Santa Anita: Closer Looks for November 3, 2013

Race 1

Muchos Besos

Dull effort in last after the 2-back field-best Beyer speed figure posted at today's distance on synthetic beating the runner-up finisher who won next out in a DMR-optional claimer with an 83; scary on best day; the dirt record is superb and his last main-track start was a nearly 10-length blowout SA win; lots to like.

Justa Gusta

Receives an extra 2-pound weight concession from Half Dome Dude off latest loss on SA synthetic while the added 1.5F does not add to the appeal; working a quick 3F for this; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-25K claimer with a 78 Beyer; last win was fresh at shorter but is back here in just 3 weeks between races; view as a pace presence for part.

Big Note (IRE)

Only dirt start of career was a solid effort but tired at 1F shorter than this which is a major issue; lone USA win was at 5F; gets in with his lightest-weight assignment ever; showed up with front wraps on for the first 2 races off the purchase then did not deliver his best efforts.

Whipstock

The 8th and 9th finishers from last Beyered 76-69 in next-out EMD $12,500 and ALB-optional-claiming wins; 98 days away since the trainer change while his best speed figure was at longer over the track; speedster won going this far 2-back fresh; view as a pace presence.

Go to the Pulpit

0-for-4 with blinkers on during career but fired one of his best career races in last with the hood when sent long; both SA dirt wins were at longer distances and on wet ovals; has not raced this short January; the workouts for this are solid but the trainer is 1-for the last-21 with sprint-to-route starters.

Coo Cachoo

Way off best form with 4 straight off-the-board finishes including the 3-back loss vs. the winner who repeated in an SA alw. with a 92 Beyer; in 2013 posted his best speed figure on a synthetic surface but is on dirt today; would be a shocker off recent form.

Half Dome Dude

Best dirt Beyer on a wet race track but came up big on a fast oval in last; gives an extra 2 pounds to Justa Gusta for the rematch at 1.5F longer; can he win right back after scoring fresh off a 46-day break now back in just 3 weeks for this.

Warren's Rail Bird

Exits his lowest Beyer since April; the 2-back winner and show finishers posted 92-76 speed figures in next-out SA-$12,500 and 8K-claiming wins; best Beyer on SA grass; both wins on dirt including an SA-maiden breaker April, 2012, at 6.5F.

Position A

Lone race of career at 7F or longer was a 4th-place fade in a DMR-100K synthetic-surface stakes race September, 2009; winless since December, 2011, a front-running HOL 16K-claiming win at 6F; the 3-back winner repeated in a DMR-20K claimer with an 82 Beyer; off recent form others appeal more.

Big Wags

Last race going this short was June, 2012, a show finish in a BHP-synthetic 10K claimer; exits a sharp win over the track his best Beyer since June with 3 of his 4 races off the June claim being solid efforts with 2 wins; figures to sit just off the speed then get 1st run on the closers; 53%-winning route-to-sprint barn adds to the appeal.

Toss the Dice

Claimed off 2nd-lowest Beyer of career when racing on SA dirt for the 1st time; stretches out to his longest-distance test ever; beat the 3-back show runner who posted a 62 speed figure for his next-out BSR-$12,500-claiming win; removes blinkers for the 1st time ever seeking answers.

Race 3

Gold Tie Please

Got off to a slow start but did offer some late interest in his sprint debut at the level; gelding will need to break more alertly to take advantage of the move to the fence, but he'll get Lasix for a barn that boasts a recent second out winner and he is kin to a route winner.

Anzeau

Cal bred tries open claimers in his return to the main track after offering little in his return from the break on the local lawn; dirt spins weren't much and the barn doesn't do so well second back from the break, but this guy did blow out quickly here earlier in the week so maybe he shows up with a little more early zip and Bejarano does agree to take the call; worth considering in a weak gathering.

On Holy Ground

He's had more than his share of chances without much luck; gray's last at Fairplex was an improvement but he's never run particularly well over the local main track; maybe his drill earlier in the week will help him stay close early again and that last out number fits here, but given his career slate, have to look elsewhere for the winner.

Tux

Fresh gelding tries 2 turns in his return for a barn that hasn't had any recent luck with its comebackers; recent drills are nothing to get excited about and he didn't do much in his lone dirt spin earlier in the year; have to pass on him.

Attempt

Had some trouble in his local debut last month and failed to get involved in the outcome following a couple of ok tries at Fairplex; barn is profitable with its recent stretchouts and there's not a lot in here, but this guy will need to take a good step forward to get in the mix.

