Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 6, 2014

Race 1

Dubai Ruler

He has early speed and like to see the improvement he showed along the Beyer Speed Figure scale at second asking; the drop in class can serve him well, and he's a full to multiple stakes winner Ruler of Dubai (3-7, 169k).

Fifteen Black

Half-brother to stakes placed Chairman Now (6-32, 266k) showed up with an improved performance at second asking with the addition of blinkers, and he looks like he can prove to be the dominant early speed in here; note that he finished in front of today's rival Dubai Ruler in his latest outing.

Silver Dollar

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and multiple stakes winning dam won 5 of 14 starts for 177k; this barn can be live with a firster and that five-furlong gate workout on February 8 hints at ability.

Baker Boys

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his first-time starters and dam was unraced; this gelding is a full to stakes winner Courtside (7-28, 241k); his recent workouts look sharp and viewing the presence of Talamo as a positive indicator.

Code of Pleasure

Lightly raced colt might still have more to show us, but he was beaten by today's rival Seeking Asylum at second asking, and he must show more in order to have a chance at the top spot against these.

Seeking Asylum

Four of his five starts have been in the neighborhood of what it might take to get the job done in this spot and he goes out for a strong trainer/jockey tandem; Bejarano has won with 15 of 51 (29%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting. - Brian Pochman

Race 4

Oh Daddy Oh

3-year-old's 1st start vs. older; he raced 1st at the 1st call in all 5 races 4 defeats; has to fend off the speedy Southern Sunrise from the gate then the late runners; exits a career-best Beyer speed figure when tiring at longer cutting back to 5.5F is good news; was edged by the 3-back winner and runner-up finisher next-out 73-70 Beyer SA-50K-claiming-BHP-starter allowance winners.

Crimson Giant

Finished 2nd at 45-1 odds in April the last time at 5.5F in a similar spot on SA dirt; obviously the 1-for-47 record and 12 minor awards makes him a tough-win prospect but clearly likes this distance and has done his very best work on SA dirt.

Chat n' Cut

Debut winner at today's distance with lots of upside but gets the class tested big time here; the post-race workout was clearly not an eye-catching move but had to like how he rated professionally then came home strongly to get the nod.

Southern Sunrise

March, 2012, was his field-best Beyer speed figure performance at 6F on SA dirt; his lone win was off a long layoff which gives hope for this but he would like a clear, easy lead off the bench but that does not seem likely with Oh Daddy Oh signed on here; being winless on SA dirt does not help the confidence level but is the one to catch and beat.

Green Dolphin

55 days since fading in a key race; the winner and 4th-place finisher from last Beyered 92-79 in next-out SUN-allowance and SA-16K-claiming wins; the good news is his maiden win was off a similar layoff but defeated 1 runner combined in 3 losses vs. winners; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Northern Force

1st time on dirt off the long layoff noting the trainer's 0-for-12 record since 2013 with long-layoff starters; his worktab on the main track is solid enough to think he will like it a lot; the show runner from last Beyered 88 in a next-out BHP-optional-claiming win. - Art Gropper

Race 5

Tommy's Stylin

Sire wins with approximately 7% of his first-time starters and he's 0-for-12 with his turf starters, and this is the first foal from a dam who won 4 of 18 starts for 85k, including 0-for-5 over turf; not wild about the rail post at this trip, especially for a firster, but it is interesting to see Smith take the call.

Act

Sire wins with approximately 21% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a stakes placed dam who won 3 of 18 starts for 154k, including 1 of 3 turf starts for 30k; 310k purchase showed good early speed in his debut and he might looking forward to seeing what he can do over turf.

Kozani

He's two-for-two in the quality start department to begin his career and this will be his first start as a 3-year-old; can't help but be more intrigued by the other Sadler-trained runner in here, but this colt is clearly a contender and he's out of a stakes winning dam who won 3 of 13 turf starts for 227k.

