Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 1, 2014

Race 2

Quizzical

Was never in the hunt while dismissed at 110-1 when she went down the hill following a long layoff Jan. 31; that race should set her up adequately for this one, but this dirt sprint came up fairly tough; closer has some speed to chase, but would be a big surprise, even with the hot bug Van Dyke taking over.

Sallyana

Minor stakes winner set a blistering early pace before fading when she came off the bench in a quality N2X Jan. 2--the upwardly-mobile winner subsequently took the G2 Santa Monica, and the fourth horse came back to capture an N2X with a 92 Beyer; trainer/rider combo is 0 for 4 at the meet, but Stra was aboard when she won back-to-back claimers in the fall; might last for a share.

Llandudno

Like Quizzical, she never fired going down the hill last time out, and was beaten five lengths while garnering some betting action; this will be her first start on dirt, over which she's been working bullets locally for the red-hot Sadler barn; Talamo, who was aboard for several of her better efforts, is 2 for 3 at the meet aboard Sadler charges; contender.

Socialbug

Gave the good Scherzinger a serious run for her money after participating in a speed duel at this level Jan. 2, and that rival came back to land a G2 stakes with a 95 Beyer; half-sister to champion sprinter and successful sire Midnight Lute has another front-runner to contend with here, Sallyana; is capable of prevailing in the speed battle and the war, but she isn't worth the risk at a skimpy price.

Peppy Bolly

5yo hasn't exceeded 80 on the Beyer scale since she put up an 85 while notching a six-furlong starter on the dirt here last April; she cleared the first open allowance condition in a recent optional event, when the comeback kid Baze rode her for the first time; unlikely, but not impossible.

Caraquista

Checked in third behind the future graded stakes winner Scherzinger and current rival Socialbug the last time that she competed on the dirt Jan. 2; has since run hot and cold on the grass, but note that her recent flat effort came in a challenging stakes; she drew well, and could track all the speed on the outside en route to a high placing under Maldonado, who's had lots of luck for this live barn. - Ron Gierkink

Race 3

Next Right

Equipment change can make the difference and this colt is certainly familiar with breaking from the fence; his sire won the Breeders' Cup Sprint and 1.71 million; the dam scored in 1 of 8 races earning 29K; sib to multiple G1 pure sprinter Smiling Tiger.

Unbridled Loyalty

Considering the long layoff, that was a fine comeback race when cooked in a duel; his sire won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 1.31 million; the dam won a G1 and 1.33 million; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Bad Behavior

Disappointed in his maiden voyage nearly a year ago but the workout on 2/16 is certainly noteworthy; his sire is sprint champ Midnight Lute who banked 2.69 million; the dam won 9 of 13 and 749K; this is her only foal to compete.

Taran Taran

Another runner in this wide-open affair who has been on the shelf for a year; his sire won a G2 and 725K; the dam was without a tally in 7 attempts; winning siblings include 35K earner McRaub (cross-reference works with Bad Behavior).

Mank

Might have been best in the last run if not for drifting out, a huge effort considering the time-frame involved; can be ideally situated off battling pacesetters and may finally break through; work tab last month is only fair, however.

A Red Tie Day

Tries this common distance for the first time but there are tight intervals to the work pattern and, if all runners go, should receive a strong early pace here; will likely be reserved for one late charge and the trainer has established a fine record at the meet.

Grand Humor

This gelding was outfinished by Mank in their last match-up but he did all of the grueling pacesetting work that day; may have trouble clearing this particular field, a group that has all the makings of a future key race; very difficult assessment. - Jim Kachulis

Race 4

Harness Mentality

The move to turf and stretchout in distance seemed to agree with this colt in his latest outing but looking at this as being a tough spot for him to be meeting up with winners for the first time after getting the better of 20-18k maiden claimers.

Bob Consultation

Not sure how much stock to put into his most recent figure when considering his overall body of work and it's also worth noting that he was a short price against four rivals that day; his one start over turf prior to this wasn't an encouraging performance, so going to lean toward others.

Major Truth

He looks like he can prove to be the dominant early speed in this race and he deserves a lot of credit for the runner-up finish he recorded in his first start racing down the hill in his latest outing; he has a live look to him while getting a rider switch to Bejarano.

Old Man Lake

He's shown the ability to jump up with a pretty sharp performance sprinting over turf on his best day and like to see the effort he showed up with in his only start over this turf course when finishing behind today's rival Major Truth just two starts ago.

Bobo

He is entering this race off of a long layoff, but like the idea of this gelding turning back in distance and getting back over turf while putting blinkers back on for his first start of 2014; third place finisher from latest returned to win next out at Dmr on 8/24 going 1m over turf vs. starter alw. rivals with a 78 Beyer.

