Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 13, 2014

Race 1

Kingpin Ryno

4-0-1-1 without blinkers during career; the hood is removed for this; trying to avenge latest loss vs. Dixieland Blues where the 12 post was no help losing ground but overall lacked the necessary stamina; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-32K claimer with an 85 Beyer speed figure; would be a surprise.

Luckarack

Reunites with win-rider Bejarano scoring on him on a BHP-synthetic surface in a 40K claimer Dec., 2011; stakes winner the last time racing off a freshening; great sign that he has 46 days away for this; the connections must have thought a lot about this one going right into a 126K stakes 1st off the claim where overmatched finishing evenly on dirt; back to turf where his 4-for-9 record is noted including the 2-back win over the track narrowly over Atta Boy Pete who follows him here as they rate very closely; seems the one to beat.

Atta Boy Pete

Projects to own the best-gate speed in this event; exits his lowest Beyer since November when defeated by the show finisher who Beyered 83 in a next-out 40K-claiming victory; his 2-back loss to Luckarack in this same spot is noted; the 3-back winner repeated in an SA-Grade 1 with a 93 speed figure; contender.

Jonny's Choice

The November-win rider stays on Tripski for this; off the bench for a 1-for-20 fresh trainer since 2013 while posting a mild worktab for this; big issue is he finished off the board when sent today's distance twice during career; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-OPC with a 97 Beyer; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Mr. Ornery

52 days since his upset win for a 15%-winning fresh trainer; have mixed reviews from latest-fresh defeats; we see the win rider take Luckarack for this; latest looks better since the runner-up finisher Beyered 83 in a next-out SA-OPC win.

Dixieland Blues

Steps up off the win and career-best/best-last-race Beyer speed figure; this is obviously what he wants 6.5F on the SA grass and hopes for another pace meltdown so he can uncork that big kick; toss his stakes loss in October and his recent form is rock solid; the pick.

Tripski

Win rider seemingly had other options but stays rght here; 60-day absence for an 18%-winning fresh trainer noting his 2-back win was off a freshening also; his field-best Beyer was posted on less-than-firm grass which we doubt he gets for this.

Causeithertz

January, 2011, was the only time during career he has raced at 6.5F on turf which produced a 4th-place MSW finish; the long layoff after a key-race loss for a 24%-winning-extended-fresh trainer; the runner-up and 4th-place finishers from last Beyered 95-88 in next-out BHP-OPC wins. - Art Gropper

Race 2

Rum Point

One-time G1 performer is taking the blinkers off for his first appearance of the year, while shortening up to a sprint; the fourth horse from his last race returned to win a stakes at Delta, and the sixth horse came back to graduate at Tampa; has been working regularly, and could flash some speed along the inside before tiring.

Footstepsinbronze (IRE)

Maiden just missed when he debuted going down the hill, but a subsequent dirt engagement was forgettable; trainer/rider duo is 3 for 8 at the meet, and leading rider Bejarano went on a roll last Sunday; wait until this Irish-bred colt gets back onto the grass before giving him a chance.

Beach Hut

Added Lasix when he checked in third behind the well-regarded Indianapolis in the San Pedro Stakes, and could run even bigger here second-time with the diuretic; Smith is sticking with Cherubim, and Stevens is 3 for 4 at the meet for the powerful Baffert barn; in the mix.

Cherubim

Received a 90 Beyer when he graduated at second asking over the promising next-out winner Chelios, while leaving Pimpernel in his wake; son of the hot Henny Hughes put away the other speed before giving way to the gifted Kobe's Back most recently in a quick G2 fixture; should be prominent throughout, with Pimpernel in close proximity.

Pimpernel

The second Baffert trainee in the field prevailed in a front-end battle and the war when he earned his diploma with a 90 Beyer in a vastly-improved effort Feb. 8; nicely-bred son of the G1-winning millionaire Xtra Heat has drawn favorably on the outside, a post from where Garcia can press the pace before making his move; big shot. - Ron Gierkink

Race 4

Winding Way

0 for 3 on turf with just 1 2nd but note who she's been up against; that's the reason the record isn't better; and she actually ran good enough to win the G3 Sen. Ken Maddy (it took Ponchatrain, now a multiple GSW down the hill, to beat her); freshened since 5th in the G2 Santa Monica with a big drop, return to turf and a nice work pattern to indicate she's crankin' up.

