Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 28, 2014

Race 1

Mank

That 2nd here Jan. 26 was excellent; not only was it nice he stalked and stayed on well for the place, but it was his first run in 362 days; been given some time after that hard return run but has been working in solid fashion since for the owners and trainer who brought you Zenyatta; 2 of 3 sibs are winners Nowhere to Hide (5 wins, $217K) and Meridian Mama (4 wins, $74K).

Bad Behavior

Daddy was a champion sprinter and early in his stallion career is doing very well; doesn't just get sprinters, either; this colt fizzled as the favorite in his debut a year ago; was gone 364 days but came back with blinkers here March 1 and came back firing to be a sharp 2nd; obviouly none the worse for wear after that layoff; certainly can be scary, though he needs to bump the Beyer some as a few of his foes have hit the mid- to hi-80s.

Grand Humor

3 straight 3rds over this track after being gone over 11 months so he's in good form and handles this place; ample speed to be in the hunt from the start and you have to love that :46.40 work here March 23 (2nd fastest of 42 4f works that day); still, the 2 horses to his left beat him in his last 2 starts and those 2 guys have as much if not more of a right to move forward today; lone sib is Humorus Girl (2 wins, $20K).

A Red Tie Day

Showed talent last spring at BHP including running 4th to Rookie Sensation who is since a G2 SW; was then gone nearly 9 months and came back to an OK 4th here March 1 (Bad Behavior and Grand Humor were 2nd and 3rd); left himself a bit too much to do but that was not only his first run off the bench but his first run on dirt and he caught a wet track to boot; certainly eligible to improve though we're sprinting again and if he doesn't show more speed some others in here are liable to get away from him early yet again; 3 sibs are winners including Alydarla (3 wins, $150K, 3-time SP including a G3).

Scarly Charly

With 4 big Beyers (86, 86, 87, 88) in 6 races he's run well enough to have graduated by now; he's just been a bit unlucky to run into a few that were just a bit too tough; they tried turf and a route and blinkers here last time (Feb. 16) but that resulted in his poorest effort; so, he's back to dirt and the blinks come off and while he's been routing note a strogn sprint here 14 months ago; Bejarano sees fit to ride and that strong:46.20 work here March 21 (2nd fastest of 46 4f works that day) is a big thumbs-up; 3 of 4 sibs to race are winners including Shift Gears (7 wins, $166K) and Tammy's Victress (7 wins, $305K, twice SP).

Our Lucky Son

7 3rds in 11 starts so he's done some good work; that being said, 4 of those 3rds came on turf and 2 on synthetic; run just twice on dirt and at least got 3rd here back in Jan. 2012; this is his first start since July 12 so he must deal with a layoff; up in class, too, so he's facing toughies; at least has been working splendidly at LA for this but he likely needs to come back more than a few lengths improved from what he was if he's to have a say; 2 of 3 sibs to race are winners including Charming You (1 win, $9K). - Michael Hammersly

Race 3

Husband's Folly

Switches surfaces for his first start under the care of a barn that excels with this type right back; gelding owns a local score and last won on the green at Del Mar so the move back to turf should help and he proved earlier in the year that he's a fit at this level; worth a good look in here.

Jonny's Choice

Drops after failing to factor when trying the hill in his first start for a tag off the freshening; maybe he'll have more to offer early in this spot and he is capable of making a nice late run when right, but a minor award likely proves to be his ceiling today.

Polytechnicien

Eight year old hasn't hit the board since shipping to the starts a couple of summers back and 4 of his tries have come over the local sod; maybe the hillside sprint try helped sharpen his lick some and this is the cheapest set he's yet to face.

Depreciable

He's another exiting a hillside run but he just ran out of ground in that beaten chalk effort against a subsequent repeater; 2 time course winner ran big in his prior couple of route tries at Hollywood and he has a right to move forward in his second start of the year; looks to be the one to deny.

Kingpin Ryno

Gelding drops for the stretchout after tiring when shades were removed in his second straight hillside try; it's been a while since he's seen the winner's circle, but he does own a couple of local scores and he's run ok going long; barn boasts a couple of local winners after experiencing a rough last year.

Bench Light

Goes first off the claim for a sharp outfit and boasts a solid interim worktab for his return from the freshening; statebred has been facing better and he certainly has a right to take a good step forward in his first under this barn's care; contender.

Valentine Boy

Stretches out for his return to the lawn after tracking and weakening in the last out main track sprint; gelding hasn't shown a preference for the footing in any of his turf spins but he goes own a solid sprint try over the surface; expect he'll be close to the top early.

Timeless Indy

Outside drawn gelding drops in for a tag for the initial time while making his first local start for this new outfit; new face didn't have much luck on the green last year, but he has run ok over the stuff and at his best he does seem to prefer 2 turn trips; won't have it easy from out here, but this is the softest group of winners he's chased.

