Santa Anita: Closer Looks for October 12, 2013

Race 1

Apostle Paul

He's had his share of chances and now he'll draw the fence again for his return from the freshening; gelding does own some of the better surface numbers in here and he has run big over the local sod in the past; barn hasn't had any luck with its limited starters this year and they'll reach out for another new pilot here; minor award.

Fast Mast

Removes the hood for the stretchout and return to the lawn while rising to the MSW level for the initial time; sire gets 11% winners from his first time surface runners and both this guy's dam and her other foal to try the green were 0 for 1 over the footing; can't back him in this spot.

Cervaro

Beaten chalk in his initial turf route makes his third start back from 7 months on the shelf while getting off the fence for this; he did run ok down the hill here at the beginning of the year and he's proven he can get 2 turns; may be best going a bit longer than this but with Bejarano taking the call he figures to be a big threat in the lane today.

Tortola

Lightly raced sophomore didn't have much to offer in his turf route debut off the break at Del Mar; he's worked regularly and long in the interim and he is kin to SP, 2 time surface winner and 94K Delmarva so maybe he moves forward second time over the footing, but he's got a lot of improving to do off that last one.

Ella's Kitten

Chased a front running winner when stepped up to this level at Saratoga in his first start off the barn's claim before a wide trip did him in while making his local debut a couple of weeks back; sophomore has earned numbers that fit here and maybe he fares better with the move towards the inside, but he'll get yet another new pilot for this one and the barn hasn't had much luck with its runners here so far.

Tenkiller Kid

Changed hands again when turned back to sprint at Del Mar and didn't have much to offer in that troubled synthetic run; sire is just 1 for 16 with his initial surface runners, but the dam's side of the pedigree suggests he may like this footing as she was a SW and 296K earner who won 3 times on the green; lone sib was a 6 time winner (5 routes, 0 for 2 on turf); one to consider for a barn that fires with its newly acquired runners.

Seamark

Drew the fence for his synthetic sprint debut and after chasing the pace down inside had little left for the drive; 5 months later he returns with a slow recent tab of drills for an outfit that doesn't do so well with its initial turf starters; sire gets about 9% winners with his first time surface runners and the multiple G1 SW dam never tried the green but she banked 1.3 million prior to dropping a couple of turf winners in the states as well as SW and 125K earner Manchurian; can go better today.

Mikey T

Outside drawn gelding has had some time since his second straight runner up finish against claimers; return to the lawn should suit him and he did show some improved early foot while tracking a solid clip on the Del Mar main track in his first start off this barn's claim; he's had his chances but runs well fresh and has been working ok for his return.

Race 3

Papa Smitty

Offspring of Keyed Entry, who won a G2 stakes and 322K, have scored in only 1 of 42 debuts; the dam won 4 of 9 and 21K; there are no winning siblings to mention; the trainer has scored with longshot beginners.

Capo

Stayed inside throughout in his first run; his sire won multiple G1s and 831K while the dam did not compete; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; decent, recent, blowout can help with the turnaround.

Sooo Major

Adds blinkers after being caught wide first time out this summer; his sire, a pure turf runner, won a G3 and 423K; the dam won 1 of 9 and 21K; winning siblings include 49K earner Topper's Ghost.

Run for Pleasure

Newcomer was sired by the undefeated and multiple G1 winner Candy Ride who banked 749K and whose progeny have scored in 46 out of 367 initial attempts; the dam was unraced; sib to 231K earner Pleasure to Ride.

Heavenly Trail

Flashed early speed in his maiden voyage of a month ago; the gelding's sire won a G3 and 285K; the mom won 3 of 10 and 182K; sib to 42K bankroller Follow the Path; can upgrade with the equipment change.

Takem by Surprise

Has a better first gear than most of those who have raced; tries claimers for the first time and can upgrade further as a result; reverts to Maldonado who was aboard for the fair pacesetting try 2 back.

Illybilly Boy

Did not fire first time out when burdened with the extreme outside post; his sire won a G2 and 105K; the dam won 5 of 21 attempts and 116K; this is her only foal to make it to the races; faces softer company here.

Good Samurai

Gained a good education in that debut which involved trouble; his sire won multiple G1s and 915K; the dam won 6 of 21 and 247K; there are no winning siblings to mention; can atone with a clear journey today.

Marcus Furius

This colt did not recover from a slow break first time out; his sire won 2 of 17 and 231K; the dam was zero for 1; among the winning siblings is 79K earner Court's Journey; latest gate workout was fair.

