Santa Anita: Closer Looks for October 11, 2013

Race 2

Charlie Thomas

Makes his first start for McCarthy who the past five years has a 22% strike rate with horses coming off a layoff of 61-180 days; son of $5 million Grade 1 winner Seeking the Dia hasn't been much of a factor in his first three starts, though, and he's is the first foal out of a mare whose lone win came sprinting; he might show more as a first-time gelding but others look more attractive.

Stormin

He just hasn't been a factor in his first four starts and they've tried him with blinkers and without but no luck so far; he will be running on dirt for the first time but it is hard to make a case for him from what he has shown us so far; looking elsewhere.

Lieutenant Seany O

First time gelding is the only horse in the field with a race going around two turns on dirt and although he got waxed by over 22 lengths he was facing considerably tougher horses in a MSW race at Saratoga; at least he was in the race for a while and not many of the ones he is facing here would have been; first foal out of an unraced mare looks like a major player with this group.

Golden Dynamo

No luck so far but he did have an excuse in his latest at Santa Rosa when he got squeezed back at the start; blinkers come off for the first time and maybe the equipment change will help him turn things around; toss his two races on turf and he doesn't look out of line in this spot.

Behind the Bossman

Mullins wheels him back in a week after a dull effort as the chalk in a $50K maiden claimer and the past five years he is 1 for 9 with horses coming back this quickly; looks like the one they have to chase and three of his four siblings are route winners so he should get the distance; the pick.

Ghost of Harrenhal

Debuts for a barn that the past five years is 0 for 7 with first-time starting 2-year-olds; Singletary is 3/29 with debuting juveniles; dam's lone win came sprinting and her only other foal is also a sprint winner; works aren't very encouraging; hard to see it.

Grifters Mark

Blinkers go on but it is hard to imagine they are going to be able to help him turn things around; pulled up and vanned off in his debut and then he was waxed by 23 lengths in his second start; he did have an excuse in his latest but his dam only won sprinting and his only sib to win also won going short; passing. By Randy Goulding

Race 3

Apache Ambush

He broke on top in his debut last out and a repeat of such a start would serve him well as he draws the fence against these; shows some sharp works for what will be his first out in two months and given how well he ran in his debut looking for him to contend.

Sidepocket Champ

He's another with speed, and from an inside gate it's an asset that should serve him well; has a chance to slip away from the bell, with the main concern being he could be pressed by leading contender Kill Shot, who breaks to his outside; can share.

Copote's Royalty

By a stakes winner of 6 races and $331K who is getting 5 percent debut winners from a limited sample; dam was unplaced in three starts and from one foal to race has one placed runner, who is a full sibling to this one.

Synchrotron

By a winner of $46K who is getting 20 percent debut winners from a limited sample; dam was unraced and this is her first foal; debuts later in life at 4, and as such he might have a physical maturity edge on some of these.

Glitter of Silver

He is a half-brother to stakes winner Little Davey ($83K); did not get the break in his debut last out, but picked up some rivals and turned in the kind of race he can build upon; poised to move forward.

Dreamnofatticus

Barn changes things up and adds blinkers; this one will also be making his dirt debut after racing exclusively on turf and synthetic surfaces; gets pedigree support for the ground, and owns some of the field's better Beyer Figures; leading contender.

Awesome Okee

He's another who will be making his first start on dirt, after debuting on a synthetic surface then racing on turf; he's also cutting back to one turn and he put up his best career Beyer Figure in a sprint; stakes-placed dam won 5 races and $73K and has produced a multiple stakes-placed winner in Seminole Native ($387K).

Kill Shot

He looks imposing; he's been right there in both of his starts, against open company in quick races; in one of them he finished in front of Holy Lute, who has since won a maiden special weight and the El Cajon at Del Mar, and also ran third in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby; choice. By Mary Rampellini

Race 4

Renee's Titan

Hard to believe she was good enough to beat multiple Grade 1 winner Beholder in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez but she did and she hasn't fired since; she's been freshened for her first start on turf and her sire is 13% with first time turfers; dam didn't win and never tried turf; this is her first foal; prefer others.

