Santa Anita: Closer Looks for May 15, 2014

Race 1

Is This Georgia

Sire is 2-for-7 with 2-year-old debut starters; is out of a 4-0-0-1 dam (6K) who's only other foal to race is 0-for-1 Samatt; the trainer is 0-for-13 since 2013 with 1sters; her latest-4F publiished workout was slower than many of the others so will be taking a wait and see approach.

Desert Thief

The sub-48 workouts and Garcia listed to ride makes her a major player at 1st asking; sire is 1-for-13 with 2-year-old debut starters; is out of an unraced dam who produced 3 winners from 3 other foals to race including stakes-placed Daylight Storm (7-for-18, 213K) who did not win until start 4.

Time for Action

Sire is 2-for-17 with 2-year-old debut starters; win-early family; she is out of a 1-for-4 dam (41K) who won her career debut; she produced 4 winners from 4 other foals to race including full sibling and BHP-debut winner Time for a Hug (1--for-2, 31K).

Take Back Spring

Sizzling-SA trainer with a runner set to improve 2nd-time out off the educational unveiling where more was expected bet to under 4-1 odds; Carly P. who beat her 1st-time out has already raced back but showed nothing 6 days ago.

Carly P.

Beat Take Back Spring in her debut which produced a light Beyer then had nothing vs. open-company rivals 6 days ago; reunites with the debut rider after she broke last in most recent; obviousy needs a sharper start if she wants to land a share.

Wacky Miss

Stalked the pace in her debut but had nothing late; needs a massive-2nd-time out form improvement to shock these; trainer also has Time for Action entered but uncoupled; this one gets the better rider for the barn since 2013 suggesting she is the better of the 2.

City Ride

Pounded down to 4-5 odds for the debut where never a factor; 2 workouts since then the 1st start produced a blazing 47-flat drill; new rider after breaking in then bumped in the educational unveiling; most runners improve 2nd-time out and clearly has worked like she is ready to rumble here.

Happy Deisy

Sire is 0-for-0 with 2-year-old debut starters; is out of an unraced dam who produced 2 winners from 2 other foals to race including stakes-placed Coach Bob (4-for-32, 211K) who graduated in start 6; the barn won with a layoff runner at SA last week; wish the works were snappier for 1st asking.

Lost Bus

Sire is 17-for-69 with 2-year-old debut starters; is out of a 2-for-8 dam (62K) who captured her 2nd-career race; she produced 2 winners from 3 other foals to race including 115K-earner full Magoo (6-for-15) who won his 2nd start.

Line Leader

21%-winning debut trainer adds to the appeal with a steady worktab posted; sire is 0-for-1 with 2-year-old debut starters; is the 1st foal out of a 2-for-13 dam (64K) who broke her maiden in start 2; the barn began the meet on an 0-for-7 but goes to 21%-jockey-trainer combo Maldonado for this; hard to count out. - Art Gropper

Race 3

Sheza Dish

Only turf start wasn't very pretty (8th at 42-1) but in her defense that was also her career debut so you can be a bit forgiving; 3 3rds in her 4 starts since encourage some but even so she was no factor in any of those in the lane as she was beaten 5 1/4, 10 3/4 and 4 1/2 lengths, and of course none of that came on turf; comes off a dull dirt route here May 1 so can the surface switch bring about the needed form improvement, hmmmmm?

Kadesha (FR)

Sire Azamour is 1 for first 6 (16%) first time out, 1 for first 6 (16%) first tiem turf and 6 for first 23 (26%) overall on turf, according to DRF sire stats; sire was a beast in Europe, winning 6 of 12 for $2.6 million, had 3 G1 SWs, also multiple G1 SP including 3rd in the BC Turf; dam has 1 winner from 2 fials, Kadaya (3 wins, all on turf, 1 in France and 2 in the U.S., $83K); dam was off board in 2 starts; solid drills.

Iconic Spirit

Surface is an issue as she ran 7th in each of her 2 grass tries; finished 5th, behind Sheza Dish (3rd) at DMR Aug. 16, was gone nearly 8 months and came back to be 4th behind Sheza Dish (3rd) on dirt here April 4; likely needed that run and 4 2nds in 10 starts show she has some talent but those also came a year and longer ago and as noted her turf form is dicey at best.

