Santa Anita: Closer Looks for June 20, 2014

Race 1

Benba

Based on what he's shown in his two starts since being claimed by these connections, he deserves to be viewed in the light of a contender, and he shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with Poshsky; Pereira has won with 4 of 15 (27%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Deraptor

He hasn't run poorly since being placed over turf two starts back, but he is going to need to step up his game to come out on top in this one, and he was beaten by a couple of today's rivals in his latest outing; leaning in another direction.

Bobby Z Man

He came up a little short in his latest outing and have to wonder if he isn't more comfortable sprinting than routing after that performance; he ran very well in his first two starts with the addition of blinkers, but the one mile distance is a concern.

Durango Flier

Lightly raced colt may very well still have more to show us but he will have to improve in a noticeable way in order to threaten for the top spot while meeting up with winners for the first time; Talamo has won with 4 of 11 (36%) mounts for this barn at the current stand.

Kessabtsi

He's light on winning form after 39 starts and it's difficult to envision him getting the better of this field; he might find himself involved in the running early on, but going to look for others to have more to offer through the lane.

Poshsky

He's run well in back-to-back starts since moving into this barn and he even got the better of a few of today's rivals in his latest outing; he is seeking his first turf victory, but he has a live look to him in this spot with Trujillo jumping aboard. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

I've Had Enough

Firster boasts a slow recent worktab for his unveiling for an outfit that does ok right out of the box; sire gets about 7% first out winners from his offspring and the limited turf winning dam did drop a limited main track route winner.

No Barneys

Nice effort sprinting from an outside draw last time and now he'll try the route; his 2 turn try at Fairplex last year wasn't much but he is kin to 3 route winners including SW and 624K earner Deputiformer so he has a right to stretch out; last weekend's morning move was pretty sharp and he does draw inside; may prove to be the one to catch.

He's a Real Keeper

Hasn't hit the board in 6 career spins and now he'll drop a bit in price off a troubled run; he's been working ok for his return from the brief freshening but he doesn't have much early foot and will need to show more to prove a player; passing.

Stauffenberg

Last out runner up on the drop to this level has had plenty of chances; he'll give the level another shot and maybe he'll get some pace to run at in this one; he owns the numbers to be competitive but it's tough to have much faith he's able to get the job done so we'll limit his use to underneath in exotics.

Yodeling Honey

Adds shades for his second route try after getting up for third money just off one of these last time; lightly raced gelding is out of a dam who was a route winner so maybe he gets better second time going long and the new blinkers can help him get more focused from the outset; contender.

In Defiance

Offered improved early foot when shades were added last time but he didn't have enough to go on late; gelding has only run a few times so maybe he gets better at this trip, but off what he's shown it's tough to make a serious case for him having an impact in this heat.

Slick Caper

Colt showed speed on the cut back at Los Al a couple of weeks back and now he'll stretch out to 2 turns for his first try under this barn's care; there's not much route on the dam's side of the pedigree and he hasn't given a lot of indication he'll be better with more ground in front of him; just watching this possible pace threat.

Heaveneleven

Tries his cheapest set yet after tiring from a wide spot last time and now he'll get another new pilot; gelding draws the outside slot here, but he did earn competitive numbers in each of his last 2 starts and worked a sharp half mile for this last weekend so maybe he'll have more to offer; can't overlook. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Tizmetizyou

It isn't hard to toss her latest as she may have bounced following her game win when she was coming back from a long layoff; she's also a much-better horse on turf than on dirt and she might not have cared being the inside horse in the duel; she gets a better post here and could be dangerous if she can get the jump on Velvet Mesquite; contender.

Velvet Mesquite

She couldn't hold off heavily-favored Maker Or Breaker after dueling with Tizmetizyou but she held on well to finish second and she won't mind the move back to turf; horse that finished third in her win two back won a 1 1/8 miles $40K optional race with an 83 Beyer Speed Figure in her next start; she's versatile and with her good speed she should get a nice trip from either just off Tizmetizyou or possibly on the lead if she breaks on top; either way she looks like a serious player.