Crusher

Gets a new pilot for his first start in nearly 5 months after that troubled sprint debut run; he's been working well of late on the local dirt for a barn that boasts excellent recent numbers with second out runners and the drop to this level should suit him; dam's other foal to race is 2 time sprint SW and 105K earner Otero who was 0 for 7 routing so don't know that he'll love the added ground but he can't be overlooked in here.

Riseseastsetswest

Trouble early did him in when stretched out in his first local start and he didn't have much to offer thereafter; he wasn't bad in his prior couple of starts and he's returned to work ok but have to think that even with a clean break a minor award will be his ceiling.

Ella's Kitten

Hood goes on for the surface switch while dropping well below the price they paid for this colt back East this summer; he's never tried dirt so maybe he deserves a crack over the stuff, but his few listed drills over the footing aren't very good; class drop warrants him consideration, though.

Will He Amaze

Wasn't close to the action first time on dirt at Fairplex and now he'll make his first local start; while he doesn't catch a tough bunch he hasn't done all that much himself of yet; nice to see a solid journeyman pilot take interest.

Trouble X Two

Tracked the front runners down inside and had little to offer when asked on the stretchout here last month; maybe he's tighter with that one behind him and he has only run 4 times so improvement would be no big surprise, but he really hasn't done too much to date and he'll start from an outside draw here.

Puerto Williams

AE got within a length of the winner while sprinting in his local return and now he'll look to stretch out; barn doesn't win very often and they boast weak numbers with runners tackling added ground; have to side with others if he goes.

Warren's Cliff S.

AE took a step back while getting a quicker pace setup than he's used to in his local return; he's had his chances, but those prior spins around turns at Fairplex and Del Mar put him right in the thick of this one and Leparoux will steer if scratches allow him to go; contender.

Perfect Jersey

AE starts from a tough post if he gets to meet the starter but he did show solid early foot from a wide spot at the level last time and his prior effort against similar was good; worth a look if he gets in.

Midnight Casanova

AE is mired on the list and not likely to go, but he was the beaten chalk runner up at the level in his first local start last time and his top pilot is listed to ride him back if he somehow draws in; sharp tactical foot could help him overcome the starting slot and he'll likely prove quite tough from there; one to beat if he meets the starter.

Race 5

Sidepocket Run

Late running filly might not mind the turn back in distance for this and it looks like there's enough early speed signed on to give her an honest chance from off the pace; at the very least, she's worthy of consideration underneath in the exotics.

Kathleen Rose

She ran well in her turf debut after breaking from an outside post going a mile over this turf course and she contested a lively set of early splits; this miss might be looking forward to getting a chance to see what she can do sprinting over turf.

Soul Searcher

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his first-time starters and with approximately 16% of his turf starters, and dam was winless from one start, and it wasn't a turf start; despite recent statistics this barn can be live with a firster, and it's interesting to see Gryder get the call.

Lil Swiss Echo

When considering the long layoff, her most recent start was a very nice performance, and that type of effort looks like it can play well in this spot; feel that she deserves to be viewed in the light of a contender.

Peggy Sue's Loose

Like to see the steady improvement she's shown since being placed over turf but it remains to be seen if she can be as effective sprinting as she is routing; respect the presence of Talamo, but leaning in another direction.

The Grans

She's been battling seconditis with seven runner-up finishes without a victory from 19 starts, and her recent form hasn't been strong enough to suggest that she can get the better of the top contenders in here.

Tickle Again

She's seeking her first 1-2-3 finish but she ran well in her first start for this barn in her latest outing, and she finished right behind a couple of today's rivals in that race; she's another who might not be as effective sprinting, but not willing to count her out of it against these.

Cravin' the Heat

She has a nice pedigree for turf and two of her three starts sprinting over grass have been solid performances; this barn has been live at this meeting and they see fit to make a rider switch to Rosario for this.

Hanserella

She brings a good deal of early speed with her, and her three starts sprinting down the hill have been decent performances, but it's tough to place any confidence in her for the top spot when seeing her 0-for-23 career mark.

Little Unusual

One of two nicely bred turfers signed on in here for the Abrams barn and feel that Cravin' the Heat is the more interesting of the two; not to be outdone by Hanserella, this mare sports an 0-for-27 career mark.

Race 6

Vegas Street

Sired by multiple G1 winner Street Cry who amassed 5.15 million and whose offspring have won 27 out of 317 debuts; the dam scored in 11 of 40 races earning 482K; among the winning siblings is 185K winner Photo Shopped.

