Santa Anita: Closer Looks for June 26, 2014

Race 1

Gracie Jean

Sire is 0 for 1 with his newcomers and the minor SP dam's 3 wins all came on the green prior to dropping 4 winners including one whose 4 scores all came sprinting on the main track; rail draw isn't easy for an inexperienced runner and the drills aren't much, but the barn does a good job getting them ready.

Abets Abet

Broke well in her troubled debut run with open runners and tracked before tiring some late at this trip; experience is key at a young age and she certainly got an education so expect she'll be set to move forward some, but she's still got some ground to make up on the gal drawn next door.

Desert Steel

Took all the money first time out with open company foes and held ok for second money after arguing the fractions; gray is out of a SW dam who won first out on the green prior to dropping a handful of winners including SW dirt sprinter and 218K earner Pretty Cozy; normal move forward makes her tough to down.

Lost Bus

Sire gets a terrific 25% winners from his first out runners and the dam's 2 wins came on turf and going long prior to dropping 2 multiple sprint winners and 6 figure earners from 3 foals to race; she boasts a solid speed drill over the track last month and this outfit is known for its ability to have them ready to roll; dangerous homebred.

Wackett

Took quite a bit of tote action against open company first out but failed to finish that quarter mile heat after having trouble at the start; she's been working on dirt so maybe she makes a better transition to this footing and she is kin to a few minor sprint winners; still, she's got some improving to do to be considered a serious threat here.

Dixie Tweet

Sire gets about 16% winners right out of the box and the dam was winless from 5 spins prior to dropping a limited sprint winner; barn does ok with its newcomers and this guy has been in training for a while now.

Global Hart

Just missed first out against open company upstate at a shorter trip last month and now she'll go for a new outfit in her first crack on dirt; her dam won 3 routes but did score sprinting in her debut and this gal has had a drill to get acquainted with the new footing; expect to at least see her showing speed today.

Saturday Yodeler

Returned to work a sharp half mile after taking money and offering little late in her statebred debut at the trip earlier in the month; filly should be better with the experience behind her and a solid journeyman pilot will get aboard a filly whose 2 sibs are both multiple sprint winners including SW and 139K earner Hi Ho Yodeler; draw is no bargain if she doesn't break alertly.

Seattle Firm

Sire is 0 for 29 with his debut runners and the limited sprint winning dam dropped winners from each of her 4 foals to race including 100K earner Noble Kent whose 5 wins all came going long; AE boasts slow drills over synthetic footing upstate for a barn that's been on a poor run with firsters. - Steve Grabowski

Race 2

Yard Line

He got hung out pretty wide on the first turn when he flopped as the heavy chalk for the third straight time in his latest;; the winner came back to post a 97 Beyer Speed Figure when he finished a close third in a $62.5K optional race June 19; blinkers come off and he ran well without them in his debut; expecting Nakatani to put him in the race early and he figures to get a lot better trip breaking from the inside post; the pick.

Sing With Bling

He took a big step forward in his latest sprint and he is out of a mare that won going a mile and a half in Ireland so there is every reason to believe he can get a mile; the past five years Spawr is a respectable 17 percent with horses stretching out the first time; would like to have seen him come back a little sooner but he's had four solid works this month and Spawr has solid numbers with horses coming back in this time period; consider for the exotics.

Wrightwood

He owns the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure and he was coming off a lengthy layoff when he earned it; first time long and he is the first foal out of a mare whose lone win came sprinting but she placed 6 times in 12 route attempts including the Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland; the past five years the barn has a 10 percent strike rate with horses stretching out the first time; not out of the question.

Gold Chaser

4-year-old was claimed out of his debut and since 2010 the barn has a 10 percent strike rate running them back the first time; dam was unraced but his only sibling is a 2-time route winner so he won't mind the move to a route; only horse coming out of his debut to race since couldn't win for $30K; this is obviously a much tougher spot and it would have been nice to have seen at least one work since he ran; passing.

