Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 21, 2014

Race 1

Chilada

Moves back in with statebreds after just missing at the local trip in the open company ranks; filly has some tracking foot that could help her secure a good spot early from here and she'll reunite with the pilot aboard for her maiden score today but Bejarano opts to side elsewhere; consider.

Magic Spot

Recent graduate showed sharp early foot when moved to the lawn for the initial time; she took to the route rather well in that one and though no one challenged her she still set some legitimate splits along the way; she sheds some weight and draws inside her main pace foes; looks like they'll have her to run down.

Krazypapaya

Fresh mare gets another new pilot for her return at this level; she took well to shades when first equipped with them in the fall but she's yet to hit the board over the local course; she prefers to drop back early and that may leave her with a lot to do late in this cozy field; limiting her use to underneath in exotics.

Irenes Jackpot

Ships back to this venue for the first time in over 14 months while returning from a short freshening; 6 year old tackles fellow statebreds for the first time in a while and she does have some solid tactical foot; lone try over the local sod was solid and she ran fast enough last spring on the Golden Gate lawn to prove a legitimate threat in here; could offer some value.

Mangita

She's been right there in each of her 5 starts, settling for second money after setting the pace in each of her 3 tries since stepping on the lawn here; presence of speed drawn to her inside means her new pilot can take hold of her to sit a stalking spot early and she did win from off the pace the first time she was sent long on synthetic footing last spring; they'll have her to beat.

Tanquerray

Late runner cuts back a panel while moving back in to face statebreds today; field's lone multiple local course winner should get some pace to run at and each of her 4 career sod scores has come at this 8 panel trip; she's the one they'll have to keep an eye on in the lane. - Steve Grabowski

Race 3

Epistemology

She's by a strong turf sire and she has some early speed to employ but she must produce a much improved overall performance if she's planning on seeing her number posted on top after this one is run.

Oughttobenaughty

Leroidesanimaux is another fine turf sire being represented in here and this filly has her share of appeal as she gets ready to make her first start sprinting over turf; she needs to avoid falling too far out of it through the opening stages, but she has a little bit of a live look to her in this spot.

Autumn View

Maybe she's beginning to look like the type that will hang around the maiden ranks for a long time, but her turf form has consistently been on the level of what it looks like it will take to win this; runner up from latest won next out here on 3/7 going 6 1/2f over turf vs. starter alw. rivals with an 87 Beyer.

Provenance

Half-sister to Godard (2-11, 82k over turf) ran well in her first start sprinting down the hill in her latest outing and the runner up from that race returned to win next out here on 3/16 going 6 1/2f vs. MSW rivals with a 77 Beyer.

Not too Shiny

Sire is 0-for-9 with his first-time starters and he wins with approximately 16% of his turf starters, and dam was unraced; this filly is a 1/2 to multiple group stakes winner Duff (9-59, 676k, all starts overseas); this is a good spot to show up with a firster and a few of her workouts hint at ability.

Money Plays

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and multiple graded stakes winning dam won 6 of 14 starts for 339k, including 5 of 11 turf starts for 307k; she has pedigree appeal and this is a currently live barn that can be live with a firster. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Writer Fever

Controlled the pace throughout in her maiden score but the middle fractions of that score were moderate; will likely encounter stiff outside pace pressure today and although the latest work was an upgrade, a repeat victory may not be easy to achieve.

E Equalsmcsquared

Twice beaten favorite was compromised by an extra-wide trip in the last defeat; draws comfortably here and can receive an ideal set-up if all runners go; should offer better value here and is playable on many counts.

Hearitforthegirls

Held on with determination to win a blanket finish last month and was claimed; spots experience at this distance to some of her rivals and will likely be pressured from the opening bell once again; hard to judge off one performance.

Jetbird

Turned in a game placing last month and was justifiably awarded the victory via disqualification; improving 4-year-old turned in a pair of fair half-mile drills for this assignment and can rally from close range once again; must spot weight to the entire field, however.

Among the Stars

Ran into repeat winners in 2 of her 3 initial races and perhaps on that basis was claimed in January; returned instant dividends with a handy maiden breaker thereafter and the extra furlong today may not pose a problem; most recent breeze at five-eighths was sharp.

L T Reckless

Blitzed her field when graduating in late September while odds-on but is not the only member of this group with proven gate speed; there are even intervals to the workout regimen during the last month or so but she is attempting this distance for the first time; conflicting signals.

Full's Dress Code

Defeated only 3 rivals in the maiden breaker in January but did so by a clear margin; switches to apprentice handling and may have difficulty clearing the field; the a.m. move of 10 days ago was upbeat; conflicting signals for this lass who should be a square price today. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Jet Warrior

Returns to the hill in his second crack at the level after holding second at odds on over the local main track; he was quite impressive wiring maidens first time over this footing and though he faces some other speed, he's been working rather quickly since his last and figures to be rolling from the bell; they'll have to run him down to win.

Old Man Lake

Ships back into this circuit following a decent placing against open company runners going long at Turf Paradise; gelding doesn't have much early foot so have to think he'll find himself well out of this one from the bell and don't know that he's good enough to mount the rally he'd need to contend for a share of this; prefer others.

Bettys Bambino

Tough to be much more impressive than this 4 year old was in the off the turfer first time out, though he did defeat just 3 rivals; he fought hard from the bell before kicking away in that one and now he'll face both winners and new footing for the initial time; barn boasts some recent luck with runners moving to this type of footing and his sire gets 12% winners from his first time surface runners; dam was off the board in both of her turf spins and her lone foal to try the green was 0 for 1 over the stuff; don't know that he'll love the new footing, but he can certainly run some.

