Santa Anita: Closer Looks for May 4, 2014

Race 1

Dublin Up

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from an unraced dam; he's taking just a slight drop in class and have to respect the improvement he's demonstrated since moving into this barn; this is a realistic spot for him to find out what he can do racing over turf.

Pantera Rojo

Sweet Return has been a poor influence as a turf sire but this colt has shown a little something in his four turf starts, and if nothing else, he's a threat to land a spot underneath in the exotics while wearing blinkers for the first time.

Big Cazanova (ARG)

He's by a top turf sire and he helps form a pretty strong looking 1-2 punch in here for the Miller barn; based on what he showed us in his first start in America, it's a good idea to respect him as a candidate to walk away with the top prize.

Sammy Mandeville

He attracted his fair share of wagering support for his career debut and that was an encouraging fourth-place finish against 11 rivals; his most recent workout looks sharp and he attracts the services of another top rider.

Argentine

His three starts over turf wearing blinkers haven't been bad, and he was last seen facing stakes competition, but still feel that this can prove to be a difficult field for him to meet up with; he's out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 6 of 25 starts for 387k, including 1 of 4 turf starts for 37k.

Larry Birdstone

Birdstone is another poor turf sire being represented in here, but have to respect the performance that this colt showed up with at first asking when outrunning his odds sprinting down the hill; Little Red Feather-owned colt is a 1/2 to Launceston (4-13, 77k, including 1 of 2 turf starts for 17k). - Brian Pochman

Race 2

Magna Warrior

Turns back to sprint in his first start for a new outfit while returning 3 months off the route fade on the rise to this level; gelding removes the hood and maybe that helps as he has been working well of late and he did show speed in his 2 local sprint starts with cheaper earlier this season; he does look to catch a moderate bunch of experienced runners in here so he warrants a look to get back on track here.

Bayview Drive

Offered some late run in his return from the break and wasn't beaten all that much at that shorter trip; expecting this lightly raced colt will be tighter with the try behind him and given a clean run, the added panel should help move him up; consider.

Quick and Silver

Hood goes on for the return to dirt after showing little on the hillside turf course; gray did work well here late last month for this and he showed good speed from a tough outside draw before fading in his lone local main track start; he's kin to 3 sprint winners including G2 SP, SW and 201K earner Karama.

Chasintheaces

Didn't do much in his debut here 16 months ago and now he'll return with some sparkling morning moves on his tab; 300K yearling buy foes for a barn that has them cranked for the comebacker and their top pilot is on board; he's kin to 5 winners including multiple SP, 182K earner Pretty Katherine so maybe there's more to him than he showed in his unveiling.

Candir

Sire gets 13% winners from his debut runners and the dam was a 2 time route winner who dropped a few winners including 1 million earner Al Khali who has been multiple G1 SP, and took a G2 stake on the lawn; barn can get them ready to fire first out and this 360K yearling buy has been working quickly of late, but he may just be better when stretched out and moved to the infield.

Sing With Bling

Earned a competitive number after arguing the fractions in his second career spin from the fence; he'll move outside for this and add the hood so he'll likely again be asked for early interest but the guy drawn next door could well be breathing down his neck; he'll have to earn this one.

Crux

Outside drawn gelding showed big speed when caught in a difficult spot between runners in his sprint debut and understandably tired late; he returned to work ok for an outfit that does well with its second out runners and he certainly has a right to get better with the experience behind him; from this great tracking post he may prove to be the one to beat. - Steve Grabowski

Race 4

Nashoba's Gold

Half-sister to multiple G1 winner Nashoba's Key (8-10, $1.2 million, including 4 of 6 turf starts for 600k) has been very sharp in three consecutive starts to begin her career, and after beating a few of today's rivals in securing a G3 victory in her latest outing, she has to be viewed as a top contender.

Sweet Bliss

She was beaten by today's rival One More in her most recent start, and that rival isn't her biggest concern in this spot; lightly raced miss may very well still have more to show us, but this does appear to be a difficult step up in class for her; respect connections, but leaning toward others.

One More

She's really done little wrong since being placed over turf four starts back, and she earned a G3 stakes placing in her most recent start, but she's going to need to find a way to take her game to another level if she's planning on turning the tables on a couple of rivals that finished in front of her last time.

Honey Ride

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and G1 winning dam won 4 of 10 starts for 439k, and she didn't make a turf start; she's been much improved in her two most recent races, and she took a shot in a G1 in her latest start, but this is a tough spot for her first turf attempt.