Missing Groom

He forced a moderate pace and held on well to finish second in a Cal-bred maiden race in his latest but the water seems a bit deeper here; or at least they will likely be going a lot faster during the early stages of the race; he finished pretty far behind Yard Line both times they met and it's hard not to notice Nakatani bails to ride the likely favorite; he headed in the right direction so we'll use him in the exotics.

Nowalking

Debuts for Gutierrez who the past five years has an 8 percent strike rate with first-time starters and is 0/5 with ones that were going long; sire is 11 percent with first timers; dam won her debut as a 2-year-old and a couple of route races; lone sib is a route winner; he looks fit enough and Talamo is attracted; nonetheless, others look more attractive. - Randy Goulding

Race 3

Perfecta

It is getting close to two years since she won a race but she has shown some improvement in her last couple; nonetheless, she was right there at the top of the stretch when she went 1 1/4 miles two back but lost ground in the stretch to finish fifth, so not sure a mile and a half is within her range; prefer others.

Charlie Em (GB)

She looked great winning the Grade 3, one-mile Senorita in her North American debut but really hasn't come close to duplicating the big effort since; her best races have been at one-mile and her 214 Tomlinson Figure for the distance suggests this might be too far for her; she is coming off an improved performance and the horse that won the race repeated with a 93 Beyer in an $80K optional race June 4; we're still going to pass.

Changethechannel

She was able to carry her speed a mile and a quarter so this might be within her range; she was obviously overmatched in the Grade 1 Gamely plus she was coming off a huge effort going 1 1/14 miles in the Grade 3 Santa Barbara so she might have bounced a bit; she figures to be forwardly placed in a race they won't be going all that fast early and it wouldn't be surprising to see her battling it out at the finish; contender.

Plaza de Indias (CHI)

She comes out of a hot barn and could be ready for a peak performance in the third start of her current form cycle; she went backwards when she tried a marathon distance at Del Mar but she did finish second going 1 1/4 miles in a Grade 1 in Chile in 2011; she did get beat by 25 lengths, though; this is a big step up so at the most we're looking at using her in the exotics.

Phonybooksnrecords

That was a pretty good effort in the Grade 3 Santa Barbara but she obviously didn't handle either the ship to Iowa or the main track at Prairie Meadows because she was done early; Nakatani attracted and she comes out of a very live barn but there is other speed in the field and she is probably going to have a hard holding off the late comers; prefer others.

Customer Base

She is clearly the class of the party, has a win going a mile and a quarter, and she won the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel over this course in Dec.; her recent form isn't as bad as it looks as she had a very rough trip in the Santa Barbar and she didn't get a lot of help up front in the Grade 1 Gamely; there will be speed coming back to her here; the pick.

Playful Humor

She was 42-1 when she finished well back in Customer Base's win in the Frankel and she didn't fire in two subsequent races at Golden Gate; her career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 79 comes in a bit light but if there is a horse in this field that could thrive going this far she's the one; her half-brother Marsh Side won the Grade 1 Northern Dancer and Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine going this far for the same connections; the price should be right for anyone that wants to take a shot based on her breeding. - Randy Goulding

Race 4

Happy Deisy

Never fired in the maiden voyage of nearly 6 weeks ago; her sire won 4 of 16 attempts and 108K; the dam involved was unraced; among the winning siblings is 211K earner Coach Bob; this month's work tab does not inspire.

Haaay Sexy Lady

She hails from Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Desert Code who netted 1.08 million; his offspring have won 1 of 18 debuts; the dam won 4 of 24 and 40K; winning siblings include 16K earner Shakerattlenrule.

Tribal Express

Upbeat workout on 6/11; her sire won 3 of 22 races and 209K; progeny of Lucky Pulpit are 9 for 76 in the first time victorious department; the dam went zero for 12; among the winning sibs is 24K earner Tribal Yodeler.