Usbek Thunder (BRZ)

AE stretches back out if he gets the chance to meet the starter in this spot; gelding hasn't hit the board in any of his 6 starts since shipping to the states and there's not a lot to suggest he'll go much better in this spot; just watching if he goes.

Delta Ranger

AE looks to get back on the green after running down a slow clip upstate last month in his first start for this outfit; he doesn't have much early foot, but he's overcome poor pace setups in the past and he's handled the green as well; post is no bargain, but the price should be right to give him a look if he goes.

Pocket Prince

AE isn't likely to draw into this heat while returning in just a week; his return to the lawn wasn't very good and though he'll catch softer than he did there today he looks to be up against it in this heat; looking elsewhere. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

This Cat's Awesome

Cuts back from his first route attempt where he was a dead game second while the 8 to 5 favorite; should be a major force again with this first visit to the claiming ranks but will be overbet despite facing some newcomers.

Grey Is Best

Been away a very long time; the grey had trouble in his aged debut and returns with blinkers; his sire won 4 of 20 and 254K while the dam scored in 4 of 30 appearances earning 67K; this is her sole foal to compete; latest a.m. drill was fair.

Mason B

Newcomer was sired by G3 type Stormin Fever who amassed 484K and whose descendants have won 6 of 40 initial starts; the dam won 7 of 20 and 290k; among the winning siblingsis 222K earner Partywithlarryz.

Uncle Luck

He has been working exclusively of late at today's distance; his sire won 3 of 22 and 209K (progeny of Lucky Pulpit have won 7 of 64 debuts); the dam won 6 of 59 and 267K; winningsiblings is 221K earner Planet Sunshine.

In Excessiveness

The numerical rise in class will insure a good price yet this gelding is a pace possibility in this field; his sire won multiple G1s and 1.69 million; the dam won 1 of 17 and 66K; sib to 243K earner She's an Eleven; note fine a.m. move 12 days ago.

Cinematic Cat

Dons blinkers for the first time and should have gained some valuable conditioning in that first try over the green; he visits the claiming realm for the first time and should be on or near a softer tempo today; not out of the question in this wide-open race.

Seeking Asylum

Keeps disappointing at short odds and is bound to be overbet yet again; was a clear-cut second in the most recent performance and he now drops below the purchase price for the first time; still must deal with several new arrivals.

Tizbudsformenlimo

Sired by Tizbud, winner of 230K, whose descendants have scored in 5 of 96 initial tests; the dam involved won 2 of 7 races and 6K; this is her only foal to make it to the races; moderate workout regimen on display. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Botch

He's been in good form lately, and like the idea of him getting back over turf, but he finds himself in a very competitive 40-35k claimer, and he's probably going to need to see a few of these show up with less than their best to have a chance at the top spot.

Trelawny

Stakes placed veteran is making his first start for a new barn after a 32k claim, but this is an 11-time winner who has won four of his last seven starts, and if he's ready to pick up where he left off, he'll give this group a serious run for the top prize; note that he's three-for-five over this turf course.

Yankee Rebel

Not that his route form has been bad, but he does appear to be sharper sprinting, and this might prove to be a tough assignment for his first start after being claimed away from the Hollendorfer barn; Espinoza has won with 9 of 30 (30%) mounts for this outfit in 2014.

Swift Eagle

He's a good fit at this level of competition and he's making his first start for the Sadler barn after a claim; it has been a while since he posted a win, and he's 0-for-8 over this turf course, but still feel that it's a good idea to respect his chances.

Avare

Multiple stakes winner is another in here making his first start after a claim for a barn that can move one forward, and even though he ran well over dirt at Fpx back in September, he's been better over turf in his career, so not going to be too hard on him for the sub par performance in his latest start.

Magic Channel

Four of his five starts since arriving in America have been solid performances and he's clearly a good fit at this 40-35k claiming level; going to look for him to be ready to give a good account of himself while making his third start of the year.

Causeithertz

Nicely bred veteran has been a consistent performer and like the idea of him going sprint-to-route for his second start back from a layoff; he adds to the contentious nature of this event and Garcia has won with 13 of 48 (27%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Dreamcatcher

His best effort makes him a player, but he's winless in his last 11 starts going back through 2013, he has just one win from 14 turf starts, and he's 0-for-7 over this turf course; note that he was beaten by a couple of today's rivals in his most recent turf attempt two starts back.

Ashtar (CHI)

Stakes placed veteran needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race in order to draw in and he'll need to shake off some poor recent form if he's to have a say in the outcome against these; third-place finisher from latest won next out here on 3/22 going 6f vs. 16-14k claimers with a 91 Beyer.