Western Showdown

In need of the last start, he showed fair prompting speed before fading in the last furlong; will have to deal with much swifter early fractions today and that may restrict his chances; difficult call overall.

Muck N Grind

Woke up when trying claimers for the first time last month; his sire is G1 sprinter City Zip who captured 818K; the dam won 3 of 18 races and 49K; this is her only foal to compete; lands into fairly paceless field and should benefit.

Hitter's Alley

Closed with a rush to just miss last time but the final time was ordinary; his sire won a G1 and 424K while the dam won 1 of 6 and 16K; sib to 60K earner Easy Argument; well-bet in both appearances, he should offer higher odds today.

Hallett Boy

A respectable showing in his first run despite trouble; his sire won a G1 and 464K while the dam involved was unraced; winning siblings include 231K earner Alpine Sport; can focus with the blinker addition but must escape the AE list.

Exponentially

Looks like he is holding the pace aces if he can somehow make it to the starting gate today; pressed a sharp tempo last out and has never raced for this low a price tag before; very interesting item against this caliber.

Race 4

Toomuchinformation

Passed a few after breaking last in the synthetic-surface unveiling; was defeated by Candy Boy and the runner-up finisher who posted a 78 Beyer speed figure in his next-out SA-Grade 1 stakes win; a big improvement could be on the way expecting a better gate break and performance for a 26%-winning 2nd-start trainer.

Harbaugh

Sire is 5-for-32 with 2-year-old 1st-time starters; is out of a 2-for-11 dam (23K) who produced 5 winners from 6 other foals to race including stakes winner Church Camp (4-for-13, 150K); the 0-for-28 two-year-old trainer yields just 8% debut victors since 2012.

Candy Boy

Has been working on SA dirt off the 6-week layoff like he will absolutely love it here; the added distance for last produced a field-best Beyer testing the runner-up finisher a G1 stakes winner next out (78 Beyer); removes blinkers for this which is the lone concern but the barn nails 33% winners with this angle since 2012.

Coolington

48 days since dueled into defeat sprinting; he seems the one to catch adding 2F today and trying out dirt for the 1st time; posted a moderate SA-main track worktab for this so will be taking a wait and see approach; know him early but unsure about late.

Hold Everything

Working like a runner for a 23%-debut trainer; sire is 12-for-130 with 2-year-old 1st-time starters; is out of a 5-for-16 dam who captured 3 stakes (171K); her only other foal to race full Classic Stance finished 8th in his 6.5F dirt career debut.

Life's Journey

Ran to the 40-1 debut odds beating one runner home breaking slowly; seems in need of a lot more yaradge to see best form; switches to dirt noting the good-SA main-track worktab for this; must show a lot more.

Tap It Rich

Outworked Hold Everything at 4F September 24; sire is 34-for-273 with 2-year-old 1st-time starters; is out of a 1-for-6 dam (27K) who produced 4 winners from 4 other foals to race including G2-SW Adriano (4-for-14, 728K).

Closet E

Stamina in each career start has been an issue including the sprint debut when handled by the show runner who graduated next out in a SAR-MSW event with a 77 Beyer; has a lot to prove on dirt for an 8%-winning juvenile trainer; view as a pace presence for part.

Gift Exchange

Was screaming out for more yaradge in the unveiling and gets it here; keeps the debut rider yielding 46%-SA winners for the trainer; 48 days since that solid debut effort for a trainer who began this SA-fall meeting sizzling; owns plenty of uspide.

Songforjohnmichael

Sire is 44-for-361 with 2-year-old 1st-time starters; dam won her only career race at 7F a SA-synthetic surface MSW win; her only other foal to race is 3-0-1-0 My Looloo (13K); trainer yields just 8%-firster winners since 2012.

Juliet's Tizzy

Sire is 22-for-303 with 2-year-old 1st-time starters; is out of a Grade 3-SW dam (4-for-8, 184K) who produced 2 winners from 2 other foals to race including 2-for-18 Mr Beer Goggles (80K); steady-synthetic surface workouts on display for the dirt debut.

Race 5

Big Note (IRE)

Tries better while returning to the hillside course with plenty of early lick in his pocket; there doesn't appear to be anyone to go with him early in here so a clean start should put him on the lead and he'll likely have to be run down from there; one to catch.

