Santa Anita: Closer Looks for June 8, 2014

Race 1

Don't Tell Abbey

Sire is 22-for-206 with 2-year-old 1st-time starters; is out of an 0-for-1 dam who produced 1 winner from 2 other foals to race stakes winner Carlsbad Lagoon (4-for-24, 22K) who did not win until start 7; races for a 1-for--28 debut trainer since 2013.

Lady Dash

40-1 debut loss when troubled and will need a much faster-gate break if she wants to graduate; the fact that she passed a few in deep stretch is good sign and has the experience of breaking inside; flashed speed in pre-race workouts and hopes to show some of that speed today.

Wacky Miss

Did not show the kind of gate speed 2nd-time out as she did in the debut but finished up evenly rather than fading; the barn does well MSW-to-maiden claiming as this jockey-trainer combo attempts to break an 0-for-16 SA drought since 2013.

No Maybe Baby

On the lead in her debut but did not look like the same filly 2nd time out when troubled; clearly if she can toss up an opening 22 and 1 quarter here might be very tough to catch; drops into a maiden claimer for the 1st time which can help the cause; scary if breaks on top.

Wild Heart Run

Sire is 8-for-69 with 2-year-old 1st-time starters; is out of a stakes-winning dam (4-for-14, 151K) who did not win until start 6 producing 3 winners from 4 other foals to race including stakes-placed Tigger Town (4-for-12, 74K) who won his 2nd start.

Wackett

Brief speed in her 1st dirt start now goes MSW to maiden claiming a 23%-win angle for her trainer; new rider means she gets in with her lightest-weight assignment ever; the barn's lone winner this meet was with a 1ster.

La Mexicana

More than 100-1 odds in the last-place debut loss; the post-race workout did not impress however 2nd-time starters have been known to improve dramatically; she has plenty of room to move forward for this.

Myrna Lou

Exits a field-best Beyer when outrun in Arizona; adds blinkers for this to help the gate speed but did not see the improved worktab we would have liked for the 1st start in a claimer; cuts back in distance after 2 slow gate breaks; hopes for a pace metldown to show off her late kick.

Race 3

Catcanscat

Statebred tries open company claimers in his first start back from a year on the shelf; though he'd been turfing prior to the time off, he did run well on dirt earlier in his career, but he hasn't run as fast as some of these and doubt he'll be set to fire first time back; have to back others.

Gold Chaser

Sire gets 10% winners from his first out runners and the unraced dam's lone foal to race was a 3 time winner (2 sprints); he isn't working in typical fashion for this barn, but they have their newcomers ready and they did pay 200K for this guy at auction.

Nifty Fifty

Sire gets 9% debut winners from his runners and the minor SW dam was a 5 time sprint winner who won first time out and banked 98K prior to dropping 5 winners including 401K earner Hostility who took several sprint stakes; works aren't much and the low profile outfit hasn't had any recent luck right out of the box.

Juliet's Tizzy

Just missed while in for a tag and facing older for the first time in his local return last month; gelding will step up in price for this for a barn that is going well at the stand and he doesn't look to be facing a particularly tough bunch, but his last out pilot opts to side elsewhere.

Aleander

Drops in for a tag for he first time while returning from nearly a full year on the bench; 4 year old has been working well of late for a sharp return outfit but he doesn't have much sprint experience; he hasn't done all that much but the class relief makes him a big threat.

Distinct Asset

Showed good speed down the hill in his debut run but didn't have much to offer thereafter; interim drills on the dirt aren't much, but she's kin to 6 main track sprint winners including 203K earner R Fast Favorite whose 12 wins all came sprinting; he draws inside the other speed so expecting she'll last longer this time.

Magna Warrior

Showed good speed from the fence at the MSW level in his return from 3 months on the shelf; he'll get in light compared to his main rivals and his pilot opts to stick with him second time back; he should be tighter with his last behind him and he did run quite well for this price at the beginning of the year; one to beat.

Race 4

Sunset Skies

She stepped up with an improved performance in her turf debut in her latest outing and like to see that she ran that race over this turf course and at today's distance; she's still plenty eligible to have more to show us with only three starts behind her.

Prayer Be Mine

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this filly is a 1/2 to Mind the Minister (2-16, 116k over turf); she improved along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in her most recent start, but it's probably worth noting the presence of Nakatani aboard another in here.

Jade With Envy

Ten Most Wanted has been a poor influence as a turf sire, but this filly has done little wrong in her three turf attempts, and she earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure while making her first start for this barn when last seen.

