Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 14, 2014

Race 2

Swissarella

Draws the fence for her return from the freshening while moving back in to face statebreds; she did work quickly at Los Al the other day for this so maybe she brings some speed to the table from this inside slot but several of these have run significantly faster so she'll need to step things up quite a bit late to contend here.

Glorious Rebecca

Argued the fractions with open company before fading first time with winners and now she'll move back in with statebreds; filly showed tracking foot first time in shades off the break on New Years Day and maybe she's again close up early but she's another who is going to need to find more to step with what the gals to her outside have run.

Versye

Drew outside in her local debut score over the track in early fall; she was able to track in that one but she may prove to be the pacesetter in this one and she's been working like she's set to return running; giving her the repeat nod in her first with winners.

Ruff Proof

Earned a solid number when third in her first crack with winners after besting cheap maidens first time out; she's worked sharply in the interim for the drop to the statebred ranks and with just 2 starts under her belt she has a right to keep moving forward; contender.

Harlington's Rose

Outside drawn filly cuts back a bit after proving second best in her return to the level last month; she brings some class to the table here and she has plenty of early foot which should help her sit a tracking spot just off the speed; looks to be the one to beat. - Steve Grabowski

Race 3

Tebowing

Her lack of early speed is the major concern but she's clearly a good fit at this level of competition, and if she feels up to one of her better performances, she'll be making noise through the lane; third-place finisher from latest returned to win next out here on 2/27 going 1m vs. 25-22.5k claimers with a 68 Beyer.

Now Hope

She has been known to be at her best when fresh in her career but it does look like she's going to need to show up with a performance that earns her a career best Beyer Speed Figure if she's to get the better of this field; leaning toward others.

Shared Sacrifice

This filly is out of a dam who was G2 stakes placed racing over turf but this miss has had her chances to show us what she can do, including a couple of turf starts, and she's yet to produce a performance that is anywhere near strong enough to get the job done against these.

Love Tale (GB)

Like the idea of this mare dropping back in with claimers after trying a field of N1X alw. rivals in her latest outing and this mare has run some solid races against claiming competition in her career; she's just two races removed from a performance that would make her tough to deal with in this spot, and this is a barn and rider that team up with success.

Spiced Latte

The 75 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her latest effort represents the best last race figure in this field, and this mare has run well enough at today's distance in the past to be taken seriously while going sprint-to-route for her second start back from a layoff.

Born Lucky

This mare might not mind getting back over turf for this and this will be her first turf attempt since moving into a barn that has been having a very strong meeting; Perez has won with 7 of 19 (37%) mounts for this outfit at the current stand.

Sweetest Secret

She's displayed solid form since being placed back over turf four starts ago and she won't mind the drop in class for this; however, this will be her first start beyond 6 1/2f and she has to prove that she can handle routing.

Readyforhercloseup

It might be worth noting the presence of Nakatani aboard another in here, but this mare has run well in both of her starts since being claimed by these connections, and they must feel that she's ready to run a good one while calling upon Bejarano for this.

Elegant in Silk

She's one of just two in here with a single win next to her name and this looks like it might prove to be a tough spot for her to try to secure her first turf victory; she looks like more of an outsider.

Bertie

She's reported home last in her two most recent races since being returned from a layoff and she will need to find her way back to one of her better performances if she's to prove to be the one in this spot; the outside post doesn't help her cause. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

I Buy Gold

Although he faded to third in the last effort, it was one of his better performances as he showed much more determination before steadying out of contention; shortens up a bit today and should be a money player if not tested by the newcomers.

War Destiny

Beginner was sired by War Front, a G2 victor who earned 424K (his offspring have scored in their debut at a rate of 10 percent); the dam won 2 of 11 appearances earning 37K; this is her only foal to compete.

Merlion

Firster hails from multiple G1 winner Lion Heart who banked 1.39 million and whose progeny are 69 for 466 as far as winning their first attempt; the dam won 6 of 18 and 222K; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Goyan

Tries blinkers after showing much more in the way of early speed in his comeback race on New Year's Day; subsequent workout tab shows some life with a focus on the drill on 2/17; logical contender if avoiding a duel with today's rail entrant.

Practical

Visits the claiming ranks for the first time and was chasing a hot pace in that August getaway race before stopping; should be near much softer early fractions today and that can enable him to earn his first exacta finish; above average a.m. moves of late.