Ismene

She'll appreciate the move back to a sprint after setting a fast pace and tiring late going one-mile at Del Mar; plus, the past five years Spawr has a 28% strike rate with horses going from a route to a sprint. she ran well the only time she tried turf and it came over this tricky course; looks like the one they's have to catch and she's certainly a threat to take them all the way; big shot.

Camryn Kate

She comes out of the same race as Ismene and she finished pretty far behind her while checking in third; she won her previous race on turf, though, and she ran a big race coming down the hill last March; other speed in the field helps her cause and Nakatani rides this course as well as anyone; contender.

Ms Pianist

She looked good winning her latest at Santa Rosa but it came on dirt going long and so far she hasn't made it over the top in nine tries on the lawn; it also looks like she wants more distance, although she did break her maiden in a two-turn sprint at Fairplex; looking in other directions.

Fightin Mean Mad

Her Beyers come in a bit light and this will be her first time on turf; the past five years Bonde has a 23% strike rate in the category; sire earned most of his $39K on dirt but did win a race on grass; he is just getting started and is 0/1 with first time turfers; dam was unraced and none of her four other foals won on the lawn; her Beyer's on the dirt come in pretty light and she'll need to improve with the surface switch so we're going to pass.

Little Emily

She has a couple of wins on the lawn but she hasn't won anything for close to a year and it sure looks like she wants more distance; she did run a big race going one-mile at Del Mar three back but she added Lasix for her next two and both efforts leave a lot to be desired; plus, she's aslo never won sprinting so we're going to pass.

Big Honey Bee

5-year-old mare has five wins to her credit but the last came in a $20K claimer at Golden Gate in May and she's never won on turf; she did run a big race to finish second at 50-1 in a similar race on Polytrack at Del Mar two back and if she can run as well coming down the hill the first time she could work her way into the exotics, that is a big if, though.

Miss Lucky Sevens

She may have needed her last race which was her first on the West Coast and it came following a two-month layoff; she's a proven winner on turf and her last win came sprinting over Polytrack at Keeneland; horse that won her race June 15 won the Grade 2 Lake George at Saratoga in her next start; Bejarano attracted and it wouldn't be surprising to see her take a big step forward in her second start back; contender.

Blues and Silvers

She's won 8 of her 12 starts on turf and she has won sprinting so the cutback in distance shouldn't be an issue; she couldn't carry her speed the whole way when she finished third at this level going a mile in her latest at Del Mar but the horse that won the race just missed in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive in her next start; she can stalk and should get a nice trip from just off speed that might not last; she's also reunited with Stevens who was aboard for her smart win two back; the pick.

Travesura

She won over this course and also the Grade 3 Miesque at Hollywood as a 2-year-old last year but she hasn't been much of a threat in any of her races as a sophomore; that was a particularly dull performance in her latest at Del Mar; the one positive is the move to Leparoux who has won at a nice clip riding for Mullins; others look more attractive, though.

Ricspretentiousgal

She got the job done when she dropped into a straight claiming race for the first time since she broke her maiden fo $30K last year; goes from one good barn to another after being claimed by Sadler who has solid stats in all the relevant categories; nothing but routes lately but she won the last time she was in a sprint so she should be okay with the cutback in distance; not sure she can win this but she's been in the tri in 6 of her 8 starts on the lawn and at the least should be part of any exotics ticket. By Randy Goulding

Race 5

Grand Gambler

Ran well for second money when shades were added in his first crack on dirt at Fairplex; gelding has some early lick and given a clean break it should be on display with the move inside; he's had his stamina issues, but maybe he's able to get involved for a share.

Handsome Sam

Didn't have much to offer in his return from the mid-summer break in the Del Mar key heat; he's been working well here for his first crack on dirt and maybe he's better with that last one behind him, but he's got some improving to do.

Starry Shark

Drew outside at Fairplex and showed pretty sharp speed before tiring late in that longer sprint try; he's been on the improve from a figure standpoint and the shorter trip does figure to benefit this gelding; gets yet another new pilot, but he has been working well since that last one and looms a the one to down at this distance.

Atomic Rule

Boasts a solid blowout move earlier in the week after taking a good step forward at this level at Fairplex last month; gelding moved too soon to the top in that one and maybe today's slighlty shorter trip will help him move forward; contender.

