Santa Anita: Closer Looks for March 9, 2014

Race 2

Seldom Seen Slim

Homebred must be respected on the drop alone; stakes winning 5 for 19 dam earned nearly $250K and won routing thrice; this is her first to race; he lost all chance when mugged at the break in last; if he can run at all, he figures to show it here.

Even Echo

Connections get a more realistic placement today; colt has trained decently for this but will need plenty of help up front to get it done.

Stenoa

Off poor and he never got untracked; Grade 1 placed sire did win going long; dam's lone win was a sprint; both siblings won; top sibling was turf only but did win at a mile on the green; needs a turn around.

Cleardofallcharges

Colt has the two races to draw from and he is due for a trip; dam was unraced; 2 of 4 siblings won; both earned over $160K, one carried speed long on turf; this guy looks live.

Warrensgoldenyears

Soph is running himself into shape; sire was a non-winner; dam's lone win was a sprint; both siblings won including triple route winner in the minor leagues Warren's Rock Art; fourth new pilot takes the reins but he has lost ground in the lane every time.

Bluegrass Fox Trot

Very clever barn due to get rolling; gelding was over 6 clear in last and note the place horse 1/23 graduated in a maiden $50K seller with a 69 Beyer; should be right there when the smoke clears.

Prince of Paris

Maybe he just wanted to go long all the time; backers can point to the fact there is a route winner in the family; should be around the wire when the smoke clears.

Warren's Sallyized

At least he got a feel of the route game; dam was unraced; the lone sibling won once but it was a route; last angle to think about: this rider is 5 for 18 for this barn in the last year of so.

Race 3

Yes She's Unusual

Sea John's Spirit handled her easily 2 back in her only other dirt start while she won at today's distance in last rating from off the pace; the 1st start vs. winners is often any runner's toughest assignment; figures to race on or near the lead today; the debut winner repeated in an SA-optional claimer with a 78 Beyer speed figure.

Quinnette

Her last start on dirt was a victory at longer defeating the show runner who Beyered 67-64 in 2 next-out wins (16K-14K claimers); have to go back more than 1 year to see a bad race on dirt and she is 2-for-2 here; figures to save ground from midpack then make one run; contender.

Yawannagokid

Has to avenge latest loss vs. Sagebrush Queen posting a career-low Beyer speed figure in her 1st start in over 4 months with 31 days idle for this; figures to stalk the speed then hopes to find the stamina missing from latest; others appeal more.

Twelve Folds

Exits the 1st-SA dirt start of her career where she did not finish in-the-money; needed last off the more than 6-month layoff tiring up top when her best game seems to be racing on or near the lead; last-win rider Bejarano sides with Sagebrush Queen for this.

Sea John's Spirit

Today is her lightest-weight assignment ever still racing at equal weights with Yes She's Unusual; the added half furlong for this does not hurt the confidence level that a repeat is possible after winning a key race; the runner-up and show finishers both Beyered 75 in next-out SA-MSW wins; the one to beat.

Sagebrush Queen

Was outfinished in latest at 6F so the added half furlong here is the concern; clearly getting rider Bejarano for the 1st time is a huge plus scoring 38%-SA winners for the barn since 2013; worked a bullet since his career-best Beyer; well-timed ride seems the only thing she needs to get in the winner's circle; the pick.

Sweet Boss

Long layoff off the sharp-debut win over a synthetic surface; she will be getting dirt for this; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 86-80 in next-out BHP-MSW and DMR-OPC wins; have mixed reviews from the dirt workouts for an 11%-winning fresh trainer since 2013.

Race 4

Fort Wagner

Limited available data on sire with regard to his turf starters and during his racing career he was a minor stakes winner while winning 4 of 9 starts for 105k, including 2 of 4 turf starts for 63k; dam won 2 of 18 starts for 109k, including 2 of 10 turf starts for 76k.

Harness Mentality

Although against 20-18k maiden claimers, his one start over turf was a pretty sharp winning performance; relatively lightly raced 4-year-old might be ready to step up with his best performance to date while stretching out in distance and getting back over turf for his second start back from a layoff.

