Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 20, 2014

Race 1

Kid Rollins

Looks as though she's found her proper level and a footing she likes as her last 2 at thsi level here were nice (3rd in each); of course, both were sprinting - we're routing today; 3 sibs have yet to win and while she worked since her last run Feb. 15 it was an awfully slow work here March 5.

Silk in Silver

Looks pretty scary; a good 2nd sprinting at this level here Jan. 31 looks nice, and Baltas saw fit to claim her that day, too; brought her back in a route at this level Feb. 27 but she stumbled badly at the start; to her credit she kept to her task to run 3rd; worked well since with a better start she figures tough to handle.

Exemplary

First 2 starts weren't very pretty; in her defense, not only were those just her first 2 starts but she broke poorly in each; nice to see no layoff and that she's worked well since and it's not as if she was long odds in those 2 races - she was 7-1 and 6-1 so somebody saw something they liked; 3 of 4 sibs are winners including Flex Time (3 wins, all routing, $50K) and Buck's Bro (9 wins, 2 routing, $208K).

Puligny (IRE)

U.S. debut wasn't much but hey, it was not only her first start in the States since coming from England but her first start in over 3 months, and it came vs. straight maidens; today she gets a key drop, though it's first time dirt so that's a new part of the equation; did show talent in England with 3 2nds, all vs. boys, too, so if she handles dirt she might be scary, though that's no small 'if', is it?

Bully's Magic Girl

Never really a factor first time out but you can always be forgiving about a debut run; hey, at least now she has a feel for the track and some race experience; nice to see no layoff and there are 2 works since as she gets her first shot at a route; 1 of 2 sibs is winner Perfect Pal (1 win and that came in a dirt route).

Awesome Gift

No factor in first 2 but both came on DMR's synthetic track and maybe she didn't care for that; also, those were just her first 2 starts; then dropped to the $25K level at BSR Sept. 13, tried dirt for the first time and was a decent 3rd (though she was still beaten 6 1/2 lengths); hasn't been seen since, which is a tad worrisome but at least she has route experience and handles dirt.

Sheza Eyeopener

Knocking on the door of late and her last 3 all came here, at this level, the last 2 being routes; ran 2nd in her last Feb. 27, finishing well ahead of today's main foe Silk in Silver (2 1/4 lengths); of course, she got some help that day when 'Silver stumbled badly at the start and she may not get such an assist today; but even if she doesn't she's proven she handles this track, trip and level. - Michael Hammersly

Race 2

Visions of Candy

The inside was preferred on the main track last Sunday, and this longtime maiden figures to save some ground under regular rider Blanc; the winner of her last race returned to finish fifth in a $40K starter, and the runner-up came back to beat $20K maidens with a 64 Beyer; logical for the bottom of intra-race wagers.

Wine Country Wanda

Got away slowly before making up some ground to finish on the edges when she debuted over a wet-fast track three weeks ago; trainer hit with 15% of his maiden second-timers over the past five years ($1.90 ROI); Wanda shouldn't mind the one-furlong stretchout to seven-eighths.

Trinity Rose

Outsider was beaten in double digits in all five of her outings; the 10-pound bug Garcia retains the mount and obviously has his work cut out for him today.

Cleverly Beverly

Came up empty in a recent grass experiment, but was previously in solid synthetic track form up north on the Tapeta; 4yo placed in two dirt outings early in her career; Stein is 1 for 6 (17%) with turf/dirt starters during the last five years ($1.06 ROI); trainer/rider combo is 0 for 6 at the meet.

Nonna Reese

Daughter of top California sire Tribal Rule has been laid up since her fade job at this distance April 11, in a $30K seller which hasn't produced a next-out winner; this familiar trainer/rider combo has been shut out at the meet; figures to need one before getting back into the groove.

The Mothership

Was bet down to 5-1 when she came up empty in a key Jan. 24 tilt--the second horse came back to wire Cal-bred maiden special opposition, and the fifth-place finisher subsequently defeated $5K maidens at Mountaineer; has worked thrice leading up to this engagement, and could go coast-to-coast with speed rider Baze taking over.

Itsabeautifulday

Daughter of Bertrando pressed the pace before finishing a lapped-on second to the front-running favorite when returning from a five and a half-month absence Feb. 15; trainer has an 8% strike-rate second-time off a layoff going back five years ($0.89 ROI); among the more likely ones in this relatively weak field. - Ron Gierkink

Race 4

Jaycee's Faith

The second leg of the Pick 6, which has a carryover of $125K; this daughter of Sky Mesa couldn't keep up when she debuted at Del Mar, in a maiden special which has yet to yield a next-out winner (the winner was subsequently stakes-placed); Mullins hit with 36% of his second-timers dropping from maiden special to maiden-claiming company during the past five years ($4.40 ROI); trainer/rider duo is 3 for 13 at this stand.