Star of America

Should be tighter with his first start since the winter behind him and the stretchout cant hurt, but it's been a while since this guy has run a number that fits in here; off what he's shown in his last handful of starts we'll have to side against him for the money spots today.

Army Commander

Tracked and faded while returning in less than a week at Fairplex last month; he did run ok here earlier in the year, but he's another who hasn't been a threat in a long time and will need to move forward a handful of lengths to have any type of say in the outcome.

Gold Tie Please

Firster catches a soft bunch in his unveiling and shows a solid final move for this; sire gets 8% first out winners from his offspring and the unraced dam did drop 4 sprint winners from as many foals to race including SP, 16 time sprint winner Four Cards Too who banked 206K; barn boasts a recent debut winner.

Soul Saver

Hasn't been close in a while and his last when dropped to this level at Fairplex was rather weak; maybe he's better second off the break and last year he did earn numbers that would blow these away, but it's pretty clear he's nowhere near that runner now.

Mr. Cappuccino

Wasn't beaten much in either of his last 2 at Fairplex and now he'll tackle some added ground; he ran well in his last local try and maybe the stretchout to today's trip helps, but his record over the track isn't anything special and he's lost 22 times; maybe for a share.

All That Rocks

Took plenty of money in his bullring debut and was doing some running late in that shorter heat; new outfit gives him Lasix and he certainly has a right to be better with the initial experience behind him; both sibs are winners including 9 time sprint winner and 120K earner She's All Yours, so he's got a right to improve; consider.

Gray Satin

Just failed to last when shades were added at the shorter trip second out at Fairplex; gray did flash improved early interest in that one and though he moves towards the outside in here maybe he's able to find a tracking spot and has another move forward in him; price should be right.

Alsace

Outside drawn sophomore was given most of the summer off after a weak try second time over synthetic ground; he was pretty sharp prior to that and his effort the last time he stepped over the local dirt makes him at least an exotics threat here.

Karaiskakis

AE goes second off the long break after failing to factor from the Fairplex fence in his return to the races; his debut effort over the track was good enough to win this, but he's yet to run back to it and there's not much to suggest he'll take the needed step forward in this heat.

Denzel

AE again ran into a couple of next out winners while returning from 7 months on the shelf and trying older for the first time at Del Mar; he's got early lick and the outside slot he'll start from if he gets to go figures to keep him out of trouble; tough to judge him by the big number he earned on synthetic footing last fall, but he did run well for a tag over the track as a juvenile and he's working well for this. By Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Cardio Royale

Late runner in last start which was on a synthetic surface defeated the show and 5th-place finishers who posted 69-58 Beyer speed figures in next-out SA-$12,500-claiming and BSR-$10,500-claiming wins; exits a career-best Beyer and has been a much better runner since claimed 2 starts ago; is winless on grass which is the only knock against.

He's Not too Shaby

75 days since latest win while being stretched out here to the longest-distance race of career; likes to be forwardly placed which is an advantage in a race lacking defined pace; the 2-back winner repeated in a DMR-200K stakes with a 91 Beyer; beat the 3-back show runner an 81 Beyer BHP-40K-claiming next-out winner; field-best Beyer in the 6F-grass debut and figures as the one to catch and beat here.

Democrat Duck

9 weeks since rallying mildly at longer noting the show and 7th-place finishers from last Beyered 76-74 in next-out GG-optional claiming and DMR-25K-claiming wins; graduated at today's distance on SA less-than-firm green; will be taking a wait and see approach on firm footing.

Tricky Shane

4 straight so-so efforts after racing very well on GG turf at 1 Mile; 8th-place finish from last represents his worst finish ever when his typically big-late kick never materialized; all 3 pictures were for the all-time win rider RBaze; others appeal more.

Under Review

Debut win on synthetic but has not returned to that type of surface since racing on grass again today; the 2-back loss looks better since the winner repeated in an SA-Grade 2 with a 105 Beyer; new rider is his 7th different jockey in as many career races which is not a good win angle.

This One's for Mel

Lone win was racing right on the lead but changed styles in last but still raced well in defeat; have to go back to March to see a bad race on the form; the 3-back winner captured a DMR alw. next out with a 91 Beyer; keeps Gomez to pilot winning 30% for the trainer since 2012.

