Santa Anita: Closer Looks for October 20, 2013

Race 1

Crucero

Drops in for a tag for the first time out here after offering little in his initial local spin; colt goes for a barn that does a nice job second off the break and he does own some of the better recent numbers of the bunch, but Bejarano opts to go next door; class relief makes him a contender.

Proud Boss

He's another dipping in for a tag here and he'll remove the hood for his first crack since Del Mar; debut crack on the local footing wasn't much but he did return to work well here earlier in the month for a outfit that has had some success of late off the break and he'll get a big rider switch for this one.

Carlsbad Mountain

Tired from his pace efforts when stretched out on the lawn in his return from the summer freshening; maybe the drop back in for a tag helps and he did return to work sharply here earlier in the week for this; barn does nice work second back from the break.

Second Proposal

Sprinter tries 2 turns for the initial time after making a late run to get third money in his first try at the level; gelding should find himself closer to the top early on the turn back and he has moved forward on the Beyer scale since adding shades 2 starts back.

Cuneo

Tries a dirt surface for the first time while also dropping in for a tag here; 4 of his dam's 5 wins came going long on the main track and she dropped G1 SP and multiple G3 SW dirt router Gottcha Gold who banked 933K; he showed a little bit of ability going long behind a quick clip on the Del Mar green 2 back and he's certainly worked like he'll have little trouble taking to the footing for a barn that's profitable with the move.

Mikey T

Field's most experienced runner switches surfaces for the drop back in for a tag after showing solid early foot in the MSW turf route; though he didn't offer much on the main track here last winter he's a different animal now and his effort 2 back at Del Mar at the level was quite good; he's had his share of chances, but his best makes him dangerous.

Tenkiller Kid

Barn's second runner in here encountered some trouble in the wide run first time off their claim last week and now he'll drop back to the selling ranks for his first dirt start since early spring; he did earn a big number the last time he stepped over this footing and he handled the route back at Hollywood, but he's got some improving to do off what he's shown of late.

Race 2

Friendswith K Mill

Some fair gate workouts of late for this beginner, daughter of Flashy Bull who won a G1 and 844K (his offspring have scored in 10 out of 117 debuts); the dam was zero for 7 lifetime; among the winning siblings is 34K winner Daughter's Pride.

Public Policy

Firster hails from G1 type Dixie Chatter who captured 464K and whose progeny have won 2 of 27 initial starts; the dam won 1 of 12 and 72K; there are no winning siblings to mention; note improved work tab this month.

I See Back

Quit early between rivals first time out but subsequent a.m. drill was excellent; his sire won a G2 and 232K; the dam won 1 of 7 attempts and 22K; winning siblings include 109K earner Back to Gold.

Papa's Paisley

Lost by a relatively small margin in the last assignment; the gelding has shown some pace prompting ability thus far and makes the always dangerous first visit to the claiming realm; appears to have legitimate money chances.

I'll Wrap It Up

Hurt by a wide trip 3 weeks ago, the grey could only manage minor spoils; his sire won a G1 and 557K while the mom was a G3 winner who netted 330K; there are no winning siblings to highlight; appears well-positioned.

Samurai Assault

Newcomer was sired by multiple G1 victor First Samurai who earned a total of 915K and whose descendants are 15 for 164 as far as winning their first test; the dam did not race; winning siblings include 161K earner Burnum.

Race 4

Diamonddusted

Sire is 1-for-30 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of an 0-for-3 dam who produced 1 winner from 3 other foals to race (2-for-24 Cu Soonerthanlater 81K); September 20 workout stands out for a high-percentage-winning 1ster trainer.

U R Lucky

New rider has fared well for this trainer but the jockey of 1st pair lands on debut runner Capers N Wine; has been screaming out for more distance in 2-hard bet defeats and gets it here; the winner from her debut repeated in a BSR-starter alw. with a 50 Beyer speed figure; 1st-blinkers is a high-percenatge win angle from the trainer; see lots of upside today.

A P Pepper

Sire is 6-for-63 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a 1-for-42 dam (13K) who's only other foal to race is 2-for-8 Love Tractor (14K); winless-debut trainer since 2012 with a mild worktab for 1st asking has me taking a wait and see approach.

Swiss Sugar

Exits her-best finish ever and has not run a bad race in 4 losses; the rider from latest-strong effort lands on 1ster Capers N Wine for this but gets Talamo who wins 30% for the trainer since 2012; wish the workout for this on SA dirt was more eye-catching.

