Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 2, 2014

Race 1

Valarta

Filly saw all the heels the last time she broke from the rail; not good; she could have just been overmatched in last and she has enough speed to gain position early; 2nd best of 78 work in the holster; expect much better effort on the drop.

Tempe

She just wins races and she does it at different venues; would have liked to have seen some local a.m. activity but Ochoa shows up for the action, she has :21 and change speed to draw from and could be long gone if she can clear.

She's a Go Girl

Can't fault those that are a big gun shy with the double chalk flop visible; she has had a tendency to get late at crunch time here and there are others with designs of the top; more experienced pilot, but you kind of get the feeling if she is looked in the eye, she'll blink.

Clearly Confused

Only out of the exacta in Arcadia once; nice; she drew off with gusto in last, at least kept her feet moving since and she can be closer early if need be; 1/18 place horse took a $12.5K seller, was third beaten 3 in an open $10K fray since; threepeat well within the scope.

Miss American Pie

Place horse in the debut has won twice since, the last in a $7500 claimer in Philly; Sadler has his string at the mello surroundings of San Luis Rey and this one seems to have taken to the laid back atmosphere there; repeatedly proven fresh, never been in this low, and trainer has put this bug on some live runners; the one to beat. - Brian Mulligan

Race 2

Quiet Force

This colt has a fine pedigree for turf and he has a chance to prove to be a sharp 25k claim for his current connections; like to see him getting a rider switch to Stevens while making his first start for a new barn.

Square Dancer

Circular Quay has been a poor influence as a turf sire, but this gelding sports solid overall turf form and he does boast the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here; he merits contender status with Nakatani at the controls.

Yankee Rebel

His overall form has been sharp and consistent, and when seeing what he did in his one start over turf at today's distance, a flat mile might be right in his wheelhouse; Bejarano has won with 15 of 50 (30%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Dr. Spin

He hasn't been the most consistent performer, and he enters this race off of a long layoff, but he has shown the ability to step up with a pretty decent performance on his best day; runner-up from latest returned to win next out at Dmr on 8/31 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 80k OPC's with an 86 Beyer, and then moved on to win a G2 event over turf.

Full Consent

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; his early speed helps give him some appeal in this spot but he will need to produce his sharpest performance to date in his turf debut in order to get the job done; winner from latest returned to win next out here on 2/22 going 1 1/16m vs. 40-35k claimers with a 93 Beyer.

Smart Promotion

Minor stakes winner is by a top turf sire but he's clearly going to need to improve over what he's shown in his two turf starts in order to have a say in the outcome; winner from latest returned to win next out at TuP on 11/16 going 1m over turf in a 35k stakes with a 76 Beyer.

Botch

All three of his turf attempts have been respectable performances and really like the effort he showed up with at today's distance just two races ago; he's shown the ability to adapt to any early pace scenario and he just might find himself in good position to strike turning for home. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

Monstro Ness

Some serious drawbacks like a negative 5-pound weight swing off the 2-length loss vs. Senza Fina while the 268 Wet mark is the lowest in the field as each entrant is expected to race on a wet track for the 1st time today; 59-day absence after claimed by a high-percentage 1st-off-the-buy trainer; will be taking a wait and see approach.

South Sound

Try to catch me; Time for Angie was able to at 6F so the added half furlong for this does not help her cause; is 0-for-2 in races at 6.5F or longer during career; debut win at 1.5F shorter than this on a synthetic surface; know her early but unsure about late.

Senza Fina

1-for-1 on dirt and today her 406-Wet figure Tops the field; both wins at today's distance; her stalking style fits very well here and should get a good target in the speedy South Sound for this; willing to forgive the turf-debut loss as she is at her best sprinting; seems the one to beat.

Larocco

The winner from last took an 81K stakes next out with an 85 speed figure; her Beyers have been elevated in 2 races off the claim as she seeks the correct level; clearly her dirt record is not very strong but was in against a good one noting her October-SA loss when outkicked at shorter by the runner-up finisher who Beyered 77-76 in 2 next-out 200K stakes win; contender.

