Santa Anita: Closer Looks for June 22, 2014

Race 1

American Charm

Fair work tab for this beginner (with a focus on the a.m. move on 4/29); her sire won 5 of 23 starts and 342K; offspring of Council Member are zero for 29 in debuts; the dam won 6 of 22 and 80K; winning siblings include 20K earner American Avenue.

Lady Dash

Note the sharp improvement to the latest half-mile drill; her sire won 5 of 19 attempts and 481K; progeny of U S Ranger are zero for 24 in their initial race; the dam won 1 of 2 and 30K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Seduire

Upbeat work tab for this beginner whose sire won multiple G3s and 413K; descendants of Elusive Quality are 95 for 629 as far as winning their first try; the dam never raced and this is her sole foal to compete.

Yes She's a Dancer

Exits a solid maiden voyage where she fought until the last furlong; her sire, a G1 pure sprinter, won 11 of 22 and 1.08 million; the dam lost her only outing; this is her only foal to race thus far; should upgrade if avoiding another duel.

No Maybe Baby

Opened up quickly in her first run only to tire before the mid-stretch point; her sire won a G2 and 310K; the dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 42K earner New Year's Baby; eligible to improve if early pace is less taxing today.

Slew's Charm

Excellent workout only 6 days ago points her out as a true contender; her sire won 8 of 27 and 337K; offspring of Roi Charmant are zero for 6 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 4 of 30 and 181K; sib to 139K earner Ganguam Guy; respect.

Enchanting Lady

Sired by the prolific Tale of the Cat who won a G2 and 360K; his descendants are 160 for 949 in the first time victorious department; the dam involved was unraced and there are no winning siblings to highlight. - Jim Kachulis

Race 2

Shared Image

Took the drop and got it done as the favorite in a $20K maiden claimer in her latest but she will need to improve to contend in her first try with winners; she'll also be trying turf for the first time and she is by a sire that is a very good 20 percent with first time turfers; one of her sibs won on the lawn as well; nonetheless, others look more attractive.

Quay Factor

That was a smart win in her debut, especially considering she got bumped around at the start; and the Beyer Speed Figure came back strong; Grade 1 winning sire didn't fire in his only turf try and is 1/26 with first time turfers; dam won 2 on the main track but went 0/3 on the lawn; lone sib is a maiden and hasn't tried turf; looks like she has a future but not sure if it's on the lawn; nonetheless, this came up pretty weak and she has to be considred a serious player.

Hanserella

5-year-old mare has had 31 kicks at the can and just a single win to show for it; not the kind of horse we usually back but she is coming off two big efforts on the lawn and she's also done okay coming down the hill so the cutback in distance shouldn't be an issue; big shot.

Mia's Storm

It looked like she was on her way when she broke her maiden in her third start but she came back with two very dull races when she stepped up to face winners; she ran wlll on Poly so maybe she'll be better on turf; dam won on the lawn and one of her foals won 4 races on grass; sire never ran on grass and is 0/13 with first time turf starters; looking elsewhere.

Euroclydon

She's a maiden but she ran okay on turf and we just aren't sure how the ones trying it for the first time are going to handle it; haltered out of her latest, a third behind Quay Factor, and the past five years Mulhall has a 15 percent strike rate with claimed horses running back the first time; blinkers go on and note the strong recent stats the barn has making the equipment change; contender.

Lakota Road

Finished behind Hanserella in her latest but she didn't get beat by much and it didn't help that she got off to a slow start; she's been right there in her last five races so we know she's going to try; nothing but routes after her debut but she did show some speed going six furlongs on Poly so she might not mind the cutback in distance; Trujillo won for O'Neill coming down the hill on Eddie's First May 11; the pick. - Randy Goulding

Race 4

Regift

Hood goes back on for her second start back from the break after offering little from a similar draw last month; 6 year old doesn't figure to have much room for upside and though she offered some early lick last year and may again with blinkers back on, there are several in here who are quick early as well; have to pass on her.

Lady Vronsky

Flashed improved early foot before backing out of it last time and now she'll add blinkers; filly will again get the weight concession with the triple bug up and she does return in just a couple of weeks, but she's got a lot of improving to do in order to have a say in here.

Spirit of Ten

Blew out sharply for this last weekend and steps in the gate for her first start in 7 months; filly ran big first out over the track in the fall and she did run into a couple of next out winners over synthetic footing before being sent to the bench; filly's worktab suggest she returns ready to roll; contender.

Met Spirit

Limited worktab on tap for her debut for an outfit that hasn't had any luck of late right out of the box; her sire is 3 for 15 with his newcomers and the limited sprint winning dam has dropped 5 sprint winners including one who did so first time out.

Nikki Allyn

Drops to her lowest level after again showing high speed down the hill against better; sharp barn is profitable on the surface switch and this gal has been training on dirt for a while now; looks like they'll have to come an get her to win.