Cabbage

Posted a career-low speed figure in the 1st dirt start which comes back as a key race; the winner and show finishers from last Beyered 62-57 in next-out SA-starter allowance and 30K-maiden-claiming wins; the BHP synthetic workout for this did not impress.

Silver N Sassy

Something to prove on dirt off last pair but there is some talent here posting a field-best Beyer 3-back on synthetic beating the show runner who posted a 45 speed figure in her next-out BSR-32K-maiden claiming win.

Nancy Wake

Likely the one to catch here off the favored 4F fade in latest; beat the 3-back show runner who graduated next out in an EMD-$12,500-maiden claimer with a 41 Beyer; the SA-morning workouts for this were not very enticing; view as a major pace presence who hopes to hang on in deep stretch.

Capers N Wine

Sire is 2-for-17 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a 3-for-26 dam (72K) who produced no winners from 2 other foals to race (0-for-5 combined); the rider seemingly had several other options in this event but lands here; have mixed reviews from the worktab.

Race 5

Star Act

Sire gets 8% first out winners from his offspring and the G1 SW dam banked a million prior to dropping a turf winner from 3 foals to race; works aren't anything special and the inside draw can be intimidating for a newcomer, but this outfit boasts nice recent numbers right out of the box.

Lana Caprina

Sire gets 14% debut winners and the SP dam won twice sprinting before dropping a 2 time sprint winner from 2 foals to race; barn doesn't win a lot of races but they do boast some recent luck with firsters; board should tell a better story.

Abide in Me

Ran well in each of her starts and now she'll cut back a half panel in her return from the freshening; filly worked a sharp 3/4s on synthetic footing for this, but she's yet to step on dirt; if she handles this surface she likely proves pretty dangerous in the lane.

Taste Like Candy

Sire gets 12% first out winners from his offspring and the dam's 3 wins each came on the lawn prior to dropping 4 main track winners; top pilot takes the call for a barn that excels with its debut runners and this gal has been working well on synthetic footing for this.

Midnight Dream

Sire gets 15% debut winners and the dam was winless from 5 starts before dropping sprint winners from each of her 2 foals to race; she's been working in typical Baffert fashion of late for her unveiling and Garcia gets the call, but this gal did go for less than her sire's stud fee at auction last fall.

Pretty Storm

Gets off the rail after fading from her pace efforts down the hill; she showed solid early lick in 'winning' on dirt first time out in Minnesota this summer and maybe she has a little more to offer late on the cut back to this trip; contender.

Cacica Dulima

Sire is 0 for 9 with his runners right out of the box and the dam was a 3 time winner who dropped 3 main track winners from as many foals to race in the states; drills are slow and the barn has been on a poor run with its newcomers; pilot named hasn't won a race at the stand.

Race 6

Flashy Dame

She chased a pretty fast pace and not surprisingly came up a bit empty in the stretch in a similar race Sept. 29; she also had to wait for room in the stretch so it was a better race than it looks on paper; not a lot of speed in this field and she could be the one they have to catch if she breaks as sharply as she did last time; big shot.

Cavalla

Took the inside path in the common race and she had to wait for room in the stretch; it didn't look like she was going to make a big impact but she would have finished a bit closer with a clean trip; she's been stuck at this level for a while and she'll need to improve to contend for the top spot; consider for the bottom half of the exotics..

Diocesan Policy

She just hasn't fired since she came here from Ireland where she won on Poly at Dundalk; she did earn her career-best Beyer Speed Figure in her latest so it's possible she'll continue her progress here; nonetheless, others look more attractive.

Smart N Dreamy

Her only sibling is stakes placed and won on the turf so it wasn't a big surprise that she improved quite a bit when she tried turf for the first time; it is easy to imagine her taking a big step forward in her second try on the lawn and she has some tactical speed so she shouldn't be too far off what should be a moderate pace; contender.

Silic's Valley

5-year-old really hasn't made much of an impact in any of her races since she broke her maiden at Del Mat at a big price last year; just two starts this year and this will be her first start since she got waxed in an $8K claimer here in Feb.; hard to see it.

Midnight Maggie

Will try turf for the first time and she is by a sire that is 5/136 with first-time turfers; stakes-placed dam won five races on the lawn; neither sib has tried; she's been picking up slices in conditional claimers at Emerald Downs and would need to improve to be in the mix here;; Emerald Downs-based Champagneandcaviar looked even less likely when she won and paid over $100 last Friday, though, and her trainer has solid stats in all the relevant categories; could lightning strike twice? probably not.

Akiss Forarose

She appreciated the easier company when she dropped to this level in her latest and she finished full of run but couldn't quite get there; she won't have as many horses to go around here and considering the shape of the race she will likely be a lot closer today; no Gomez today but she attracts Nakatani who rides this course as well as anybody and has heated up lately; the pick.

