Santa Anita: Closer Looks for May 18, 2014

Race 1

Wacky Miss

Flashed brief speed in her initial try before tiring on a wide path and perhaps can upgrade now from the fence; her sire won a G3 stakes and 285K overall; the dam won 2 of 9 attempts and 47K; among the winning siblings is 163K earner Fantino.

Carly P.

Back to Cal breds after facing open company, and males, last time out; the sire won 5 of 23 races and 342K while the dam was without a tally in 9 tries; reverts to original pilot; there are no winning siblings to highlight.

City Ride

Disappointed at 4 to 5 in her unveiling after breaking badly; her sire won multiple G1s and 1.84 million while the dam won 1 of 7 attempts and 15K; among the winning sibs is 111K bankroller Virginia City; can rebound with straight and true getaway.

Is This Georgia

Progeny of Calkins Road, who won 5 of 21 attempts and 520K, have scored in 2 of 11 debuts; the dam was zero for 4 lifetime; there are no winning siblings to mention; shows some fair works this month.

My Fiona

Sired by the mighty Ghostzapper who won multiple G1s and 3.44 million; his descendants have scored in nearly 10 percent of their first races; the mom won 6 of 28 and 229K; winning siblings include 42K earner Diane's Grey.

Take Back Spring

All kinds of rough seas in her maiden voyage after being bet down to 7 to 2; her sire won 5 of 13 and 1.13 million while the dam scored in 3 of 10 appearances earning 208K; this is her only foal to compete; worth consideration.

Desert Thief

Beginner hails from multiple G3 type Desert Code who captured 1.88 million (his descendants are 1 for 17 in the first time victorious department); the dam never raced; winning sibs include 213K earner Daylight Storm.

Happy Deisy

She is among the first crop to race from Sundarban who won 4 of 16 races and 103K; the dam involved never made it to the starting gate; among the winning siblings is 211K earner Coach Bob; only modest work tab of late.

Line Leader

Interesting item if escaping AE imprisonment as her latest drill from the gate was one of her best a.m. moves; her sire was unraced (progeny of Brave Cat are zero for 2 in debuts); the dam won 2 of 13 and 64K; this is her sole foal to make it to the races.

Lost Bus

Very fine blowout back on the morning of 4/26; her sire won 3 of 7 and 121K; offspring of Bring the Heat have done extremely well first time out, winning at a 25 percent clip; the dam won 2 of 8 attempts and 62K; sib to 115K earner Magoo. - Jim Kachulis

Race 2

Fleet of Gold

Medaglia d'Oro about 10% with first-time turfers in a 293-horse sample; sire was 2nd in only juvenile out beaten just over 2 at TP with a 81 Beyer, went on to earn over $5.7 million, never turfed; Grade 1 winning rail banked over $1.7 million, was never on turf; the 2 siblings never turfed; not disgraced in the stakes 3 back; she may have just needed the last effort; could see her sitting a nice track and pounce run; respect.

Kissin Lucky Lips

She has more speed than she just flashed; the chalk last time, now she tries winners; there is a stakes placed runner in the tree and the top sibling banked over $500K in Japan; she has had some eventful trips and catched a field with limited speed; look for rider to put her on the lead, try to lull them to sleep, then re-kick when it counts.

Lil Swiss Echo

Nice bit of training here; Cerin gave her the sprint prep, she closed, it set her up for the game win in last; there is some grass class in the tree as sibling Sean S won 4-times on grass, banked nearly $190K; agile enough to overcome the stumble in last; can't be dismissed.

Tiz the Key

Hall of Fame trainer thought enough of her to try the stakes last year; visually impressive, and like the way she extended late; miss flashed talent from Day One, was in tight in the 2013 closer and she boasts the top last-race Beyer; Stevens sticks, look out.

Scooter Bird

A couple of slices since the desparate maiden breaker; she does have a nice shot to get this demanding distance as she was coming in the lone victory; must find a way to turn the tables on Remarkable Moon among others.

Amnesia (IRE)

Educated in the off slow stateside bow; she did only beat 3 runners in the lone win; 10/5 winner took a $75K race in Dubai next out; show horse 10/5 took a MSW at KEE on 4/25 with a 70 Beyer; interesting.