Natalie Paige

She surprised a field in her career debut when getting the job done in gate-to-finish fashion, and even though she finds herself in against a legitimate field in her first attempt against winners, she commands respect off of that fine debut run.

Vegas Rules

Her best effort is fast enough to get her into the mix against these but don't care to see that she's yet to post even a runner-up finish from nine starts over turf; perhaps a spot underneath in the exotics is within reach, but looking toward others for the top spot.

Pay the Debt

Sire wins with approximately 6% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 10 starts for 36k, and she didn't make a turf start; this filly is a 1/2 to Dinnr With Nikki (5-30, 110k, including 2 of 6 turf starts for 38k); her recent form has been her best but she finds herself in against a solid bunch in her first turf start.

Sweetest Secret

She's probably going to need to produce the sharpest performance of her career to get the job done in this spot, but like the idea of this filly turning back to a sprint distance after a number of route attempts; she's ideally drawn in the outside post in this cozy gathering.

Race 5

It Is Living Water

Turns back to sprint on the surface switch after 8 panels proved too far for him last time; gelding ran ok on the main track first time out this winter and subsequently offered some ability on the green at this level; expect he'll have a little more to offer in the lane here and that makes him a threat for a barn that's going well at the stand.

Diablo Caballero

Showed pretty sharp speed in his 2 spins down the hill but didn't have enough to go on late either time; he's been working like he'll have little trouble adapting to the dirt and his dam was a G3 SW dirt sprinter and 220K earner who dropped 4 main track winners; looks like he may have to be caught.

Beach Fever

Sire gets 7% winners from his debut runners and the dam was winless from 5 starts prior to dropping 3 main track sprint winners (one scored first time out) from 5 foals to race; last gate drill was solid and the barn is capable of getting a newcomer ready to fire.

Next Book

Gelding was involved in the win photo in each of his 3 starts including his last 2 at the local level; he's quick enough to mix it up from the bell and will likely again be gunning for the top where he'll probably find company in the form of the turf conditioned Diablo Caballero who draws inside him today; showed the ability to make up ground in the lane 2 back and that could benefit him in this spot; worked a solid 5/8s for this last week and appears to be the one to down.

Babe's Journey

Sire hits with 11% of his debut runners and the dam was a limited sprint winner whose lone foal to race won first out but lost her next 10 starts; barn excels with firsters and some of the listed drills indicate this guy can run some; gets in light with the capable bug named.

Watch It Buster

Sire gets 14% winners from his firsters and he's the first foal to race out of a limited sprint winning dam; barn is profitable right out of the box and some of his drills last month were quick; recent 6 panel moves suggest he won't be short.

Otto's Echo

Took some money in his debut run down the hill but proved little match for either of the top 2 finishers in that quick heat; colt worked well on dirt for this last month and with Mr. Prospector blood in him he should handle the footing without any issue; presence of pace could set things up for him nicely and he does have a right to move forward with the initial experience behind him.

Pride Seeker

Sire is 8 for 62 with his newcomers and the dam was winless from 6 starts prior to dropping 6 winners including SW and 377K earner Control Seeker who was better on the green, but did win both sprinting and routing on the main track; he's been on a weekly work pattern for a while now, but he barn has been on a poor run with his debut runners.

Race 6

Twin Six

Simply can't ignore the fact that he's making his first start after claim for a barn that shows hitting at a 39% clip in that category, and this gelding has run well enough over turf in the past to suggest that he has the ability to be competitive in this spot.

Soi Phet

Grade 1 stakes placed performer has to be viewed as being a top contender in here, but it is worth noting that all five of his career wins have been earned racing over synthetic surfaces; that said, it's probably a good idea to look for him to be involved in the running throughout while dropping in class for this.

Bobby Flay

His most recent start was one of the sharper performances of his career and he finished right behind today's rival Mr. Candy Bar in that event; third-place finisher from latest returned to win next out here on 4/13 going 1m vs. 20-18k claimers with a 78 Beyer.

Toledo Eddie

He's another in here who has yet to prove that he can be at his best racing over turf, but he is by a strong turf sire, and he's tough to ignore after earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure over the main track here in his latest outing.

Husband's Folly

One of two lined up in here who is making his first start after a claim for the Hollendorfer barn, and the presence of Nakatani is worth noting as he's won with 7 of 19 (37%) mounts for this outfit at the current meeting; not going to argue with anyone for looking favorably in this direction.

Mr. Candy Bar

He ran well two and three starts ago with blinkers going on, but he is going to need to bounce back from a subpar performance to get the better of this field, and note that he finished behind today's rival Husband's Folly in his latest outing.