Silectico

He has shown no preference for the turf so 2 of his losses can be dismissed; did flash some fighting speed 2 races ago when part of a mad scramble for the lead; fair gate workout at today's distance a week ago may prove insufficient. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Yana

Wasn't beaten much from this draw while trying the hill for the first time while in with open company last time out; she'll switch back to Smith while catching a bunch that really hasn't done too much on the green; expect she'll be forwardly placed from the outside and will prove to be the one to down.

Ski's Copper Penny

Didn't offer much in 3 spaced starts and she was again given a little extra time to get ready for her return to the green; barn doesn't do so well on the surface switch and this gal's lone turf spin was weak; just watching her here.

Exclusive Girl

Ran well with statebreds while going long in her first turf start but here return to the green last out wasn't very good; maybe the move back to restricted company helps and her dam did drop 5 sprint winners including SW and 208K earner Repo; may have some more to offer in the lane today.

Cadillac Desert

Showed little in her main track debut in January and now she'll give the lawn a shot; her sire is just 0 for 3 with his initial turf starters and the limited sprint winning dam was 0 for 1 on the green, but she dropped a couple of turf winners including multiple G3 local course winner and 959K earner Unzip Me, so it wouldn't be a surprise if she were to move up significantly here.

Warren's Jen Fizz

Never got going after the slow start in the main track debut run last month and now she'll try the hill for a barn that does well with its initial turf starters; sire is 4 for 26 with his first time surface runners and the winless dam never tried the green prior to dropping a foal who was 0 for 10 over the footing.

I'msoulflattering

She's another giving the lawn a crack after a poor dirt effort to begin her career; she's worked a handful of times for her return from the freshening but her sire hits at a 4% clip with his initial turf starters; limited sprint winning dam never tried the green and though all 4 of her other foals to race are winners they are a combined 0 for 8 on the green.

Jennyway U Want It

Sire is 10 for 48 with his first time turfers and she's the first foal to race out of a turf winning dam; she did show some early interest from the fence draw in her main track debut and the barn boasts some recent luck with runners off this type of break; double bug named helps her get in light.

Charming Starlet

Sire lost with his lone turf starter and the dam won 8 times on the green including the first time she stepped over it; lone sib is SW and 446K earner Qiaona who first over the green on her way to going 3 for 5 on the footing; she ran into the eventual Eclipse Award winning juvenile filly in her Pleasanton dirt debut last summer and though the barn doesn't boast any recent luck with its returnees, it wouldn't be a surprise if this gal were to show more today.

Unusual Style

Made a nice late run to get third money while going long in her first start over the local sod last month; new course could be a little tricky and she could be left with a lot to do late for a barn that doesn't do well with its runners second back from the break; she doesn't face a lot of surface form but does spot a tactical edge to the rail drawn filly; she's the main danger in the lane.

Kantina Kowgirl

Didn't do much in a troubled run over the course last time and now she'll get back in with statebreds; filly didn't offer much late first time on the lawn at Hollywood but maybe she brings more to the table in her return from the freshening; dam was a sprint winner and she dropped 3 turf winners including G2 SP sprinter and 337K earner Roi Charmant worth a look.

Gouyen

AE ran pretty big despite trouble first time out on synthetic footing and again had early issues when beaten chalk against statebreds on the local main track; his sire gets 16% first surface winners from his offspring but the dam was 0 for 1 on the green and her sibs to try it were a combined 0 for 11 over the stuff.

Shakeitupbetty

AE has run big in each of her 3 starts including most recently on the local main track; expect she'll be tighter with that one behind her and she will bring some speed to the heat, but don't know that she's going to love the green; sire gets 10% first time surface winners from his offspring but she's the first foal to race out of a dam who was 0 for 1 on the grass.

Autumn View

AE loves sprinting on the green and she exits another near miss, this time as the chalk, on the local course; mare is quick and she retains Bejarano second off the freshening for a barn that hits at a nice clip with this type; tough for her to get in, but if she goes, she's the one to beat.

Gisele At Fonz's

She's mired on the AE list and not likely to make her turf debut in this spot; filly did run better on the drop to claimers last time but she'll get back in with MSWs here and her sire gets just 7% winners from his first turfers; unraced dam did drop a turf winner in the states. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Follini

Fresh-gate speed from the rail he projects as the one to catch; 47 days away for a 16%-winning fresh trainer noting the synthetic-surface win the last time racing off a similar layoff; the 2-back winner posted a 104 Beyer speed figure in a next-out SA-Grade 2 stakes win.