Elusive Mistress

Among the first crop to race from Elusive Warning who won a G3 and 487K; the dam won 1 of 7 attempts and 12K; winning siblings include 67K earner Angel of Mystery; will have to improve upon her morning trials.

Singing Kitty

Sired by Ministers Wild Cat who won 6 of 22 attempts and 368K (his progeny have won 12 percent of their first races); the dam went zero for 2 lifetime; there are no winning siblings to mention; latest gate drill was fair.

Dixie Tweet

Did not recover from a slow getaway in her first run; her sire won the G1 Norfolk and 464K; the dam went zero for 5 lifetime; among the winning siblings is 5K earner Seadrifter; note sudden upgrade to the most recent gate workout.

Charlotte R

This filly was sired by multiple G2 type Benchmark who notched 636K and whose descendants have won 69 out of 513 initial races; the mom won 4 of 22 and 149K; among the winning siblings is 49K earner Storm in Blairsden.

Fab Four Ever

Latest a.m. move showed more life; her sire won 1.51 million including graded stakes success; progeny of McCann's Mojave have scored in 5 of 41 initial tests; the dam won 1 of 10 and 18K; sib to 136K earner What's for Dinner.

Soul Flyer

Some upbeat works for this daughter of fireball Bertrando, a multiple G1 victor who garnered 3.18 million; his descendants have won 95 out of 785 debuts; the dam won 6 of 16 and 423K; this is her only foal to compete.

Sweet Mz. Poppet

Rested 2 months since that sharp maiden voyage where she was a clear-cut second; her sire won multiple G3s and 655K while the dam won 3 of 18 and 106K; winning siblings include 53K earner Sweet Muqtarib. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Cernobbio

Like the idea of dropping him in class and going sprint-to-route for his second start back from a layoff; runner up from latest won next out here on 6/22 going 6 1/2f over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 77 Beyer.

Gilmar

He's a 1/2 to G3 winner Queen Ofthe Catsle (7-19, 410k, including 6 of 14 turf starts for 359k) but he was outrun at every point of call in his career debut, and that was after being sent to post at nearly 70-1.

Surfer Moon

Half-brother to Marching Orders (2-10, 43k over turf) has seen his form improve lately and he deserves another chance to see what he can do racing over turf; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 6/19 going 6 1/2f vs. 30k MCL's with a 70 Beyer; Talamo has won with 10 of 39 (26%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Lassie's Reward

Good Reward has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this gelding is going to need to show more than he has in his first two turf attempts if he's to prove to be a threat.

Grey Is Best

Sire is 0-for-11 with his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 4 of 30 starts for 67k, including 0-for-3 over turf; lightly raced 6-year-old has some early speed, but this is a tough spot for his first turf start.

Dickery Do

Have to acknowledge the improved performance he showed up with in his turf debut in his latest start, and that level of performance can get him into the mix against these; not going to argue with anyone looking favorably in this direction.

Stolen Property

Cowboy Cal is off to a poor start as a turf sire, but if this gelding can reproduce the effort he gave at second asking, he can have a say in the outcome; note that he's being reunited with Garcia.

Pyrotechnics

Late running type can benefit from a drop in class but he's still going to need to be careful to not give himself too much work to do late after lagging behind through the opening stages; if nothing else, he's worthy of consideration underneath in the gimmicks. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Rovenna

Goes for 4 in a row while freshened up 61 days since narrowly taking her 2nd consecutive stakes; 8 runners signed on for this are coming off 45 day-or longer absences; defeated the 3-back runner-up finisher who posted an 88 Beyer speed figure in a next-out optional-claiming win; has been working steadily for the cutback in distance noting she is 2-for-2 at 6.5F; should work out an ideal trip saving ground stalking a field loaded with gate speed; the pick.