Remarkable Moon

This is her venue but things will have to break right since she has limited speed; beaten over 12 the last time at this distance; miss was coming hard in last but she has regressed in the Beyer department in the last 2 second off the layoff efforts; honest pace needed.

Perfecta

Pushed into the stakes in the 2012 closer and she has not been able to close the deal since; she could be a bit fragile as the races have been spaced; she was extending in her 2 wins; needs a rebound run. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

Shakahari

Speedy colt draws the fence for his second start since the Del Mar debut run last summer; shorter trip should help this rail drawn runner and his quick breaking habits do figure to put him on the lead in this spot; kin to a couple of multiple graded SW turfers including G1 SW and 1 million earner Sweet Talker, he'll probably be better down the line on the green, but they'll probably have to catch him today.

Kings Adventure

Sire gets 10% first out winners and the dam won twice (1 sprint) prior to dropping this guy; colt boasts some quick local drills for his unveiling and this sharp first out barn does call upon a pilot with whom they've had some success; wasn't in high demand at auction, but he is bred to show something early.

Soul Crusher

Ran well from down inside when shades were added in his first start since the summer, but he was in against claimers that day and he'll step up to the MSW ranks for this; gelding blew out sharply the other day for this and he does get off the fence, but he'll face a tough task in this spot.

Prodigious

Sire hits with 11% of his debut runners and the SW dam won 4 times and 155K prior to dropping 5 winners including 215K earner Awesome Jared whose 12 wins all came either routing or on the lawn and 3 multiple sprint winners; most recent gate drill looked to tighten the screw on this Pennsylvania bred but the barn's been on a poor run with its firsters of late.

Vegas Strip

Last out pilot goes to the runner drawn next door so he'll switch to a solid journeyman rider while cutting back to a shorter sprint trip in his fourth career start; colt has earned competitive numbers in each of his tries and though he'll likely find himself further out of this than usual, he could also get a hot pace in front of him; one to fear in the lane.

Rough Passage

Fresh colt owns the best numbers in the bunch but he's also settled for minor awards in each of his 5 career spins; colt is working well for his return from the short break and he'll lure the pilot away from what appears to be his main experienced rival but the firsters in here do have some appeal; one to beat.

Hall of Fame

Sire gets 13% winners from his newcomers and this guy is the first foal to race out of an unraced dam; they paid a decent amount for this guy as a yearling and he's certainly been working like he has some run in him; Baffert barn excels right out of the box and their top pilot will get aboard. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Ruff Proof

2nd-time Long can be an improvement angle as she posted a career-best Beyer speed figure with 1st blinkers; hopes someone goes after the speedy My Monet from the gate because she figures to save all the ground staking then make one run.

My Monet

1st off the claim start represents the field's best Beyer speed figure; she is the one to catch on the lead in both wins; sire was a Grade 2 Turf Miler who did not race on dirt; is out of an unraced dam who produced 5-for10 router Short Memo.

La Quillotana

Sire won 2-of-9 routes (188K); is the 1st foal to race out of an unraced dam; just 2 career races so still has some upside but was obviously disappointed she did not fire better following the debut win; not convinced about today's added yardage.

Quinnette

Turf-to-dirt is a $3.12 return-on-investment profit for the barn; 7-for-13 fast track record suggests getting off the green is a good idea whie her 2-back sprint rally suggests 1 Mile is a good distance for her noting she was claimed off an SA Mile victory.

In Dad's Honor

1st-blinkered run did not help her gate speed or dirt Beyer speed figure but suggested that today's Mile distance is a good idea; the win rider is on Ruff Proof for this while the workout for this did not inspire confidence; backing others.

Browsing

Prepped for this on grass for a 21%-winning turf-to-dirt barn; when last seen on dirt beat In Dad's Honor who gets her win rider Maldonado for this; she defeated the show finisher that day who Beyered 60 in a next-out TUP-35K stakes win.

Sweetrayofsunshine

Projects to sit just off My Monet then should be tough to hold off late; high-percentage fresh trainer stretches her back out off the key-race career-best Beyer exacta finish; the winner and show finisher from last Beyered 85-76 in next-out SA-optional claiming and 32K-claiming wins. - Brian Pochman

Race 5

Street Maven

Like to see what he did when placed back over turf in his latest start, but that was against 50-40k maiden claimers and now he's meeting up with winners for the first time; Baze has won with 4 of 10 mounts for this barn in 2014.