Diversy Harbor

Half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner's Keertana (10-25, $1 million over turf) and Snow Top Mountain (6-21, 469k over turf) has nothing but sharp starts on her card to look at and she's traded decisions with one of today's key rivals in Nashoba's Gold in her two most recent races; Stevens has won with 10 of 35 (29%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Margot Machance (GB)

She's run well in back-to-back starts since arriving in America, but she was beaten by a few of today's rivals in her most recent start, and she's going to need to dial up an improved performance in order to prove to be a threat for the top spot.

Arethusa

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and G2 winning dam won 2 of 10 starts for 152k, including 1 of 4 turf starts for 41k; stakes winning miss earned a G1 stakes placing two starts ago, but she's another in here who finds herself in a tough spot for her first turf start. - Brian Pochman

Race 5

Raja's Rose

Forced to steady in last but after so many defeats, it's just hard to find the upside; when they lose at Pomona, that can go a long way toward identifying quality; not my kind of play.

Royal Shaft

Pretty much went through the motions in the debut; dam lost 5 times; 2 of 3 siblings won including over $200K earner Duke of Del Rey; no reason this one will not improve after the experience.

Tiz But a Dream

Improved a bit and now has the 2 races to draw from; dam out of the money 3 times; 3 of 5 siblings won; top kin I've Got the Fever took 6 of 30, banked nearly $140K; should have her sea legs together by now.

Wildy Excessive

Has to rely on a hot pace and clear sailing to get there; miss was forced to steady in last but she can be her own worst enemy since she has not speed; backers have to hope they go bonkers early and the race falls completely apart.

L X Sunrise

Got to lugging in last but she is knocking on the door; the Beyers are going in the right direction, and like the way she showed grit to close when it counted last time; she did everything but get unsaddled; Baze hired for money run; look out.

Reckless Tink

No speed, no asset; bothered at the start in last, but can't be too happy about the other route try; she took some action on the stretch out two back but just never fired; needs a total reversal of fortune today.

Madame Forbes

Freshened for this; winning dam is kin to 3 that banked 6 figures including the near $400K earner Black Avalanche; lone sibling to race Humor and Heart took 1 of 15, banked just under $20K; in good hands, legit player today.

Here Comes Bobbie

Got a slice last time but she didn't scare the winner; 3 for 27 dam earned about a grand a start and dam is kin to near $100K earner Italian Wine; this is her first to race; would think long and hard before taking too short a number.

Mon Petite

Off poorly in last but that happens when a runner has limited speed; 2 for 31 dam earned nearly $90K; both siblings won multiple times including triple winner and near $85K earner Le' Heat; rider has been getting some semblance of live mounts this year.

Warrens Goldnugget

Been cold on the board and has been beaten double digits every time; not good; winning dam is kin to a runner that earned over $100K in a long career; this is her first to race; she could be compromised by the slot today.

Yur Teasing Me

Miss entered in a maiden claimer on grass Saturday as an also; sire graduated in a 7-furlong stakes in third start, won multiple G1 races, was 9 for 32, earned over $2.7 million; dam was 2 and there is some winning success among siblings in the minor leagues; could improve here. - Brian Mulligan

Race 6

Sams Blue Cat

This colt is going to need to show up with a much improved performance to beat this field, and not wild about the rail post at this trip, but he flashed good early speed in his only turf start, and he's out of a multiple stakes placed dam who won 10 of 34 starts for 284k, including 3 of 9 turf starts for 57k.

Fighting On

He has a good deal of turf on the bottom of his pedigree and have to respect what he's done in his three most recent starts since giving turf another try; maybe he's battling seconditis a little bit, but he's a top contender, and the third-place finisher from his latest race returned to win next out here on 4/13 going 6f vs. starter alw. rivals with a 78 Beyer.

Wine Stock

Like the idea of turning him back to a sprint distance, and it's interesting to see that he'll be making his first turf start wearing blinkers; he has legitimate early speed and not willing to count him out of it against these.

Johns Journey

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 7 starts for 16k, and she didn't make a turf start; this gelding is a 1/2 to Luz Atticus (2-12, 77k, including 1 of 5 turf starts for 42k); she's another with big early speed and she shows up for a barn that is having a strong 2014.

Grand Humor

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and dam won 5 of 16 starts for 127k, and she didn't make a turf start; he's another in here who figures to be mixing it up through the opening stages, and even though this is his first turf test, he boasts the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here.