Twitch

There is more than one race showing that would put her in the mix and if she runs back to her race two back at Hollywood she could work her way into the mix; she was pulled up and vanned off in her latest race, though, and she has been stuck at this level for quite some time; she's been working steadily while preparing for her return so whatever was bugging her in her latest seems to be okay now; we're still going to pass.

Race 8

Salutos Amigos

His last race seems like a toss out; he did not get the break from an inside post and from there encountered traffic; returns to turf for the first time in a long while and note he ran well on the grass in his lone attempt in his debut; has class appeal as a Grade 2-placed runner and half-brother to Grade 2 winner Sarah's Select ($197K); dangerous with repeat of effort in Amsterdam.

Rosengold

May foal might have a tactical advantage as he appears to be the speed of the race; is proven class as a three-time stakes winner and has had some of that success on the downhill course; also gets back to racing with straight 3-year-olds after taking on older rivals in his most recent start; dam produced the Grade 2 winner Prussian Blue ($225K); choice.

Miceli

He's a multiple stakes-placed runner who is returning to SA after spending some time on the road, running at Sar and CD; represented himself well in stakes races at those locales; will be cutting back in distance, and as such looking for him to bid in the later stages; capable.

Appealing Tale

He tried turf for the first time last out and liked it, missing by a neck at SA; could be closer to the pace here than he was in his most recent start as he bobbled early on last out, according to the trouble line; might get more of a stalking trip behind Rosengold; win candidate.

Procurement

He's a stakes winner and a half-brother to Grade 3 winner No Inflation ($458K); makes notable cutback in distance after running in trio of graded route races, and note he is a winner at this trip; a concern is whether he will get the setup he needs and there is a chance these will be controlled by old foe Rosengold; class runner a leading contender, nonetheless.

Tom's Tribute

He's another turnback prospect and as with others in here the concern is whether he will get the setup he needs as Rosengold is a threat to commit theft; do like that this one won his maiden at a distance similar to this one, and also respect that he is a consistent sort; promising runner one of several who can share.

Race 9

Angel Be Quick

She has had her chances but the last race came back okay; place horse took a MSW next out and the winner repeated in an N1X with a 76 Beyer; there are a couple of multiple winners in the family; passing.

Juleps and Roses

Only a brief factor in last and the extended layoff is a genuine concern; 2 for 14 dam banked about $31K; 2 of 3 siblings won including 10 for 43 $150K earner Frequent Fame; hard to adore.

Truly Awesome

The drop is logical after a pair of dull efforts; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; bred by trainer, she has sneaky speed, expect better try this time.

Sophie's Secret

Freshened since nearly getting there on the drop, she has trained steadily across town for this fray; show horse in last graduated next out at this level at FPX; top kin was stakes placed at 4 and earned nearly $125K; this gal is live.

Krazy for Kugel

Indygo Shiner 5 for 86 with debuters; sire won at 2, took a Grade 3, banked nearly $450K; dam 0 for 9; one of 3 siblings won; that runner took 7 of 42, but earned less than a grand a start; steady moves, but all in Inglewood.

I'm No Patsy

She came in on the turn and felt the wrath of the stewards; the lone full bro to race won 3 times but earned less than a grand an appearance; back to the original pilot; would not want to jump on too short a number here.

Katey Pie

Miss fired in last, just got beat by a daylighter; connections would love to see her start acting like top kin and near $200K earner Proud Charm; valid threat in a pretty good betting race.

That's a Bingo

This gal looms the closer of the Kruljacs; she has some big shoes to fill to match top kin, SW, 3 for 15 racer and near $150K earner Best Present Ever; needs a hot pace to show best stuff.

Lovely in Laguna

Even if you figure she hated the rail, miss just never got rolling; 2 for 13 dam earned less than a grand a start; this is her first to race; in for $19K more than purchase price.

Seattle June

Decent blowout on tag since the improved effort in last; 1 for 7 dam earned nearly $25K; 3 of 4 siblings won, 2 banked over $40K; would be careful here as that Pomona form doesn't always travel.

Amanda

Super middle move to go from 7th to the lead but she just could not carry on with the momentum; 3 for 16 dam banked nearly $130K; the half bro to win Nacho Business took 3 of 7, banked over $100K; she has trained solid for this.

Angel's Moon

Like the draw, she's teased several times, has trained well for this and should give a good account of herself; tab clever blowout on the 7th; look for rider to send hard and try to steal it.