Exotic Behavior

Receives a negative 2-pound weight swing from the loss vs. Time for Angie in last 1st off the claim from Baffert producing a new Beyer speed figure Top; back to the win distance but off latest effort have her ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Time for Angie

Eyes up 4 in a row exiting a field-best Beyer speed figure while reuniting with the 2-time win rider for this who had other options; the extra half furlong figures to help her late kick and gets in with her lightest-weight assignment in 2014; the pick. - Art Gropper

Race 5

Live for Now

Draws the fence for her first crack on dirt after showing improved speed when equipped with shades for the initial time on the local sod; dam dropped a few main track route winners including multiple Classic winner and 3.9 million earner Point Given, 2001 Horse of the Year; she ran ok on synthetic footing up North 2 back and maybe her new turn of early foot helps her secure a good spot down inside here; consider.

Honey Ride

Got off to a slow start from the outside draw in her first local sprint try and didn't do much running; filly boasts a series of interim drills for the stretchout and her dam was a G1 SW route winner and 439K earner so the added ground should help move her up for a barn that's profitable with the move; expect she'll find herself much closer early than she has been today.

Kool Kat

Has the foundation of a couple of sprint tries beneath him for the stretchout but neither effort was very much; slumping outfit does do ok with its runners tackling added ground but this one's pedigree doesn't really scream route so don't know that she takes a good step forward today; nice to see Smith take the call.

See Ya Signe

Slow break did her in while trying the hill in her career debut but she had worked well on the main track prior to that so now she'll give it a try in the afternoon; she's the first foal to race out of a G1 SW router and 503K earner and her sire loved the route overseas; expect she'll have much more to offer in this spot.

Hugh Knew

She's been away since taking a big step forward on the stretchout over the Del Mar lawn 7 months back; filly has been working well in the interim on dirt for her first crack over this type of footing, but the barn's best work hasn't come with its returnees; can offer some early lick but think she'll be better next time.

Candy Eye

Filly's first crack on dirt was rather good and it earned her a number that plays out quite well in this cozy field; she's been much better without shades and though she draws outside she shouldn't have much trouble being prominent from the outset in here; she's the one they'll have to beat. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Half Strike

Some serious wakeup angles here and they are all needed following back-to-back Beyer-career low speed figures; blinkers on is a 44%-win angle for the trainer while his 413 Wet number is the highest rating in the field; the winner from last repeated in an SA-32K claimer with an 84 Beyer.

I Run for Fun

5-year-old makes just his 4th-career start; has never raced past 6.5F; sire was a Grade 3-stakes winner at 1 Mile on dirt; 1-for-3 dam did not race past 6F; the trainer is 2-for-4 with long-layoff starters since 2013; reunites with the 2-back win rider; must be ready for very best to win on the stretchout.

Cook Inlet

38%-winning 1st off the claim trainer with a runner who just missed in his only wet-main track start and owns the 3rd best Wet number in the field (408); reunites with a multiple-win rider while working very well for this; would have to bounce back with one of his best to take this but clearly the off going moves him up.

Twin Six

Exits his best Beyer since Feb. 2012 on SA grass; shown a strong-dirt improvement in recent races and the 2-back exacta finish looks better since the winner repeated in an SA-8K claimer with an 83 speed figure; figures to stalk the speed and hopes to pass the class test; solid wet-track number suggests he will be able to handle off going..

Designer

Mixed reviews off the November claim off Baffert; all 4 exacta finishes when racing on or near the lead and figures to be a major pace presence for this; his 410 Wet number 2nd highest in the field suggests he will love the wet footing while cutting back to 1 Mile is another plus.

Harlington Night

New rider wins 30% for the trainer at SA since 2013; seeks the right level making just his 2nd start in 10 months; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 101-99 in next-out BHP-Grade 2 stakes and alw. wins; beat the 3-back show runner who Beyered 88 in his next-out SA-starter alw. victory.

Bluegrass Reward

Owns the lowest wet-track number in the field; his 92 field-best Beyer on a fast-SA fast main track was posted October, 2011, an alw. win gate-to-wire at 8.5F; the last 5 times he's made the lead he's finished in the money; 0-for-12-SA rider for the trainer just missed with him sprinting on synthetic but this is a much different race; know him early then hopes to hang on late.

Dress Code

March, 2012, was his last start on a wet-main track just missing in a-1 Mile-SA-25K claimer; 8-year-old seems very best on turf although both 2013 wins were accomplished on synthetic surfaces; has a wet-main track win June, 2010, graduating in a 6F-EMD MSW; offers a big-closing kick on his best day

Pocket Prince

His only other dirt start was April, 2012, a 7th-place finish in a 30K claimer on SA dirt at 6F; steps up in claiming price following an off-the-board finish which is not a good-win angle while posting his lowest Beyer since January, 2013, when racing on SA grass; the 2-back winner repeated in a GG-25K claimer with a 78 speed figure.