Flashy Ways

Plenty of good work on turf in 2012 and early 2013; however, she hasn't looked quite the same since nearly 7 months off in the middle of last year; Beyers have maintained but save for a decent 4th at BHP Dec. 12 things haven't gone so well; at least there's no panicky drop but Baltas tries a sprint to see if that snaps her back to life; it could work - after all, the only time she sprinted was in her DMR main track debut in Aug. 2012 and she romped by 5 1/4.

Llandudno

Held very good form beginning with her debut win on the hill here April 12 right into mid-November; then came a so-so run on BHP's main track Dec. 7 and a not-so-hot run here Jan. 3 down the hill; Sadler has given her some time to regroup and maybe that's the ticket; certainly the way she's been working (3 bullets in her last 4 starts) hints the freshening may have been just what the Dr. ordered; still, it's no easy spot.

Biorhythm

Big speed here and that adds up to scary; some enthusiasm is tempered by the fact she hasn't been seen in 7 months, though of course trainer Proctor has been terrific off the bench (29% off this kind of layoff); it may be worth noting, though, that Stevens rode this gal in her last 2 but ends up Proctor's new gal (Winding Way) today; already showed she can carry her speed sprinting and even when she got beat going a mile she still was clear after 7fs so today's trip is right up her alley.

Tiz Molly

First turf try, at DMR last July 18, wasn't very pretty; in fact, she was vanned off, so something went awry; it's a bit scary, too, that she hasn't been seen since; the good news, though, is now that she does resurface a sharp guy like Kruljac does NOT risk her for a tag and gives her another shot at turf so he apparently doesn't believe that dull run last time had anything to do with the sod; been working well, too; all that being said, it is a layoff after being vanned off and even if she comes back at 110% is that enough vs. these gals?

Redressthebalance (IRE)

Twice SP on turf last summer, first at BHP and then at DMR; both came routing, yes, but she sprinted very well in England a couple years ago so this trip should be no problem; the bigger concern is that she hasn't been seen since that DMR 3rd (Aug. 16) so there's a lengthy layoff and now that she does return she does so with a tag attached; at least it's a pretty big tag; they thought enough of her 11 months ago to take a swing at the G1 Ashland.

Macaabra (IRE)

May be back on the beam; U.S. debut at DMR Aug. 25 was very smart as she rallied strongly for 2nd; then came 2 dull outings (8th in each) so Kid Mandella opted to freshen her and start over; it worked - she came back here Jan. 24 and won smartly on this hillside course; asked to step up and face tougher but she appears on the right track now and it's no small matter leading rider Bejarano sees fit to take the call. - Michael Hammersly

Race 5

Her Lucky Spirit

Scheduled to add blinkers after that bumpy debut last month while huge odds; her sire won 3 of 22 races and 209K; the dam won 2 of 12 and 125K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

More Stormyweather

Turned in a solid showing 3 weeks ago, first attempt in nearly 3 months; draws much more favorably now and should be a strong pace factor; switches to Bejarano who has finished in the exacta in nearly half of his mounts this season.

Schmaltzy

Unlucky lass has suffered through difficult trips in the first pair; her sire was unraced while the dam scored in 4 of 24 appearances earning 40K; among the winning sibs is 16K bankroller Shakerattlenrule.

La Quillotana

Newcomer was sired by G3 type Stormin Fever who captured 484K and whose progeny have won 31 out of 446 debuts; the dam did not compete and there are no winning siblings to highlight; note improvement to the latest gate drill.

Here Comes Bobbie

Jammed up between rivals in her maiden voyage, she faded early; her sire won 4 of 18 and 402K while the mom won 3 of 28 and 27K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; huge odds assured again despite class descent.

Moscato Girl

Another frustrating narrow defeat last time, third consecutive loss while favored; she may be on or near a softer early pace today which can enable her to finally break through; note the variance in half-mile workouts this month.

New Nature

A fine effort last month where she may have been best if not for drifting out; should be able to stay within striking range again without much difficulty and the maturing filly has improved since the introduction of blinkers 2 back.

Chain Lightning

Used up in a speed duel in her first test, she faded at the top of the stretch; her sire, an outstanding 2-year-old, won a G1 and 804K while the dam won 1 of 8 and 25K; winning siblings include 8K earner Officer Shipley.

