Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 22, 2014

Race 1

Gnarly Dude

Face it, some claims just don't work out; place horse in last cashed in a $12.5K starter with a 90 Beyer; love the spacing of the return drills; he has some back class to draw from off the wins last June and July; don't ignore.

Gal Has to Like It

Marquez won a 5-way shake to get this runner; they were all together on the line in last and sometimes that is just a sign of an ordinary race; best when sent along, but there is speed inside and outside of him; and we really don't know how much the last effort may have taken out of him.

Muchos Besos

Gelding has the 2 races to draw from and the miler last time may have helped the stamina; 3 of his 5 wins have been here; Lewis doesn't dip into the claiming ranks all that often and the fact he went into his own pocket is interesting; look for runner late if at all.

Peacenik

Spawr thought enough of this gelding to take him back repeatedly and he won a 5-way shake on 1/24; considering he was beaten by the clear winner in last, the race was not all that bad; runner has natural speed but can sit just off the pace and perform; can't fault those that give Peace a chance.

Courtside

Respect hot claim box item; 2 put in claims for this runner on March 1; he's proven for this price and got a boost when the place horse in last won next out in an $8K seller with a 78 Beyer; may need softer to shine.

Senator Bob

Bob popped and stopped the last time for this price when sent long; he just flashed sub :22 speed and could be even more aggressive with the blinks; needs a rebound run.

Obsess

Over twice as many slices as wins; life and death for the last win and it came at Fairplex; spotty race record is a concern and the way he caved in last time is a valid problem; would be careful here. - Brian Mulligan

Race 2

Sweet as a Rose

Since being outrun in his career debut, he's put together a couple of solid performances, and it will be interesting to see what he can do while turning back to a sprint distance for this.

Miss Super Quick

She's had a couple of chances to show us what she can do, including a turf start at second asking, and she's obviously going to need to show up with a much improved performance to get the better of this field; working in her favor, she goes out for a currently live barn and Stevens sees fit to ride.

Veronica Bay

Her most recent workout looks improved, and she is making her first start wearing blinkers, but it's just difficult to back her with any confidence when seeing what she's done in her first three starts.

La Sorella

Half-sister to G1 winner Capo Bastone (3-11, 662k, including 0-for-1 over turf) has run well in back-to-back starts to begin her career and this looks like a good spot for her to make a serious bid at her first career win.

Nazareth

She beat one of today's key rivals in La Sorella in her career debut and then she had the misfortune of running into Nashoba's Gold when stretched out in distance at second asking; she has to be considered a top contender against these.

La Pequena Gigi

The move to turf seemed to agree with this filly at second asking and she finished right behind one of today's key rivals in La Sorella in that race; she merits her share of respect after an encouraging turf dbeut.

Shapely

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and minor stakes winning dam won 5 of 19 starts for 159k, and she didn't make a turf start; Talamo has won with 4 of 12 (33%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

Roman Tizzy

The 5th and 7th-place finishers from last posted 56-48 Beyer speed figures in next-out GG-8K and LA-$3,500-maiden-claiming wins; posted a big race 1st time in a maiden claimer in last while 2 of his 3 in-the-money finishes occured at today's distance on SA dirt; looms a logical contender who's beaten many of these previously; the 2-back winner Beyered 81 taking a SA-starter allowance event next out; fits very well here.

Gentlemen Pete

His field-best Beyer and his only exacta of career was posted on turf; the 2-0-0-0 dirt record and the 2-back loss for today's price tag is noted; the SA-main track workouts for this are not eye catching; late runner may like the added yaradge for this but today marks the 1st start since November racing at 8.5F.

Street Maven

Had to love his 1st dirt start which produced an exacta finish and new-career best Beyer speed figure; main concern is that front wraps came on for latest; question is if he can bounce back to best here firing so well right off the more than 10-month layoff but now back in the entry box just 27 days later.

We Have Lift Off

The one to catch; the new pilot is known to get runners out of the gate while racing for a hot-SA trainer; obviously the final yards are the concern losing to Street Maven in last; faded vs. Roman Tizzy on grass 2-back vs. the winner who Beyered 81 taking an SA-starter alw. next out; know him early then hopes to hang on late.

Wistfullee Mine

Blinkers off and the return to grass for last produced a new Beyer speed figure Top when primed vs. winners; the winners-back to-maidens angle is a winning move; wish he showed better staima in his only dirt start fading at shorter 2 back.

Satch

Will have to avenge latest loss vs. Roman Tizzy but see upside off his even finish when posting a new-career best Beyer Top; the 3-back winner repeated in a GG-$12,500 claimer with a 74 Beyer; clearly must find the missing-passing gear to turn the tables.

