Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 29, 2014

Race 1

No Ice Castles

G2 winner Notional notched his debut at 2 and has sired 16% first-out winners; dam, a stakes-placed sprinter who banked $268K, has been a modest producer; trainer is shareless at the meet, and has been shut out with recent first-timers; her Los Al works weren't bad.

Roman Wild

G1 millionaire Roman Ruler won at first asking at 2, and has sired 13% debut winners; versatile dam earned $54K, and her only foal to start was unplaced; Mullins has solid numbers with maiden-claiming firsters, and is 4 for 17 at the meet when he's given speed rider Baze a leg up; her recent half-mile drills were quick.

Lady Regina

Champion sprinter Midnight Lute has sired 8% debut winners, and he won his 2yo opener; dam was a G3-placed router ($155K) who's dropped four winners, most notably stakes winner One Man to Beat ($145K); Baffert has fared well with maiden-claiming firsters, and is 13 for 48 at the meet while using Garcia; works look good on paper.

Screamin Earlienne

The rapid G1-winning sprinter Zenzational has sired 7% debut winners; dam placed going long ($19K), and this is her first foal to see action; Yakteen possesses excellent numbers with maiden-claiming first-timers, and this one has worked fast from the gate.

Big Break

Homebred is the first starter for Mr. Big, a router who earned $71K; dam was a sprinter ($27K)--this is her third foal and her best offspring is the minor stakes-placed sprinter Point ($106K); has worked fast at Los Alamitos for the trainer of the brilliant California Chrome. - Ron Gierkink

Race 2

Loan Savant

A little concerned that he might find himself far outrun soon after the start while making his first start in a turf dash, especially when considering that the early pace might be controlled by Belle of the Fleet, but he isn't overmatched in this spot and his recent form has been improved.

Sushi Empire

Stakes winning miss sports the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here and this looks like a good spot to give her another chance to see what she can do sprinting over turf; she looks like she might sit a comfortable trip off of the early speed of Belle of the Fleet.

Larocco

She's run well in three consecutive starts since moving into this barn after a 25k claim and she looks like a decent fit at this level of competition; Maldonado knows her well and she looks like she can get herself into the mix against these regardless of the surface that this race is run over.

Belle of the Fleet

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 9 starts for 49k, including 1 of 3 turf starts for 33k; this miss is a 1/2 to Julio's Gold (2-3, 43k over turf); she can prove to be the dominant early speed and this is a realistic spot to find out what she's capable of racing over turf.

Pillow (IRE)

It looks like she's shown a little something in a few of her starts sprinting over turf in Ireland and this looks like a reasonable assignment for her first start in America; viewing the presence of Bejarano as a positive indicator and like to see the addition of Lasix.

Papa's Flashy Girl

This is her first start in a true turf dash and she's going to need to step it up over her previous best effort if she's planning on threatening the top contenders in here; she looks like more of an outsider.

Saintly Joan

Stakes placed filly might appreciate turning back in distance for this and her one start over turf was in a tough spot off of a layoff in a race that was won by today's rival Sushi Empire; winner from latest won next out at Sun on 3/23 going 1 1/16m in a 200k stakes with a 79 Beyer. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

Indian Safari

Leads off what appears to be a battle of the first-time starters; this filly hails from G1 winner Indian Charlie who banked 616K (his offspring have scored in 104 out of 645 debuts); the dam won 4 of 16 and 122K; winning siblings include 97K earner Table Three Ten.

Always an Angel

Newcomer was sired by Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Corinthian who captured 1.26 million and whose progeny have won 8 percent of their first races; the dam won 1 of 5 and 21K; among the winning sibs is 49K earner Tappingintherain.

Zensational Beauty

Held strong in her last assignment but faced only 3 rivals that day; cuts back in distance now but is likely to face immediate pace pressure once again; blowout of 4 days ago is noteworthy yet she may be unacceptable odds.

Front Range

Sired by Giant's Causeway who won multiple G1s and 3.07 million overall; his descendants are 70 for 666 as far as winning their first assignment; the dam was also a multiple G1 winner who notched 965K; sib to 202K earner Sluice; respect.