Swiss Heart

Ran third behind Ryderroo when she was tagged for the first time about a month ago, and has since worked quickly at Los Alamitos; her new rider Maldonado is 2 for 6 at the meet aboard Harrington charges; probable for the bottom of exotics.

Eloquently Noted

The G2-winning sprinter/miler and millionaire Surf Cat is 1 for 22 with debuting progeny; placed dam produced the minor stakes winners Twenty Hawks ($249K) and Epitome of a Lady ($68K); trainer went 0 for 28 with maiden-claiming first-timers over the past five years.

Betty Bing Bing

Disappointed as the favorite the last time she decended to the maiden-claiming ranks, yet wasn't beaten all that far; Talamo picks up the mount for a conditioner who hasn't had much recent success with turnbacks; on the edges.

Our Glitter Ball

Flashed a little early foot before fading in her last two excursions, including in a recent $50K event following a layoff Feb. 17; this will be the first time that she's had the same trainer for two consecutive starts; hard to recommend at this juncture.

Ryderroo

A bumping incident led to his disqualification from first in an identical spot Feb. 23--the rival he impeded in the stretch proably would have gotten home on top with a clean trip; has obviously found a home at this $40K class, and should take some beating on a reapeat of that last vastly-improved performance.

More Later

Finished up the track after a bit of a tardy stat at first asking agains $40K maidens; 5yo by Cee's Tizzy is out of a turf stakes winner who's been a poor producer; wait until he makes his way to the grass before giving him a chance.

Tickle Again

Professional maiden placed in just two of 10 starts, which were mostly on the lawn; 6yo's most recent dull excursion on the dirt has produced three next-out winners--winner subsequently ran second in an optional event; trainer/rider duo is 1 or 4 at the meet, and Asmussen sports excellent numbers with droppers to the maiden-claiming ranks; should be able to crack the top two. - Ron Gierkink

Race 5

Galway Bay

Sire is 11-for-108 with 1st-turf starters; 17-for-186 with 1st-time starters; dam went 0-for-3 all on grass; she produced 1 winner from 2 other foals to race (1-for-7 Basataa 25K) who went 0-for-6 on grass and won her only start on a synthetic surface.

Hugh Knew

Cuts back in distance noting her only grass start represents a field-best Beyer speed figure 2-back finishing 2nd best to the winner who captured her next 2 starts in DMR-SA 100K stakes with 83-79 Beyers; needed last off the long layoff for a 20%-second start off the bench barn; the lone SA-turf sprint on Sunday was won on the lead; try to catch the pick.

Sixy Eddie

Sire is 0-for-4 with 1st-turf starters; 4-0-1-0 dam did not race on grass; her only foal to race on turf is 0-for-1; took the blinkers off 2nd-time out but it produced another last-place finish; the 2-back runner-up Beyered 73 in a next-out SA-MSW win.

Rosso Bellezza

Sire is 0-for-0 with 1st-turf starters; 0-for-0 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 7-0-1-1 dam (3K) who went 1-0-0-0 on grass; she produced 3 winners from 4 other foals to race (77K-top earner 1-for-52 Quillotano); 2 doals to race on turf are 0-for-10 combined (10K).

Gisele At Fonz's

Sire is 12-for-154 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam; 1 of 4 foals to race on turf is a grass winner (1-for-14 Jak Sie Macz 34K turf); had to like that she posted a new-Beyer Top 1st time out for the new barn; hopes to hang on for a share but gets her longest-distance test ever; speed held well on SA turf spinting Sunday; speedy contender for win honors.

Secret Appeal

Off the worktab projects the best of the 1sters; her sire is 1-for-20 with 1st-turf starters; 5-for-41 with 1st-time starters; dam did not race on grass (overall 4-for-29, 123K); she produced 3 winners from 4 other foals to race including 31K-earner Island Frolic (1-for-8); no foals raced on North American grass.

An Unusual Group

Sire is 45-for-369 with 1st-turf starters; is out of a 3-0-0-1 grass dam (27K); 1 of 2 foals to race on turf is a grass winner full-Unusual Meeting (2-for-9, 65K lawn); lots of upside for start 2; has been working well for a high-percentage fresh trainer; hard to leave off the exotic tickets.

