Santa Anita: Closer Looks for May 26, 2014

Race 1

Gracie Jean

Sire is 0 for 1 with his newcomers and the minor SP dam's 3 wins all came on the green prior to dropping 4 winners including one whose 4 scores all came sprinting on the main track; rail draw isn't easy for an inexperienced runner and the drills aren't much, but the barn does a good job getting them ready.

Abets Abet

Broke well in her troubled debut run with open runners and tracked before tiring some late at this trip; experience is key at a young age and she certainly got an education so expect she'll be set to move forward some, but she's still got some ground to make up on the gal drawn next door.

Desert Steel

Took all the money first time out with open company foes and held ok for second money after arguing the fractions; gray is out of a SW dam who won first out on the green prior to dropping a handful of winners including SW dirt sprinter and 218K earner Pretty Cozy; normal move forward makes her tough to down.

Lost Bus

Sire gets a terrific 25% winners from his first out runners and the dam's 2 wins came on turf and going long prior to dropping 2 multiple sprint winners and 6 figure earners from 3 foals to race; she boasts a solid speed drill over the track last month and this outfit is known for its ability to have them ready to roll; dangerous homebred.

Wackett

Took quite a bit of tote action against open company first out but failed to finish that quarter mile heat after having trouble at the start; she's been working on dirt so maybe she makes a better transition to this footing and she is kin to a few minor sprint winners; still, she's got some improving to do to be considered a serious threat here.

Dixie Tweet

Sire gets about 16% winners right out of the box and the dam was winless from 5 spins prior to dropping a limited sprint winner; barn does ok with its newcomers and this guy has been in training for a while now.

Global Hart

Just missed first out against open company upstate at a shorter trip last month and now she'll go for a new outfit in her first crack on dirt; her dam won 3 routes but did score sprinting in her debut and this gal has had a drill to get acquainted with the new footing; expect to at least see her showing speed today.

Saturday Yodeler

Returned to work a sharp half mile after taking money and offering little late in her statebred debut at the trip earlier in the month; filly should be better with the experience behind her and a solid journeyman pilot will get aboard a filly whose 2 sibs are both multiple sprint winners including SW and 139K earner Hi Ho Yodeler; draw is no bargain if she doesn't break alertly.

Seattle Firm

Sire is 0 for 29 with his debut runners and the limited sprint winning dam dropped winners from each of her 4 foals to race including 100K earner Noble Kent whose 5 wins all came going long; AE boasts slow drills over synthetic footing upstate for a barn that's been on a poor run with firsters. - Steve Grabowski

Race 2

Wine Police

Stars like Native Diver, J O Tobin, Ack Ack, Ancient Title, and Kona Gold have won this race in days past and Miller looking for that deja vu feeling as his charge Comma to the Top took last year's running; shades new for this; winner of the Sunland finale repeated in a $135K SunRay stakes; show horse 3/23 took a $75K stakes next out; it was back in the day but note he did win the last 2 times he broke from the rail; look for rider to send hard and try to steal it.

Cyclometer

Off poorly in 3 of last 4 and that must be addressed; runner did have the lead at the top of the lane in last so maybe the shorter trip will work for him; note the typical fast Headley drill on the 14th; should be around the wire once again.

Super Ninety Nine

Colt was on the Triple Crown trail last year but could not repeat that sloppy smasher at Oaklawn; works are ideal and the SA Derby came back okay as the place horse was 2nd a head in a $100K stakes next out, 5th finisher took an N1X and 7th finisher took the $73K Henson; right there with the A game.

Wild Dude

Consistent and dangerous, runner just shows up and tries hard every time; could envision a trip where he will bide his time early, maybe sit 3 or 4 off a legit pace, try to save ground and then make the one run reeling them in; the class is there, major player in the late stages.

Color of Courage

Proven off the pine but even the good ones don't always come back the way they went out; on the other hand, Mandella is a master at knowing when they are ready and this is a go-go work pattern accentuated by the blowout last Thursday; try to get a good look at him on the track. - Brian Mulligan

Race 4

No Ice Castles

Blinker addition recently did not seem to help much as she has continually failed to hit the board while high odds; breaking from this precarious slot, as she did in her maiden voyage, may add to her woes today; pass for now.

