race which featured some big gaps at the finish; his sire won 2 of 4 and 77K; the dam lost her only attempt; winning siblings include 13K earner Miss Fast Eddie.

Bern

Moderate work tab is on display; his sire won a G1 and 761K overall; progeny of Swiss Yodeler have scored in 59 out of 547 initial races; the mom won 1 of 6 and 12K: among the winning sibs is 19K earner Swiss Sugar.

General Dixie

Distinct improvement to the latest drill at five-eighths; his sire won the G1 Norfolk and 464K; descendants of Dixie Chatter are 5 for 34 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 5 of 41 and 369K; sib to 46K earner Dow Diva.

Keegers

His sire won multiple G2s and 1.12 million; offspring of Papa Clem have won 5 for 25 in debuts; the dam involved never raced; among the winning siblings is 59K earner Lucky Views; average workout regimen of late.

Full Bird Colonel

Did not recover from a slow break in his maiden voyage; the grey's sire won 2 of 6 and 98K while the dam won 1 of 16 and 21K; winning siblings include 220K earner Primetime Princess; switches to apprentice handling.

Atta' Boy Woody

This colt was sired by G1 type Atticus who captured 1.2 million and whose progeny have won 10 percent of their first races; the dam won 1 of 5 attempts and 18K; among the winning siblings is 154K earner Woodmans Luck.

P Club

Sired by G3 winner Bushwacker who netted 285K and whose descendants are 2 for 22 in the first time victorious department; the dam won 7 of 28 races and 482K; winning siblings include 178K bankroller Dan and Sheila. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Contessa B.

1st off the claim was a pretty good try at CD and seems well spotted for her 1st California try; getting Desormeaux for the 1st time helps the confidence level; the debut win looks better since the show finisher posted a 65 Beyer speed figure in her next-out AP-$12,500-maiden-claiming win; hopes someone goes after Hanserella early while she saves ground then makes one run; the pick.

A Girl Named Em

10%-winning long layoff trainer does some of his best work (21% winners) with 1st-time out newly-acquired runners; she didn't show a lot in 3 races with winners in Louisiana but expect improvement for this barn; will be taking a wait and see approach for this.

Hanserella

The 1-for-32 record with 13 minor awards leaps off the for at you but she owns the numbers' edge and pace advanatge on these posting a best-last-race Beyer speed figure while 3-back at today's distance is a field-best number; beaten favorite lost latest by under one length and she seems better suited to stretch out her speed which she does for this; is the one to catch and beat.

Bound for Eden

Her SA grass start was January, 2012, a 6th-place finish at 6.5F when 89-1 odds in a MSW event; the 4-back show finisher Beyered 91 in a next-out DMR-150K stakes win; off the long layof and following a career-low Beyer will be backing others.

Clearly Anointed

Exits her best Beyer of the year but is back in with the group she was outrun by 2 back; lone win was at much shorter than this but her top speed figure was at today's Mile distance; off recent form is ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Lethal Story

Maiden vs. winners is not a good-win angle except in 2-year-old races; exits her lowest Beyer since April when removing blinkers showing no gate speed; best finish for this rider who stays here; would be a complete surprise.

Backintheacademy

Could not catch Hanserella for the exacta 2-back while in latest she went right to the lead then had nothing left late; Hanserella beat her out of the gate when they matched up but expect her to be a lot closer to the front pressing the pace. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Sheila's Footsteps (GB)

Didn't have much to offer in his stateside debut run at a shorter trip over this course last month and now he'll give the level another shot; he's worked better in the interim and maybe that means he's got a move forward in him while tackling some added ground, but it's tough to imagine he gets a much better clip to run at in this one; prefer to side with others.

Brother Soldier

Fresh gelding was no threat to the top 2 when last sighted 4 months ago on the local main track, but the winner of that heat did return to take a G2 sprint stake at Belmont convincingly last weekend with a 107 Beyer; his turf debut 2 starts back was pretty good and maybe his fresh speed allows him to take control of this heat as well; pace player is one to consider.

Quotient

Returns from Churchill after running a big third at the G2 stakes level early last month; he just missed in his stakes debut over the course 2 back, earning a number that would be good enough to take this heat; lightly raced gelding doesn't figure to offer a lot of value, but given the class relief he'll get in this spot he looks to be the one to down.

I'll Wrap It Up

Sat back early and moved into a hot clip when dropped back in with sophomores last time and held on for a minor share; don't know that the added panel is really going to help him much, though he does have some solid positional foot and goes for a trainer and barn that have had excellent meetings thus far; limiting his use to underneath in exotics.

Texas Ryano

Failed to unleash the same kick in his first with winners that he did in the upset maiden score first time out; pace should be better for him in his return from the layoff and the way he's been working suggests he'll be better placed from the outset today; lightly raced colt goes for a sharp return outfit and does have a right to move forward.

Life's Journey

Outside drawn colt ran out of ground when rolling late on the drop to this level last month; getting off the fence should help this late runner as should the stretch back out and his work the other day suggests he's on his toes for this one; one to keep an eye on in the lane. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Sweet Silica

Must find a way to turn the tables on the Moreno charge among others; no speed a concern especially from the fence; dam was unraced; the 2 siblings to race also lost their only starts; blinks, fresh Lasix, still not buying.

Coconut Cream Pie

First time under purchase price, you would figure it to be an all out go; far from disgraced vs. tougher in last, and the race came back live as the 4th finisher took a MSW next out, the winner beat a $40K starter group and 3 others ran in the money; backers can point to fact both siblings won multiple times; should sit a solid stalk and pounce trip; major threat.

Stepinmoon

Off a career Beyer and she has the 3 races to draw from now; at least both siblings graduated; fit enough to drill a couple of times since last effort, Flores got a chance to figure her out; has some things to prove.

L X Sunrise

Got legit splits to run into and she was coming hard; note miss was over 3 clear and the show horse was over 12 in front of 4th finisher; a clean break and it could be a whole new ballgame; there are nothing but winners in the tree including an over $300K earner; should be in the picture late if at all.

Editor's Cut

Can never dismiss this kind of speed; stakes placed 3 for 24 dam banked nearly $200K; this is her first to race; love the series of drills since accentuated by the blowout on Monday; that should have her on her toes; could get brave with a lonely lead.

Queen Mad

She has the Velasquez runner to deal with among others; miss appears to be approaching her proper level; last race Beyer was best since the debut; another slice?

Chain Lightning

Miss has a fair amount of lick, very little stick at this point in time; full bro Officer Shipley won once and it came as a juvenile; could see her pushing the splits, but not sure she'll be around at the end. - Brian Mulligan