Santa Anita: Closer Looks for June 5, 2014

Race 1

Inherit the Throne

Had plenty of chances (12) and yet to make much of a dent; in her defense, the bulk of her work has come vs. tougher straight maidens, and her recent work has been primarily on turf; well, she's in for a tag and moves to dirt today; at lesat has 1 3rd in 3 dirt tries and it came here and at this trip, albeit last Oct. 19; maybe the drop and return to dirt can perk her up some...maybe.

Always an Angel

Never really a threat in her debut when she was last of 6 throughout; remember, though, not only was that just her debut but it came vs. straight maidens and was a real nice heat - the 3 to come out of that race so far have ALL won their next startrs; freshened since, worked well since and now comes the most important drop in the game.

Super Defence

Flashed talent here in Feb. 2013 when a nice 2nd for $75K; trouble is, then came 2 dull outings here in March 2013 and April 2013 and she hasn't been seen since; at least working well for a trainer who can fire off the bench and while Baltas drops her it's encouraging he doesn't drop her to the bottom, which certainly could have been an option.

Que Sorpresa

Steadily improving as she was 4th April 20 and 3rd May 9; that being said, she was never really a threat in either as she was beaten 13 3/4 and 7 1/4 lengths, respectively; those also came for half this tag so while she has improved some now she's facing tougher; at least this isn't the strongest bunch of rival so another move forward could put her in the mix.

Soar Home

Return to dirt may be just what the Dr. ordered; she was a nice 3rd on dirt here for $50K Feb. 22 and a better 2nd on dirt here for $75K March 27; then tried turf May 3 and that didn't go so well but she's back to drit today with a couple nice works since and a slight class drop.

Wildy Excessive

Certainly trending the right way; a couple decent 3rds in her last 2 starts show some steady progression; of course, she wasn't really a threat in either as she was beaten 7 1/2 and 5 1/4 lengths, respecitvely, and those also came vs. cheaper; so, while the results are getting better she still has plenty of work to do, particularly as she's asked to step up in price today. - Michael Hammersly

Race 3

Meta Mu

Sire gets 10% first out winners from his offspring and the dam was 0 for 1 prior to dropping 4 winners; she draws inside but has shown speed in her drills; barn hasn't had a lot of recent luck with newcomers but it wouldn't be a surprise if this gal could run some.

Bennett Jean

Sire gets 14% winners from his debut runners and the SW dam was an 8 time winner (7 sprints) and 166K earner who dropped 4 winners; recent drills have been stepped up and though the barn hasn't had luck with its limited debut runners of late, they are capable of getting one ready to fire.

Soul Crusader

She's the lone member of the bunch with race experience and that provides her with a huge edge; she showed some early interest from the fence in her debut run and she is kin to 6 winners including G3 SP, 187K earner Southern Ridge, so maybe she gets better with the experience behind her.

Wild Heart Run

Sire hits with about 13% of his first out runners and the SW dam won 4 sprints and banked 151K prior to dropping 4 winners including SP, 4 time sprint winner and 74K earner Tigger Town; works aren't anything special and the low profile outfit isn't known for its work with this type.

Champion Risk

Sire gets 12% debut winners from his offspring and she's the first foal to race out of a SP dam who was a 4 time sprint winner and 159K earner; barn is capable of firing first time out and that recent gate drill suggests she has a little bit of ability.

Heart of Paradise

Sire gets 12% winners from his newcomers and the dam was retired right after taking her sprint debut; lone sib was a 3 time sprint winner; barn knows how to get them ready to fire a big one first out and several of the listed drills are quick.

C'Mon Sister

Sire gets 16% first out winners and the dam was a limited route winner prior to dropping 2 winning foals, the better of whom was multiple G1 SP, G2 SW and 436K earner Iotapa; pedigree suggests she is set to win early and her gate drill last week indicates she has some speed.