Glorious Luck

Homebred hasn't lost yet and if the two inside of her hook up early it should set up nicely for her good late kick; she hasn't been since she won a $40K optional race on Poly at Del Mar but the past five years Gaines has a respectable 13 percent strike rate with horses coming off a layoff of 180 days or more; it is also encouraging to see that Talamo is attracted; the pick.

Macaabra (IRE)

All four of her wins came sprinting so she should appreciate the cutback in distance following an even race going around two turns in the $59K Golden Poppy at Golden Gate May 10; she was obviously overmatched in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas but she looked good winning her previous race coming down the hill in a first-level allowance race; maybe for the exotics but others look more attractive for the top spot.

Go West Marie

She's improved dramatically since moving to turt in her last two starts; winner of her race May 11 earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure for her win in a NY-bred stakes at Belmont May 31; horse that finished last in this gal's win May 23 received an 88 Beyer when she just missed in a statebred race on dirt at Penn National last Sat.; it can be a tricky proposition coming down the hill the first time, though;, she has also never raced outside of New York so we're just going to watch and see how she handles her new surroundings. - Randy Goulding

Race 5

Popsracer

An improving set of workouts at five-eighths to consider; his sire won multiple G1s and 1.33 million (progeny of Scat Daddy are 25 for 180 in the first time victorious department); the dam went zero for 14; winning siblings include 32K earner Rebellious Love.

Bad Read Sanchez

Sired by G1 sprint winner Warrior's Reward who amassed 565K and whose offspring are a perfect 3 for 3 as far as winning their first race; the dam won 2 of 14 and 78K; there are no winning siblings to highlight.

Masters Circle

His sire won 6 of 15 attempts and 148K; descendants of Stormy Atlantic have scored in 111 out of 915 initial races; the dam won 3 of 9 and 108K; among the winning siblings is 29K earner Ladies Luv Outlaws.

Tiz Jolie

Extra distance today can work in his favor as he finished well for third in the last try despite trouble; his sire won a G2 and 254K while the mom won 16 of 78 and 139K; this is her only foal to compete; playable.

Bold Bid

This colt's sire won multiple G2 stakes and 728K; progeny of Pulpit have won 77 out of 638 initial races; the dam won 2 of 19 and 149K; this is her sole foal to state; sparkling gate workout back on 6/4.

Social Request

Most recent workout was a sharp improvement; his sire won the Preakness and 3.3 million in total; descendants of Lookin At Lucky have scored in 4 of 9 debuts; the dam lost her only attempt; among the winning siblings is 51K earner Alfreda.

Om

His sire won a trio of G2 stakes en route to earning 742K; offspring of Mumming are zero for 5 as far as winning their first try; the dam won 1 of 6 and 9K; winning sibs include 212K earner Bear Dixiecat.

Red Button

Respectable gate workout earlier this week; his sire won multiple G2s and 769K; progeny of Distorted Humor have won 128 out of 760 debuts; the dam was a G2 winner who captured 259K; sib to 500K earner Sugar Shake.

Kenji's Thunder

See the first runner in the field for information and statistics regarding the same sire; the dam involved was zero for 4 and this is her only foal to make it to the races; outside slot can prove troublesome for this first run. - Jim Kachulis

Race 6

Stormberg

Nicely bred 6-year-old looks like he fits right in with this bunch, and even though the rail post can be tricky at this trip, at least he's in a small field; when considering the trouble he encountered in his latest outing, it isn't unreasonable to look for better from him this time around.

Den's Legacy

Have to respect the fact that this G3 winner is capable of dialing up a pretty sharp run on his best day, and if his recent workouts are any indication, then he might be ready for his return to action; he is winless in his latest 12 starts going back through 2013, but not willing to count him out of it with Baffert and Smith in his corner; winner from latest won next out at SA on 3/15 going 1 1/8m over turf vs. alw. rivals with a 96 Beyer.

Rangi (GB)

He's clearly capable of better than what he showed up with in his latest race, and when seeing how consistent he's been, it's probably a good idea to look for him to bounce right back with a sharp start; he's tough to tackle on his best day.