Larry Birdstone

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his first-time starters and with approximately 6% of his turf starters, and dam was unraced; this colt is a 1/2 to Launcestone (4-13, 77k, including 1 of 2 turf starts for 17k); Birdstone has not been a positive influence as a win-early or turf sire, but a few of his workouts hint at ability.

Number Five

Half-brother to multiple graded stakes placed Trend (3-23, 255k over turf) has run well in both of his turf attempts and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him produce his best performance to date while making his first start as a 3-year-old.

Dothraki

Stakes placed colt has a quality pedigree and he figures to appreciate dropping back in with maidens after a couple of stakes attempts; he might be ready to give a good account of himself while making his second start back from a layoff.

J Kat

Sire wins with approximately 3% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this colt is a 1/2 to G3 stakes placed Strike the Bell (5-19, 285k over turf); not sure about the move to turf for this colt but he did show a little something when well backed for his career debut.

Broadcaster (IRE)

His form racing overseas appears to be so-so at best and he finds himself in against a legitimate field of maidens for his first start in America, but if there is a positive to consider, its the presence of Bejarano.

Relative Time

Since an encouraging career debut, he's struggled to put together a competitive performance, and it's difficult to envision him being anything more than an early pace factor based on his three most recent races.

Green Tag (IRE)

He's another in here making his USA racing debut and a couple of his recent workouts look pretty sharp; like the outside post at this trip and it doesn't hurt him to have the services of an aggressive rider. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Dulcemia

Moves back in with statebreds after coming up short late from a wide spot; mare will cut back a panel and move to the fence for this one; there's not a whole bunch in here and those who have run have nowhere near her experience, but that also means she doesn't have the upside of today's foes; minor award.

Warren's Tricia R.

Sire is 2 for 28 with his newcomers and the dam won 2 sprints prior to dropping 2 winners, one of whom took 3 sprints; barn hasn't had a lot of luck of late right out of the box but that gal does boast a couple of solid recent drills in preparation for this.

Q' Viva

Steps up to the MSW level for her first start off the claim by an outfit that excels with this type right back; filly gets off the fence for this and maybe that helps, but she's going to need to improve several lengths to seriously threaten for the top spot.

Sixy Eddie

Hood comes off a filly who failed to recover from the slow beginning from an inside draw in her bulky field debut run; she's worked well of late for her second try and both of her sibs are winners; price will again be right for those willing to overlook the poor first out result.

More Complexity

Enters this off the field's highest Beyer effort and she did it after being pushed from the bell from the inside draw; filly moves off the fence for this but should again be involved in pace from the bell; there's a newcomer that could give her some trouble, but if she's able to run close to what she did last time she'll likely prove tough to down at a much shorter price.

Copperopolis

Absentee makes her first start in 15 months while trying dirt for the initial time here; she has been working regularly of late for this and the barn is going well here, but they haven't had much recent luck with returnees; have to give her this one.

Emotional Drive

Tries dirt for the initial time in this spot after being given a little break following a weak spin on the Hollywood lawn; filly has been working well for this and she is kin to a sprint winner, but this outfit hasn't won a race.

Our Dream Queen

Sire gets 16% winners from his debut runners and the dam was winless from 2 starts prior to dropping this gal; outside drawn should help keep her out of trouble and this barn certainly knows how to get them ready; sharp drills and the presence of Bejarano suggest she's set to come out running. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Joelito

He was a sharp runner up in his first start for this barn in his latest outing and that sprint event might have been used a conditioner for this; he's very nearly graded stakes placed racing over turf, and even though this is a tough bunch of 62k OPC's, he commands respect as a contender.

Ever Rider (ARG)

He hasn't shown much in two starts over turf prior to this, and even though his latest effort was a solid third-place finish over the main track here, this has to be considered a difficult spot for him to get over turf for the first time since arriving in America.