Abide in Me

Back to the main oval after failing to show her customary early speed on the turf last month; shows only moderate works for the return and is facing some beginners who have been training extremely well; mixed signals.

Classy Ava

Progeny of Old Fashioned, a G2 winner who notched 583K, have won 5 of 35 initial starts; the dam went zero for 3; among the winning siblings is 121K earner Deep Water; working at even, weekly intervals of late. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Miss Well Molded

If you're looking for the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here, you don't have to look any further, and this mare consistently runs races that are strong enough to suggest that she can get the job done against these; she's ideally drawn in post one and she's been at her best over this turf course.

Warren's Flasher

She was in good form at this time last year, but since recording her third career win, she's really just put together a bunch of even efforts; she is going to need to find her way back to one of her better performances if she's to see her number posted on top after this one is run.

Our Little Hen

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam won two of four starts racing overseas for 25k; she's been sharp in back-to-back starts over the synthetic surface at GG prior to this, and like the idea of giving her a chance to see what she can do over turf; runner up from latest won next out at GG on 3/15 going 1 1/16m vs. N1X alw. rivals with a 74 Beyer.

Lilly's Perfect

She's been beaten by a few of today's rivals in her two most recent races and she is going to need to improve over her recent form in order to come out on top in this one; on a positive note, Espinoza has won with 4 of 6 (33%) mounts for this barn at the current stand.

Highly Rated

Don't like to see that you have to go back to August 2012 to find her latest victory, but she's a solid fit at this level of competition and she's likely going to jump out on top of this field right from the bell in an attempt to lead them every step of the way.

Mom Nana Petrie

Like to see the improvement she's shown in her two starts routing over turf and it's worth noting the rider switch to Baze as he's been known to get live calls from this barn; she owns fine tactical speed and it looks like she's been training right along in preparation for this.

Born Lucky

6-year-old mare has been in good form in two starts since being returned from a layoff last month but she will have to be ready for an improved performance if she's to make a serious bid for the top prize in this spot; Perez has won with 7 of 23 (30%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Love Tale (GB)

Her best effort places her squarely in the mix against these and she'd really like it if a few of these decided to get aggressive early on and generate a fast early tempo; she might need to see Miss Well Molded show up with less than her best to grab the top spot, but she clearly merits contender status. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Midnite View

Moves to the fence for his first start since Del Mar while tackling winners for the initial time; colt is working sharply of late for his return from nearly 8 months on the shelf and there is some speed signed on to set up his run; earned a career best Beyer the last time he returned from time off.

Mel's Game

Lures Bejarano for the stretchout while making his second start back from the layoff; gelding lost for the first time over the track in that one and he did earn some pretty solid numbers here last year; he's clearly not as good any longer and now he'll try 2 turns for the initial time; siding with others on the win end.

Master Cip

Showed sharp early foot again when returned to the main track earlier in the month but didn't have enough left late to threaten the winner; gelding may be tighter for his third start of the year but the presence of stretchout speed will make it tough from the bell for this guy; have to look elsewhere for the money finishers.

Magic Mark

Statebred tries open company after wiring restricted types in his first start with winners; his versatility should help him and he's working like he's set to take another step forward for a barn that's having an excellent meeting; one to consider.

Taran Taran

New York bred wired maidens while sprinting in his first start back from a year on the shelf; he set quick splits in that one and his pedigree suggests we won't see his best until he tackles 2 turns; there's a lot of speed signed on but he's worth a look in his first with winners.

Seeking the West

Cuts back a bit after taking a step back on the figure scale in the last out placing; maiden score did come on the front end but he did show last time that he's not going to pack it in if someone does beat him to the top; from striking range he could prove dangerous today.

Got Even

Stretches out to 2 turns after a rough run when beaten chalk in his return from the freshening last time; his prior efforts were pretty sharp on the figure scale and the last couple of times he went long were his best efforts yet; stamina issues are a concern and he hasn't seen the winner's circle in some time.