Toomuchinformation

His lack of early speed is eligible to leave him with a lot of ground to cover when he hits the top of the lane, but this race does look like it will have a closer-friendly early pace scenario, and like to see the improvement he showed in his turf debut in his latest outing; third-place finisher from latest won next out at SA on 4/13 going 6f vs. starter alw. rivals with a 78 Beyer.

Bobby Z Man

Half-brother to stakes winner Lindz Winz (8-39, 305k, including 2 of 13 turf starts for 137k) has looked good in his four starts over turf, but he is making his first start wearing blinkers, and that might lead to him being caught up in a fast and contested early pace.

Storm Comin Thru

Sire wins with approximately 7% of his turf starters and he's 0-for-25 with starters trying turf for the first time; dam won 4 of 21 starts for 63k, including 1 of 8 turf starts for 23k; obviously a much improved performance is required in his turf debut in order to contend.

Fly Boy Roy

His one start over turf was a fine performance, and it's worth noting that he ran that race after taking more than a year off; he's a 1/2 to G3 stakes placed Beijoca (3-18, 155k over turf) and he's making his first start for a barn hat does very well with new acquisitions; Bejarano has won with 40 of 93 (43%) mounts for this barn in 2014; third finisher from latest won next out at OP on 4/5 going 6f vs. 50-40k N2L claimers with a 77 Beyer.

G'night

This gelding has a good looking pedigree for turf and his overall turf form hasn't been bad; not willing to give him the nod for the top spot, but if he can reproduce one of his better efforts, a spot underneath in the exotics isn't out of the question.

Market Notes

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who won 3 of 33 starts for 79k, including 0-for-6 over turf; looking at this as being a tough test for his first turf start.

Solid Wager

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who was winless from just one start, and it wasn't a turf start; his pedigree isn't crying out for turf, but it looks like this stakes placed gelding tuned up with a sharp six furlongs on April 29 in preparation for this.

Redistribute

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; like to see the way his form improved in four starts at GG and Van Dyke has won with 10 of 36 (28%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Harness Mentality

This is his first start in a turf sprint, but based on what he's done in his four starts routing over turf, he's not entirely out of the question in here; his starts sprinting over synthetic and dirt haven't been bad performances. - Brian Pochman

Race 7

Just Win Baby

Sixth in the other try at this tricky distance; he was getting to the winner in last and the post may not hurt him that much if rider can just save ground, get racer to settle and then make the one run; beaten over 10 the last time for this price; has some things to iron out.

Reno Rebel

Hung wide in the debut in the only poor effort; he proved last time he could take the heat of a speed duel and live to tell about it; he has a right to have a decent career as dam was a stakes winner and the top sibling Standup Comic kept them laughing through 4 wins and over $100K wallet; could at least muddle the pace.

Smokin' Ten

Took pretty good action in the debut and proved solid and connections thought he had enough talent to try the stakes; family is decent as both siblings won; dam took several stakes and is kin to 2 that earned over $200K; tab tote action.

Celebrity Status

Don't be too harsh about last as he needed the effort; the way he extended in his wins suggests he'll take to this trip; he does have some things to prove like winning on the dirt; runner has much more speed than he just flashed; don't be shocked if he rebounds in a big way.

Raised a Secret

Proven locally, hung wide two back, and he has been right there at this trip before; runner should be fit enough now with 3 races under the girth; could envision him sitting a nice track and pounce trip; don't sell too short.

Giant Ego

Racer showed he could handle dirt early in his career; he has a penchant for finding the wire, goes from one good barn to another and has really run only one poor race in his career; look for rider to put him into the race from the sound of the bell; may like it here.

Got Even

The route last time could have just been pushing the envelope but it may have helped his stamina; note runner was steadied two back; style no secret and would expect pilot to be aggressive from the get go; can't fault those that go for Miller Time.

Syndicated

Entrant is giving away some winning experience; life and death for the lone win and that was in the short field; has not been seen since being overmatched opening day of the main meet and that race came back live; the 6th finisher took a $65K Tampa stakes next out and the winner repeated in the Strub; still, would tread lightly here.

Thunder Rode

Opened the year with the gritty win when pressured every step of the way; colt improved in the second start but just could not cashed at crunch time; don't be too harsh about last as it's never simple to just take to the hillside; but colt was inside and was coming late; 'screen door slams', Boss fans have a live vehicle here.

Airfoil

It took him awhile before the light went on but he has not been disgraced vs. winners; solid try at this level two back, he has been hung wide in the last pair but still has shown the ability to kick; the way he picked up 4 lengths in the lane last time bodes well for a major rally at this trip. - Brian Mulligan