Sir Macho

He finished behind a few of these in his most recent start but this gelding displays improving form and he's out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 6 of 32 turf starts for 186k; can't ignore the fact that he's going out for a currently live barn.

Indygo Andy

His lack of early speed might be a concern, but this colt looks like he's figuring out what he's supposed to be doing out there and he stepped it up along the Beyer Speed Figure scale in his turf debut in his latest outing; must consider.

Incentivize

He put together a solid run when breaking his maiden two starts ago, but it would have been nice to have seen him show more in his first attempt against winners in his latest outing; like to see him being reunited with Talamo and he's won with 6 of 11 (55%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Jackson Sundown

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and stakes placed dam won 8 of 30 starts for 200k, including 6 of 22 turf starts for 157k; this gelding is a 1/2 to stakes placed Heat Streaker (1-10, 72k, including 1 of 7 turf starts for 55k).

Mysterious Promise

Sire wins with approximately 16% of his turf starters and dam was winless from three starts, and she didn't make a turf start; this gelding is a 1/2 to Catlettsburg (3-14, 68k, including 1 of 4 turf starts for 31k).

Gallant Charm

His turf form has consistently been on the level of what is needed to get himself into the mix against these, but when seeing his 1-for-18 race record, he does have to be approached with some caution when considering him for the top spot.

Advisory

His form has taken a noticeable turn for the better since being placed over turf two starts ago, and he's out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 4 of 16 starts for 302k, including 3 of 7 turf starts for 190k; this doesn't look like a bad spot for him to make a serious bid at his first turf victory.

Myfundsarelo

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; he'll have to step up with his best performance to date in his turf debut in order to contend, and it isn't like his pedigree is crying out for turf.

Tiznow Or Then

Don't like to see that he's been willing to give ground through the stretch late in his races, but he had every right to need his latest start after a long absence, and he's shown a little something in his four turf attempts. - Brian Pochman

Race 6

Miners Lass

Sire gets 7% first out winners from his offspring and the dam was a G3 SW sprinter and 202K earner and one of her 2 foals to race was 7 time sprint winner and 132K earner Tiz the Route; works are nothing special and the fence draw is no bargain for a newcomer; barn hasn't had any recent luck with its debut runners.

Broadway Bella

Drops back in for a tag after offering little against MSWs down the hill; filly returned to work well over the local main track and certainly has a right to move forward second time over it; lone sib's 2 wins came on the lawn.

Irish and Lucky

Tried fellow statebreds without much luck in her sprint debut here last month; filly returned to work pretty well in the interim for a barn that boasts a recent second out winner; maybe she's got a move forward in her with the initial experience out of the way but she's got some improving to do.

Ipolita

Fresh filly was pretty good sprinting 2 back over the local main track but got run off her feet early prior to being sent to the bench; she is working well for the comebacker and take a look at this outfit's numbers with runners off this type of break; contender.

L X Sunrise

Runner up in 4 straight gives this level another shot off a decent route placing first time off the barn's claim; filly has run well sprinting in the past and should have plenty of bottom off the recent route tries for the turn back; she's the one they'll have to beat.

Patriotic Brother

Sire is 7 for 47 with his runners right out of the box and the dam won twice sprinting prior to dropping 2 sprint winners from 3 foals to race; works are pretty quick and she catches a weak bunch for a barn that used to do quite well with newcomers.

Queen Mad

Hood goes on for the slight cut back after proving little match for the top 2 when dropped in for this price last time; filly has run well sprinting over the track in the past and maybe the new shades bring out some lick in her; she'll be tackling some older rivals for the initial time today, but both that fit the bill are starting for the first time here.

Cheeseonaroll

Sire is 7 for 69 with his debut runners and the unraced dam's 2 foals to race are both winners; works aren't much but they are long of late and the barn boasts some recent luck right out of the box; wouldn't need to be all that much but then again she is 6 years old and there have likely been many bumps in her road already. - Steve Grabowski

Race 8

Let Faith Arise

Her tactical speed will give her first run on the deep closers; she really has come to life since going long; a Grade 1 winner the last time in town and she may not have adored the surface at Oaklawn; place horse in last cashed next out in a Grade 1 at CD with a 94 Beyer; respect.