Honduran

Ships West for his first start in 11 months after holding second money in synthetic footing in Canada while trying winners for the initial time; gelding worked sharply for his new outfit last week and he does have a right to show up faster in his first start as a 4 year old, but his foes have run significantly better numbers than he has.

Secretsatmidnight

Argued hot fractions when turned back last time and didn't have enough left late; he'll draw towards the outside again on the stretchout but boasts another sharp interim drill so expect his lick is intact and that he'll be prominent from the bell; don't know that he'll have enough left late to prove a serious threat for the top spot.

I Don't Care Who

Steps up seeking his third straight score after earning a career best Beyer last month; gelding has had plenty of time to get over the try and his interim drills suggest the effort took little out of him; these are better, but plenty of speed signed on and the move outside combine to make him a threat to make it 3 straight.

Phantom Lover

Outside drawn gelding is offered for the optional tag while dropping a level in his return from the freshening; gray has been working well of late and he owns back numbers that fit but his return from his most recent break suggests he may not be so quick to get back to them, especially from out here. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Moone's My Name (GB)

Grade 3 stakes placed mare might be primed for a top try as she gets ready to make her second start of the year, and she really hasn't run a bad race from five starts since arriving in America; if she brings her 'A' game to the table, she'll be tough to tackle.

One Time Only

Relatively lightly raced 4-year-old hasn't finished worse than third from five turf starts and like the idea of her going sprint-to-route for her second start after a layoff; not going to be surprised if she produces her sharpest performance to date, and Stevens has won with 10 of 26 (38%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Unusual Hottie

Not only has she won six of 17 over turf, but she's four-for-nine at the distance, and she carries multiple graded stakes winning credentials with her; she looks like she put together a solid six furlongs over turf on March 22 in preparation for this, and note the addition of blinkers.

Golden Production

Stakes winning mare has been a consistent performer and she's shown the ability to run her race over any surface; she does enter this event off of a sub par performance, but that was a graded stakes attempt, and it's probably a good idea to look for her to bounce back with a sharper try against these; she's out of a G3 stakes placed dam who won 5 of 32 turf starts for 171k, and the runner up from her latest race returned to win next out here on 3/15 going 1 1/8m in a G1 with a 99 Beyer.

Bee Brave (GB)

She's three-for-three in the quality start department to begin her career and she finished right behind a couple of today's rivals in her latest outing; like to see Bejarano aboard again and this lightly raced miss is still plenty eligible to have more to show us.

Fanticola

Multiple stakes placed filly is another in here who deserves a lot of respect for her consistent approach to the game, and she's stepped it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in recent starts; she's proven that she can run well when fresh, so going to look for her to give a good account of herself once again today.

Oscar Party

She's always shown a good deal of ability and like to see what this multiple graded stakes palced miss has done in her two most recent races since getting back over turf again; that said, it might be worth noting the presence of Bejarano, Nakatani and Talamo aboard others in here.

Journey On

Her overall form has been solid and she's another in here who seems to be capable of producing a sharp performance over any surface; however, it does look like Talamo opted to pilot another in here, and she might have a tough time avoiding an early pace dispute after breaking from the outside. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Tiz Dynamic

Five year old steps up in career best form while retaining the services of Bejarano; he's yet to run even close to this far but he does have speed and has been working well since his last for this; he spots these a serious class edge, though, and despite the fact he loves the local footing, he may have a tough time going on today.

Ever Rider (ARG)

Gray was sent off as the chalk in last fall's G2 Breeders Cup Marathon while making his first North American start and failed to even finish the course; while his subsequent try was better it came against cheaper than he'll catch in here and he showed very little stamina after setting the pace on the green last time; barn is profitable second back from the break and this guy does own a trip score, but he'll need to step things up quite a bit to have a say in the outcome here.

American Blend

He was in a little tough in the Big 'Cap a few weeks back and now he'll stretch out; his effort 2 back over the track suggests he's a fit at this level and though he's yet to run this far, when right he looks as if he'll run all day; with a solid interim morning move in tow he's worth a look.

Segway

Five year old will try dirt for the first time in this spot for a barn that does boast some recent luck with the move; he's bred to handle the new footing and he is G2 SP on the green at this 12 panel trip; front end type switches back to the pilot aboard for his most recent score and maybe he's able to position him in a good tracking spot off the front runners today; one to consider.