Screaming Skylar

Sire hits with 14% of his debut runners and the limited sprint winning dam dropped 4 winners including 380K earner Bel Air Beauty who was a G2 SW router; filly draws outside which should help keep her out of trouble and they paid over half a mil for her in training a couple of months back so they saw something they liked about her; if she can run she should get hammered at the windows. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Kathleen Rose

Homebred goes for her third straight win and she figures to be involved right from the start leaving from the inside post; horse she beat in her latest was coming off a second behind Theatre Star; this gal led from start to finish in her recent wins but she sat off the other speed when she won a $25K optional race for Cal-breds going this distance in Dec. so Maldonaldo doesn't need to panic if Theatre Star outbreaks her; lightly raced so she may not have reached her full potential and she has improved her Beyer Speed Figures in seven straight races; contender.

Theatre Star

She had her four-race win streak halted when she tried Grade 3 company in the Wilshire and the fast fractions she set under pressure probaby had a lot to do with it; she'll appreciate the easier company here and Van Dyke can either put her on the lead or stalk what should be a more reasonable pace; either way she figures to be in the mix when it matters; the pick.

Redressthebalance (IRE)

Steps up following a sharp win over Spiced Latte who won a couple of $25K claiming races at the current meet; this gal was claimed out of the race and since 2011 Paparodromou has a 10 percent strike rate running them back the first time; Cal Oaks winner last year is pretty honest but seems a cut below some of the ones she's facing here.

Spring Bloom

Not a bad effort in a race she probably needed and she could be ready for a big effort in her second start back; horse that finished third in her last win won her next start and then lost by less than two lengths in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas; another possibility in a wide-open event.

Habibi (NZ)

This will be her first start since she finished fourth as the favorite in the Grade 1 Australian Oaks where she reportedly came back lame and later reports indicated a fractured pastern; works are just average but she's obviously fully recovered and her new trainer has won with two of the last three he's brought back from a layoff of a year or more; she was good enough to win the Grade 1, $618K New Zealand Derby and she might be good enough to win this; we're just going watch and see how she comes back, though.

Unusual Hottie

She may have bounced in the Frans Valentine after her big effort in the American Beauty where she finished second and received her career-best Beyer Speed Figure; she was also trapped behind horses in the Frans Valentine while the winner blew by them on the outside; easier company here and she should get a nice trip from a stalking position; contention runs deep. - Randy Goulding

Race 5

Georgia's Niece

Yet to earn an exacta finish but notice her troubled recent history when victimized by wide trips or traffic trouble; can earn her second money finish if living up to that a.m. drill of 5/11; may be worth using on the tail end of exotic wagering approach.

Wine Country Wanda

Twice beaten favorite turns back from a respectable showing in her first route attempt; ran well in both appearances at this trip and should be able to middle move with some effectiveness; latest blowout should enhance her chances.

Lust for Life

On the shelf nearly 3 months, she returns for the lowest price tag of her career today; shows an average work tab for the most part during the vacation but the trainer has established excellent numbers at the meet; mixed signals for this returnee.

Italian Harmony

Flashed only brief speeding before pulling up last month, her first effort in many a moon; latest a.m. drill was fair but more than likely will prove insufficient as far as turning things around suddenly; wait until she has further tightening efforts under her belt.

Do It Mobile Style

Newcomer should be a presence by default; her sire won 4 of 11 starts and 67K (all of the victories were on the turf); offspring of Bat Mobile have won 1 of 16 debuts; the dam won 1 of 10 and 22K; there are no winning siblings to highlight.

Mon Petite

Off the board at a mere 167 to 1 last time but, atypically, she showed good fighting speed until the midway point that day; there is not much pace opposition on view and perhaps that may enable to last for a share at another huge price.

Charissa

Looks like an interesting fit today despite the fact that she has never raced beyond 6 furlongs; displayed more prompting ability in the last run with the blinker addition and did not have a smooth trip in ether appearance this season; could prove to be the right value play.

Nonna Reese

Camera shy filly closed strong to be a clear-cut second in her recent outing; lands into a field that appears weaker than in that latest test and she should prove a major player in the late stages here; far less appealing odds will be the case. - Jim Kachulis

Race 6

Casey's Clem

Sire has won with 5 of 17 (29%) of his turf staretrs and dam was winless from three starts, and she didn't make a start over turf; winner from latest won next out here on 4/5 going 6 1/2f in a 200k stakes with an 84 Beyer, and runner up won next out here on 3/14 going 6f vs. 50k OPC's with an 88 Beyer; lightly raced miss might have more to show us.