Legacy

It took awhile for her to figure it out; agile enough to overcome trouble in the maiden breaker, she looked good winning in last; sent along in April and she may be better served tracking and kicking; she did get beat by a nice horse in last as Beholder is a champ and has won over $3 million.

Floral Romance

Mare has the 2 races to draw from now; Grade 3 placed at Tampa and the winner that day repeated in a G3, then ran out of the money in a Grade 1; like the series of drills coming to this race and she has a right to take to the dirt as kin Brilliant Future won 3 dirt routes and banked over $200K; has some things to prove.

Yahilwa

Filly won't be intimidated by the big field; she beat fully subscribed races across the pond; professional in the win last time and she drilled a couple of times since; could see her sitting fairly close up within striking distance, but she has find a way to turn the tables on the rail among others.

Champagneandcaviar

Back on preferred surface, she may have just not wanted a mile and a quarter in last; not sure she was beating anybody in the last win as the place horse that day has not raced back but is just a maiden winner; this race is a far cry from having to go all out in a $73K stakes at Emerald.

Eblouissante

Miss burst onto the scene in fine fashion and she did win here over 4 foes; toss the Saratoga race; she was not herself, she acted up at the game, and probably lost the race right there; place horse in the Shuvee won next out won 3 times since, the last in a Grade 3 at Hawthorne with a 90 Beyer; connections may have had a race like this in mind all alone, she has been carefully handled as one would expect as this racer is a half to the great Zenyatta; major player.

Irish Presence

Life and death for the win vs. winners and it came at Albany sprinting; she really has not been close in stakes and was handled easily by the Sadler in last; miss has her work cut out.

Spellbound

Hung wide in last pair but that can happen when you have this kind of a closing style; filly is repeatedly proven fresh, obviously loves Arcadia and she has drilled forwardly for this; This is a nice runner but she can be her own worst enemy; with her style, everything has to roll out just right; not sure there is enough speed in here to help the cause; 5th finisher in last took an N1X next out and the 6th finisher won the Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont last Sunday with a 92 Beyer; must find a way to turn the tables on the arch rival on the rail.

Warren's Veneda

Wonder if Lewis had this race in mind all the time?; she won on the stretch out just over a year ago and cashed again on the hillside to dirt route move in October; she has won the state-bred $100K stakes and would expect her to be on the muscle going long now; surprise package.

Scarlet Strike

She's a Grade 3 winner, but on the grass; miss has to prove she can win on dirt too; troubled two back, she was getting to the winner in last but could be compromised by the slot; look for pilot to take a little hold, try to save ground, then attempt to reel them all in. - Brian Mulligan

Race 9

Life's Journey

He's looked good in his three starts since removing blinkers and he didn't finish all that far behind one of today's key rivals in Home Run Kitten in a stakes attempt in his latest start.

Horse Laugh

He's stakes placed from two starts racing over turf and he's by a fine turf sire and out of a multiple stakes placed dam who won 3 of 12 turf starts for 122k; note that he's the only one in here with three wins next to his name.

On Draft

He finished behind a couple of today's rivals in his most recent start, but that wasn't a bad run for his first start back from a layoff, and perhaps this relatively lightly raced 3-year-old still has more to show us.

I'll Wrap It Up

He's another in here who has benefited from taking blinkers off, and all three of his starts over turf have been respectable performances; he's out of a G3 winning dam who won 4 of 9 starts for 330k, including 1-for-1 over turf for 46k.

Karma King

When looking at the performance that he showed up with the first time he tried a route, and that his two starts sprinting over turf have been decent efforts, it is interesting to see him routing over turf for the first time.

Kristo

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and G3 stakes placed dam won 3 of 8 starts for 132k, and she didn't make a turf start; talented colt carries multiple graded stakes placed credentials with him and he has to be respected in his first turf attempt.

Sheila's Footsteps (GB)

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; it's interesting to see this import making his turf debut in his first start in America and like to see that he shows up with strong turf rider and Lasix.