Rambling House

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and stakes placed dam won 4 of 18 starts for 122k, including 1 of 9 turf starts for 46k; this gelding is a 1/2 to stakes placed Miguel's Mascot (3-17, 150k, including 2 of 11 turf starts for 93k); third-place finisher from latest won next out at Aqu on 3/1 going 6f vs. MSW rivals with a 70 Beyer.

Alpha Bullet

Sire wins with approximately 17% of his turf starters and dam was winless from two starts, and both of her starts were over turf; although against maiden claimers, he's run very well in his first two starts, and not going to be at all surprised if he's able to maintain his sharp form with a move to turf.

Gallant Charm

Don't like to see that he hasn't been shy about settling for minor awards in his career, but his two most recent races over turf have been strong enough to suggest that he can get himself into the mix against these; winner from latest returned to win next out here on 3/2 going 1m vs. 40-35k claimers with a 90 Beyer.

Mavericks Gun

Not wild about a maiden taking on winners but this gelding did give a pretty solid account of himself when facing winners two starts ago; nevertheless, prefer to look toward others.

Warren's Cliff S.

He ran well when given another chance to see what he can do racing over turf in his latest outing, and his one start over turf prior to that was in his career debut; however, he does find himself facing a tougher field this time around.

Handsome Dennis

His recent form has been sharp and he beat today's rival Gallant Charm in his most recent start; this colt is a 1/2 to multiple graded stakes winner Handsome Mike (3-24, 923k, including 1 of 7 turf starts for 73k); he has the look of a contender.

Sheer Talent

Stakes placed runner has run pretty well since being returned from a long layoff three starts back, and not only has this barn been doing well with recent claims, but they see fit to call upon Bejarano for this.

Hoosier Diddy

His one victory was earned against 8k maiden claimers over the synthetic surface at Golden Gate and looking at this as being a tough spot for him to try to secure his first 1-2-3 finish over turf.

Tenkiller Kid

He's been in good form lately, but Notional has been a poor influence as a turf sire, and his one start over turf prior to this wasn't one of his better efforts; winner from latest won next out at GG on 2/27 going 1 1/16m vs. alw. rivals with an 86 Beyer.

Race 6

Mythical Storm

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 10% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal from a dam who won once from 10 starts for 55k, including 0-for-2 over turf; a few of his workouts hint at ability and he attracts the services of Bejarano for his career debut.

Southern Digs

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a stakes placed dam who won 2 of 13 starts for 69k, including 0-for-4 over turf; the rider switch to Smith with the move to turf might be worth noting, and Smith has won with 4 of 11 (36%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Nooten

Mud Route has been a poor influence as a turf sire, but this gelding sports some of the stronger overall form in here, and his one start sprinting over turf prior to this was a solid runner-up finish.

Cut to Run

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his first-time starters and with approximately 11% of his turf starters, and dam won 2 of 15 starts for 84k, including 1 of 8 turf starts for 60k; tough to give this one the nod over the other first-time starters in here.

Brimstoned

He's by a strong turf sire and he put together a solid performance when outrunning his odds in his career debut going a mile over this turf course; he has his share of appeal while turning back to a sprint distance for this.

Sir Vronski

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 2 of 8 starts for 30k, including 2 of 5 turf starts for 28k; the move to turf might agree with this gelding and he's shown legitimate early speed in his first two starts.

Missing Groom

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and stakes placed dam won 8 of 25 starts for 180k, including 6 of 17 turf starts for 155k; Tommy Town-homebred looks like he's been doing nice work in the a.m. and going to look for him to be ready to give a good account of himself in his first start as a 3-year-old.

Bobby Z Man

Half-brother to Lindz Winz (7-37, 289k, including 2 of 13 turf starts for 137k) showed up with a much improved performance with a move to turf at second asking when finishing fourth behind a runaway winner.

Cinematic Cat

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 14 starts for 43k, including 0-for-2 over turf; he's going to need to produce a much improved performance in his turf debut in order to have a say in the outcome.

Frensham

Limited available data on G1 winning sire with regard to his turf starters, and he won 3 of 17 starts for 837k during his racing career, including 0-for-2 over turf; dam won 2 of 11 starts for 38k, including 0-for-2 over turf; this colt is a 1/2 to Puff Pastry (1-16, 85k, including 1 of 9 turf starts for 57k).