Giddy Up Cowgirl

Adds the hood for her first start in nearly 13 months after showing decent lick first time out; screws look to be tightened with last weekend's gate move and this outfit is profitable with this type; don't know that she'll have a lot left for the drive but she should be firing from the bell with a top pilot getting aboard.

La Brisa

Outside drawn Cal bred tries open claimers in her third career start; expect the shorter trip will put her in a tracking spot given all the lick signed on and maybe she responds to that, but she's got a lot of improving to do to have a say in the outcome here. - Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Scarlet Strike

Multiple G1 stakes placed mare hasn't been on top of her game lately and she will need to regain some of her better form to get the better of this bunch; perhaps a couple of sharp looking recent workouts is a sign that she'll be ready for better this time around.

Charlie Em (GB)

Grade 3 winner hasn't recorded a win since her first start in America and she will need to improve over what she's been doing lately to get the better of this bunch; winner from latest won next out at SA on 6/5 going 1m over turf vs. 80k OPC's with a 93 Beyer.

Bee Brave (GB)

Late running filly ran some nice races over turf earlier in the year, and maybe she needed her latest start after taking some time off; it's probably worth noting the presence of Smith aboard another in here, but she has her share of appeal.

Oscar Party

She's capable of dialing up a performance that is strong enough to make her a player in this spot and she's eligible to be ready to give a good account of herself while making her second start back from a layoff; stakes winning miss merits contender status.

Heat Trap

She hasn't run a bad race to date and it looks like this mare can prove to be the dominant early speed if she chooses; she deserves another chance to see what she can do routing, and Talamo has won with 6 of 17 (35%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Lady Asano

Despite having yet to record a turf victory, her turf form has been solid, and at the very least, she merits consideration underneath in the exotics; her recent workouts look good and it's interesting to see Nakatani land here.

Queen of The Sand (IRE)

She's one of the more interesting options to consider in here after showing some real promise in her first start in America, and she appears to be very well meant while getting a rider switch to Smith; going to look for her to give a good account of herself in this spot. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Senso

Trainer yields 31% winners when debuting one in a maiden claimer; sire is 3-for-27 with 1st-time starters; she is out of an unraced dam who produced 3 winners from 4 other foals to race including 1-for-8 Winningconnections (18K) who won his 2nd start.

Warrensdollarsigns

Brief speed in last 2 starts while 2 so-so workouts off the 80-day absence for an 11%-fresh trainer since 2013; Hollywood Producer among others project to show better-gate speed which compromises her upset-win hopes; 3-year-old faces older rivals for the 1st time.

Secret Sorority

Continues on dirt noting her 2 best Beyers were accomplished on DMR's-all-weather strip; this would be a major upset after her 4th double-digit length loss from her last 5 defeats the latest at 105-1 odds vs. Hollywood Producer; a tough call.

Hollywood Producer

Held it together pretty well in last despite breaking slowly then being rushed up; sharp-4F workout for this; little doubt her best game is racing on the lead and cutting back to 5F helps; if breaks well they all may have a tough time tracking her down.

Getaway Keys

Favored debut but fell apart late; the half furlong cutback in distance and 2nd-time out improvement could leave her as the one to catch here if Hollywood Producer does not break alertly again; the trainer is solid with maiden-claming winners and 2nd-time starters; recent-SA 4F workouts were right on the money expecting a lot better.

Italian Harmony

Exits a career-best Beyer speed figure when displaying front wraps in last; keeps the rider from the wakeup call which was her 2nd start off a layoff; wish the workout for this was snappier and the trainer wasn't 0-for-5 blinkers on since 2013.

Weekend Winger

Sire is 19-for-166 with debut runners; is out of a 1-for-4 dam (27K) who only raced on grass winning her LRL-career debut at 1 Mile on the lawn; her only other foal to race s 6-0-0-0 Lucky Lady (1K); unveils for a 10%-winning debut trainer. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Global Magician

Changes hands after an impressive maiden score on synthetic footing upstate last month; gelding has worked well on dirt in the interim and he's experienced from the fence but it looks as if he's going to face some real speed in this spot and that will make this a tough task from the outset.

Kristi's Copilot

Statebred took all the money while kicking away a pace foe to earn a big number in his debut over the track; he should again be prominent from the bell with the move inside but there is other speed drawn to both his inside and out so he's going to need to work hard while tackling a tougher bunch this time; consider.

Story to Tell

He wasn't much of a surprise in the first out score after going for nearly 27 times his sire's stud fee in training this spring; colt returned to work sharply here last week and with speed drawn to his inside and out maybe he's able to settle behind them in his initial stakes engagement; contender.

Holiday Camp

He was another well meant runner first time out and didn't disappoint when hammered to odds on a couple of weeks back; they paid 70 times his sire's stud fee for him at auction a few months ago so have to think they love his potential and he did return to work as if the debut score took little out of him; one to beat.