Star Act

Been knocking on the door and may be ready to bust through; both mommy and daddy were G1 SWs and this gal has shown she handles turf very nicely; that 2nd here Feb. 8 looks really good now as the winner, Nashoba's Gold, is now a GSW on turf and the gal who finished behind her that day (Nazareth) beat maidens here Sunday; plenty of positives, well, except for the short price.

Lethal Story

Just 1 3rd in 9 starts but at least it came in 1 of her 4 turf tries; even so, she wasn't much of a factor, beaten 4 1/2 lengths; good news, though, is in that April 12 race on this course at this trip she was less than a length behind Star Act, who looms the one to beat here; so, by virtue of her proximity to 'Act she merits respect as 'Act still has things to prove and this gal could move forward enough to cut into, negate or even overcome that gap; back in a hurry, too (7 days), a move with which Abrams has had success (21%).

Sweet as a Rose

Dueled and ended up 4th in that Feb. 8 race here that saw Nashoba's Gold win (she's now a GSW), today's foe Star Act run 2nd and Nazareth run 3rd (beat maidens here Sunday); but this gal doesn't want to run that way as she showed in a couple other turf starts in which she sat and finished; freshened since running on for 4th in a grass sprint here March 22 with some good works in tow, and a return to more patient tactics can make her scary to those of you singling/keying Star Act.

Venetian

They thought enough of her after an OK main-track debut at DMR Aug. 4 to then try a turf route stakes there (Juvenile Fillies Turf) Sept. 5 - and she was went off at just 5-1 so somebody saw something they liked; winner Clenor is now a GSW; things didn't go so well for this gal in that stakes and she hasn't been seen since but she's been working steadily, Talamo stays put and she's back in vs. maidens which surely has to help. - Michael Hammersly

Race 4

Unusual Taste

Debuts for Abrams who the past five years has a 6 percent strike rate with first-time starters; Unusual Heat is just below 10 percent as a debut sire; stakes-placed dam won twice on dirt in Argentina and once on turf coming down the hill here; one of three sibs to race, a full sister, won a couple of sprints on dirt; rail can be intimidating for a first timer; prefer others.

Antinanco

First from Headley showed some early interest before tiring when he debuted in a key MSW race for Cal-breds; the horse that finished second came back to win a Cal-bred MSW race and the 8th horse won a $50K Cal-bred maiden claimer; he figures to move forward with a race behind him and he could also improve as a first-time gelding; his 2 sibs are a combined 1/20 but he is out of a mare that won 8 races and placed in a Grade 2; contender.

Tizbudsformenlimo

He didn't receive a lot of support when he debuted in a $40K Cal-bred maiden claimer and he didn't make a big impact while finishing a distant fifth; improvement expected in his second start but he's the first foal out of a mare that won twice and earned just over 7K; considering the low Beyer Speed Figure he earned in his debut he probably needs to run a bit cheaper to be competitive.

Stadtpark

He flashed decent speed in his debut and held on well to finish second behind the heavy chalk who was coming off a solid second in a $20K maiden claimer; he should improve with the experience behind him and he figures to be in the mix right from the start; he is the first foal out of a mare that won 3 races and earned $62K; consider for the exotics.

Philanderer

Debuts for Headley who can have them ready to roll - 19 percent with horses debuting in maiden claiming races the past five years- and the typically fast works are there; sire roughly 12 percent with first time starters; 7 winning sibs to report including No Curfew who won his debut and a couple of stakes as a 2-year-old; looks like a serious threat.

Gospel Music

The one to beat off of his solid second at this level in his latest which was the first time he actually was able to run over a fast dirt track; he was also running for a tag for the first time and he obviously fits nicely at this level; not sure who will replace Bejarano but they should be able to put him into a stalking position early and wear down the speed late; can hear a little "Heaven's Bright Shore," being sung in the winner's circle atter the race; the pick.

Samatt

He obviously didn't handle coming down the hill in his debut and he should appreciate the easier company with the drop into a Cal-bred maiden claiming race; he's had a couple of decent works since he ran but the first foal out of a mare that didn't win in 4 starts, one third, will need to take a big step forward to contend here; passing. - Randy Goulding

Race 6

Ruff Proof

Done little wrong in 4 starts; added blinkers and routed for the first time here April 19 and ran on nicely for 2nd, vs. elders no less; this group may be a tad tougher but she's trending the right way and 2 works since say she's doing well...but this spot came up pretty salty, didn't it?