Control Seeker

10-time winner carries multiple stakes winning credentials with him and he sports an impressive 8-for-22 mark racing over turf; if he finds his way in off of the Also Eligible list he'll have a live look to him with Bejarano aboard. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Western Showdown

Returns to the distance of his 2-back career-best Beyer speed figure; figures to save ground behind a hot pace then will try to nail them in deep stretch; worked well for this but 43 days away for a 1-for-19 fresh trainer since 2013 is still not very appealing.

Malbros

Adds blinkers off a best-last-race Beyer performance; also goes MSW-to-maiden-claiming considered to be the biggest-class drop in racing; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-allowance with a 90 speed figure; the debut show runner Beyered 83-81 in next-out wins including an OP-150K stakes; seems the one to beat.

Summer Sea

Bullet-gate dirt workout for this; racing off a long layoff is an 0-for-14 angle for his trainer since 2013; most runners move forward 2nd-time out and he displayed ability in his only attempt; drops in price off the bench and has every chance if ready to be a force from bell to finish with these.

Primal Revival

Mild rally when seemingly screaming out for more yardage but cuts back in distance for this; the winner and show finisher from last Beyered 71-59 in next-out GG-starter alw. and BHP-28K-maiden-claiming wins; the worktab for his 1st dirt start is not very appealing.

Chattering Class

Made the lead in last with 1st blinkers; figures to be a major pace player again; another who was freshened up for this and races for a trainer with so-so fresh win numbers (8% since 2013); the winner and runner-up from his debut Beyered 76-63 in next-out ZIA alw. and optional-claiming wins.

Echo Alley

Sire is 92-for-640 with debut runners; is the 1st foal out of an unraced dam; 1-for-15 SA trainer this meet is 1-for the last-15 with 1sters; view a steady worktab while giving away experience to each rival today; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Good Samurai

Claimed by a masterful trainer 1st off the purchase; away since fading in this same spot; posted steady-morning drills and gets Garcia for the 1st time who yields just 10% winners for this barn at SA since 2013; he ran much better in his debut-show finish than in latest; expecting to see a new-and-improved runner right off the bench.

Geldautomat

Gets in with his lightest-weight assignment ever for a hot apprentice; show finish in this spot 2-back but 3 times he's been bet to under 3-1 odds and 3 times he's disappointed; wants to stalk the inside speed and come home best; fits well at this level.

Shark's Cup

Just 2 starts so still has some upside although never like to see any runner regress their Beyer 2nd-time out; leaves the Cal-bred ranks to tackle open company today; the debut runner-up finisher Beyered 78 in a next-out SA-50K-maiden-claming win. - Art Gropper

Race 7

Forever Juanito

He ran very well in his first two starts as a 2-year-old, including a start over turf in his career debut, and it wouldn't be any surprise if he was ready to improve over that form in his first start as a 3-year-old; he'll have to be sharp to beat this field, but have to respect the potential that is currently living here.

Fort Wagner

He's out of a dam who won 2 of 10 turf starts for 76k, and based on the way that he performed in his turf debut in his latest start, it's probably a good idea to respect his chances against these; maybe the turn back to a sprint distance is a little bit of a concern, but not willing to count him out of it.

Raise the Hoof

Sire is 0-for-13 with his turf starters and dam was winless from two starts, and she didn't make a start over turf; this gelding is a 1/2 to Term (1-11, 36k over turf) and Rate Card (1-3, 26k over turf); he's tough to endorse against these.

Photography (IRE)

His form racing overseas appears to be so-so at best, and this isn't a soft spot for his first start in America, but he is making his first start for a sharp barn and he is being sent out with Lasix for the first time.

Karma King

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and dam won 4 of 20 starts for 50k, including 0-for-1 over turf; stakes placed colt will appreciate the drop in class for his first start as a 3-year-old and he has some turf in his pedigree.

Pathway to Yes

He hauls the best last race Beyer Speed Figure with him into this contest and like to see that he earned that figure in his first start over turf; he's out of a stakes placed dam who won 2 of 4 turf starts for 71k and viewing him as a gate-to-finish threat against these.

Al Baz (GB)

Half-brother to multiple G1 winner Samitar (6-20, $1.1 million, including 3 of 10 North American turf starts for 489k) has gotten the job done in three of nine starts overseas, and he looks like the stronger of the two Belvoir imports in here; have to respect his chances in his first start with Lasix.

Number Five

The addition of Lasix helped this gelding to his first win in his latest start, but this has a chance to prove to be a tough test for his first start against winners; have to respect the fact that he hails from a sharp barn, and he's a 1/2 to multiple graded stakes placed Trend (3-23, 255k) but others entice more.- Brian Pochman