Shop Forever

Broke slowest of all in his first attempt yet was good enough to check in fifth; his sire won 3 of 16 and 294K while the dam won 3 of 15 and 22K; among the winning siblings is 35K earner Born to Shop.

Celestial Image

Offspring of Southern Image, a multiple G1 victor who banked 1.84 million, have scored in 15 out of 163 debuts; the dam never competed; among the winning sibs is 165K earner I Can Yodele; improved a bit in latest half-mile drill.

Forest Romance

Some upbeat workouts for this son of Forest Danger, a G1 winner who captured 423K (his progeny have scored in 20 out of 173 initial starts); the dam won 1 of 11 and 14K; sib to 268K earner Sparkle Cat.

Let It Be Minister

His sire won 4 of 20 attempts and 254K but descendants of Best Minister are zero for 37 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 3 of 19 and 64K; there are no winning siblings to highlight.

Mystique Smile

Sired by McCann's Mojave, a G2 stakes winner and extremely versatile runner who banked 1.51 million (his offspring are 5 for 40 in the first time victorious department); the mom won 3 of 16 and 68K; there are no winning sibs to mention.

Victory Parade

No factor in either performance but another member of the field who was away slowly in their last outing; his sire won multiple G2s and 654K while the dam was unraced; winning siblings include 62K Genius Level.

Time for a J

Definite contender based on the last performance where he was involved in a prolonged duel; his sire won 3 of 165 and 150K; the dam won 2 of 15 and 67K; this is her only foal to make it to the races; worth serious follow-up despite outpost. - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Poshsky

Returns to the green for another crack at the level off the freshening after earning a career best number on the main track in his first start for this barn; barn is profitable on the surface switch, but note that neither of the gelding's wins came on the lawn; prefer others on the win end.

Deraptor

Cuts back a panel to what figures to be a more beneficial trip after failing to go on late in the lane in his turf debut; gelding does have a right to be better with that one behind him and he has returned to work pretty well, but he still has ground to make up on some of these; price should be right to give him an exotics look.

Bobby Z Man

Tries 2 turns for the first time after another solid effort down the hill in his return to this level; gelding enters this on a Beyer upswing and does figure to find himself closer to the top for a barn that's had some luck with its starters of late; one to consider.

Woodmans Luck

Beaten last out chalk gives the level another shot at what figures to be an improved price; he did encounter some trouble in that wide run but the lack of early foot and cut back to this 8 panel trip don't figure to help him get over the hump here; minor award.

Benba

Kicked off pace pressure to win from the fence in his return to the turf, first time off this barn's claim; maybe there's not much pace in this spot, but he'll catch a better bunch and there is a stretchout sprinter drawn inside him here; expect he'll have to win this from a tracking spot.

Volkonsky

Last out runner up at the level cuts back a panel while getting the services of another strong journeyman pilot; gelding's last out number certainly fits well in this spot and there does look to be enough early foot to set up his kick; he's the one they'll have to hold off.

Mel's Game

Stretches out while getting back in with statebreds after offering some late kick down the hill earlier in the month; gelding gets a live East coast rider for this but he doesn't have much route experience and don't know that the added ground is going to move him up much; looking at others for the money slots.

Just Call Me Al

Lightly raced 4 year old will try the lawn for the first time off a couple of sharp Los Al drills; sire gets about 12% first time surface winners from his offspring but neither his dam nor his 2 foals to try the green won over the stuff; prefer to just watch him on the stretchout.

Kingpin Ryno

Moves back in with statebreds after a weak try against claimers on the main track; gelding was ok on the green here earlier in the year and has won twice over it so maybe the surface switch helps, but in his current form he's got some work to do from here.

Pulpit's Express

Outside drawn gelding showed good speed up North in his return to the green but blew a clear midstretch lead against open company foes in that one; he'll draw outside here so that won't help his chances of getting to the top in this one, but he has shown in the past that he can track and fire; worth a look. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Customer Base

Grade 3 winner needs to regain some of the better form that she displayed in 2013 to have a chance at the top spot against this tough bunch, but have to respect the fact that Smith lands here, and she had a legitimate excuse for the sub par performance in her latest outing.

