Santa Anita: Closer Looks for June 14, 2014

Race 2

Travel Free

Definite improvement when dropping to this level for the first time; her sire won a G3 stakes and 527K while the dam was without a victory in 4 attempts; among the winning siblings is 20K earner Love Gone West.

Her Lucky Spirit

No firepower shown in any start while going to post at huge odds each time; on the plus side of the ledger are some vastly improved workouts since the last trouncing over the turf; remains a very difficult runner to pinpoint at this time.

Ipolita

Owns the best first gear in this line-up and she set way too fast a tempo in her latest try; could steal this affair is geared down in the early and middle stages; could prove to be the right value play in the field.

Lustrous Suances

Newcomer hails from G1 victor Suances who netted 402K and whose offspring have won 5 of 58 debuts; the dam won 7 of 36 appearances and 128K; there are no winning siblings to mention; latest gate drill was fair.

Ball Park Lady

Passed some faders in her maiden voyage last month; her sire won 3 of 34 and 153K while the dam never made it to the starting gate; among the winning siblings is 23K earner Touch a Dream; upgraded in the latest half-mile workout.

Lady Now

She began her career in the claiming realm and has faced stronger rivals since; has been training very well for her first outing in more than 14 months and has run well off the bench in the past; may be able to shake off the rust and factor today.

Charger Girl

Yet to finish in the money after all this time, the mare is unlikely to awaken here; no excuse when clearly beaten by Swiss Heart in their last encounter and the song is likely to remain the same here; pass until further notice.

Oinkus

Broke alertly but then faded in her only start while giant odds; her sire won a G2 and 147K while the dam won 1 of 2 attempts and 13K; there are no winning siblings to mention; there is plenty of work to do.

Swiss Heart

One of the main speeds to consider but she must avoid at duel with Ipolita at all cost; perhaps can use that one as a target and rate just off her outside flank; latest workout is a plus but she is bound to be a short price once again. - Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Plaza de Indias (CHI)

She's capable of producing a performance that is strong enough to make her a player in this spot, and she is eligible to take a step forward while making her second start back from a layoff; note the success that Rosario has had riding for this barn.

Boller Bomb

She's another signed on in this spot for the Miller barn and have to respect what this stakes placed miss has done from eight starts over this turf course; she's more of an early speed type, but she has shown the ability to run her race employing rating tactics as well.

Lady's Plan

Golden Gate shipper didn't have much luck in her one start over this turf course prior to this, but she was last seen earning a career best Beyer Speed Figure in a winning performance; she really doesn't look like a bad fit with this field of 50-45k claimers.

Fantastic Mizz

She was beaten by today's rival Could Be Trouble in her latest start, but this mare can benefit from stretching back out in distance, and she owns the positional speed to help her manage a comfortable trip; must respect.

Another Sky

She made it look easy in breaking her maiden against 10 rivals in her latest start, but that was against 50-40k maiden claimers, and now she meets a solid group of 50-45k claimers for her first start against winners; runner up from latest won next out here on 5/31 going 1m over turf vs. 50-40k MCL's with a 68 Beyer.

Bonnie Lesley (IRE)

Her complete lack of early speed is always a concern, and she's probably going to need to see a total pace meltdown to have a chance at coming over the top of this field through the stretch; perhaps it's best to limit her to a spot underneath in the exotics.

Could Be Trouble

Stakes placed miss has won five of 13 career starts and she hasn't run a bad race from five starts over turf, and that includes a start at today's one mile distance; she has plenty of appeal in this spot while making her first start for the Dollase barn.

Flashy Dame

She's been in good form lately, but her career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned racing over a synthetic surface, and she might need to see a number of these show up with less than their best to have a chance at the top spot; respect the presence of Nakatani, but leaning toward others. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Candy's Shoes

Try to catch me; 32%-winning long-layoff trainer adds to the appeal; the runner-up and 10th-place finishers from last posted 84-72 Beyer speed figures in next-out SA-MSW and 75K-maiden-claiming wins; stamina has been the issue and adding 1F to race at his longest-distance test ever is the main concern.

Midnight Storm

Big-late kick but needs a well-timed ride to score; outrun in last but exits a field-best Beyer speed figure; the 2-back winner repeated in a BEL-allowance to make it 2-for-2 with an 83 Beyer; blinkers on is an 0-for-7 move from the trainer since 2013.

King Ptolemy

Sire is 8-for-51 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 4-0-0-0 dam who's only other foal to race 2-for-10 Forbidden (67K) who won his 4th start; the trainer is superb at producing debut winners while a great sign that a 25% SA win rider is named for this when having other option; dangerous at 1st asking.

Secure Divdend

Was screaming out for more distance in his debut and gets it here; has been working well on SA dirt while the trainer yields14%-1st-blinkers winners since 2013; a better gate break could be all needs for a huge 2nd-time out improvement.

Native Ride

Sire is 56-for-421 with 1st-time starters; is the 1st foal out of an unraced dam; 25%-winning debut trainer while the other 1ster King Ptolemy has outworked him when comparing 5F drills; BEL-Stakes winning rider being named for this suggests he is ready to rumble at 1st asking.