Back to Bako

Returns from better than a year on the shelf with some improved recent drills on tap; gelding did run well when moved to the green prior to the time off and he was solid sprinting earlier in his career but given the barn's recent slate with returnees, have to think he needs at least one before we see the best he has to offer.

Elusive Journey

Returns from the freshening to try a course over which he's failed to hit the board in 6 career spins; he did break his maiden sprinting 2 back, but that score came after 18 straight misses and he hasn't run so well fresh in the past; can't back him in here.

Collation

Failed to threaten after breaking on the slow side in his first with older off the long break; gelding has some experience down the hillside course and he did win going long here last winter; maybe he's better with his last behind him and the pace in front of him will likely be solid as he moves in with statebreds, but a minor award figures to be his ceiling.

Luz Atticus

Gelding tries statebreds in his return from the freshening off a couple of sharp pace efforts while sprinting on the lawn; he's worked ok in the interim for this and maybe he's able to work out a trip tracking the speed drawn inside him today; contender. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Lime Rickey

Late runner has the right-closing kick to win over today's SA grass course; scary if ready posting field-best Beyer speed figures 2 and 3 back; beat the 2-back show finisher who Beyered 91 in a next-out BHP-optional claiming win; comes off the bench into a race where he can be claimed from after tackling Grade 2 company in last; wish the trainer wasn't 0-for-12 with long layoff runners since 2013; class drop alone gives him the edge as the pick.

Boyett

Adds more gate speed with Deep Play; in 2-SA grass routes last Sunday closers ruled the day which doesn't help his cause wanting the front here; win rider stays posting a 4-1-2-1 record piloting this one; in his race over the SA green at today's distance 2-back it saw him defeat the show runner who Beyered 86 in a next-out SA-OPC win.

Woodmans Luck

Was asking for more distance in the 2-back loss to Deep Play and gets it here; style fits 10F perfectly however must get over his 3-0-0-0 SA turf record to back; hasn't done much wrong since the October claim while keeps the win rider yielding 30% winners for the trainer since 2013; seems the one to beat.

Deep Play

Loved the wet-dirt oval in last but will be getting back to firm turf for this; speedser's ability to get a Mile and a quarter is certainly a huge concern and last Sunday in 2 SA-turf routes speed did not hold up well to win; figures to be an early factor here who hopes to hang on late for a share.

Death Star

33%-winning sprint-to-route trainer gives hope stretching out to his longest-distance test ever adding 3.5F onto last; his good-closing kick did not materialize in recent losses; the 3-back runner-up finisher Beyered 84 in a next-out SAR-allowance win; others appeal more.

Pocket Prince

Enters following a 5-race off-the-board turf streak racing 1st time on grass in 2014 today; would be a complete shocker off recent form; the 2-back show finisher Beyered 75 in a next-out GG-20K-claiming win; the 3-back winner repeated in a GG-25K claimer with a 78 speed figure.

Mambo Man

Career-best Beyer was accomplished with blinkers off but the hood comes back on for this; a great sign that despite the recent trainer changes rider Talamo continues to keep the faith; the main concern is he just hasn't been at his very best previously on SA grass howver his last start here was his best ever locally; contender.

Perfect Set

Winless-turf runner gets a massive class test facing winners for the 1st time off a synthetic score; the trainer is having an incredible SA meeting but this one seems overmatched; in some of his SA maiden grass losses he rallied well at shorter; will be siding with others. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Charbroiled

Top last race and career Beyer in tow, he has the speed to flee the fence, was over 9 clear in last and could have just been overmatched in the debut; dam was unraced; 3 of 4 siblings won including 11 for 39 racer Master Chef and near $400K earner; might very well be a good thing in an ordinary race.

Ice Cream Truck

Been a case of seconditis of late; lack of speed is a genuine concern but she got a boost when the place horse 12/14 graduated next out at this level and was 2nd beaten 3 and a half in a $25K N2L spot; backers can point to the fact there is an over $100K earner in the family; a speed duel would enhance chances.

Murmansk

Could have been intimidated by the cozy slot in the opener; stakes placed 5 for 18 dam earned $60K; all 3 siblings won multiple times including near $85K earner Ukandoit; has some things to iron out.

Destino

Only a length out of the trifecta last time, but it's nearly impossible to build a credible case on a runner that has already lost 32 times; his style demands a hot pace and clear sailing; he has been value in the gimmicks at times and that is his strength may like once again.

Copote's Royalty

He showed career speed for the bug in last but caved in when the going got tough; lone full sis was 2nd in best result; could envision her pushing the issue, not convinced he ll be around late.

Jimrony

Marino Marini about 15% with debuters in a 182-runner sample; sire won first 2 starts at 2 including a stakes, banked nearly $300K; SP 6 for 34 dam earned over $200K; 2 of 3 siblings won, one banked over $40K; love the spacing of the drills and he will not have to be a monster to make an impact here.

Lord of Ballandrae

Gelding has gone backward in the drive in every single outing; 4 for 7 dam earned nearly $65K; family is solid; all 7 siblings won; top kin Sailor's Cap took two Grade 3s, banked over $600K; backers have to hope the slight drop shakes him up.

Slight Edge

Could see him pushing the issue but has to find a way to deal with the rail again among others; overdue to hit paydirt. - Brian Mulligan