Usbek Thunder (BRZ)

Muddy-track win was more than 1 year ago in Brazil for a $3,900 claiming price; defeated 2 runners combined in last 2 grass races and has shown little in the USA; comes off the bench for an 8%-fresh trainer noting his career-low Beyer was in his only dirt start in the states. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Tiz Dynamic

This is a pretty competitive gathering, but this gelding has to be respected as a contender based on a couple of sharp starts since being returned from a layoff at the end of December, and it's worth noting the success he's had from five starts racing over the main track here; the presence of Bejarano adds further appeal.

Master Cip

He appears to be better off sprinting than routing, and when seeing that there are a few others in here who are likely going to show some early interest, it's difficult to envision this gelding having something left in the tank through the final furlong.

Brother Pete

Have to respect how consistent this colt has been through his first nine starts, but he hasn't been shy about settling for minor awards, and this will be his first dirt start; it might be worth noting the presence of Bejarano aboard another in here, even if Talamo has won with three of four mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Honduran

Can't ignore the fact that he's entering this race after a long layoff, but like to see what this gelding did in his two dirt starts with the addition of Lasix early on his 3-year-old season; it looks like they tightened the screws in his most recent workout; winner from latest won next out at Wo on 6/9 going 1 1/16m vs. 62k OPC's with an 86 Beyer.

Seeking the West

He's looked good in his two starts over dirt with the addition of blinkers and he has to be respected as a top contender based on the strength of those performances; he does need to be careful to avoid an early pace dispute, but going to look for him to be involved in the running every step of the way with Smith aboard.

Dreamcatcher

Even though his recent form hasn't been his best, his form racing over turf and synthetic surfaces has been pretty good, and his only start over dirt wasn't a bad run going 1 1/2m; he's an intriguing option to consider while making his first start for a new barn after claim.

Shadow Runner

Minor stakes winner regained some of his better form in his most recent start, but that was against 20-18k claimers, and this might prove to be a tough step back up in class for him; note the presence of Bejarano aboard another in here.

Planet Sunshine

Like what this stakes placed veteran has done in all four of his starts over dirt and it doesn't hurt to see that he's proven to be capable of running well when fresh; this barn has been live from limited starters at this meeting, and they appear to have another live one to send out in this spot. - Brian Pochman

Race 9

Nonno Tunaga

Anziyan Royalty 2 for 22 with firsters; sire lost only start at 2, took a stakes, won 6 of 20, banked over $330K; dam was unraced; lone full sis to race lost 4 times; like fact he drilled farther than this race is carded.

Charbroiled

Must be respected on the drop alone; dam was unraced; 3 of 4 siblings won, 2 banked 6 figures including SP near $400K earner Master Chef; trainer proves apple doesn't fall far from the tree, look out.

Remind Mee

Back up for sale after solid try at GG; show horse in last graduated next out and was 2nd in several $40K starter; nice move last Wednesday; respect.

Slight Edge

He has been around the wire a few times but the losses are piling up; several winners in the tree, none were monsters; another slice?

Mr. Cappuccino

Hard to be very positive after 27 defeats; repeated defeats at Pomona is not the best thing to see on a resume; no speed, no asset; not my kind of play.

Slick Caper

Had to be off for 2013 for a pretty serious reason; dam out of the money in only try; 3 of 4 sibs won; top kin All Yours Baby took 4 of 14, earned $85K; would tread lightly here.

Stealth Fighter

Mirror races so far in the last pair and neither was pretty; dam 2nd in best result; 4 of 5 siblings won; 3 banked 6 figures including SP over $300K earner Scofield Barracks; must pick it up.

Tribal Note

Brief speed but he sure put on the brakes; 6th finisher in last took a MSW at ARP next out, place horse took a maiden $50K claimer and trailer took a maiden $8K race; dam was unraced; this is her first to roll; could at least muddle the pace.

Dehere Is Gone

Between horses in the debut, off a nice try, should be coming up to a huge race; dam out of the money twice; family is solid; all 5 siblings won including double SW and near $350K earner Golden Country; the one to beat. - Brian Mulligan