Robert E. Lee

Eye-catching workout on 10/19; his sire won 4 of 9 and 105K; progeny of Lone Start Special are zero for 3 first time out; the mom won 3 of 18 and 70K; winning siblings include 61K earner Canadian Pacific.

Snuggley Bear

Two fair efforts at various distances thus far; his sire won a G2 and 490K while the dam was without a tally in 3 attempts; this is her only foal to make it to the races; latest half-mile drill was upbeat.

Ron's Boy

This grey sire was sired by G1 type Idiot Proof who captured 1.29 million (his progeny are 1 for 4 as far as winning their first test); the dam won 1 of 2 and 15K; this is her sole foal to reach the starting gate.

Even Echo

Yet to hit the board although the last defeat can be forgiven when he was completely overmatched; most recent work at five-eighths was fair but not likely enough to turn things around suddenly; pass for now.

Bullwhip

Worked today's distance last week; his sire is top-notch sprinter Benny the Bull who garnered 2.35 million (his descendants have won 3 of 11 initial races); the dam won 6 of 33 and 225K; among the winning sibs is 73K earner Castillo Del Sol.

Rough Passage

Decent a.m. moves of late; his sire won 6 of 15 and 148K; offspring of Stormy Atlantic have scored in 104 out of 890 debuts; the dam involved was unraced; winning siblings include 334K earner Eighin Ratna.

Rock Hard City

Progeny of Rock Hard Ten, a multiple G1 winner who notched 1.87 million, have won first out 31 times out of 245K; the dam went zero for 10; among the winning siblings is 362K earner Midnight Lucky.

Bayview Drive

The colt was sired by G2 victor It's No Joke who netted 685K (his descendants have won 7 of 47 first races); the dam won 1 of 7 and 13K; sib to 53K bankroller Gentle as a Breeze; trainer has fared well with beginners.

Beach Hut

Recent workout activity his strong; the sire involved won a G1 and 580K: offspring of First Defence have won 5 of 51 debuts; the dam won 7 of 41 and 339K; winning siblings include 98K earner Any Given Chance.

Cinematic Cat

Moderate works for this newcomer, son of Cindago who won 2 of 3 and 98K (his progeny have scored in 6 out of 35 debuts); the dam won 2 of 14 and 43K; among the winning sibs is 26K earner Our New Tale.

Nooten

He was sired by G2 winner Mud Route who compiled 672K and whose descendants have won 19 out of 163 first attempts; the dam won 1 of 7 and 18K: winning siblings include 54K earner Bobo.

Closet E

Displayed improved early speed in the last route before fading midway; might get away with softer fractions on this turnback and benefit; could be a classic case of moving forward via the third start form cycle; consider.

Top Fortitude

The main statistic to consider for this colt is the fact that offspring of his sire,Top Hit, have done extremely well first time out (winning 17 of 51); the dam was zero for 2; sib to G2 victor Uh Oh Bango who notched 691K; dangerous if in.

Race 7

Jonny's Choice

Far from disgraced in the lone try on the hill; never been a big fan of the fence on this course but he's fresh and should be able to gain decent position; 7th and 8th finishers in last both won $50K claimers next out; he's been training like the proverbial Swiss clock; not impossible task.

Ambitious Brew

Considering the slow start, the grass debut was solid; connections thought enough of him to try the stakes last time and this shorter trip should be to his liking; the show horse in last cashed next out in a $25K optional, then ran out of the money; drills well spaced, rates long look in all the slots.

Bro's Bro

In Excess 18% with first-time grass runners in a 337-horse study; sire was a multiple Grade 3 winner on grass and banked $1.7 million; dam took a sprint, lost only turf out; several multiple race winners in the tree, one cashed on grass once; needs a rebound run.

Life a Riley

Bertrando about 12% with first-time grass runners in a 395-horse sample; sire won multiple Grade 1s, won a $60K stakes on grass; dam was unraced; 3 siblings tried grass to no avail; wide in last pair, Bejarano strings along and that's a pretty snappy move for this barn on the 27th; interesting.

Red Man Run

Proven on the hill, but one for 23 is a tough number to bet into no matter how you slice it; he has not been in the money since the win and was only a brief threat in last; looking at other options here.

Exotic Slew

In kind of tough on the cut back in last as his speed may have been dulled in the DMR finale; the turf win came at 6 furlongs at HOL with an 81 Beyer; note he was losing ground late in the 2nd career victory; would tread lightly here.

Free Time

This guy has never won fresh but he was 2nd a neck in his racing debut; trainer has spotted them just fine this year with limited starters and you can never dismiss sub :22 speed; look for bug to send hard and hope for the best.