Reckless Tink

Did not fare well on the strechout last month but the sprint race 2 races ago is of interest; that special weight affair featured a repeat winner and came up very fast; may show more gate speed today with the equipment change.

Fashionably Rich

Similar to Moscato Girl in that she has run well several times, last while the chalk, but has had to settle for only minor checks; draws an annoying wide slot again and will have to be hard used in order to clear the field; tough call overall.

West Coast Storm

Beginner was sired by G2 type Decarchy who scored in a G2 while earning 703K (his descendants have won 30 out of 209 initial attempts); the dam went zero for 6; among the winning sibs is 28K earner Storddim. - Jim Kachulis

Race 6

Reflected Love (IRE)

Her last race contained a trio of next-out winners--the top two finishers came back to run one-two in a listed stakes; European import resides in a live barn, and is going long for the first time in her second start with Lasix; a wake-up possibility.

Kukaluka

Wasn't up to snuff in her two most recent excursions in stakes company, but Stevens is giving her another shot; the company she kept at Golden Gate wasn't anything special, and she figures to be no more than a minor player after working at San Luis Rey.

Cause Im a Bigshot

Crushed maidens with a mediocre Beyer when she started last on the Cushion Track at Hollywood under Talamo; her lone turf attempt wasn't bad, and the daughter of Giant's Causeway is definitely bred to travel the nine furlongs; consider her for the bottom of vertical wagers.

One More

Front-runner could have an advantage here with the rail placed at 24 feet, but the nine-furlong distance might be stretching it a little too far for her; daughter of Holy Bull is jumping up off a $75K maiden-claiming victory while retaining Gutierrez, who won a Kentucky Derby for O'Neill; tri factor.

Practising (GB)

Made quite a splash in her debut on this side of the pond when she rallied from the back of the pack to beat One More in a one-mile maiden special; leading rider Bejarano stays aboard and is 2 for 7 at the meet for this barn; looks like a candidate to stay the trip in her second try with Lasix.

Earthflight (GB)

The third European import in the lineup ran evenly for fourth on the Tapeta surface at Golden Gate in the California Oaks; her turf form is England was poor, and she might be a synthetic specialist; unlikely, but not impossible.

Sweet Bliss

Shirreffs had a productive last weekend, and he's had some luck with top turf rider Nakatani, who broke this gal's maiden; she deserves another chance on the grass, over which she finished on the edges at first asking going down the hill; her pedigree suggests that the nine-panel distance should be right up her alley. - Ron Gierkink

Race 7

Amanda

Filly has been around the wire in this league but must prove it on dirt; she stalked to no avail in last and really caved in when it counted; miss does go outside to the fence and would expect her to be in the hunt from the get go; needs a rebound run.

Hero's Marine

The drop worked at Pomona but miss has been very dull since; she has not beaten a runner vs. winners; at least she has kept her legs moving since the last effort but must prove she can win on the main circuit.

A P Pepper

Wonder if connections had this race in mind all the time?; she was between horses in her first vs. winners but showed interest late and has every right to move forward; Lewis put a snappy drill into her last Thursday; she fits on the Beyer scale; respect.

Tiz Zoe Cee

Mirror races in last pair and wide both times; she did graduate on the surface switch and barn has been firing on all cylinders; miss needs help up front but should get it if the rail and the rival on the direct outside hook up; rates upset glance.

Winninginfashion

Nice ride in last; pilot opened up, let her roll, and just had enough left; miss hooked the clear winner three back, was nearly 6 clear 1/24 and just flashed career speed; runners in the company line were clear but some may not have taken to the wet/fast strip; will at least muddle the pace.

Indygo F M A

Filly had always teased of talent but she has been consistent since she graduated; Drysdale doesn't dip into the claiming ranks all that often so fact he did speaks volumes; two clever moves since last, Stevens sticks, can t fault those that give her another shot at glory.

Belonging

Got dirt and the drop and it worked to perfection; miss hooked the repeater in the 2014 opener and once could build a case for her to sit a nice stalk and pounce trip; will likely need to improve to repeat.

In Dad's Honor

Off slow and wide to kick off her career but she has been solid since; over 3 clear in last despite getting caught wide, miss exits a nice affair; show horse took a $35K stakes in Phoenix next out and the 8th finisher took a maiden $30K claimer here; should give a very good account of herself. - Brian Mulligan