Boozer

He's another in here making his first start back from a long layoff, and when seeing that he earned his career best Beyer Speed Figure in his first route attempt when last seen, perhaps his connections are looking for a longer event for him the next time around.

Wings of Mojave

He finished behind a couple of today's rivals in his latest outing and this gelding might be better off with more distance to work with than today's 6 1/2f assignment offers; leaning toward others.

Elusive Journey

He's been beaten by a few of today's rivals in his recent races and it's tough to give him a chance at anything more than a minor award when seeing that he has just a single victory after 20 career starts.

Korban

This veteran sports some of the sharper and more consistent overall form in here and he ran well enough in his turf debut when last seen to be taken seriously in this spot; note the success that this barn has been having when returning horses from this type of a layoff. - Brian Pochman

Race 5

Free Time

Like his speed and the move to face easier; even more appealing is his record over the SA strip when it has been wet - 2 for 2; both were wet-fast tracks; if the rain is as steady as forecasted leading up to Saturday, the main track will likely be mud or slop.

Ashtar (CHI)

Connections add blinkers to this one, who is surprisingly cut back in distance and moved to dirt he's accustomed to running longer and hasn't even been; showing speed in those races; moving down the class ladder, but the positives end there.

Peacenik

Doubles in claiming price off the claim by Spawr, but is in top form, having won two straight; encouraged that Spawr wanted this veteran back after losing him for 8K off the layoff; that bodes well for his long term prospects; plenty of back class to suggest the ability to handle the hike; 1 for 3 on wet tracks, having won in the mud at Philly Park way back in 2009; choice.

Road Ready

Comeback was respectable; he held second place for five furlongs of that six-furlong contest before weakening to sixth; those were better foes, too; likely to move forward off that race; a stakes winner as a 3-year-old, he has obviously had his share of physical setbacks since - just 2 starts since April 2012.

She Digs Me

Last-race Beyer wasn't flashy, a 78 over a quick strip, but this horse did manage to overcome an awkward start - which can often prove costly for a horse breaking from the fence; prior to that last race he had come from the New Mexico circuit, where the competition is easier than in SoCal.

Topper's Ghost

Ran well in defeat Jan. 21, finishing second in a quick 16K claimer; now makes the third start of his current form cycle and joins O'Neill off the claim; is a winner of 2 of 6 starts; can likely sit further off the pace than last time with more speed in this lineup.

First Strike

Class dropper sports a win from 2 starts on wet tracks (coming on a good surface) and also has a 419 wet-track Tomlinson; on the board in 7 straight races and now returns to SA, where he has won twice from 6 local starts; proven fresh; major player. - Byron King

Race 6

Lovely Instinct

Style suggests today's added yaradge helps her cause after chasing Chicago Angel in latest while posting a Beyer speed figure Top; the main concern is picking up 5 pounds to race with her heaviest assignment ever; saves every inch of ground today then makes one run; contender.

L X Sunrise

Was screaming out for more distance in last and gets it here for a high-win percentage maiden-claiming trainer; she has not raced past 6F yet; sire was a Grade 1-stakes winner at 1 Mile on dirt; dam's lone win occurred at 1 Mile on dirt.

Big Rosie Brown

Massive-rider change racing 2nd time back off the 47-day layoff when badly overmatched defeated by the show finisher who Beyered 60 in a next-out TUP-35K stakes win; have always loved the winners-back to-maidens angle; rallied 2-back like she wanted to run all day and getting her longest-distance test ever for this adds to the appeal; the pick.

Wintara

The addition of blinkers 2nd-time out produced a slight-Beyer improvement and her 2nd-straight double-digit length defeat; has not raced past 6.5F yet; sire took the G1 Met Mile on dirt; dam graduated at 1 Mile on a wet-SA main track.

Warrens Goldnugget

Defeated only 2 runners combined from 2 losses; stalked the pace in last but had no interest late vs. Chicago Angel; she's been beaten twice by Lovely Instinct; steady worktab for this but races for a 5%-winning maiden-claiming barn and 6% jockey-trainer combo since 2013.

Warren's Susie Q.

Cretainly has not given the impression from first 3 starts that 2 turns is in her future; she has not raced past 7F yet; sire did not race past 6.5F and only on turf; dam's only win was accomplished at 9F on dirt; would be a complete surprise.

Controller

Was outfinished for the show money in last which makes today's stretchout a question mark; rider from last leaves this one to ride Big Rosie Brown for the 1st time; she has not raced past 6F yet; sire finished 2nd in his only dirt route facing stakes company both wins on synthetic the longest at 9F; dam was unraced.