Cognoscente

Massive longshot in 1st three losses; new rider and new blinkers today seeking answers; the debut winner and runner-up finisher Beyered 92-85 in next-out SA-optional-claiming and SA-MSW wins; has been working forwardy for this and cutting back to 7F off the route fades can help; overall others appeal more.

Crux

Beaten-betting favorite in last after defeated by Midnight Storm who he'd have to beat to graduate here; changed styles for latest racing from off the pace; the bettors expected significant improvement off his debut loss but did not get that in last.

Soul Crusher

Lone 4-year-old is the highweight giving 5 pounds to each runner; passed a few at shorter and passed more at 7F in his debut; regressed slightly in his 2nd start off the long layoff with just 27 days away for this; the morning workouts for this are not very enticing for a 1-for-30 jockey-trainer combo since 2013.

Hall of Fame

Strong trainer angles like 33%-winning route-to-sprint; 1st-race experience was not a good one but not a lot was expected at 12-1 odds; see the rider from last siding with Baffert's other runner 1ster King Ptolemy as he gets the Kentucky Derby-win rider for this; has been outworked by his barnmate for this. - Art Gropper

Race 5

Major Truth

He has the speed to flee the rail but may have to be hard used; nothing wrong with the series of drills since the last race; note runner lost heartbreaker from this very rail in 2014 opener; interesting.

Monument

Colt seemed set after March effort but never kicked last time; the drill on the 2nd screams off the canvas; must find a way to turn the tables on the rail rival among others.

Horse Laugh

A solid third in lone try on hillside; after that hillside race he kind of went the dreaded other way; needs a turn around effort to make an impact here.

Bettys Bambino

Gelding wanted no part of the mile game in last but show horse 4/25 cashed next out in a $40K optional with a solid 98 Beyer; he should sit a super trip just off the pace or maybe even on the lead; fresh and dangerous.

Heat Flash

He was left with too much to do last time the route could have dulled his speed a bit; pace should be hot enough, but racer will have to invent a trip to get there.

Circa'sgoldengear

Been a long time between drinks for this runner; he did get a boost when the show horse in last cashed in a $62.5K optional next out with an 88 Beyer; gelding has the 2 races to draw from now and barn has been firing on all cylinders; should be around the wire once again.

Los Bambinos

Hung wide the last time on the hillside; drills ideally spaced for this and barn has been rolling; the 4/4 winner repeated in a $20K optional and then won at this very level; surprise package.

Fly Boy Roy

Game in the win last time and the turf debut was solid; last race came back okay as 5th finisher beat $40K starter foes next out and 10th finisher won vs. $25K claimers; fully extended in last and we really don't know how much it may have taken out of him.

Station House

The fact he won the debut gives him a shot to fire fresh; connections thought enough of him to try the stakes too; he has a right to have a decent career as kin to stakes winner and $185K earner Pamona Ball; note gap in published drills till May 19; wonder if he had a setback?

Rum Point

Malibu Moon about 10% with first-time grass runners in a 451-starter sample; sire graduated in second start at 2 at 5 furlongs on dirt for only win in 2-race career; dam won and earned about 16 grand; a couple of siblings tried grass to no avail; must be left in the exotic mix at least.

Lil Bit O'Fun

Like the spacing of the return drills; 5th finisher in last took a $101K stakes next out, 8th finisher won a $32K claimer and 11th finisher handled $20K sellers next out; look for him in the picture late if at all. - Brian Mulligan

Race 7

Obviously (IRE)

Returned from half a year on the shelf looking as good as ever with his stakes score at the trip here last month; 6 year old again draws the fence while looking to defend his title in this heat and he has the speed to take it to his rivals from the bell; he's worked well in the interim and though he catches a couple of other rivals with early lick he appears to be the quickest early; they'll have him to catch and beat.

Jack Milton

Four year old proved he's an up and comer with the impressive G3 Poker score over rock solid miler Za Approval when shipped to New York for the Memorial Day heat; off the pace type spots his inside drawn rival a pace advantage, but he ships pretty well and can make a run regardless of pace; while the cross country trip and relatively quick return may take its toll on him, there's no debating he's a top level turfer in his current form; consider.

Tom's Tribute

Fresh colt ran down cheaper after getting a hot clip in front of him at this trip a couple of months back; he was no match for today's foe Winning Prize in each of his prior couple of starts and he'll switch to another new pilot for this one; he's a .500 local sod hitter, but we'd have to limit his use to underneath in exotics in here.

Winning Prize (ARG)

Five year old seeks his third straight score after holding on to become and American G1 SW turfer in the Kilroe 2 months back; he's going to have a tough time outrunning his rail foe to the lead but he showed 2 starts back that he's capable of tracking the pacesetter and making a run; spots them all weight, but this perfect local runner looks to be a big threat.

Summer Front

Ships back out here after failing to get to the front running winner in Belmont's G3 Fort Marcy; he should be tighter with his return from the 3 month break behind him and the pace up top does figure to be lively; 5 year old boasts some solid recent breezes for a barn that moves them forward second time back from the break; can get in the mix for a share.