Candy's Sunrise

Forced to steady last time, despite not winning he has run well on grass including the half-length beat on this course; runner can be closer up if in the mood and although he may have not gotten a lot out of the last race, he has the 3 efforts to draw from now; surprise package.

Marina Del Heat

Hung wide but inching toward the winner in the lone try on the hillside; nice ride last time and the pilot had just enough gas in the tank to get the job done; snappy move last Tuesday suggests runner came out of the last race no worse for wear; can't be dismissed.

Tribe

The closing third in the second start of the year was solid and a repeat of that race and this guy could shock; he was gaining ground late in the beach finale and wanted no part of the miler in last; could easily be enticed into gimmick action.

Hey Yup

Game in the win but face it, it was Fresno and in a conditioned claimer; nice effort in the grass debut but it was a small field and it can be a big learning curve on this surface; looking another way.

On the Fence

Even after the solid third in the beach finale, fans didn't bit to the tune of 12-1 last time and they were right on the money; he has the edge on graduating on the course and he did train well last month; needs very best.

Crimson Giant

Going one for 38 is not the best thing to pen on the resume; no speed, no asset; boxcars all year, looking at the same fate today.

Benba

Considering he was pinballed by the eventual winner when crossing the dirt, the last race was not all that bad; this is a far cry from beating up maiden claimers on the Fair Circuit; hustling bug hired, could be the bomb in the gimmicks.

Race 8

Corlett Drive

Draws the fence again after a solid late running effort to get second money at a shorter trip; she's working like she'll improve second back from the freshening and though she's settled for plenty of minor awards, the added pacel figures to help aid her run; price should be right to give her an exotics look.

Blonde Fog

Hood comes off this lightly raced colt who was among the more impress juvenile maiden winners here last year; she went on to run big in Hollywood's G1 Starlet and though she was defeated at a short price in her local return she did suffer through a rough trip and had been away better than 10 months prior to that one; she's yet to try one turn and that's a concern, but she's shown excellent route lick and worked a solid half for this last week for a barn that boasts nice numbers second off the break; giving her the nod to beat them home.

Gifting

Barn's second runner in here gets back to a normal sprint configuration after failing to threaten the winner late in the Fairplex stake; she tanked at odds on here first time out but did have a tough trip in that one; maybe the added panel helps and she does figure to be a solid price in her return to the level.

Song of a Witch

Sophomore steps up to take on much better older runners than she's been facing in the claiming ranks; she's won here twice, but her return to the local footing was pretty poor; looms a long price in this spot.

Mum's Truckee

Switches to Bejarano while turning back to sprint on the surface switch today; Cal bred beat restricted runners in her lone local main track try and her efforts prior to that last one suggest he's a pretty solid fit at this level who will appreciate the added trip; contender.

Ubelongtomemissy

She's been working pretty well here of late for her return from the brief freshening and a top pilot will get the call; filly was quite good against cheaper here earlier in the year and maybe the return to this venue helps, but she doesn't have much sprint experience.

Wild in the Saddle

Picks up weight after a decent third place effort at the level in her return to this venue; she likes the local main track and her style can benefit from the added real estate here, but she returns just 3 weeks off her career best number and may not be set to take the step forward she'd need to prove a legitimate threat.

Conkate

Wasn't able to threaten a pretty good stakes sprinter in her return to the local footing and now she'll drop in for the optional tag; gray was right there at the level at Del Mar and her efforts here earlier in the year are tough to overlook; expecting she'll prove to be the one to beat in her return to this level.

Melanistic

Turns back to sprint after wiring a short field at this level over the track a few weeks back; maybe she has a little more to offer late at this shorter trip, but she's bounced sky high off a big effort in the past; have to side against the local lover repeating in this spot.

Royal Empress (IRE)

Limited winner turns back to sprint on the surface switch for a barn that hasn't had any luck going turf to dirt of late; she was in too tough last out at Del Mar but she did get a solid clip to run at before that in her stateside debut; big question on this footing.

Appealing Resume

Steps up seeking her third straight score after getting up to defeat claimers in her local return; mare often gives a good account of herself and her career slate says she certainly knows how to win, but she'll lose Bejarano while facing her toughest competition yet; have to side with others on the win end.

Race 9

More Chocolate

Grade 2 winner has shown the ability to put together a nice performance over any surface and she projects to sit a favorable ground saving trip just off of the early leaders after breaking out of post one; she's an interesting option to consider with Rosario aboard.