Guns Loaded

Grade 2 stakes placed runner was upset minded when splitting a couple of today's rivals in his turf debut in his latest start and his connections had to be quite happy with what he showed that day; his most recent workout looks sharp and he benefits from the services of the hot-riding Talamo.

Giant Ego

Sire has won with 6 of 32 (19%) turf starters and dam won 4 of 14 starts for 82k, and she didn't make a turf start; his overall form has been solid, but he doesn't find a soft spot for his first turf attempt.

Royal F J

Grade 2 stakes placed veteran benefited from an ideal early pace scenario, but he deserves plenty of credit for getting over the top in his latest start, especially when considering that he hasn't been shy about settling for minor awards in his career.

Finallygotabentley

Sire wins with approximately 7% of his turf starters and he's won with 6 of 146 (4%) starters trying turf for the first time; this is the first foal from a multiple stakes winning dam who won 4 of 5 starts for 171k, and she didn't make a turf start; the barn change is interesting, but this looks like a tough spot for his first turf start. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Here Comes the Sun

Gaines 5 for 29 or 17% with firsters on turf in the last 4 years with a median payoff of over $15 and 4 others ran in the money; Bertrando about 12% with firsters in a 785-runner sample, about 11% with first-time grass runners in a 411-horse study; sire took juvenile debut, won multiple Grade 1s, earned $3.1 million, won a $60K stakes on grass; Grade 2 placed 3 for 13 dam earned nearly $140K, was turf only; 5 of 7 siblings won; several won on grass including a 4 for 4 turf racer and top kin John Scott won stakes and banked over $450K; soph looks fit enough.

Smart Journey

He should have his sea legs under him by now and you can never dismiss sub :22 speed; the sibling that won took one dirt sprint; look for rider to send hard with a theft on the agenda; just may get brave with a lonely lead.

Chattering Gambler

Colt did everything but get unsaddled in last; he was nearly 3 clear and Gryder got a chance to figure him out; stakes winning 3 for 21 dam banked nearly $240K, was third in best turf result; this is her first to race; needs help up front and not sure there is enough zip here to help the cause.

Itsgettinhotinhere

Gelding goes from one good barn to another; SW 4 for 7 dam banked over $200K, never turfed; lone half bro Curious Spy took 3 of 15, banked 2 grand a start, lost only turf out; may need softer to shine.

Tuff Storm

At least he got a feel of the mile game; 2 for 15 dam earned over $100K, was turf only; one of 2 siblings won; that runner, Stormin Cee s, took 2 of 8, won on grass once, banked nearly $50K; bothered early, it could be a new ballgame with a clean start.

Lindante

Wide debut solid considering the hillside can be tricky; dam was unraced; lone half bro took one dirt sprint; he did train fast for the debut; probably a late factor if at all.

Ranger School

Homebred must find a way to turn the tables on the Glatt runner among others; dam was 0 for 7; this is her first to race; may need more experience.

Cole Forty Five

Pushed every step of the way in last and he's looking at more speed this time; 7 for 23 dam banked $240K, won 5 times on grass; the two siblings to race are a combined 0 for 27; could muddle the pace but would not count on him clearing.

Pyrotechnics

He finally got a slice, but was just left with too much work to do; 2nd and 4th finishers in last graduated next out and the winner repeated in a $20K optional and was 2nd beaten just over 2 in a $40K optional here last Saturday; with his style, things have to break just right.

Zim N the Mailman

Yakteen 2 for 25 the last 5 years with MSW second shooters; racer walked out of the gate and passed a couple of tired runners; dam was 0 for 13; the one for 11 sibling that won cashed on grass; at least he kept his legs moving last Saturday; would be careful here.

Dickery Do

Gelding seems on the verge of graduating; why not just find a maiden claimer for him, try to cash, and then move on; he could be compromised by the post if he gets a chance to suit up; lone one for 16 sibling that won took a dirt route; would lean toward waiting till he's with maiden sellers. - Brian Mulligan