Wake Up Nick

He was the most impressive debut victor in here, but he did it against statebreds and has had more than 7 weeks off since the effort; these are significantly better than he beat up on in that one and his pedigree doesn't suggest he'll get a lot better but there's no denying he showed ability in his debut.

Homer Matt

Newcomer picks a tough spot for his debut run but he has been working well of late for a barn that knows how to get them ready and shows supreme confidence in this 625K in training buy; sire is 0 for 4 with his firsters and the dam never made it to the races, but she did drop multiple SWs from her 2 other foals to race - G1 SP router and 781K earner Biofuel and G3 SW sprinter and 528K earner Tu Endie Wei; has a right to be a runner.

Henry's Holiday

Settled early and ran away from his rivals at 9-1 on the board in an impressive try here last month; he draws a perfect post to again allow his rivals to make the pace and try to pick up the pieces at the added trip when they start to come back to him; figures dangerous in the lane. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Seduire

Rematches with Enchanting Lady off the debut win where she scored on the lead with a field-best Beyer speed figure; stamina challenge here with 1F added and will be giving 4 pounds as the co-highweight; Robo Girl is the one who may challenge her early; is working like she's ready to fire another biggie; the one to catch and beat.

Lanie Britt

Sire is 9-for-113 with 2-year-old debut runners; is the 1st foal out of a 1-0-0-0 dam; the June 13 bullet workout suggests she is a runner; the trainer is here 1-for the last-20 with 1sters; debut rider had another option but lands here.

My Fiona

An easy-debut winner over the track rallying well which is a key factor in today's event at 1F longer; last looks better since the runner-up finisher Beyered 50 in a next-out SA-MSW win; the debut speed figure needs a big boost to match up with some of these but clearly has upside.

Morning Coffee

Sire is 21-for-404 with 2-year-old debut runners; is the 1st foal out of a 1-for-6 dam (23K) who won her 2nd-career start; the trainer's (11% with 1sters) had an awesome meet and 1sters are eligible to win juvenile stakes.

Abets Abet

The added furlong for this fits her style well but will have to avenge the debut defeat to Sea Mona getting a positive 4-pound weight swing for this; would imagine one of these might show early gas and give Seduire some pressure which would help her closing chances.

Saturday Yodeler

The rider from last sides with 1ster-Lanie Britt off her loss to Abets Abet where she could not sustain her late kick well enough to earn the exacta; is working as well as any of these for a trainer who began SA on an 0-for-41; have her ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Sea Mona

The Beyer is very light but a professional-looking debut win stalking the pace then full of run to the wire; high-percentage fresh trainer adds to the appeal and her June 6 gate workout is as good as any in here; see a lot of upside.

Robo Girl

Gate-to-wire winner so is Seduire; a possible speed duel for this which would help the closers; she picks up 11 pounds off the victory 58-day absence for an 8%-winning fresh trainer; know her early then hopes to hang on late.

Enchanting Lady

2-5 odds-on debut loss but will be getting a 4-pound positive weight break from Seduire for this; benefits from the debut experience where she broke widest and was off a step slowly; much like the one who just beat her the morning works have been rock solid; the pick. - Art Gropper

Race 9

Robert E. Lee

His two starts sprinting down the hill can be viewed in a positive light but he's going to need to see Unusual Taste take a step backward to have his best chance; he's worthy of consideration underneath in the exotics.

J Kat

Half-brother to G3 winner Strike the Bell (5-19, 285k over turf) figures to appreciate turning back in distance for his second start back from a layoff, and he owns the early speed to announce his presence right from the bell.

Specimen

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and dam was multiple graded stakes placed racing overseas while winning once from 12 starts for 97k; interesting to see Smith aboard this firster.

Play Hard to Get

Full brother to G3 winner Undrafted (4-14, 362k, including 3 of 5 turf starts for 264k) can benefit from having a race under his belt and he might be looking forward to seeing what he can do sprinting over turf.

Unusual Taste

Like what he's shown us in his first two starts, and if he's ready to reproduce the level of performance that he showed up with at second asking, he'll make one of these have to jump up to beat him; obvious threat.

Badasmywifeletsmeb

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 48 starts for 191k, including 3 of 28 turf starts for 156k; his early speed can't be ignored, and this son of Unusual Heat might be meant for turf.

Yes Yes Yes

He has a sprint-leaning pedigree and that might be a reason to take his chances seriously while making his first start in a turf dash; Talamo has won with 4 of 11 (36%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Willy Be Wild

He showed a little something in his career debut and this colt is a 1/2 to G2 stakes placed Royal FJ (5-47, 347k over turf); he's ideally drawn in the outside post at this trip and it looks like they tightened the screws in his latest workout. - Brian Pochman