Caught Napping (GB)

Stalked the pace in the 2-England win pictures with a declining-Beyer pattern for the USA losses; the runner-up finisher from last posted an 86 Beyer taking an AP-optional claimer next out; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-72K event with an 86 while the 3-back runner-up took an SA-Grade 1 next out with a 90 speed figure.

Boyett

Sire is 0-for-1 with 1st-turf runners; is out of 1 for-5 grass dam (21K) who produced 2 winning foals (2-for-29 combined 24K) but none raced on turf; stretches out noting last win was stting just off the gate speed; the runner-up from last Beyered 80 in an EMD-50K stakes win next out; the 3-back runner-up scored a 75 Beyer in an EMD-50K win next out.

Meringue Pie (GB)

Last win was from a stalking spot but has been in front at the 1st call in 3 straight so figures to be playing catch me if you can today; the show and 7th-place finishers from last Beyered 76-74 in next-out DMR-25K-claiming and GG-optional-claiming wins; view as a pace presence for part.

Imperative

Best races are when stalking the pace but broke slowly in last then rallied well; owns both wins in Mile-synthetic surface events; the 83-day layoff and lone SA grass start when defeated by Meringue Pie suggests this one should be ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Los Bambinos

Has won from on the lead and off the pace but exits the 2nd-lowest Beyer of career which does not help the confidence level; 2-back start represents a career-best Beyer this inconsistent sort attempts SA grass for the 1st time.

Boss of Me

Maiden faces winners which is a tough-win angle except for 2-year-old races; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 78 capturing an SA-MSW event next out; seems overmatched in this spot while will lose ground breaking widest. By Art Gropper

Race 8

Level Headed

She's a half-sister to Coil, a multiple Grade 1 winner of $1.1mm; ran a close-up fifth last out, over a distance that seemed less than optimum but also logical for what was her first out since November; note, too, that the race has become a key one, with the runner-up coming back to take an N1X at AP with a Beyer Figure of 88, and the fourth-place finisher, Forget That Girl, a $25K claimer at AP, with a Beyer of 70; has run well at this distance in past, and can at least share.

Mum's Truckee

She should be sharp for the move back to two turns off a quick sprint in which she came rolling for second; note the runner-up from the race returned in her next start to take an N1X at SA, with a Beyer Figure of 84; as for this one, she has run well at the mile and an eighth trip in the past and looks like a leading contender.

The Only Key (GB)

Barn changes things up here and adds blinkers and that is a high percentage move for Hollendorfer; this one also gets an opportunity to move back to the grass and she has done her best work on the green; adding to her cause is the bit of added ground as she registered her last win at a mile and a quarter; five-time winner facing some less experienced rivals is worth a long look.

Marcyjane

She's on a roll right now, having won her last two starts in thrilling, off-the-pace fashion; steps outside the statebred ranks, perhaps for a chance at this mile and an eighth distance; this will be her third start since February; is a half-sister to the Grade 2-placed winner Military Mandate ($80K).

Scooter Bird

She's a half-sister to Daring Reality, a multiple stakes winner of $272K; is something of a fresh horse as this will be her first start since late July; like that she's a winner at this mile and an eighth trip; a drawback is that she gives up experience to some of these.

Demonsterous

She ran a big race off the bench last out, when she set the pace in a GG route and was caught in the later stages; the start was no doubt a useful one, and suspect she can move forward in her second race back; has run well at this mile and an eighth trip in the past, and like a number of these can share.

Winning Rhythm

She's a half-sister to Spring Waltz, a Grade 2 winner of $402K; their dam was a Grade 2 winner of $338K; will be making her first start since the Del Mar meet, where she took a maiden allowance in late July; a concern is that she could regress some in her first start against winners, but she's a well-bred sort with some nice works for her return; leading contender.

Somethingabouther

She has lots of class appeal as a runner who has placed in three stakes; is coming into this fresh, as she will be making her first start since August; shows some nice works for the task and suspect she could be closer to the pace here than she was last time; a drawback is that she must face her elders; win candidate, nonetheless.

Atlantic Swing

She's a stakes-placed winner and a half-sister to Boat Trip, a stakes winner of $193K; both are from the Group 3-winning mare Turning Wheel ($143K); stretches back out in distance after a sprint that produced a return winner in the runner-up, who came back to take an N1X allowance at SA with a Beyer Figure of 84.