Hotradamus

September $49 upsetter at today's distance on SA grass; the win rider stays with Brokered while the new pilot produces 31% winners for the trainer since 2013; was claimed off a dull effort vs. Royal F J trying to turn the tables off a 50-day absence; the last time racing off a layoff was his maiden breaker at 8.5F.

Boozer

Has taken plenty of time off between starts except for latest when right back in the entry box 16 days later; is now absent nearly 9 months for this; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 91-83 in 2 next-out wins; lone victory was racing on the lead but has Follini to fend off early for this.

Klisz

112 pounds is easily the lowest-weight assignment of career; his SA-grass win was accomplished at longer 1 Mile; broke his maiden on BHP grass off a similar layoff and has been working fast on LA dirt for this; exits the 3rd-lowest Beyer of career which was a surprise because he graduated on less-than-firm turf.

Next Speaker

Lost a 3-horse win photo the last time racing off a similar layoff; was claimed off a high-win percentage barn by a trainer 1-for-12 since 2013 racing first-off-the-claim; is 0-for-2 in races at 6.5F or longer after fading in last; the added distance here is another issue.

Royal F J

22 minor awarda and 4 wins during career says it all about how he races well in defeat including recent form; last win was 14 races ago Feb. 2013, on SA green at today's distance in an optional claimer; Garcia is now 6-0-0-1 piloting this guy but returns for this.

A Toast to You

1st off the claim was a good one beating the runner-up finisher who Beyered 94 in a next-out SA-OPC win; Royal F J beat him 2 back but looked like a different runner in last; his field-best Beyer speed figure was posted when 3rd in a stakes loss on SA grass at today's distance and exits a co-best-last-race Beyer; superb-4F dirt workout followed latest win; dangerous again.

Brokered

Exits a co-best-last race Beyer when making just his 2nd-ever turf start; keeps the win rider who seemingly had other options here; was game to the wire winning it; his 3-back green debut saw him rally in defeat vs. the runner-up finisher who Beyered 93 in a next-out SA-251K stakes win; seems the one they all will have to hold off in deep stretch. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Bosque Angel

Debut was solid as he was inching toward the winner at the end; dam was unraced; both siblings won; they are a combined 3 for 53 and banked about $100K together; in light, look for bug to send hard trying to flee the rail.

Storm Caution

At least he flashed a bit of speed in last but there are major stamina issues; 5th finisher in last took a maiden $12.5K seller at Golden Gate next out and 8th finisher took a maiden $10K fray at Sunland; backers can point to fact both siblings won; hard to adore.

Slewissurfing

Surf Cat 1 for 21 with debuters; sire didn't race at 2, won multiple Grade 2s, banked over a million; 4 for 15 dam banked nearly $135K; two of 3 sibs won including near $45K earner Slew Man Slew; love fact he drilled a couple of times at this distance.

Soul Saver

After 12 of 14 defeats, the wind generally goes out of the sails; 11/30 place horse graduated next out in a maiden $40K seller, then was 2nd a nose in a $40K starter; he has some work to do to match top kin Favor Factor, who banked over $100K; best of 44 bullet locked and loaded; due.

Profire

Only one poor effort and he was troubled that day when probably just overmatched; there is a triple winner in the tree that lost only twice and was never out of the money; pretty snappy move last Saturday; could be a good thing in an ordinary race.

Spectacularjourney

Five and still trying, note he had to take 2012 off but was still interested in the final stages last time; with his style, he needs a hot pace and must find a lane to rally into in time.

Carol's Legacy

This is a first-time gelding; drills are San Luis Rey have been steady but the layoff if a valid concern as he s in for $30K less than the purchase price; would try to get a good look at this gelding on the track.

Nonno Tunaga

Maybe he was just intimidated by the rail in last; dam was unraced; lone full sister to race was out of the money 4 times; could need even more experience.

End of Time

He is coming off one of his better efforts when just a head out of the trifecta; runner has been drilling sharply in Orange County and that worked out just fine for San Felipe winner California Chrome; drawn right, don't ignore. - Brian Mulligan