Emotional Kitten

She's a Grade 2 winner racing over turf and this late running miss appears to be doing better than ever as she gets ready to make her third start of her 4-year-old season; like to see that she's shown the ability ship to the west coast in the past, and she shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with a couple of the others.

Stormy Lucy

She's recorded multiple graded stakes wins over this turf course prior to this, and that alone is a reason to view her in the light of a top contender as she gets ready to take a shot at a G1 score; others entice more, but she's certainly a legitimate threat.

Changethechannel

Grade 3 stakes placed mare earned her career best Beyer Speed Figure racing over a synthetic surface and she's yet to run a race over turf that is strong enough to suggest that she can be competitive against a tough field such as this.

Premier Steps (IRE)

She's one of two live looking horses signed on in here for the Proctor barn, and even though this outfit might be a little slow to get going at this meeting, they've done some serious work with turf starters on the west coast, and have to respect the fact that this filly is being reunited with Stevens; note how sharp she's been in her three starts over this turf course.

Miss Serendipity (ARG)

She's earned graded stakes placing's in her two most recent races while facing a number of today's rivals and a case can be made for her most recent race being her sharpest start since arriving in America; looking toward others for the top spot, but not going to be at all surprised if she sneaks her way into the exotics mix.

Parranda

Have to respect the performance she showed up with in her west coast racing debut while making her first start for this barn in her latest outing and this multiple graded stakes winning mare has proven that she can adapt to any early pace scenario; Nakatani has won with 5 of 12 (42%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Emollient

Like to see the way that this multiple G1 winner bounced back with a sharper start after a sub par performance after a layoff two races ago, and this miss is another in here who has proven that she can handle shipping tot he west coast; can't ignore the presence of Smith aboard another in here, but this filly has every bit the look of a top contender.

Rhagori (GB)

She really hasn't run a bad race from three starts since arriving in America, but in a race where all of her rivals have earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92 or better, her top figure is an 86; she looks like more of an outsider. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Zen Envy

Sire is 32-for-318 with 1st-time starters; is out of a stakes-winning dam (7-for-22, 216K) who won her career debut; she produced 3 winners from 4 other foals to race including stakes-placed J P Jammer (3-for-32, 245K) won who his career debut.

Afleet Echo

Favored-troubled debut middle move with a high-percentage pilot who is sidelined now while the barn goes to a 1-for-16 SA jockey-trainer combo; the half-mile workout for this was not enticing; a clean trip should improve the form but will it be enough to graduate?

Dutch Chocolate

Sire is 69-for-495 with 1st-time starters; is out of a Grade 3-placed dam (4-for-15, 199K) who won the 4th start of her career; she produced 2 winners from 3 other foals to race including top earner 25K-Miss Anna (2-for-13).

Grey Girl Gone

Sire is 6-for-129 with 1st-time starters; is out of an 8-for-25 dam (50K) who won her career debut; she produced 2 winners from 6 other foals to race including 266K-earner Real Temptation (8-for-34) who graduated in start 5.

Bonus Spin

Sire is 21-for-187 with 1st-time starters; is out of a SW dam (4-for-15, 141K) who graduated in her 5th start; both foals to race are winners including 60K-earner Cherry On The Cake (6-for-14) won won her 2nd-career start.

Benicia Gem

Try to catch me; the runner-up, show and 6th-place finishers from last Beyered 77-77-72 in next-out SA-GG-MSW wins; dueled in 21 and 3 but could get a clear lead here; has to beat Say's Who from the gate then hold off the closers; working like she's ready to fire a biggie 2nd-time out.

Say's Who

Back-to-back Beyers Tops including latest racing with blinkers again; likes the the hot apprentice who comes right back here; hopes to sit just off Benicia Gem then get 1st run on the closers; 3rd start off the bench hoping not to bounce off recent strong-fresh numbers; projects as a presence from bell to finish.

Discatsonthesquare

Sire is 2-for-22 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 4-for-29 dam (145K) who won her career debut; her only other foal to race is 0-for-16 Secrets in Her Ize (6K); high-percentage 1ster trainer with good wokouts for this; hard to leave off deepest tickets.

