Santa Anita: Closer Looks for May 8, 2014

Race 1

Sea Mona

She turned in a fair workout from the gate 6 days ago; her sire won a G2 and 254K (offspring of Tiz Wonderful have scored in 27 out of 118 debuts); the dam lost her only race; among the winning siblings is 138K earner Let Em Shine.

Kyankes

Progeny of Rockport Harbor, who won 324K including G2 success, have been successful in 11 percent of their first starts the dam went 3 for 14 earning 104K; winning siblings include 106K earner Arathorn.

American Charm

Sharp gate drill last week should help her cause; her sire won 5 of 23 and 342K (descendants of Council Member are zero for 29 first time out); the dam won 6 of 22 appearances and 80K; sib to 20K earner American Avenue.

La Mexicana

This lass is among the first crop from to race from Dakota Blaze (who never competed); the dam involved lost her sole attempt; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; moderate work tab is on view.

Abets Abet

Sired multiple G1 victor Southern Image who captured 1.84 million and whose offspring are 15 for 160 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 1 of 7 attempts and 49K; this is her only foal to race.

Lookin for Money

Upgraded in her latest a.m. move; her sire won multiple G1s and 3.3 million overall and she is among the first runners from Lookin at Lucky to start; the dam was zero for 6 lifetime; sib to 35K earner Abigail's Gold.

Yes She's a Dancer

Note strong blowout on 4/25; her sire amassed 1.08 million including a G1 tally (descendants of Yes It's True have won 93 out of 644 initial starts); the dam was zero for 1; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Desert Steel

Superb workout earlier this month; her sire won the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and 1.08 million in total; offspring of Desert Code are 1 for 15 as far as winning their first race; the dam won 2 of 4 and 71K; sib to 218K earner Pretty Cozzy.- Jim Kachulis

Race 2

Primal Revival

Tough to be too enthused; yet to make a dent at any point in 3 starts; what's worse is all 3 came at this level so it's not like there's some big drop today which can help; today's foe Cache Wanted beat him by about 9 lengths and that guy won't be the favorite here; 2 of 3 sibs are winners including Pray Meeting (2 wins, $30K) and full-sis Prime Revival (1 win, $21K).

Sofos Quick Logic

As with the rail horse it's difficult to build much of a case here; no factor in the lane in 5 starts; showed a bit of speed Dec. 14 at BHP, but still, that's in just 1 of h is 5 starts; must deal with a layoff (over 3 months) as well today.

Juliet's Tizzy

No real threat in first 4 starts but there were still some positives; first, all 4 came vs. tougher straight maidens so he comes here with the most important drop in the game; also, he was not disgraced when 5th routing vs. those tougher foes at GG March 9 (beaten just 3 1/2 lengths); freshened since, drops and moves to dirt; at least there are a couple nice recent dirt works, even if his 2 dirt starts weren't too hot; 2 sibs are Mr. Beer Goggles (5 wins, $157K) and Distortion (1 win, $76K).

Cache Wanted

Debut was encouraging - was slow into stride but he plugged along decently to be 3rd, even if he was no real threat (beaten 8 1/2 lengths); still sprinting today though daddy, a G1 SW, was a distance specialist; certainly eligible to improve though you wonder if we won't see his best until he gets more ground than this; 1 of 2 sibs to race is winner Sweepemup (1 win, $39K).

Secret Wishes

Took the big drop from straight maiden to maiden claiming March 30 and responded with an improved run, finishing fourth; dropped further April 25 and you had to be thinking things might get better; oops - he fizzled to end up 9th for $40K; drops further today so maybe that can help; remember, though, all that work came on turf so we're dealing with different footing today; also, his best work, again on turf, came routing - we're sprinting today, too.

This Cat's Awesome

Looks like the one to beat; posted some good results vs. straight maidens on this track (3rd Jan. 25, 2nd Feb 27) so he's shown some quality and that he handles dirt; dropped in for $40K here March 28; stalked and ran 2nd but now comes a further drop and he also foes from the rail to the outside, which may help; 2 solid works since; lone sib is full-sis Awe' Some Kitten (2 wins, $128K, SP).-Michael Hammersly

Race 3

Luckarack

Hard not to like a horse that has won almost a third of his 42 starts and in 10 turf tries he's finished first or second seven times; nice effort in his latest over this course and the winner is the same horse that edged Big Note Feb. 17; Bejarano abandons him to ride Circa'sgoldengear but Nakatani rides this course as well as anyone; nice works over Tapeta since he ran and he has to rank as a serious player in a wide-open event.

Harness Mentality

He did win a race on turf but it came in a $20K maiden claimer at Golden Gate and he is going to need to substantially improve on his career-best 78 Beyer Speed Figure on the lawn; he was 45-1 in a $20K optional race gong long last time and he'll be a longshot again in this spot; hard to see it.

Circa'sgoldengear

He hasn't won in a while so it is interesting to see Bejarano stick with him after an even effort in his latest where he finished behind three of the ones he's facing today; he did lack room midstretch but he didn't really fire when clear; if he runs his best race he'll be right there and Heap and Bejarano teamed up with 10-1 shot Back to Bako for a win on this course April 19; not out of the question.