Quinnette

Holds her solid form; only 4th in her last 2, yes, but those came vs. tougher; she's back in vs. state-breds today and back to dirt, and while she's run decently on turf this is surely her best footing (7 of 8 wins have come on dirt); she's 2 for 3 on this main track, too and a couple solid works recently say she holds her edge.

In Dad's Honor

Gives Ellis a couple good looks at this (also sends out Quinnette); bided her time in a sprint and kept to her task well to be a decent 4th against somewhat similar here May 1; moves back to a route and that may be key as her only 2 dirt routes, both here a couple months ago, were very nice (2nd beaten 1/2; 1st by a nose).

La Quillotana

Debut was super as she dueled and drew off to whip maiden 3yos here April 3; of course, that was sprnting, vs. maidens and vs. 3yos only; first try vs. winners, also a sprint here May 3 but vs. elders, saw her press the pace but then hit the brakes hard; they try a new distance today and maybe that can help as with her sprint speed she might be able to dictate things and surely won't need to blast out of there early at this longer trip; even so, the severity of the way she hit the brakes last time gives cause for pause.

Browsing

No factor here April 11 but that came on turf and she blew the start to boot; also, she'd done little in her only other grass start so maybe the turf isn't for her; nice to see no drop after that and no layoff and you already know she very much likes dirt, specifically this dirt as she's 2 for 3 on this track (2nd in the lone loss) and 2 for 2 at this distance; shown some versatility, too.

Sweetrayofsunshine

Continues her excellent form - 4 wins and 2 2nds in her last 6 starts, pretty darn nice; Bejarano saw fit to give her a repeat call for this (though obviously he's sidelined, so that's still an endorsement); Spawr claimed her for $16K Feb. 16, risked her for higher tags in her last 2 but takes no such risk with her today, and her speed should have her in a good spot from the start.

Wonderful Lie

Won her debut here and then tried this level; was a non-threatening 4th but the winner, Rovenna, is now a SW and the runner-up Harlington's Rose came right back to romp so that was a tough heat; freshened and returned in a 3yo stakes here April 26 and did everything right, just getting nipped (by the aforementioned Rovenna) routing April 26; obviously has no issue with the track or trip and while she drops from stakes ranks she does have to face some tough elders so it's still a tough spot; but there are plenty of positives here. - Michael Hammersly

Race 7

Kissin Lucky Lips

She's a maiden so we'll assume Puype wants to see if she'll improve going this far; dam won the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at a mile and a quarter and one of her siblings won in Japan and placed going 1 13/16 miles; sire finished second in the Belmont so the breeding is certainly there; nonetheless, others look more attractive.

Tiz the Key

She looked like she could keep going when she broke her maiden in her latest and her breeding suggests she'll be able carry her speed this far; can she handle turf? dam won three times on the lawn and it looked like she was running okay over it when she had a rough trip in the Surfer Girl last Oct.; they won't be in any hurry early and she could take them a long way if she ends up being the one they are chasing; the pick in a wide-open event.

Remarkable Moon

She just missed when she came back from a lengthy layoff and if she comes back with a similar effort she should be right there; a lot of times horses regress in their second start back following a long layoff but Gallagher has solid stats in the category and he's given her time to recover; she was certainly helped by an extremely fast pace, though, and both times she tried this distance she didn't fire; tough call.

Scooter Bird

She flopped as the chalk in the same race Remarkable Moon exits but she wasn't too far off the very fast early fractions so it wasn't surprising she came up empty late; she ran a big race the only time she went this far and that is half the battle in these kind of races; this should set up a lot better for her and it wouldn't be surprising to see her to rebound with a big effort; big shot.

Fleet of Gold

First try on the west coast was okay but she will need to improve in her first try on turf to win this; sire is roughly 11 percent with first time turfers; $1.7 million Grade 1 winning dam won going 1 1/14 miles but never tried turf; neither sib has won on any surface; can see her taking a big step forward in her second start for Hollendorfer but not sure how she's going to handle the surface.