Distillery

Current connections reached in for 75k to take him from his latest race, and that was a sharp winning performance, but he doesn't find himself in a soft spot for his first start against winners.

Home School (IRE)

Three of his four starts since arriving in America have been solid performances and his only poor start was in the Breeders' Cup without Lasix and with blinkers; he's one of two live looking horses signed on in this spot for the O'Neill barn.

Garen

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this colt is a 1/2 to multiple G1 winner Invasor (11-12, $7.8 million, including 5-for-5 in North America for $3.9 million); he clearly has ability to work with and he benefits from the services of Smith in his turf debut.

Home Run Kitten

Multiple stakes placed colt has every bit the look of a top contender based on what he's shown in his four turf starts and like to see the ability he's shown to adapt to any early pace scenario; the outside post isn't ideal at this trip, but going to look for him to give a strong account of himself.

Kozani

Can't ignore the fact that he's making his first start after a claim for a barn that has hit at a 30% clip in 2014, and this colt is out of a stakes winning dam who won 3 of 13 turf starts for 227k; that said, he's another in here who is being handed a tough assignment in his first start against winners.

Reno Rebel

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and minor stakes winning dam won 4 of 18 starts for 120k, including 0-for-3 over turf; he's flashed some serious ability in his first five starts and Espinoza has won with 7 of 14 mounts for this barn in 2014. - Brian Pochman

Race 10

Wine Country Wanda

Rallied in the debut despite the slow start and she was getting to the winner last time; show horse in last graduated in this league with a 57 Beyer; sire won routing on turf at Del Mar; dam was 0 for 2; this is her first to race; cozy slot, fits in the Beyer department, respect.

Royal Shaft

Soph could be more focused with the blinks today; dam 2nd in best result; 2 of 3 siblings won; both won routing including Duke of Del Rey, who banked over $200K; Maldonado got a chance to figure her out; expect better effort.

Run Rosie Run

Took some cash on the stretch out, never kicked; backers can point to the fact there is a proven router in the family that banked nearly $150K; has some things to iron out.

Classic Candy

She has had her chances and not sure she was facing any super talent in Phoenix; the siblings to race were sprint only; never thrilled to see the multiple beats at Pomona; would be careful here.

Dirty Blonde

In for $30K less than purchase price; 2/23 place horse graduated next out in a MSW, was 2nd beaten a length and a half in a $40K optional; 2/23 winner repeated in a $40K optional by over 6 with a 72 Beyer; she has a shot to mature with grace as top kin Birdrun won several stakes routing, earned over $600K; if she can run at all, she figures to show it here.

Lady Lois

Dead last early, passed a couple of stragglers; sire carried speed long, banked over $1.7 million; 2 for 29 dam was sprint only; lone full sister won once, a route, in a maiden $8K at GG with a 44 Beyer; wonder how high the expectations can be for a $1,000 purchase?

Mon Petite

Figured to show speed, she did, but had nothing left; both siblings did win multiple times including a 5-race route winner; hard to pull the trigger after last effort.

Ready for Love

Mare walked out of the gate in the 2014 opener and was finished right there; dam 0 for 4; 3 of 4 siblings won, they were all sprinters; must be given look on the drop alone.

Wilma Honey

Good Journey 8 for 81 with firsters; sire didn t run at 2, carried speed long, was turf only, banked over $1.7 million; dam s lone win came at a mile on grass; 5 of 6 siblings won; one cashed routing once; top earner Charlie and Chris banked over $200K; respect the steady work pattern.

Awesome Gift

Place horse two back returned to beat rival on the direct outside; would think long and hard before taking too short a number; must hurry.

Itsabeautifulday

Maybe she just wanted a dirt route all the time; a couple of drills since last effort, Blanc got a chance to figure her out; valid player in all the slots.

Up the Alley

Four clear, Beyers going in the right direction and she got a couple of drills in at Los Al; 4th finisher in last took a MSW at LS next out and the winner repeated in an N1X at CD with an 80 Beyer; dam's lone win was a sprint; all 3 siblings won; top kin Lavender Lane won twice route, banked nearly $40K; can't fault those that give her another shot after the flop as chalk. - Brian Mulligan