Russel's Run

Statebred tries open claimers in his return to the course of his maiden score earlier in the year; don't know that he's going to get a lot of pace in front of him and will need to move forward to contend for the top spot in this heat; prefer others.

Major Magic

Goes first off this outfit's claim while turning back off a Del Mar route fade; a solid pilot does get aboard and this guy has run well sprinting in the past; with a couple of solid recent drills on his tab he's one to consider in here.

Senator Bob

Tries the hill again in his first start since returning from half a year on the shelf in the Del Mar route try; he blew out sharply last week for this so expect he'll again be close early and maybe he has a little more fight in him late, but his record over the local sod leaves something to be desired.

Crimson Giant

Limited winner is offered for a tag in his return to the lawn; his local sod record is pretty weak and he's yet to find the winner's circle from 18 cracks on the green; have to look elsewhere for the money finishers.

Bergman

Didn't have much to offer while sprinting in his first try over the local main track a couple of weeks back; 7 year old hasn't won in a while and his recent surface spins don't compare so favorably with some of these; passing on him.

High Test

Late runner ran out of of ground the last itme he tried the hill but he enters this fresh for an outfit that does well off this type of break and the drop to this level should help; don't know that the clip will be so hot today, but if things are honest up top he may prove to be the one to hold off.

Zuboff

Had little shot after breaking at the back of the pack against statebreds when last sighted on the Del Mar main track last out; gelding makes his first start off a live outfit's claim and he does have the speed to stalk the rail runners from the bell today; contender.

Trelawny

Drops below the level of his DQed win going long 2 back at Del Mar; barn returns him in just over a week and they do a nice job with turned back runners; he's a capable sprinter when right and though he didn't have much to offer in his most recent spin, looms a threat with these.

Hammurabi

Makes his first start for a new outfit that's winless on the year while turning back to sprint in his return to the local sod over which he's run ok in the past; there are better than he's used to facing so he'll need to step things up some from a figure standpoint in order to get in the mix here.

Chibita

Outside drawn gelding hasn't been on the green in a long time and he's yet to try this hillside course; he's shown a little bit of positional foot so he doesn't figure to be far out of this early, but don't think he's good enough to go with this bunch; have to pass on him today.

Macias

AE will start from the outside slot while making his return from half a year on the shelf if he gets to go here; he won the last time he tried this local trip but that was nearly 22 months ago and he's been a different runner since returning from the long break and though he likes the local sod will have to prove he can still step before we could back him.

Race 7

Bella Viaggia

She defeated older horses in a division of this race a year ago, and note that afternoon she also broke from the rail post; in a difference, she will be cutting back in distance this year whereas she had sprinted into this race last season; never worse than second in seven starts and as such must be considered a win candidate; task is to run down Tasty Treat.

Dancingtothestars

She's placed in four stakes in her career and were she to run back to the career-high Beyer Figure of 100 that she earned when last seen on turf, she might nail down the title of stakes winner this afternoon; is a winner at this distance, and figures to be making her case through the lane.

Mia Lady

She's appealing for the fact that she comes up into this race off a series of sprint starts; several others are cutting back from two turns and she might have a tactical edge on those rivals as she could be closer to the pace; has had a chance to work over the local turf course for her first start on the green; sire gets 6 percent winners from his first-time turfers and 10 percent winners overall on the grass; has full sibling that was placed on turf.

Qiaona

She's a stakes winner who since the score has been a force in a handful of statebred stakes; returned to the overnight ranks last time and won a turf route at Dmr; figures to be making case in the late stages on turnback in distance.

Toomanytomatoes

She's placed in two stakes, one last out on dirt and the other in a turf race at SA; will be cutting back in distance like several others in here, and as a result of the distance move looking for her to be bidding from off the pace; is admirable for her consistent nature.

Tasty Treat

She is the one to catch as she is "stretching out" to six and a half furlongs off a front-running stakes win at five-eighths of a mile; like that she has won three of her last four starts, and that she has such a distinct tactical edge in a race in which most of her competition is cutting back from two turns; a concern, however, is the distance as she presently seems at her best between five and six furlongs; win candidate, nonetheless.

Pahiatua

She's one of just a few in here that enters off a sprint start; she won over six furlongs last time, and note she was cutting back from a mile for the race; might be even sharper here in her second straight sprint start; a question is turf as she has made just one start on the surface, although it came in a route and to date she has proven to be at her best sprinting.