Amnesia (IRE)

First try in North America was decent and Drysdale wheels her back pretty quickly so he must have liked the way she came out of the race; not sure who will be riding her but it is encouraging to see that Bejarano was attracted; easy to imagine her moving forward in her second start here but her breeding suggest she might have a hard time handling the added yardage.

Commander Cloud

She earned her career-best Beyer Speed Figure in her latest win but it came over $25K n/w/2 and this is a big step up in class; she is also a 6-year-old mare so not sure how much upside potential there is here; nonetheless, the 402 Tomlinson Figure for the distance is easly the best in the field so maybe she'll shine in her first try going a classic distance; another piece to a complicated puzzle.

Perfecta

Her last win came in 2012 and she is coming off a pretty dull effort in a $25K claiming race coming down the hill; she wasn't much of a factor in her previous race going one mile in a $40K optional race March 7 and it is hard to see her improving enough to make an impact here; passing.

Lil Swiss Echo

Cal-bred seems to be headed in the right direction and she looked good winning her latest in a first-level allowance race for state-breds; sire was best at a mile; dam, who only raced at two, won and was stakes placed sprinting; both sibs to race are winners including 4-time route winner Atta Lara; another possibility in a wide-open event. - Randy Goulding

Race 8

Dirty Blonde

No threat in first 4 starts but remember all 4 came vs. straight maidens so she moves into this with the most important drop in the game; that being said, we still don't know how much talent is here, if any, particularly as it relates to dirt (7th and 5th in 2 dirt starts), not to mention the fact she hasn't run in 2 months; 4 of 7 sibs are winners including Birdrun (7 wins, $622K, all wins routing on dirt, 3 SWs including a G2).

Nonna Reese

Showed talent in the winter of 2013 but then came a couple layoffs including 1 of over 11 months; good news, though, is her form has picked up since the layoff as she was 4th in her first 2 return outings and then 3rd and then 2nd here just 6 days ago, and those 4 all came over this track at this level; so, she may be heading the right way; that being said, her top Beyer (51) leaves her with work to do and this type of quick turnaround hasn't exactly been one of Avila's power moves (0 for last 3 coming back in 7 days or less).

Warren's Susie Q.

Tough to be too enthused; first 2 outings weren't pretty last summer/fall (7th in each), then came over 3 months off and her 2 starts here this year weren't too hot either (8th, 7th); in her defense, all that work came vs. slightly more expensive so maybe today's drop can help; still, there's another layoff of over 2 months and she's yet to show much spark really at any point; bullet :35.80 move here May 9 encourages at least.

Veronica Bay

No real factor in 7 starts; well bet (7-2) here May 9 when she moved to this level after running for nearly 4 times this tag ($75K) but while the result was better (she ran 4th) she wasn't really a threat at any point (beaten 7 3/4 lengths) and finished well behind today's foe Nonna Reese as well; back in a hurry and at least Abrams has had success coming back in a week or less (21%).

Mom's Winner

No threat in her debut here April 27 but you can be forgiving; not only was that her debut but she blew the start and was well back early; to her credit she kept to her task and passed a number of foes to finish 4th; nice to see no drop and no layoff; can certainly improve and it's not as if she's facing any beasts here, either.

Ready for Love

Unable to be a factor in first 2 starts, both on turf, in early 2013; trouble is, then came over a year on the bench and a dull return run here March 29; in her defense, all 3 starts came vs. tougher straight maidens and on turf so today there's a most significant drop; but she's yet to have shown any real flash of talent so can even this big a drop be enough to make a difference?

Awesome Request

First 2 starts weren't pretty at all as she ran 9th at 62-1 and 8th at 67-1, both of which came over this track recently and at this level; at least there's no drop and no layoff; worked twice since, though those drills don't exactly get the pulse racing.

Ina Mina

Sire Heatseeker gets about 7% debut winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 7 of 17 for $1.1 million, won G1 SA Handicap, also G2/G3 SW on dirt in U.S., G1 SP in ireland; dam's 1st foal; dam 1 for 9 for $20K; sure working well what with 4 bullets showing; but considering that, why then the start for a tag, hmmmm?; must also deal with elders; at least she's not facing much power so if she can run at all she can be a player. - Michael Hammersly