Camille

Adds blinkers for the 1st time and races away from TUP for the 1st time; is in with her highest-weight assignment ever; the show finisher from last Beyered 71 in a next-out ARP-allowance win; she beat the 2-back runner-up and show finishers; they Beyered 74-67 in next-out TUP-alw. and CBY-$12,500-claiming wins.

Majestic Jewel

Shelved for more than 1 year following 2 straight wins; the 2-back turf victory is a career-best Beyer where she defeated the runner-up finisher who posted an 84 speed figure in a next-out SA-MSW win; the 3-back winner repeated in an SA-300K stakes with a 75 Beyer.

Sunday Rules

Try to catch me winning twice on the lead; the extra half furlong here is a concern; Del Mar absentee exits a field-best Beyer speed figure in her 2-year-old stakes win; she goes right from facing juveniles to testing older rivals today; it's also 1st dirt; the debut runner-up and show finishers Beyered 67-57 in next-out DMR-MSW wins.

Classy Ava

Gives Wasted At Midnight 2 extra pounds off the gate-to-wire win 7 weeks ago; the presence of Sunday Rules here makes any runner that wants the lead compromised; was able to stalk the pace in her-debut exacta finish defeating the show runner who Beyered 78 in a next-out SA-MSW win.

Sweet Factory

Dull off the layoff for a high-percentage 2nd off-the-bench trainer; shown nothing since her SA debut win more than 15 months ago; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 85-77 in 2 next-out alw. wins; the 3-back winner repeated in an SA-alw. with an 88 speed figure

Spooky Lady

Exits a career-low Beyer 83 days ago when defeated by Sweet Factory; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 85-77 in 2 next-out alw. wins; 3-0-0-0 record since claimed off a January blowout win on a wet-main track; less-than-fast footing would move her up some; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 86 in a next-out BHP-alw. win.

Tappingintherain

Long absence off the 1st double-digit length loss of career when defeated by the runner-up finisher who Beyered 73 in a next-out BHP-OPC win; has been working well for this noting her only win was in a 2nd-off-the-layoff scenario so may see very best form in her next start?

Wasted At Midnight

10th start was the charm as she wired maidens but today likely chases Sunday Rules early then hopes to find something left for deep stretch; will test winners for the 2nd time in career finishing last in 2012 in a DMR Grade 2 as a juvenile; view as a pace presence for part.

Dancinginthestreet

Victory at 1F shorter than this while the win rider sides with Classy Ava; style suggests 6.5F won't hurt her chances any it''s whether she can handle this class elevation as she faces winners for the 1st time and some of these have already scored vs. stakes company.

Courageous Call

Is 1 of 8 entered racing off layoffs of 45 days or longer; which trainer is best fresh may be the key to winning this event; her barn yields 23% winners with this angle; faded when last seen 55 days ago; she will have her work cut out for her here to make the front breaking outside of a ton of other gate speed including Sunday Rules. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Rhodium

Tries the hill for the first time in this protected spot after being given a little time off the near miss against claimers on the main track; gray wasn't much of a threat late in either of her turf tries but she did show some early interest each time and the barn is profitable with the move to the green.

Always a Chance

Makes her first start off the barn's re-claim and it's nice to see they put her in a protected spot today; there's a decent amount of speed in here which should help to set up her kick and she has a right to move forward with her return from the short break behind her; one to consider.

Heat Du Jour

Steps up for her first off the claim by an outfit that hits at a fantastic clip with this type right back; filly turns back to try the hill over which she ran big 2 starts back and she should be tighter late off her last; she looks to be the one they'll fear in the lane.

Toppers Sunshine

Statebred turns back to sprint off a solid route effort earlier in the month; she wasn't bad down the hill 2 back, but the 2 gals who finished in front of her will return in this spot as well; prefer to limit her use to underneath in exotics today.

Thermal Nermal

Beaten odds on chalk wasn't helped much by the wide run last time, but she still was beaten just over a length for all the money; they've found a competitive spot where they can't lose her and she's clearly good enough when on her game; contender.