Dickery Do

6-year-old carries 112 pounds today which is by far his lightest-weight assignment ever; 7 weeks since an SA dirt fade; lone-exacta finish was at 1F shorter than this on a synthetic surface; 2 back beat the show finisher who Beyered 85 in a next-out SA-20K-maiden-claiming win; is clearly best with blinkers on and they stay on here while he's worked well for this; know him early.

Senor Pegasus

Stamina was missing earlier in career but really threw in towel early in recent pair; latest was with blinkers on when he's clearly been at his best without the hood; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 68 taking an SA-20K-maiden claimer next out.

Fearsome Charisma

While some of these may have issues getting the 8.5F distance he is one who seems set to run all day closing well in latest loss vs. Roman Tizzy; no luck at the post-position draw again today it is the 3rd straight start breaking widest sure to lose ground; beat Senor Pegasus 2 back as they chased the runner-up finisher a 68 Beyer next-out graduate. - Art Gropper

Race 4

Vagabond Shoes (IRE)

Earned his second straight triple-digit Beyer while landing the G2 San Marcos going 10 furlongs following a three-month absence Feb. 8; even though he wasn't far back in fifth in the G1 BC Turf, 12 furlongs is probably a little farther than his optimum distance; steady veteran still deserves top billing with money rider Espinoza back in the saddle.

Niagara Falls

Had been idle for nine months when he ran evenly for seventh in a March 6 optional claimer, an effort which might set him up nicely for this longer engagement; son of Giant's Causeway is proven over this distance, but is seemingly outclassed against this salty group; Bejarano retaining the mount is a plus, but the leading rider has his work cut out for him.

Lucayan (FR)

The turf was quite soft and not "yielding" when he spun his wheels in the G1 Canadian International; European import wants firm ground, and Drysdale told DRF: "He's best from 9-10 furlongs, but there isn't anything else for him right now, and he has won going a mile and a half;" closer won't have much pace to chase here, but could be the main threat to the favored Vagabond Shoes.

Fire With Fire

There's not a confirmed leader in this compact field, and this second Drysdale-trained entrant could inherit the role of pacemaker under speed rider Baze; three horses have exited his last winning race in a $75K Turf Paradise stakes to score; others have more appeal in this G2 tilt.

Temeraine

This familiar jockey/trainer combo is an excellent 9 for 24 at the meet, and Stevens was aboard when this gelding took the G3 Kentucky Turf Cup traveling 12 furlongs; his last race was his worst in a while, but he a little trouble late before ending up eighth behind Vagabond Shoes and Lucayan; can do some damage at a square price. - Ron Gierkink

Race 5

Kanuck Kowboy

Kodiak Kowboy 4 for 35 with debuters; sire won 4 times at 2, won multiple Grade 1s; 1 for 13 dam earned nearly $18K; this is her first to race; colt looks fit enough, must come out running to flee the fence.

Bayview Drive

Been given time since educational debut; 1 for 7 dam earned nearly 2 grand a start; lone half bro Gentle as a Breeze took 6 of 22, earned nearly $75K; he's trained well for this, rates long look in all the slots.

Louden's Gray

Street Sense about 10% with debuters in a 169-runner sample; sire won twice at 2 including BC Juvenile, took the Derby, banked over $4.3 million; 1 for 8 dam cashed on grass; this is her first to race; love fact he drilled farther than this race is carded.

Midnight Storm

Pioneerof the Nile 7 for 42 with debuters; sire won twice at 2, took multiple Grade 1s; dam's lone win came in the off going; all 4 siblings won; top kin Tenacious Tina took 4 of 11, earned nearly $135K; the move on 2/23 screams off the page; he looks legit.

Thesheetsguy

Stephen Got Even about 10% with first-timers in a 471-runner sample; sire was 2nd in only start at 2, took a G1, earned over a million; dam won once, a route; lone half bro took one of 8, earned almost $20K; colt looks fit enough.

Gameboy Luke

Colt has natural speed and could show more with the blinks; place horse 12/28 earned an 83 Beyer graduating next out; dam was unraced; lone half bro to race Hipocrisy took 6 of 32, earned $85K; shorter trip could be just what the good doctor ordered.

Twenty Percent

Dixie Union has hit with about 12% of his firsters in a 561-horse study; sire was precocious enough to win debut at 2, took 7 of 12 including multiple G1s, earned over $1.2 million; stakes winning 5 for 27 dam earned over $130K; 5 of 6 siblings won; two won over $200K a piece and won multiple stakes; blowout last Monday should have him on his toes.