Pulpit's Express

Cal bred wired a cheap field of restricted foes from an outside draw at the trip last time, but he'll explore a whole new world with these guys; he's versatile enough to score from a tracking spot which is to his benefit as he's not going to be quick enough to outrun these to the top, but he's so overmatched from a class standpoint that it's tough to imagine he's even in position to pose any type of threat late; can't back him today.

Silentio

Starts from the outside slot after failing to get to one of the big guys in here in each of his last 2 starts; 5 year old is capable of running a big one but he's another who has been defeated by one of the bigger ones in here in each of his last 2 starts; boasts a pretty sharp drill for this from last weekend. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Iotapa

She's a Grade 2 winner over the main track here and she should have every opportunity to manage a comfortable trip after breaking from an advantageous rail post; like the idea of her being ready to give a good account of herself while making her second start back from a layoff and the next time she runs a bad race over this surface will be the first time.

Magic Union

Maybe she can be knocked a little bit for lacking in the consistency department, but she steps up with a pretty sharp run every now and then, and really like what she did just two starts ago when outrunning her odds behind Close Hatches; it certainly doesn't hurt her to have Castellano in the pedals.

Grace Hall

Grade 1 winner put Fiftyshadesofhay to the test in her latest outing while making her first start in over a year, and have to believe that her connections are looking for her to be every but as strong while shipping her across country for this; note the success that this barn has had with graded stakes starters going back through 2013.

Let Faith Arise

She's another in here with a Grade 1 victory to her credit and she shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with Yahilwa; she's been at her best racing over this surface and Nakatani has won with 7 of 20 (35%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Scherzinger

Can't help but feel that this is a tough test for her first start beyond seven furlongs, but this filly is a Grade 2 winner going seven furlongs, and her pedigree suggests that she should be able to handle a 1 1/8m assignment; going to give the nod to Let Faith Arise of the two Hollendorfer-trained fillies in here.

Yahilwa

She deserves a lot of credit for the strong runner-up finish she recorded at over 17-1 in her latest start when coming up a neck shy to today's rival Let Faith Arise, but she was able to grab a clearly early lead in that race, and it's going to be much tougher for her to do that in this event.

Irish Presence

She finished far behind a couple of today's rivals in earning a Grade 3 stakes placing in her latest start, and she's never run a race that is fast enough to suggest that she can keep up with the top contenders in here; she has the look of an outsider.

Unusual Way

Certainly like the idea of this multiple stakes winner getting back over dirt, and she likes to mix it up through the opening stages, but the prospect of a lively early pace plays against her, and she will need the performance of her career to get the better of this field. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Warrenscrystalized

Affirmative 1 for 53 with firsters, 4 for 30 with first-time turfers; sire lost all 4 starts; dam was unraced; lone half sis cashed on grass, was only one for 23; love work pattern accentuated by blowout 5 days ago.

Bilger's Sapphire

Decarchy about 13% with first-time turfers in a 125-runner sample, about 14% with debuters in a 218-runner grid; sire took juvenile debut at Great Yarmouth at 7 furlongs on the grass by 7 lengths, was a turf monster who banked nearly $700K; dam's lone win came on grass; lone half bro lost only start; could need experience.

Euroclydon

Added blinks and nearly pulled it off vs. winners; nice; lone half sis took debut at 2, lost only turf try; legit player for all the marbles.

Tangelo

Debut was solid and like the way she tried right till the end; 5th finisher in bow won at this level next out and the winner repeated in a $20K optional with an 81 Beyer; Grade 1 placed 3 for 11 dam cashed twice on grass, banked over $300K; both siblings won multiple races, both lost on turf; this miss looks live.

Shysheisnot

Tribal Rule about 16% with first-time turfers in a 175-runner sample, about 14% with debuters in a 388-runner grid; sire graduated as older horse, took 2 of 4, banked nearly $80K, never turfed; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one.

Princesskatiebella

Off rail, but this is a tougher assignment; 3 for 5 dam banked about $45K, never turfed; this is her first to race; may need softer group to shine.

Discatsonthesquare

Square Eddie 0 for 9 with first-time turfers; sire won at 2, took a G1, earned over $800K, lost twice on grass; 3 of dam's 4 wins came on turf, she banked $145K; lone half bro lost 16 times; no reason she will not improve.

Cravin' the Heat

What happened to the sub :22 speed she used to have?; she was inching toward the winner in 2013 closer; 9th finisher in last took a MSW next out and the winner beat $25K optional foes in next; a half sis did win over $300K; long overdue.

Jenny's V.

Some like these milers cutting back on this course since they should be fit enough; at least one sibling won on grass; would have liked to have seen some local activity.

Jean Edward

Stormin Fever about 7% with first-time turfers in a 228-runner survey; sire graduated at 2, won a G3, was G1 placed, took 8 of 21, earned almost $500K, never tried grass; 4 for 23 dam earned $175K, was 2nd twice in best grass results; several winners in the tree but several tried grass to no avail; miss looks fit enough.

Q' Viva

Improved Beyers since the claim and like the way she finished last time; there are at least a couple of turf winners in the tree; sitting on another big effort. - Brian Mulligan