Ismene

She's arguably the most accomplished member of the field as a two-time stakes winner; cuts back to one turn after showing speed around two, and that can be a winning move for a horse; she also has run well at this trip at SA, in her lone turf start back in March; win candidate.

Race 8

Memphis

Connections decided to wait for this meet and pass on Fairplex; he fits the conditions just fine but with no speed, he could get shuffled from the fence; beaten over 10 the last time he started from the rail, the hotter the pace the better for this runner.

Full Instinct

Can never dismiss :21 and change zip; runner wanted no part of the route game in last but he has trained fast for this including the sizzling drill 9/21; look for rider to send hard and try to steal it.

Korban

Proven off the pine, half of his wins have been local and like the spacing of the return drills; move 8 days ago was with a bit more energy; the concern is he has to find a way to turn the tables on the O'Neill runner here among others.

Master Chef

Freshened since the beach and he's trained well for this; the 5/27 winner took the G1 Crosby next out, then won the SA Sprint with a gaudy 110 Beyer; only out of the exacta once in Arcadia; this guy looks live.

Exotic Slew

Four times as many slices as wins is a concern; the 8/9 show horse cashed next out in this league and then was 2nd beaten just over a length in a $32K claimer; decent try in this league 2 back, hustling bug hired; contention goes long.

Shining Son

At least he has won locally; runner also may have not adored the Fairplex surface; 8/28 show horse took a $40K starter here next out with a 78 Beyer; colt seemed on the verge off the DMR finale but stepped backward in last; must hurry.

Bro's Bro

Must find a way to deal with the Train among others here; the 7/17 winner graduated next out at this level, then ran out of the money; he has a right to mature with grace as kin to over $225K earner Bro Lo; don't ignore.

Zoom Bag

Colt looks the stalker of the Caravas; no mistakes so far and the show horse in the debut graduated next out and also beat a $7K N2L Northlands field since; he proved he could beat a big field in the debut; homebred must be left in the hopper.

Passing Game

Runner could have just been a tad over his head in last in open company; already proven in this league and he did it two back by taking the heat in the kitchen and living to tell about it; he may have hated the rail last time too; don't sell too short.

Door's Open

Been given time since being dueled into submission; proven fresh in the debut and the return in July was not too shabby; will at least muddle the pace.

Pulla Train

First-time blinks did the trick but he came back to earth with a thud vs. winners; can't fault connections for being patient as kin Feverish won a stakes at 6 and banked over $900K; could need a race or two.

Candy's Sunrise

Wonder how high expectations could have been for this $1400 purchase?; pushed into the stakes after the last win and has not been able to close the deal since; he did pick up some steam late in the return two back; could slip in for a section.

Life a Riley

Both wins came at the beach and he was just over his head at the wrong distance in the local start; love the series of drills since last race and that's a pretty snappy move for this barn a week ago; drawn right, just beaten a tad over 2 the other time in this league; repeat well within the realm.

Race 9

Tribe

This is a competitive gathering but this gelding merits contender status and he appears to be well meant while going sprint-to-route for his second start back from a layoff; he can be vulnerable to a slow early pace, but it does like the early tempo in this event will be honest.

Christopher Street

He's trying to turn the tables on Turn On The Pumps who has gotten the better of him in a couple of his recent starts, and it's worth noting that he is making his first start for a barn that does well with new acquisitions; runner up from latest won next out here on 9/27 going 6 1/2f over turf vs. N1X rivals with a 91 Beyer.

Sizzlin' Joe

It might be worth noting the presence of Bejarano aboard another in here, but this gelding has done some nice work from six turf starts, and he gave a good account of himself in his latest outing in a race that featured a number of today's rivals.

Heat Streaker

He's two races removed from a stakes placing and he finished right behind a couple of today's rivals when shipped to Del Mar for his latest outing; he has a strong turf pedigree and he looks like he's heading in the right direction entering this race.

Empty Headed

He's another in here with a strong turf pedigree and his two most recent races have been a couple of his sharper performances; however, he will need to be ready for his best performance to date while meeting up with winners for the first time.

Pocket Prince

He's been at his best racing over this turf course in the past but he must step it up over what he's been doing lately and he has been beaten by a couple of today's rivals in a number of his starts this year; looking toward others.

Ashley's Bambino

Like the idea of this relatively lightly raced 5-year-old stretching out in distance for his second start back from a layoff, but he's yet to produce a performance that is strong enough to suggest that he can't get the better of the top contenders in here.