Joeandbetty'sbaby

Filly gets off to rough beginnings which often leaves her kick with too much to accomplish in the lane; her last was better and she is a 3 time local winner whose 2 more recent scores have come over the course at this trip; can't count her out.

Happybirthdaybaby

Beaten last out chalk has had a little time to get over that Golden Gate effort and now she'll return to a course over which she's won her lone start; .500 career hitter clearly knows how to win and she's even handy enough to secure a spot close to the top on the turn back to sprinting; they'll have her to beat.

Missdang Sally

Moves to the infield in search of her fifth straight score after besting allowance runners here a couple of weeks back; lone turf try was nothing but this mare does have speed and in her current form that could make it tough for her from this outside slot.; still, expecting to see her lick on display.

Julio's Gold

Goes first time for a new outfit that does well with its recently claimed runners right back; these are better than the recent beaten chalk has been facing but he does own a local trip score over this course and his try prior to that win wasn't bad either. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Midnight Roar

Definite improvement to the latest work; his sire is Breeders' Cup Sprint star Midnight Lute who banked 2.69 million (his offspring have scored in nearly 10 percent of their debuts); the dam won 6 of 18 and 251K; sib to 38K earner Abbyroar.

Coyotero

Newcomer hails from Marino Marini who scored in 3 of 16 races earning 294K overall; his progeny have won 28 out of 189 debuts; the dam involved was unraced and there are no winning siblings to mention.

Alsace

Goes back to blinkers after showing decent prompting speed in his latest effort; can move forward following that needed tightener but remains difficult to recommend as the one to key on top; worth some use in underneath portions of exotic wagers.

Patriotic Lion

Start number 30 in these ranks for this 5-year-old; latest workout from the gate was fair but he will probably have to settle for minor spoils at best no matter how the early pace unfolds; pass for now.

Yo Ho Marino Go

See Coyotero, above, for information about the same sire; the dam won 3 of 21 attempts and 87K; among the winning siblings is 83K earner Shred the Secrets; will have to improve upon the latest workout from the gate.

Dark Timbers

Another camera shy runner in this field; he has achieved a steady Beyer pattern of late in this class but certainly does not warrant anything near even money once again; not sure the distance cutback will work in any event.

Storm Hollow

Yet another offspring of Marino Marini (see second runner in this field for stats); this runner's dam was unraced; among the winning siblings is 73K bankroller Dancing Groom; recent workout activity is ordinary.

Philanderer

Flashed some commendable prompting ability in that first run; his sire was zero for 2 while the dam won 1 of 16 attempts and 7K; among the winning sibs is 228K earner Catmantoo; latest a.m. drill was a sizzler.

Tasha's Courage

Dons the blinkers for the first time after suffering through a long series of troubled starts; closed very well in the race 3 back despite the usual tardy getaway and if he can improve upon that performance, he has legitimate money chances this afternoon.

Juansagain

Attended a quick early pace before fading in his maiden voyage earlier this month; his sire won 4 of 8 and 915K; the dam won 7 of 14 and 507K; among the winning siblings is 90K eanrer Favorite Meeting.

Lay It On

Yet to finish in the money but he did show more life when visiting this 20 grand level for the first time; reverts to Gryder's handling but will have to deal with an extreme post position if escaping AE imprisonment.

Chattering Class

An obvious true contender if he somehow makes it to the starting gate today; chased a fair pace all the way around in his most recent assignment and now picks up Baze who has done extremely well for these connections.

Triunfo

Breaking alertly in recent starts but he will need much luck to race today; saw the heels of Chattering Class 2 weeks ago from a wide position; hard to envision a sudden turning of the tables here if both runners start.

Astutely

Curious item makes his first start since last year but has shown some early foot thus far; his sire won 3 of 11 and 135K while the mom won 1 of 25 and 76K; winning siblings include 28K earner Philly Pink; equipment change can help him focus. - Jim Kachulis