Freddies Dream

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and dam won 2 of 20 starts for 43k, including 0-for-2 over turf; this barn can be live with a firster and a number of his workouts look solid.

Doubting Thomas

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and this is the first foal from a stakes placed dam who won 5 of 33 starts for 233k, including 4 of 25 turf starts for 195k; one of two live looking firsters signed on in here for the Puype barn.

Sun Spots

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won once from 12 starts for 22k, and she didn't make a start over turf; this colt is a full to The Toast of Troy (3-17, 144k over turf), stakes placed Apoplectic (2-9, 137k over turf) and Mega Heat (7-14, 237k, including 4 of 7 turf starts for 157k).

Rolo Tamaci

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first-time starters and with approximately 15% of his turf starters, and dam won once from 10 starts for 25k, including 0-for-1 over turf; he's another firster in here that looks like he's been training well in preparation for his debut.

Race 7

Kinz Funky Monkey

Chased the long-priced winner most of the way before weakening late in a recent turf sprint, from which unplaced Macha exited to land an N2X with a 75 Beyer; daughter of The Green Monkey has been working on the dirt, over which she has yet to compete; figures to flash some speed before fading.

Warm Breeze

Fair Grounds shipper has worked quickly since she led throughout a Feb. 1 stakes; possesses tactical speed, and might end up tracking Munnings Sister and Kinz Funky Monkey on the backstretch; she's a pretty good fit here from a Beyer perspective, and could garner a slice of graded black type if she stays in the zone.

Judy the Beauty

Judy has been idle since her heartbreaking loss in the G1 BC Filly and Mare Sprint to champion Groupie Doll, who subsequently won a G3 stakes at Gulfstream after a troubled fourth in the G1 Cigar Mile; she earned a triple-digit Beyer twice last year, and has been working like she's ready to go full-tilt; hard to go past under JR, who was aboard for her victory in the G2 TCA at Keeneland.

Heir Kitty

Parlayed an ideal stalking trip into a G1 stakes win over a G2-like field two back in the La Brea; daughter of Wildcat Heir wasn't as sharp most recently in the G2 Santa Monica, from which the runner-up exited to take the G2 Santa Maria (99 Beyer); shortening up from seven to six furlongs won't be a problem if she fires one of her better shots; looks second or third-best on paper.

Munnings Sister

Florida shipper is seeking her first graded tally off a gate-to-wire score in a fast-paced stakes at Gulfstream; sister to G2 winner Munnings might have to contend with Kinz Funky Monkey and Warm Breeze on the lead here if she employs an aggressive style; Tagg's lone SoCal runner in the past five years was Jersey Town, who ran fifth in the 2012 BC Dirt Mile; prefer others on top.

Race 8

Remise (AUS)

It remains to be seen if she can be at her best at today's one mile distance but she commands a good deal of respect in this spot based on what she's shown in her first two starts since arriving in America.

Oscar Party

Like to see the effort that this stakes winning miss showed up with while getting back over turf and making her second start back from a layoff in her latest outing, and even though she loses the services of Nakatani to another in here, she attracts Bejarano.

Bonnie Lesley (IRE)

Not sure that her best effort is quite strong enough to get over on the top contenders in here and this stone-cold closer will likely need to see a complete pace meltdown in order to have a say in the outcome.

Premier Steps (IRE)

Stakes winning filly shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with the Viva Carina and that was a sharp runner-up finish in her first start for this barn; Stevens has won with 7 of 18 (39%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Fantastic Mizz

This miss deserves a good deal of respect for her consistent approach to the game but it does look like she's going to need to produce a career best performance to get the better of this field; third-place finisher from latest returned to win next out here on 2/9 going 1m over turf vs. 32-28k claimers with a 79 Beyer.

Irish Presence

She was beaten by today's rival Oscar Party in her most recent start and she's going to need to show up with a much sharper performance if she's planning on earning her first top-three finish over turf against these.

Lady Asano

Teuflesberg has been a poor influence as a turf sire and this filly is going to need to show more than she has in her first two turf attempts if she's to prove to be a player in this spot; respect the fact that she hails from a sharp barn, but looking toward others.