Big Note (IRE)

Looks like the one they will have to run down and he has either won or narrowly lost in his last four races on the lawn; like the way Sierra has given him time to recover from his game win on this course April 6 and he's posted Beyer Speed Figures in the 90's in his last three coming down the hill; a similar figure will put him right there again; the pick.

The Cleaners

He is a pretty sharp horse right now but both of his wins came on dirt and he hasn't shown the same kind of zip on the lawn; nonetheless, he's out of a mare that won on the lawn and City Zip is a decent turf sire so it's too early to give up on him yet; if he can stalk he might be able to hang around for a slice but if he tries to run with Big Note early it's hard to see him being there at the finish; tough call.

A Toast to You

He cut back to this distance in his latest and made a nice move in the common race but he had to go pretty wide to do it; he should get a better trip here and he might be just a tad sharper in his second straight sprint; he has an excellent record coming down the hill and he's another one that could win this if he brings his best stuff.

Royal F J

It's been over a year since he won a race and there are just four wins from 56 starts so we're already prejudiced against him; just one of his wins came without blinkers so not sure the equipment change is going to move him up enough to contend here; he does get some weight off and he's been part of the super in four of his last five starts so you might want to include him in the exotics.-Randy Goulding

Race 5

Nightfall

Draws the fence for the stretchout while trying the lawn for the initial time in her second career start; filly adds shades after chasing a subsequent repeater; barn hasn't had much luck with second out runners but the unraced dam did drop a surface winner as well as SW sprinter and 195K earner Beltene who never tried the green; sire gets about 12% first turf winners from his offspring.

Princesskatiebella

Wasn't beaten all the much in her debut at this trip and level last time and now she'll give it another go; her sire was a SW sprinter and all 3 of her dam's wins came sprinting on the main track as well so don't know that she's going to have much of a future on this footing, but she does have a right to move forward with the initial experience behind her and wouldn't need to be that much better to have a say in the outcome.

Unusual Style

Last out runner up picks up weight with the switch to Nakatani but she draws much better for this one; she'll need to break more alertly this time and maybe that would help keep her out of the wide spot that has hampered her last handful of tries; one to consider.

Jennyway U Want It

Field's highest last out Beyer earner was beaten chalk last out after getting within a length of the winner in her first start down the hill; she's tackle 2 turns for the initial time here but her dam was a Graded SW turf router so it wouldn't be much of a surprise to see her get better with distance; one to beat.

Cherish

First foal to race out of a dam who never made it to the races is by a sire who is winless from 19 first out runners; one if her daddy's 6 runners did win first time on the green, though; works aren't anything special and the barn hasn't had any recent luck with its newcomers.

Warren's Cracker

She's working well for this after being given a little extra time after again sitting a wide spot over the local sod; Bejarano sticks and this gal did run some decent ones over the course as a sophomore; maybe she's set for a move forward in her third start of the year and the price should be right.

Seraphic Slew

Beaten last out chalk tackled older for the first time in that one and some of the gals who finished in front of her return here as well; filly was pretty sharp in her turf debut at the local trip in her start before that and she'll get a new pilot for this one; barn has had a rough year, but with a bounce back type of effort this gal could prove dangerous; can't be overlooked.

Peggy Sue's Loose

Returns from better than 5 months on the shelf to try a course over which ran well twice last year; filly got within a length of the winner while running fresh at Del Mar last summer and she's working regularly at Los Al for this so maybe she's set to fire first time back.

I'msoulflattering

Slow beginnings have hampered each of her 2 career spins and now she'll stretch out to tackle the route; filly did a little running late down the hill last time and has returned to work well for a barn that boasts a recent big priced winner routing off 2 sprint tries.

Lethal Story

Enters this off a career best number earned at the trip here last month; filly will start from a tough draw after breaking inside in that last one and neither of her previous turf spins was much but if she does move forward with a solid interim drill in tow, she can get involved in the outcome.

Q' Viva

AE ran pretty well the first time they stretched her out and moved her to the infield; she'll move to a much tougher starting slot if a scratch allows her to meet the starter and that's no bargain, but she did show marked improvement from a speed figure standpoint and has a right to move forward second time on the green.-Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Miss Loujean

Returns from NoCal where she ran well in a couple starts; trouble is, that was NoCal, on synthetic, sprinting, vs. 3yos only - today she's back in SoCal, on turf, routing and facing elders so there hurdles are many and significant; 1 2nd in 3 turf tries shows she's not averse to this footing but she's facing a few who relish the sod and she's doing so at a new distance, too.

Irenes Jackpot

Toss that 6th on GG synthetic Jan 10 (which also came after 7 months off) and you're left a string of good outings, many of which came on turf; 3rd only a nose behind Mangita in 2nd in a spot just like this here March 21 so by extension if that gal is a player here - and she definitely is - then doesn't it means this gal is, too?; darn tootin' it does; freshened since that last run but that last good run came off a layoff similar to this.