Backseat Blonde

Swiss Perfection rematch from her debut where she flashed gate speed then called it a day soonafter; projects to press the pace wide for this; the winner from last repeated in an SA-optional claimer with a 65 Beyer; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Seeking Bliss

Back-to-back last-place finishes to commence career; removes blinkers trying to shake up the form; posted her best LA workout for this; new rider is her 3rd in as many career races which is not a good-win angle; the show finisher from the debut graduated next out in an SA MSW with a 73 Beyer then repeated in a BHP alw. with an 80 speed figure.

Swiss Perfection

Main concern is the rider from last TBaze shows up on Benicia Gem; major disappointment in latest after such a good-debut effort; blinkers come back on which was the recipe for her 1st start when testing the winner who repeated with a 65 Beyer in an SA-OPC.

Bellanza

Sire is 53-for-382 with 1st-time starters; is out of a 2-0-0-0 dam who produced 5 winners from 6 other foals to race including 84K-earner Royal Gamble (8-for-30) who won her career debut; working like a runner for a 7%-winning 1ster trainer. - Art Gropper

Race 9

Quick Navigator

Love the spacing of the return drills but never thrilled with a runner with limited speed from the rail on this course; winner of last took 2 $100K plus stakes since; 1 for 5 dam won on grass, banked $55K; lone half sis to race Majestic Minister did win on grass once; look for her late if at all.

Sweet Li Winning

Salute the Sarge 4 for 54 with debuters, 1 for 17 with first-time turfers; sire took debut at 2, won a Grade 2, banked nearly $350K, never turfed; dam was 0 for 3; this is her first to race; homebred may need one.

See Through

Put away after solid debut, love fact she drilled farther than this race is carded; one for 10 dam banked almost $25K; all 3 siblings won; two won on grass including over $100K earner Katrina's Prince; fresh and dangerous.

Gratification

Scat Daddy about 14% with first-time turfers in a 130-runner survey; sire won multiple Grade 1s, earned over $1.3 million, never turfed; stakes placed 4 for 16 dam earned over $100K, won on grass once; both siblings handled grass, one banked over $80K; this miss looks live.

Strolling North

North Light about 8% with firsters in a 142-runner sample, about 7% with first-time turfers in a 113-runner survey; sire won at 2, took a Group 1, won 3 of 7, banked nearly $2 million, was turf only; Grade 3 winning 5 for 15 dam earned over $150K, won on grass twice; this is her first to race; she looks fit enough.

Spy Girl

Discreet Cat 11 for 88 with first-time turfers; G1 winning sire took debut at 2, won 6 of 9, banked over $1.6 million, was never on turf; 2 for 11 dam was dirt only; both siblings won once on grass; considering the winner was clear, the last race was not all that bad.

Pouncerounddaclock

Smart Strike about 14% with firsters in a 812-runner sample, about 12% with first-time turfers in a 634-runner survey; sire won 6 of 8, a Grade 1, over $330K, was all dirt; SW 3 for 7 dam earned over $90K, won on grass twice; 6 of 7 siblings won including G3 grass winner and over $225K earner Utopian; love the spacing of the works.

Comealongwithme

Troubled in 2 of first 3 races, she comes off a career top try and lost the heart breaker; this is potentially a tougher task tough; show horse in last took a $75K maiden claimer next out and the trailer beat maiden $20K foes in next; there is no turf success in the tree; can run, must prove it in this company.

Humming Beethoven

Considering the extended layoff, the return was solid; the trip will be everything for this miss; contention goes deep.

English Annie

Could have sulked after the slow start but she put her head down and tried; dam took 3 stakes, won 14 times on grass, banked over $500K; this is her first to race; needs to show more.

Bird In Love (GB)

Off fence today, miss should have her sea legs under her by now and could be more on the muscle with the blinks; dam was 0 for 6; both siblings won including grass winner and over $170K stakes winner Birdlover; Smith has had good success for O'Neill.

Smart Typical

Kodiak Kowboy 5 for 40 with debuters, 0 for 13 with first-time turfers; sire won 4 times at 2, won multiple Grade 1s, never turfed; 2 for 4 dam was dirt only; 4 of 5 siblings won; 2 siblings each won 3 times on grass; homebred could need experience.

Bow Tie Belle

Disrespected on the tote and miss never ran a step; dam won short and long on dirt, never turfed; both siblings won multiple times but not on turf; not seeing it. - Brian Mulligan