Tiz a Kiss

This filly has run well in two of her three starts over turf, but she did finish behind today's rival Highly Rated when last seen, and this does look like a pretty tough bunch for her to get in against.

Wonderful Lie

Sire is 0-for-9 with his turf starters and dam won 9 of 50 starts for 194k, including 3 of 18 turf starts for 64k; turf is a question, and she has to be careful to avoid an early pace dispute, but she's two-for-three in the quality start department.

Miss Well Molded

She's one of two in here who can boast of having five wins next to her name and this mare is capable of putting in a pretty sharp mile on grass when she feels up to one of her better performances; she has a live look to her in this spot with the hot-riding Talamo aboard.

My Monet

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this filly is a 1/2 to Short Memo (7-26, 102k, including 1 of 6 turf starts for 27k); she's already shown us that she has a good deal of natural ability and she might be looking forward to seeing what she can do racing over turf.

Highly Rated

Two of her four starts this year have been a couple of the sharper performances of her career, and her best effort can get her into the mix against these; that said, in a race that has a good deal of early speed in it, race shape might not be in her favor.

Toppers Sunshine

From 11 starts over turf, she's recorded four victories, but she might have a tough time keeping herself away from a fast and contested early pace in this event; runner-up from latest returned to win next out here on 5/23 going 1 1/8m over turf vs. 32-28k claimers with an 89 Beyer.

Van Dien Avenue

She deserves some respect for her consistent approach to the game, but she's clearly going to need to step up with her sharpest performance to date in order to get the better of these; note that she finished behind a couple of today's rivals in her most recent start. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Al Baz (GB)

Four clear in last and he got a feel of the mile game; who was he facing in England?; the winner 9/28 ran last in his next start beating 30 lengths and has not raced back; he has a right to grow into his skin as kin Samitar was a Grade 1 winner routing on grass and banked over $1.1 million; cozy slot can't hurt; respect.

Go Black Tie

If you figure he just needed the last then you can make a case for a move forward; he has a shot to take to grass with several successful grass winners in the tree including near $150K earner Affair Dabbler; must pick it up.

Hobbits Hero

Fried in a duel in the first start for Mullins but the slight freshening has done him a world of good; game in the hillside win and he proved it was not a fluke last time; show horse 3/23 took a $40K starter next out and then was third in a $40K optional; threepeat well within the realm.

Green Tag (IRE)

Handled by the Mandella in the stateside debut, show horse in last graduated next out in a maiden $40K claimer with a 78 Beyer; he has to prove he can go this far and the lone sibling to win took just one turf sprint; the hotter the pace the better for this racer.

Photography (IRE)

All out for the lone win at 20-1; place horse in maiden breaker graduated next out against 5 rivals; place horse in stateside debut cashed next out in a $78K stakes with an 84 Beyer; this is the long-fused component of the Belvoir pair; should be rolling late if at all.

Bixley

Papa Clem 2 for 8 with first-time turfers; sire won at 2, took multiple Grade 2s, banked over $1.1 million, lost only turf start; dam was unraced; several multiple race winners in the family and several banked 6 figures; sibling Fortunate Event was a triple turf winner and banked over $300K while kin Cheiron garnered nearly $650K; winner of last repeated in a $40K optional at GG, then took a $75K stakes there; rates upset glance.

Number Five

Maybe he was just dead short in last; far from disgraced in the first try vs. winners and he has a right to have a nice career as kin Trend was Grade 3 placed, carried speed long on grass and banked nearly $270K; expect much better effort.

Sir Macho

Nice middle move last time to get within 3 of the leader before reality set in; he has been freshened for this and he has trained steady and fast for this; show horse in maiden breaker took a maiden $30K claimer, then ran out of the money; blinks back on, just like they were for the lone victory. - Brian Mulligan