Cardio Royale

He's never run a race that is strong enough to suggest that he can get over on the top contenders in this one and his lack of early speed makes him a candidate to be outrun every step of the way; he has the look of an outsider.

Forever Freedom

Sire is 0-for-4 with his turf starters and he won once from 11 starts for 40k, including 1 of 9 turf starts for 39k, during his racing career; dam was winless from two starts, including one turf start; this looks like a tough spot for this gelding to try turf for the first time.

Race 8

Rousing Sermon

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam won 6 of 19 starts for 136k, including 0-for-1 over turf; have to respect the form that he's displayed racing over dirt and synthetic surfaces, but this isn't a soft spot for his first turf test.

Jules Journey

Multiple stakes placed performer has been in good form lately and a number of his better efforts have been run over this turf course; that said, he finds himself in against a tough bunch, and he will need to improve over his recent form to see his number posted on top after this one is run.

Stoney Fleece

Grade 3 winner will try to pay quick dividends for his new connections after being claimed for 62.5k from his latest start, and not only has he been an ultra-consistent performer, but his best effort places him squarely in the mix against these.

John Scott

Multiple stakes winner has nothing but strong form on his card to consider, but can ignore the fact that he's making his first start since January 2013; his recent workouts appear to be extremely sharp, and that might be a good reason to look for him to return to action running.

Unusual Heatwave

He's another in here who carries multiple stakes winning credentials with him, and even though he hasn't been at his best lately, he might be regaining some of his better form while making his third start of 2014; leaning toward others, but not going to be shocked if he gives a good account himself in this spot.

Mega Heat

It seems to be the rare day when he doesn't show up and give a good account of himself, and not only has he won five of nine starts over turf, but he's won four of seven starts over this turf course; like the idea of him being ready to run a good one while stretching out in distance for his second start back from a layoff.

Heat Flash

He's been in career best form lately, and like the idea of him turning back in distance, but this is the first time he's faced stakes competition, and it's probably worth noting the presence of Blanc aboard another in here.

Ethnic Dance

Half-brother to G1 winner Twirling Candy (7-11, 944k, including 2-for-2 over turf for 247k) is a nose shy of being 4-for-4 over turf, and he was last seen making it look pretty easy in recording a G2 victory; there is a long layoff in play, but he has every bit the look of a top contender in his 4-year-old racing debut.

China Prince

Stakes placed runner has been at his best racing over dirt or synthetic surfaces to this point in his career, and even though his turf form hasn't been bad, it's tough to give him a favorable push against a field of this caliber when taking into account what he's done in his four turf attempts.

Race 9

Fair Praise

She had a solid debut outing as she rallied behind the eventual winner and was best of the others; she lost some ground off the turn for home in that event and would be better served to save more ground; quick workout time since that opener; contender.

Lady Vronsky

Lost half a dozen lengths at the start of her debut outing and the winner was dominant; she has a 10 pound apprentice rider on board and this jock has done well for the barn; still watching.

Splendid Outcast

Not a lot going on with this 4-year-old at the meoment; she returned to a dirt sprint last time and was outrun; still has some proving to do.

She'smorethanalady

Her sire has an average mark of 10% with debut winners from starters; this is the first foal of the mare and she won 3 of 29 races, $88K and liked turf and route racing; she has logged a lot of miles in workouts so fitness should not be a problem.

Mom's Winner

Liked her debut as she was green in the early stages and she chec ed out of a large crowd soon out of the gate; she moved up the rail into the turn and was then out in the 4 path and off the rail the rest of the trip while trying to gain; in the exotics.

Merry Moon

Her trainer is 5% in the last 5 years with long layoff returnees (over 180 days); this gal was favoured the last time she raced and she was one-paced; likely showing speed in this return; in the trifecta.

Here Comes Bobbie

Returns to a sprint and the blinkers are quickly off after the experiment did not seem to work; loses her rider to Mom's Winner; not yet.

Nothing to Hide

This will be the big favourite as she brings some nice outings at Golden Gate, solid Beyers and has a high percentage trainer and rider combo; the only question would seem to be her ability to transfer those outings to the dirt; respect.

Galway Bay

Turf to dirt and a drop in class for this gal who has yet to master the gate; like the fact she showed a burst of speed last time and anything she has to offer should be on display in this spot; toss in exotics.

Honky Tonk Diva

Fifth change in rider for the slight class drop; at least she has posted slightly better Beyer Figures in her last pair of races but she has a lot to do yet.