Chokecherymary

She's a stakes winner racing over this turf course at today's distance, and even though her recent form hasn't been her best, she's an interesting option to consider in this spot when seeing that she's removing blinkers for this.

Miss Lucky Sevens

This filly has a nice pedigree for turf and she looks like she's heading in the right direction while going sprint-sprint-route for her third start back from a layoff; Bejarano pilots another in here, but she loses nothing with John V. taking over.

Viva Carina (ARG)

She was disqualified and placed second after hitting the finish first in a G2 event in her latest outing, and even though there is a long layoff in play, she has to be viewed in the light of a contender based on the strength of that performance.

Freedom Reigns (IRE)

Multiple stakes placed mare has been known to leave herself to much ground to cover when she hits the top of the stretch, but she's certainly shown the ability to pack a strong late punch on her best day; third-place finisher from latest won next out at FG on 3/1 going 7 1/2f over turf vs. 35k OPC's with an 82 Beyer.

Include the Aussie

One of two signed on in here for the Proctor barn and have to respect the presence of Stevens aboard the other one; she produced one of her better performances when last seen, but looking at this as being a tough spot for her to make her 2014 racing debut.

City At Dawn

She needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race in order to draw in and she will have to step up her game in a noticeable way to prove to be a player in this spot; this filly is a 1/2 to multiple graded stakes placed Al Khali (8-38, $1 million, including 5 of 31 North American turf starts for 980k).

Redressthebalance (IRE)

Her two most recent races have been a couple of her better performances, but she finds herself in a tough spot while making her first start since August, and an extreme outside post awaits in the event that she draws in.

Race 9

Splendid Outcast

Redattore about 6% with debuters in a 141-runner sample; sire didn't race at 2, took 2nd career start, went on to bank over $1.7 million; 2 for 8 dam took debut at 2, won $75K; 2 of 3 siblings won; one banked $65K; miss looks fit enough.

Goodbye Roselina

Pure Prize about 12% with debuters in a 379-runner sample; sire won at 2, took a G2, banked $425K; dam just one for 16; lone sibling lost twice with a 2nd; she has trained forwardly for this.

Coast Starlite

Macho Uno about 12% with debuters in a 355-runner sample; sire won thrice at 2 including debut, took BC Juvenile, earned over $1.8 million; dam took debut at 2, lost other start; one of 2 sibs won and that runner was one for 14; like this work pattern accentuated by the blowout on Thursday.

Nueva Fortuna

Northern Afleet about 13% with debuters in a 605-runner sample; sire won juvenile debut at Del Mar, won multiple Graded stakes including two G2s, earned over $600K; 1 for 12 dam banked about $30K; this is her first to race; like fact she drilled farther than this race is carded.

Swiss Peak

Nice bit of training to have this miss run so well off the extended layoff; race over the surface can t hurt and at least she s drilled a couple of times since; stakes winning 6 for 28 dam banked over $300K; lone half sister raced once taking debut at 2; must be considered.

Ten in Excess

Drops a notch but still in for $17K less than purchase price; 1 for 3 dam earned over $40K; lone half bro took 4 of 12, earned nearly $70K; has some thing to work on.

Desviado

Away a long time to figure that she will be on her game first crack out of the box; SW dam took 4 of 22, earned nearly $250K; lone sib took one of 11, banked nearly $30K; try to get a good look at her on the track.

Chasing Hope

Candy Ride about 13% with debuters in a 403-runner sample; sire didn't race at 2, was unbeaten in 6 outs, took G1 Pacific Classic, banked $750K; 1 for 9 dam earned less than a grand a start; all 4 siblings won multiple times, top kin Web Gem took 6 of 52, banked over $330K; miss looks half-past ready.

Diablita

She flashed solid speed and should appreciate the shorter trip; dam was 0 for 6; one sibling lost 11 times; the other took 9 for 45, banked nearly $85K; will at least muddle the pace.

My Wish Come True

Tribal Rule about 14% with debuters in a 371-runner sample; sire won twice, was never out of the exacta in 4 outs, earned almost 20 grand a start; dam was unraced; 2 if 4 sublings won, each won once; drills ideally spaced.