Sunday Stroll

Sire is 7-for-40 with 1st-turf starters; stakes-placed dam did not race on grass (4-for-18, 136K); 3 foals to race on turf are 0-for-9 combined (6K); projects to chase the speed wide; races 2nd-time out which is a good-win angle for her barn; view as a pace presence for part.

Lamazone

Exits 2 key races to commence career; the winner from last repeated in a SA allowance with a 73 Beyer; she beat the 10th-place finisher a TUP-next-out graduate with a 62 speed figure; the way she middle moved in last today's distance seems like a good fit; the debut winner made it 2-for-2 taking an 80K stakes next out with an 85 speed figure; the one to beat.

Carnival Lights

Sire is 8-for-110 with 1st-turf starters; 12-for-139 with 1st-time starters; is out of a G3-placed dam (9-for-38, 322K) (4-0-0-0 turf); her only other foal to race is 0-for-1 Awesomekaylee who did not race on grass; steady a,m. drills for an 0-for-17 debut trainer since 2013

Soar Home

Sire is 24-for-353 with 1st-turf starters; dam went 3-0-1-0 on the grass (6K); her only other foal to race on the turf is 4-0-1-0 Yes He's Trouble (6K grass); blinkers on is a 1-for-16 angle for her trainer since 2013; view as a wide-pace presence.

Veronica Bay

Lamazone easily handled her at today's distance on SA grass while exiting a career-low Beyer on dirt; widest drawn after the 1 and 2 for last pair so is sure to lose ground for this; gets a weight break down to her lowest-assignment ever; is ranked a notch below the top contenders. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Circle the Moon

Best work has come on turf (2 wins) and synthetic (1 win); at least a good 2nd on this track shows he handles this footing, but even so, that was 26 months ago and routing; last start came in a spot like this here Feb. 20 and he was no factor at 40-1; at least here's no panicky drop by Kid Headley but it's tough to be too enthused about his form going back to last June and this spot came up pretty tough.

Kate's Event

Had things going very nicely the first 4 months or so of 2013; but then came a layoff and things haven't gone so well since; good news, at least, was that 3rd in the Cal Cup Sprint here Jan. 25 to Big Macher (came back to be 2nd in the G2 San Carlos here Mar. 8) so that and the face 4 of his 6 wins have come on this track show he likes it here; tried turf Feb. 22 to no avail but he's now been no factor in 3 turf starts so that apparenlty ain't his game; this, however, is and while he drops in for a tag it's still a big tag and Bejarano sees fit to ride.

Omega Star

2nd to the red-hot San Onofre here Jan. 20, so no shame in that; then rallied from far back to win a strong optinoal claimer here Feb. 9; best work has come here (all 3 wins, 2 of 3 2nds); lack of speed can be an issue as he could leave himself with plenty of work to do while facing some tough customers, but his last 2 also show he may be peaking and that he's quite comfortable as a late-running sprinter.

War Academy

Looked on his way to being a Derby horse last year but was pulled up as the favorite in the G1 Arkansas Derby last April 13 and hasn't been seen since; good news at least is he's working wonderfully and fast works for Baffert are always a good sign; Baffert, of course, also potent off the bench and colt has shown already he can sprint; all that being said, it's a long layoff and no easy spot for his return.

Heir of Storm

Off a smashing win here Nov. 1 (102 Beyer) they thought enough to then try the G1 Malibu and G2 Strub; OK, so those waters proved a bit too deep; moved back to sprinting and optional claimers here Feb. 20, dueled and ran 3rd to the red-hot San Onofre; plenty of speed in his arsenal but he's no need-the-lead type, either; and that good Feb. 20 run shows there are no ill effects from his Malibu/Strub adventures.

Spirit Rules

Winless in 4 starts here but 2 3rds show he hasn't run badly; in fact, in his last 2 startts he was 4th, but was only a neck behind Kate's Event here Jan. 25 and 2 1/4 lengths behind 'Storm Feb. 20 so he's no fish out of waters; that being said, maybe he is simply a bit better on synthetic footing; likely needs to find another couple lengths to be a major player here, though such a move forward isn't out of reach. - Michael Hammersly

Race 7

The Cleaners

Have to wonder whether it was the move to dirt or the addition of blinkers that helped him with back-to-back sharp winning performances prior to this, and even though this can be viewed as being a tough spot for him to be getting back over turf, his big early speed helps give him at least mild appeal.

Thunder Rode

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and stakes placed dam won once from 10 starts for 72k, including 1 of 7 turf starts for 61k; have to respect the ability that he's shown in his first two starts, and the rider switch to Bejarano might be a sign that Hollendorfer feels that this one will be ready for a sharp try in his turf debut.