Toccetive

New face hasn't seen the winner's circle in quite a long time and he was little threat on the Turf Paradise green last out; gelding is one paced and though he has offered some late kick at times, it's not a very good style to have in marathon heats; have to look elsewhere for the winner.

Blueskiesnrainbows

He was given a little extra time after tiring from his pace efforts in the G2 San Antonio at 9 panels last month; 5 year old is always forwardly placed and should be even more involved in pace on the stretchout to this trip; just missed at 14 furlongs over the track in the Breeders Cup Marathon last fall and his class certainly makes him an attractive option in this spot; proves the one to beat.

Niagara Falls

Returns quickly to try dirt for the first time after failing to go on late in the G2 San Luis Rey over the local turf course; he blew out sharply for that one but didn't offer any improved early foot; wouldn't be surprised if he handled the new footing, but though it came at this 12 panel trip, his most recent score came over entry level allowance runners.

Majestic Harbor

He's been keeping pretty good company of late and now they'll stretch him out off the freshening; 6 year old boasts some sharp recent morning moves for this and he does have the positional foot to sit within tracking range of the pacesetters early; main danger. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Turn On

Inside again after educational debut; winning dam cashing sprinting on dirt, is kin to several winners, one banked over $100K; this is her first to roll; every right to improve.

Q' Viva

Tribal Rule about 16% with first-time turfers in a 164-runner grid; sire graduated as older horse, took 2 of 4, banked nearly $80K, never turfed; decent effort in last despite bobbling; dam could run some; she took 10 of 47, won 6 times on grass, earned over $300K; all 5 siblings won; two banked 6 figures including near $150K earner Stalking Gold, 2 won on grass; look for rider to be aggressive here.

Russian Silk

Was dismissed on the tote and the fans were right on the money; dam lost 11 times; lone half sister to race was out of the money 3 times; not seeing it.

Ay Ay Ay

Debuted vs. winners, was in tight last time, could move forward; 2 for 10 dam was stakes placed, earned nearly $60K; both siblings won, both earned over $30K, neither won on turf; tab nice blowout on Tuesday; rates upset glance.

Warren's Cracker

The race last month was a regression and not thrilled she lost for a tag to kick off the career; a full sis was a double winner on grass; Bejarano re-hired; not impossible task.

Veronica Bay

She has a right to show more speed on the stretch out; dam was unraced; this is her first to roll; she showed solid speed last time and could be on the muscle on the stretch out; should at least muddle the pace.

Princesskatiebella

Birdonthewire about 11% with debuters in a 186-runner sample, 7 for 97 with first-time turfers; sire won juvenile debut in Philly going short, took multiple stakes including a G1, was second twice on grass but didn t win in 3 turf outs; 3 for 5 dam earned nearly $45K, never turfed, but she is kin to several 6-figure earners including one that banked nearly $200K; this is her first foal to race; drilling solidly.

Inherit the Throne

She has had her chances and things have not gone well since the debut; not my kind of play.

Seraphic Slew

Freshened for this and note winner of debut took a $20K optional next out; 1 for 6 dam earned about a grand a start, lost once on grass; 4 of 6 siblings won; top kin Seattlespectacular took a couple of stakes, banked over $400K, nearly $200K on grass; major player.

Little Unusual

After this many defeats, it s just hard to see the upside; she was clear for fun in last; another slice?

Ready for Love

Could need a race after the extended layoff; she is out of a non-winning dam that is kin to a near $300K earner; 3 of 4 siblings won, none were monsters, none won on grass; would lean toward watching one.

Van Dien Avenue

Beaten at odds-on two back and connections would love to see her start acting like top kin, multiple Grade 1 winner and over $1.5 million earner The Usual Q.T., who was turf only; she has the 3 races to draw from now; due.

Unusual Style

Lack of speed a concern; dam was 0 for 8; several multiple race winners in the family including full bro and near $450K earner Lennyfromalibu, who loved grass; respect everything from this barn. - Brian Mulligan