Shark's Cup

Seldom thrilled with runners in this league after missing repeatedly for a price; dam was 0 for 8; several multiple race winners in the tree, none were monsters; must display more.

Justa Splash

Harlan's Holiday has hit with about 14% of his firsters in a 486-horse study; sire won 4 times at 2, took multiple G1s, banked $3.6 million; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; drills ideally spaced. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

American Act

Stamina and being winless on the weeds are the drawbacks fading to Batti Man on dirt in last; he lacked staying power 2 back vs. the winner who repeated in an SA allowance with a 96 Beyer speed figure; is winless in last 12 races going back to April, 2012, scoring in a 6F-BHP-synthetic surface 72K stakes.

Willyconker (IRE)

Won for this price tag 2 back while El Commodore beat him the last time sent 1 Mile 3 races ago; was badly overmatched in latest with 44 days to regroup; the last 2 times racing following 45 day or longer layoffs were dull efforts.

Mega Heat

Fires very well fresh; an all-or-nothing type with 7 wins and 7 off-the-board finishes; figures to work out an ideal trip stalking the 3 outside speed runners; 51 days since winning vs. lesser when sitting smartly off the speed then coming home a winner; his only 2 SA turf losses were in stakes races including March, 2012, a Grade 1 loss to Willyconker.

Hog's Hollow

Have to go back to April, 2012, to see a bad race on his form; main issue is his loss to Mega Heat 2 back making that win look even better by taking latest when favored; barn is just 1-for-18 since 2013 with repeat winners and a 2-for-37 jockey-trainer combo in that same span does not add to the appeal.

El Commodore

4of 6 wins during career occurred at 1 Mile on the grass; his last start following a 45 day or longer layoff was a fade and stamina is clearly a major issue for this; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 97 in a next-out SA-76K stakes win.

Batti Man (ARG)

Adds more gate speed into this event with El Commodore; the 5-0-1-0 turf record and latest grass start suggests he would be better suited for the main track; 3-back on SA dirt represents a co-field-best Beyer; ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Maxx the Giant

Fresh-gate speed signed on following a fade vs. winners which included the show runner who Beyered 86 in a next-out SA-OPC win; wish he showed better form off previous layoffs for a 6%-winning fresh trainer; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Stoney Fleece

2 biggies right off the December re-claim; was defeated by Willyconker at longer; have to go back to March, 2013, to see a bad race on his form; solid-show finish the last time racing off a similar layoff adds to the appeal; wide trip projected again does not help the win chances; had the 11 post for last and almost overcame it rallying well; hard to leave out of the exotics. - Art Gropper

Race 8

Enterprising

If you're looking for the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here, your hunt can end now, and this colt is a stakes winner racing over this turf course; Stevens has won with 9 of 24 (38%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

No Ma'am

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and stakes winning dam won 2 of 5 starts for 95k, including 0-for-1 over turf; his career debut was an encouraging performance sprinting, but this is a tough spot for his first start against winners and his first start over turf.

Horse Laugh

Stormello has been a positive influence as a turf sire and this stakes placed runner is out of a multiple stakes placed dam who won 3 of 12 turf starts for 122k; he might be able to prove to be a little bit of a sneaky player in here while making his first start routing.

Diamond Bachelor

War Front has been a strong influence as a turf sire and like the idea of this stakes winning colt getting back over turf after a couple of dirt starts; he might have to be careful to avoid getting caught up in a fast early pace, but he commands plenty of respect with Smith at the controls.

Quotient

There is a trainer change in play, but this gelding was a very impressive winner against six rivals at second asking and he commands respect against these based on the strength of that performance; there's a lot of potential living here at the moment.

Home Run Kitten

They took a shot with him in a tough spot over dirt in his latest start, but this son of top turf influence Kitten's Joy will likely appreciate getting back over turf for this, and this will be his first start routing over grass.

Craftsman (IRE)

He's been beaten by a few of today's rivals in his first two starts in America, but he is a G3 winner racing overseas, and note the wagering support he attracted for his USA racing debut; feel that he's an interesting option to consider while getting back over turf and scrapping blinkers.

Royal Banker (GB)

He has a strong turf pedigree and this G3 stakes placed colt has run well in all three of his turf starts since arriving in America; he's not out of the question against these and this will be his first start wearing blinkers.

Puppy Manners

Don't like to see what he's done in his two starts racing over turf prior to this, but his recent form has been much improved, and now looks like a good time to give this son of top turf influence Kitten's Joy another opportunity to see what he can do over turf. - Brian Pochman