Chicago Angel

Exits a field-best Beyer speed figure posting back-to-back SA-dirt route Tops; the main issue is her front-running style with a half furlong added onto today's distance off recent defeats; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-optional claimer with a 64 Beyer; suffered a 3-back loss to Big Rosie Brown when not breaking on top like she wants. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Artemis

Hood goes on for her second crack in the stakes ranks after failing to prove a serious threat in the G1 Las Virgenes; maybe the move to the fence helps her work out a ground saving trip and she doesn't look to face a particularly fast group in this spot; gets another solid journeyman pilot and warrants a look in here.

Anniversary Kitty

Cal bred tries graded stakes foes in her first try over the local dirt; she's shown a solid late kick in each of her starts on the lawn but she also got solid clips in front of her in those heats; dam dropped 3 main track winners and 2 of those did so routing so wouldn't be surprised if she were to take to this new footing.

Awesome Baby

Speedy filly aired off drills both to begin her career at Del Mar and in the G2 Santa Ynez here a couple of months back; filly showed solid lick before tiring in a G1 route try here in the fall and she's been working well for an outfit that has done a nice job with stretchouts of late; her sibs are a combined 0 for 5 going long so handling the added trip may be far from a slam dunk, but she is clearly the quickest of these early and will have to be run down.

Swiss Lake Yodeler

She's another statebred trying open company stakes foes in this spot; filly returns to a dirt surface over which she took a restricted route stake and maybe she's set for a move forward with a sharp recent drill in tow; barn excels with its runners switching surfaces.

Tiz Kissable

Ships down here after running out of ground behind one of these while trying winners for the first time in the stakes ranks at Golden Gate last month; maybe she's better second back from the freshening and she is lightly raced so quick improvement is certainly possible, but she will need to find more to threaten today.

Sweet Bliss

Took to the local main track when stretched out off her hillside debut and got her neck down to best 4 maidens in her second career start; filly is kin to G2 SP router and 2 time route winner Saint Vigeur who has banked 192K so maybe she's capable of moving forward quickly; lightly raced gal doesn't face a very tough field and her numbers suggest she'd only need to move forward a bit in order to have a say in the outcome; one to consider.

Be Proud

Took the California Oaks when shades were put back on upstate last month and now she'll return to the scene of her maiden score and career best Beyer effort; maybe the facile win last time helped restore some confidence and she is quick enough to secure a spot tracking the likely pacesetter; contender.

Saintly Joan

Goes from the fence to the outside draw while adding shades off a weak effort in the local G1 stake early last month; filly is kin to G1 SP, G2 SW and 363K earner Iotapa who was a route winner; best career number came in her local maiden score and maybe she finds these a little easier than the gals she chased last time. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

White Front Freddy

Inside again, he could be more into the bit with the blinks; winner of the GG finale repeated in a $40K starter, lost next pair; miss has natural speed, could show more with the blinks, and he figures to come flying out of there; no help from lone half sis who was third in best moment; hustling bug hired.

Fuzzy Logic

Gelding took money on the drop with the blinks but he stalked to no avail; backers can point to the fact there is nothing but winners in the family and one sibling banked nearly $100K taking 4 of 19; needs a turn around.

Kanuck Kowboy

Kodiak Kowboy 4 for 35 with first-timers; sire won 4 times at 2, won multiple Grade 1s; 1 for 13 dam banked about 18 grand; this is her first to race; he looks fit enough.

Closet E

He clearly prefers maiden claiming land and note he was over 5 clear in last; 12/15 show horse cashed next out in a MSW and connections thought enough of him to try the Robert Lewis, but that didn't pan out; could be a good thing in an ordinary race.

Western Showdown

He's had his chances and never thrilled to see defeats at Pomona; he has some work to do to match top kin Lovemeister, who was stakes placed and banked nearly $130K; must display more.

Muck N Grind

Overmatched in the debut, he put on the brakes at Pomona and lost ground last time; 3 for 18 dam earned nearly $50K; this is her first to race; barn has been firing with everything except the kitchen sink and drills are solid.

Fishinkonablue

Surf Cat 1 for 20 with debuters; sire didn't race at 2, won multiple Grade 2s, banked over a million; 1 for 5 dam earned nearly $17K; both siblings won; top kin Bels Dream Castle took 2 of 7, earned almost $50K; respect.

Samurai Assault

This runner is improving; 1/23 place horse graduated next out in a maiden $50K seller with a 69 Beyer; he has a right to have a decent career as both siblings could run some and one was Grade 3 placed and earned nearly $180K; dangerous in this spot.

Johns Journey

Between horses last time and never very comfortable; 5th finisher in last took a maiden $30K seller and the place horse beat maiden $50K claimers next out; at least both siblings won twice; key off 2014 opener and he ' a player.

Warrensbrotherbill

Tough to spin this form in the right direction after the double digit length beats; he s had his chances but there are several winners in the family including an over $90K earner; not sold on chances. - Brian Mulligan