Artic North

He's run well in all of his starts since moving into this barn and he was last seen earning a G2 stakes placing; going to look for him to be ready for his return to action and he's a 1/2 to multiple stakes winner Major Marvel (22-53, 698k, including 16 of 36 turf starts for 580k).

Niagara Falls

Stakes placed 5-year-old was on top of his game when last seen and it's interesting to see him getting a rider switch to Bejarano for his return from a long layoff; maybe he's looking for a longer event the next time around, but his recent workouts look sharp.

Dreamy Kid

To this point in time, his better races have been run over synthetic surfaces, but he hasn't had all that many chances racing over turf, and he does have a strong turf pedigree; looking at this as being a tough spot for him to be going after his first 1-2 finish over turf, but not willing to count him out of it.

Monastic

He's another with plenty of turf in his pedigree, and if he's ready to pick up where he left off, there isn't any reason why he can't make some noise in this spot; Stevens was aboard for a fine runner-up finish in his latest outing and he's won with 7 of 18 (39%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Spring Up

He's proven to be a valuable 20k to claim for his current connections and really like to see the improvement he's shown since being placed over turf four starts ago; he already has four wins from nine starts and Maldonado does get his share of live calls from this barn.

Power Ped

This barn has been having a strong meeting and they had this gelding ready for a sharp performance in his first start back from a layoff just over a month ago; perhaps the assignment of Smith is an indication that they feel that this runner is ready to show up with another strong effort.

Empty Headed

He needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race in order to draw in, and although he deserves some credit for his consistent approach to the game, his best effort doesn't appear to be quite strong enough to beat the top contenders in here.

Willyconker (IRE)

Grade 1 winner will appreciate the drop in class for his second start back from a layoff and he was a very sharp winner while earning a strong Beyer Speed Figure just two starts back, even if that was against 40-35k claimers; it's probably a good idea to keep an eye on him in the event that he draws in. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Yesterday Sings

Valid excuse in the debut and she was over 4 clear in last; show horse in the debut won at this level, was out of the money twice; winner of the debut repeated in a $40K optional, was third beaten 2 in a $50K claimer here last Sunday; stakes placed 3 for 35 dam earned nearly $100K; this is her first to race; shorter trip could be just what the good doctor ordered.

Mon Petite

At least she got a feel of the surface; 2 for 31 dam earned almost $90K; both siblings won multiple times, one banked over $80K; must display more.

Run Rosie Run

Miss bobbled a bit but has yet to threaten; SP 4 for 16 dam earned over $160K; 4 of 5 siblings won; top relative Senior took 4 of 27, earned nearly $150K; she seems to be coming around.

Ninnavee

The zip has been there but not the stamina; she has some work to do to match top kin, 12-race winner and over $100K earner Why Knot Us; could see her pushing the issue, you get the feeling if she is hooked, she'll back out of it.

Violate

She comes off arguably her best race; miss has lost ground in the lane in every race but if you figure she needed the last, then a case can be made for a move forward; not without a shot.

She's Flush

Youngster has teased several times bit the losses are piling up; she seems to run the same race every time; Bejarano sticks, overdue.

Elda

Only a brief factor first time for a tag; dam was unraced; all 3 siblings won once, one banked nearly $60K; pretty solid drill since getting the race in Arcadia; expect better effort.

Honky Tonk Diva

Was freezing on the tote and the fans were right on; dam out of the money in only start; 4 of 5 siblings won; top kin Sally's Blade took 7 of 42, earned nearly $63K; has some things to iron out.

Moonlight Stroll

A couple of regressions since the decent debut; she may be more relaxed and aware of surroundings with the blinks off; 1/19 winner took a $40K optional next out with a 68 Beyer; dam was unraced; one of 3 sibs won; that runner cashed twice on grass, banked about $35K; she should be fit enough by now.

Warrenspoweroflove

Filly seems to be racing herself into shape; dam was unraced; lone half sis lost 4 times; drawn right, she has passed horses; the hotter the pace the better. - Brian Mulligan