Customer Base

Consistent performer is capable of making noise in this spot if she feels up to one of her better efforts, and like to see Stevens back aboard this stakes winning miss as he's won with 18 of 66 (27%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

A Time to Love

She's run well in back-to-back starts since moving into this barn, but this is clearly a much tougher assignment she's being handed today, and she'll have to step up with the sharpest performance of her career to get the better of this field.

E Z Kitty

Don't want to ignore the impact that her early speed can have on the way that this race shapes up, and she has displayed sharp form in 2013, but this does appear to be a tough spot for her to be getting back over turf; leaning toward others.

Egg Drop

She was last seen getting the better of today's rival Appealing in the Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar and she's been very good in three straight starts since being placed over turf; have to respect her chances, but she might find herself involved in a fast and contested early pace.

Long Face

She's G3 stakes placed racing over turf, and it looks like she's been training well in preparation for her first start since July, but her best effort doesn't appear to be up to the level of the top contenders in this spot.

Miss Pippa

She deserves credit for getting the better of today's rival Customer Base in her latest outing, but that wasn't one of Customer Base's better performances, and it looks like this filly will have to step up with a career best effort to see her number posted on top after this one is run.

Ighraa (IRE)

Have to believe that she's going to be ready for a much better performance than what she showed in her first start in America, and her connections must think highly of her to sign her up for another tough assignment; runner up from latest won next out here on 10/26 going 1m over turf in a G3 with an 87 Beyer.

Appealing (IRE)

Multiple graded stakes placed filly owns the ability to adapt to any early pace scenario, and in a race that figures to have a lively early pace, she might be looking at a similar trip to the one that led to a strong runner-up finish in her latest outing; she has the look of a top contender with Bejarano at the controls.

Race 10

Soul Saver

Gelding improved a bit and he has the 2 races to draw from now; backers can point to the fact that lone kin Favor Factor took 2 of 6 and earned nearly $120K; after the November race last year, this guy went horribly off form; maybe the 2 preps will have him set for a peak performance.

Western Seeker

Soph has trained well after walking out of the gate; dam out of the money 4 times; lone half sis to race Giddy Up Gal was 2nd in best moment; Gallagher has his stable rolling right now; a clean start and it could be a whole new ballgame.

Awesome Okee

Gelding caught fast splits in the Anita finale; 5 for 16 dam won at 2, banked nearly $75K; all 3 siblings won including stakes placed 4 for 27 racer and near $400K earner Seminole Native; Gryder got a chance to figure him out and the sprint could have sharpened his speed; don't ignore.

Wave Catching

Lack of speed is something that must be addressed; the lone sibling did win once; soph was losing ground late in the last pair; hard to build a solid winning case after the last effort.

Trando's Tremor

The extended layoff is a valid concern; he has some work to do to match top kin and over $120K earner Itssultryinthecape; legged up at Los Al, would need to see a race.

Slight Edge

Runner shows speed one day, dawdles the next; there are some winners in the tree, but none were special; runner has been getting late recently but would expect him to be forwardly placed; value should be there.

Salt of the Earth

With the style he has shown, things have to break just right; connections would love to see him start acting like top kin and near $300K earner Beautiful Balance; needs a turn around.

Headlights On

Considering the cut back, he could be left with a ton of work to do late; runner still in for $17K more than his purchase price; can t endorse.

Educated Guess

Lion Heart about 15% with debuters in a 465-runner survey; sire was unbeaten in 3 juvenile outs, took multiple G1s, banked over $1.3 million; dam 0 for 6; all 3 siblings won; top kin Coach Royal took 2 of 18, banked nearly $175K; steady drills for cagey barn; runner doesn't have to be a monster to make an impact here.

Sheriff Hutton

Tough beat 2 back and note show horse was nearly 5 clear that day; gelding has several races to draw from now after showing career speed last time; kept legs moving with the drill on Wednesday, just may get brave if he can get a lonely lead.

Joe Hardoon

He's been an ordinary Joe so far; one of his better assets could be that he has sneaky speed; if you figure he just needed the last, then you can make a case for a move forward; expect a better try here.

Mateo

Tropical Storm 6 for 49 with firsters; sire, who is out of a Grade 1 winner, didn t run at 2, took one of 4, banked just over $30K; dam out of the money twice; lone full bro to run Bango took 2 of 17, earned less than a grand a start; drills are nicely spaced.

Senor Snickers

Not sure how you spin this form in the right direction with all the double digits beats; he has some work to do to match top kin and over $100K earner Kim s Landing; trainer has been firing with everything he has been sending out but this runner needs to hurry.