Turn On the Pumps

Although he commands respect as a top contender, he has to be approached with some caution with seeing that he's been quite content to settle for runner-up finishes; feel that the other Gaines-trained runner in here is slightly more appealing.

Brown Boss

With Gomez riding at Keeneland, he's being reunited with Bejarano, and it does appear that Bejarano had other options to consider in here; his form has improved with the addition of blinkers and like to see that he made his turf debut a winning one when last seen.

G'night

Perhaps moving into a new barn can help, but this does appear to be a tough assignment for this gelding, and he finished behind a number of today's rivals in his latest outing; respect the presence of Gryder, but others entice more.

Volkonsky

He's done little wrong through his first five starts and like to see that he got a little bit of time off after breaking his maiden in his latest outing; he owns the positional speed to help him negotiate a manageable trip after breaking from an outside post, and it doesn't hurt to see the hot-riding Stevens aboard.

Lord Vronsky

He needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race in order to draw in and this 10-time winner has shown the ability to produce a performance that is plenty strong enough to make him a player in this spot; must consider.

Motown Men

Stakes placed veteran has some solid turf form on his card to look at and he can play a major role in the way that this race shapes up if he draws in; viewing him as a gate-to-finish threat if he gets to go.

Bench Light

He's another sitting on the Also Eligible list that is worth looking out for, and when seeing how consistent he's been this year, he figures to bounce back from a performance that was below par for him.

Race 10

Mauco

Crossword one for one with debuting juveniles; Grade 3 placed sire lost only out at 2, earned over $260K; dam 0 for 1; both siblings won once as older runners; drill on 9/21 screams off page.

He's a Real Keeper

Lucky Pulpit 4 for 32 with debuting juveniles; SW sire won at 2, took 3 of 22, banked over $200K; 3 for 12 dam earned over $160K, was 2nd in best try at 2; this is her first to race; like fact he drilled this far.

California Jade

Tough beat at a juicy 14-1; 3 for 12 dam turf only as older horse; several winners in family, none won at 2, one banked over $135K; major threat with slight improvement.

Pray Hard

This guy obviously has talent; dam didn't go at 2, took 2 routes; this is her first to race; the one to deny but would have liked to have seen some local drills.

Seeking Asylum

See He's a Real Keeper for sire stats; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; gelding does look fit enough and he seems comfortable with the surface.

Awesome Return

Decarchy 16 for 92 with juvenile debuters; sire didn't race at 2, was a tough monster who banked nearly $700K on grass; dam 0 for 16; this is her first to race; like fact homebred worked solidly here 6 days ago; interesting.

Hye I'm Jack

Cowboy Cal 0 for 17 with juvenile debuters; Grade 2 winning sire won twice at 2, earned over a million; dam won once as older horse; 2 of 4 sibs won, neither raced at 2; top kin Soul Candy took Cal Cup Classic, earned over $350K; drills are solidly spaced.

Pyrotechnics

Unusual Heat about 9% with juvenile first-timers in a 164-horse study; sire won juvenile debut going short in Europe, won multiple stakes, was turf only; 7 for 30 dam earned over $170K, didn't race at 2; the 2 siblings to race lost 15 times combined; blowout on Wednesday should have him on his toes.

Eddie's Turn

McCann's Mohave 3 for 19 with debuting juveniles; G2 winning sire took debut at 2, earned over $1.5 million; 6 for 30 dam won at 2, earned over $200K; this is her first to race; he looks dead fit.

Mass Transit

City Zip about 17% with juvenile debuters in a 324-runner sample; sire won 5 times at 2, earned over $725K sprinting; dam third in best moment; both siblings won including juvenile debut winner and near $65K earner Your Special Day; another factor in a scramble.

Where's the Heat

See Pyrotechnics for sire stats; dam didn't go at 2, won 4 times in S. Africe; this is her first to race; note common drill on the 13th was slower than stablemate's.

Storm the Heavens

Stormin Fever about 8% with juvenile first timers in a 271-runner survey; sire graduated at 2 in second start, won a G3, earned almost $500K; dam was unraced; lone half sis to race Ave Atalanta took debut at 2, was out of the money in the other try; may need experience.

Frensham

Square Eddie 1 for 8 with debuting juveniles; sire won at 2, took a G1, earned over $800K; 2 for 11 dam was route only as older horse; both siblings won, one cashed once at 2; colt was set for that gate move on the second in a big way.