Incline Village

Half-brother to stakes winner Onebadkitty (2-4, 88k over turf) has run well in all three of his starts sprinting over turf, and he was particularly sharp in his most recent race while making his first start sprinting down the hill; he adds to the competitive nature of this event.

Door's Open

He looks like he's going better than ever entering this race and he's shown enough in his two turf attempts to suggest that he can keep it going while getting back over turf for this; naturally talented runner looks like he recorded a strong five-furlong workout on March 14 in preparation for this.

Monument

Stakes winning colt has developed a nice level of consistency to his game and he finished right behind today's rival Rangi in his turf debut in his latest start; his dam was stakes placed while winning 2 of 10 turf starts for 120k, and have to respect the presence of Stevens.

Los Bambinos

Like to see that his recent form has been his best, but his two most recent races have been run over dirt, and this might prove to be a tough spot for him to make his first start sprinting over turf.

Don Marco (GB)

Half-brother to G3 winner overseas Thistle Bird (6-17, 344k) gets Lasix for his first start in America, but this looks like a difficult spot for him to land in; prefer to see a race out of this one before thinking about backing him.

Rangi (GB)

He's one of two in here who has touched the 90 mark on the Beyer Speed Figure scale and he's the only one in here to have done it over turf; he's been very sharp in back-to-back starts since being claimed by these connections, and going to look for him to give a good account of himself once again today.

Celebrity Status

He deserves credit for having already earned a stakes victory but he will have to be ready to step up with the sharpest performance of his career to get the better of these, and his one turf attempt prior to this wasn't encouraging; runner-up from latest returned to win next out at Dmr on 7/21 going 1 1/16m vs. 40k OPC's with an 83 Beyer.

Crimson Giant

Not only does he have just a single victory after 48 starts, including an 0-for-25 mark over turf, but his career best Beyer Speed Figure was earned racing over dirt; tough to envision him having a say in the outcome against these. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Divine Josephine

She lost all chance when shut off early and now has to contend with the rail; 1 for 4 dam cashed on turf, earned $40K; both siblings won, one banked over $60K; expect much better effort.

Euroclydon

Miss should be fit enough and the she must be respected on the drop alone; backers can point to the fact the lone sibling took the debut at 2; if she can run at all, she figures to show it here.

Consecrate

Took a shot up north, now Baffert opens up the fire sale for this $250K purchase; the blood is solid as this gal is kin to over $400K player and triple stakes winner Harlan Street; this is not one of the more powerful Baffert ploys.

Parada

Yet another that shows for a tag for the first time, any are eligible to improve big time; dam just one for 14; all 3 siblings won multiple races, one banked nearly $75K; at least she seems more realistically placed here.

Raja's Rose

She has had her chances as more experienced rider is hired; 4th finisher in last took a maiden $8K seller in Phoenix next out, place horse was 2nd beaten just over 2 at this level and the winner repeated in a $40K optional with a 68 Beyer; due.

Here Comes Bobbie

Was only as brief threat before going into retreat mode; 3 for 28 dam earned about a grand a start; this is her first to race; homebred has a few things to iron out.

Controller

Homebred cuts back but she has limited speed; this is at least a better distance for her; probably from off the pace if at all.

Alice Roadtrain

She got a feel of the surface and was getting to the winner late; dam 2nd in best moment; lone full sister to race Secret Cove took 6 of 32, earned nearly $250K; expect much better performance on the drop.

Wildy Excessive

Back to original pilot after earning career top Beyer; she was a bit more keen to run early in last; has some things to prove.

Warrensdollarsigns

Nice move on the 7th but note no published drills in February; 2 for 12 dam earned $45K; 3 of 7 siblings won; top kin took 4 of 17, earned almost $50K; needs wake-up call.

Warren's Salute

Been a bad actress at the gate so far; stakes winning 3 for 19 dam earned over $200K; lone full bro was out of the money in only start; back to the original pilot.

Royal Shaft

Mineshaft about 7% with debuters in a 299-runner sample; sire did not race at 2, took multiple G1s going long, banked over $2.2 million; dam was 0 for 5; two of 3 siblings won including 5 for 39 over $200K earner Duke of Del Rey; don't sell too short.

Schmaltzy

Back in a week after dropping the bug; 4 for 24 dam banked $40K; lone half bro Shakerattlenrule took 2 of 14, earned just over a grand an appearance; would be careful here. - Brian Mulligan