Water Issues

Nice bounce-back; had excuses in those 2 not-so-hot January races and after a freshening, with a drop, she responded and gamely beat foes on this course April 4; faces Cal-breds today but it's still a tougher spot; still, as a 3yo she elders in early April, no easy feat, and she's got versatility, too.

Highly Rated

Burned some money in the fall/winter with 3 straight 2nds as the favorite; last 2 weren't very pretty and it makes you wonder if after those 3 nice outings (after all, she did run well in those 3 2nds) that she's now 'over the top'; didn't show her customary speed last time, either; of course, that was first time with blinkers and the blinkers come off today, so maybe that will snap her back to her prior form...maybe.

Mangita

Backers have to be a little frustrated about those last 4 outings - 2nd in each, all on turf, all on this course, all at this trip and 3 of the 4 at this exact level; freshened a bit since her last and Trainer Bruce has always been good with such a move; ample speed to be in a good spot from the start but note her 2 wins both came from OFF the pace so if Gryder can get her to relax and covered up that may save fuel until she needs in the lane, and then she can get over the hump.

Van Dien Avenue

Headed the right way; actually 'won' on the DMR turf last Aug. 30 but later got DQ'd from pure money; got a fall vacation and came back with 3 solid outings before breaking through and beating maidens on this course at this trip March 29 - and she did it despite an impossible post (No. 11); faces winners today and while her 2 tries at about this level in the fall weren't much (9th, 5th) she looks like a better filly now than she was then.

Tiz a Kiss

Big 2nd in a spot like this at DMR Sept. 2 as she finished strongly, though that won't make those who made her the 2.90-1 favorite feel any better; was then gone 7 months before a dull sprint on the hillside course here April 10; but you can be a bit forgiving - not only was that her first run in a while but she blew the start; she was also sprinting and her best work so far has come routing, specifically this mile trip; well, she has that sprint under her belt, there's no drop, no layoff, she moves to a better distance and 3 big works since say she's feeling good; quite playable.-Michael Hammersly

Race 8

Opulent One

One Man Army 3 for 50 with debuters; sire lost twice at 2, took 2 of 24, earned $85K; dam was unraced; the 3 siblings to race are a combined 0 for 10; like fact he drilled farther than this race is carded.

Our Trooper

Right there against higher-priced runners back in the day, the spacing of the races is a concern; connections would love to see this runner start acting like top kin Seven Nation Army, who took a stakes and banked over $200K; long overdue.

Flew Flicker

Colt has already finished first once; note he was nearly 4 clear in his second to last race and the show horse 2/28 last year A Thousand Aces won 4 times since, the last in a $6250 claimer at GG; backers can hang hat on fact several siblings won multiple times; look for pilot to send hard and hope for the best.

Dark Timbers

After 17 tries, it's just hard to see the upside; a bit more keen to run early in last but runner has failed at Pomona and up north; hustling bug strings along; not my kind of play.

No Barneys

This is a first-time gelding; soph has beaten 2 horses in his career; stakes placed 3 for 38 dam earned $200K; all 4 siblings won including double stakes winner, 15 for 73 racer and over $600K earner Deputiformer; improved move on the 29th is a positive.

Superboot (IRE)

Dirt debut not all that bad considering the layoff; more experienced pilot and runner could be more focused with the blinks this time; like the series of drills coming to this fray; interesting.

Alsace

Maybe gelding just hated the rail last time; he was boosted a bit when the winner of last repeated in a $25K N2L fray; another slice may be the ceiling here.

Echo Alley

Yes It's True about 14% with debuters in a 644-horse study; sire took debut at 2, won multiple Graded stakes earned over a million; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; in for $10K less than purchase price.

Tavern Law

Steadied and eased, then he got to lugging; the drop can't hurt and he could be more into the bit this time; 3 for 7 dam banked $40K; both siblings won; top kin Tavern took 2 of 10, earned just over $30K; rider has had success for Hess.

Stealth Fighter

Been dull so far; he's trained fast but that is the Headley way; dam 2nd in best moment in 2-race career; all 4 siblings won; 3 banked 6 figures including SP runner and over $300K earner Scofield Barracks; needs a turn around.

Tasha's Courage

Gelding has been a bad actor at the gate; he has chased clear winners of late and the last race came back okay as the 5th finisher graduated in this very league and the 8th finisher took a maiden $8K GG event; 1/17 winner repeated in a $40K starter, was 2nd a half in a $32K claimer on 4/27; blowout Saturday says he's feeling pretty good about himself.

Ready to Jam

Gelding has a bit of speed as 5th new pilot takes the reins; may need even softer to show top talent; needs a break out race.

Exponentially

Three regressions since the decent try last October; could see him pushing the issue, not sure he'll be around at the end.

Time for a J

This is a first-time gelding; must be given look on the drop alone; note improved drill last Friday; place horse in last took a MSW, 10th finisher took a maiden $32K GG seller and the winner was 4th beaten 4 in the $100K Graduation Stakes; 2 for 15 dam banked nearly $70K; this is her first to race; rates long look if he suits up.-Brian Mulligan