Champagneandcaviar

Emerald Downs invader is the most accomplished member of the field as a two-time stakes winner; she also ran into a bear last out in E Z Kitty, who after their meeting went on to pick up the eighth stakes win of her career in the $50K Pegasus Training Center Stakes at EmD, with a Beyer of 92; as for the rare turf start, this one's sire is getting 15 percent winners on the grass.

Warren's Flasher

She's making the move to a mile and an eighth for the first time in her career and there are aspects of her pedigree that suggest she could be effective at the trip; also like the fact that she is a winner over the local course, in a two-turn race in April; one of several who can share. By Mary Rampellini

Race 9

Rushomatic

Tons best of the rest when also inching toward the winner at Pomona; she got a boost when the show horse in bow took a maiden $32K seller here by over 5 just 8 days ago with a 62 Beyer; one for 13 dam earned nearly $130K but she won at 2; 2 of 3 siblings won, neither at 2, one earned about $33K; just might be a good thing in an ordinary race.

Charlie Time

Toss the debut when she hopped in the air; miss proved in last she does have the ability to pass horses; dam took one sprint as older horse; lone half bro didn't race at 2 but took 7 of 20 and banked over $100K; she was clear for fun last time; don t sell too short.

Ivana Come Home

She has been stopping but miss has the three races now to have learned from if she can; winner of the debut repeated in a $100K stakes at Arapahoe, then was crushed in a Remington stakes; the 9/6 place horse graduated next out in a maiden $32K Pomona seller with a 37 Beyer; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; she should be fit by now.

Lady Corser

The Daddy 4 for 46 with first-time debuters; sire didn t go at 2, took the Super Derby, banked over $500K; dam 0 for 6; lone half bro race was out of the money thrice; miss looks fit enough.

Lovely Instinct

Youngster seems to be figuring it out; 4 for 20 dam earned over $200K, lost only try at 2; 4 of 5 siblings won, 3 banked 6 figures but none won at 2; looms late factor if at all.

Warren's Susie Q.

Must find a way to turn the tables on Nancy among others; 1 for 20 dam took a route as older runner; the 3 siblings to race are a combined 0 for 10; homebred needs a turn around.

Browsing

Dixie Chatter 2 for 20 with debuting juveniles; sire won twice at 2, took G1 Norfolk, banked over $450K; 2 for 9 dam didn't go at 2, earned over $70K; 2 of 3 siblings won, none at 2; will not have to be a monster to make an impact here.

Stormin Blessing

Was freezing on the tote when beating one to the wire; dam out of the money in only try; this is her first to race; looking elsewhere for a key top horse.

Katy's Cookin

Miss has much more speed than she just showed and the miler may have helped the stamina; 2 for 22 dam didn t race at 2; all 4 siblings won; all raced at 2 to no avail; one banked over $250K; rates upset glance.

Semtex

Orientate about 12% with juvenile debuters in a 267-runner sample; sire was 2nd in best result at 2 when beaten 3 lengths in debut , went on to earn over $1.7 million; Grade 1 winning 7 for 14 dam banked $430K, didn t race at 2; both siblings won, neither at 2 but top kin Bowman's Causeway earned over $400K; could need experience.

Twilightinpriddis

She stalked to no avail from the marooned slot in last; winner of the debut repeated in a $40K starter with a 51 Beyer at Fairplex; SW 6 for 38 dam banked $133K, didn t go at 2; the sibling that won cashed once on grass as older horse; rider has had luck for this barn.

Spring Dream

She has the two races now to draw from and was hung out to dry from the 8 slot in last; winner of the debut repeated in a $100K stakes, took the $100K CTBA, then pressed and faded in the Del Mar Deb; backers can point to the fact that 2 siblings did win at 2; there are some stamina issues.

Nancy Wake

Bothered at the break in that second start but she has tried hard in defeat since; the 3rd and 5th finishers on July 6 graduated next out; like fact she drilled farther than this race is carded.

Swiss Sugar

Miss has fired every time, is due to punch it on in; forced to steady two back, Talamo takes reins; homebred may need slightly softer company to shine. By Brian Mulligan