Santa Anita: Closer Looks for October 24, 2013

Race 2

Golden Itiz

He exits a key race, with the runner-up returning in his next start to take a $50K stakes at EmD with a Beyer Figure of 96, and the seventh-place finisher, Until You, an allowance, also at EmD, with a Beyer Figure of 89; can be closer to the pace than he found himself last time, when he closed into a quick pace; choice.

Half Strike

Ridgling is a fresh face as this will be his first start since August; has class appeal as one who has faced steeper; he's also returning to SA, where he was a two-turn winner last October; one of many contenders in a competitive kind of race.

Would You

He was edged by a nose last out in a race that has become a key one; the fourth-place finisher, Big Wags, returned in his next start to take a $16K claimer at SA with a Beyer Figure of 84, and the fifth-place finisher, Indycott, a first-level allowance at RP, with a Beyer of 77; figures to be making case in later stages this time on the turnback from a mile and three-eighths.

Liberty Cap

He's returning to the claiming ranks after a stakes start at NP, and while he was prominent in that race he could be coming from farther off the pace in this spot as he will be cutting back from a mile and three-eighths; oddly, he's one of two in here making the distance move, the other being Would You; another who can share.

Apollo Ten

California regular will be making his first start over the main track at SA and note he worked a bullet over the strip Oct. 8; leaves the statebred ranks behind, but hooks one who finished in front of him last out in Motown Men; consistent sort is one of several who can share.

Motown Men

He moved back to the main track last out and ran a solid third against statebreds, finishing in front of fellow rival Apollo Ten; has more natural speed than some of these, and as such might get an ideal tracking trip off perhaps the rail-drawn Golden Itiz; there's also the chance he could just take these from the bell; win candidate. By Mary Rampellini

Race 3

Amy Jane

Debut on turf at BHP July 12 was encouraging as she dueled before tiring to 4th (winner Concave came back to win the G2 Sorrento at DMR); freshened but her next 2 weren't as sharp; oh, she did run 3rd at DMR Sept. 2 but was well beaten (5 lengths) and was then no factor routing here; Miller goes back to turf and back to sprinting and he's been pushing the right buttons all meet (10 for first 43, 23%).

Blameitonthecat

No factor in first turf turf on this hillside course Oct. 5 but hey, not only was it her first try on grass but she got away poorly; Sadler saw fit to plunk down $62,500 to claim her out of her Aug. 30 debut, then brought her back on this course without a tag; he's not giving up - he tries the hill again and he again puts her where he can't lose her via a claim; that being said, Bejarano saw fit to ride last time but today ends up on Sadlers' OTHER runner, firster Bijoux, so read into that what you will.

Bosserette

Aug. 18 debut at DMR wasn't pretty at all (eased) but the daughter of G1 SW sprinter Street Boss was freshened, came here for a race like this Oct. 5 and was a very nice 4th despite trouble (beaten only 2 lengths); worked since and obviously handles turf and could be Zucker has her back on track; food for thought.

Violate

Sire Broken Vow gets over 10% first time turf winners, about 13% overall turf winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 9 of 14 for $725K, was multiple SW including G2/G3, also G1 SP, never tried turf; dam's 1st foal; dam won 4 of 9 for $176K, was 3-time SW, G3 SP, never tried turf; yet to make a dent in 3 starts; added blinkers and showed more speed on dirt here Oct. 3 before being a well-beaten 4th, but that also came for a tag so it's new footing and tougher foes.

See Through

Sire Pollard's Vision gets over 7% 2yo debut winners, over 9% first time turf winners and overall turf winners; sire won 6 of 23 for $1.4 million, was G2/G3 SW/SP, also 2-time G1 SP, never tried turf; dam's 3 foals are winners including Character Witness (4 wins, 2 on turf, $79K, SW on turf) and Katrina's Prince (5 wins, all on turf, $106K); dam was 1 for 10 for $23K; full, steady tab for a trainer who fires first out (17%).

Bijoux

Sire Broken Vow gets over 11% 2yo debut winners, over 10% first time turf winners, about 13% overall turf winners; sire won 9 of 14 for $725K, was multiple SW including G2/G3, also G1 SP, never tried turf; dam's only foal is Giacovani (1 win, $15K, never tried turf); dam had 3 2nds in 5 starts for $20K; working smartly for Sadler who's a sharp 20% first out, and while Bejarano rode Sadler's other runner Blameitonthecat last time he ends up here today.

Galehorn

DEL dirt sprint debut wasn't too hot but then she moved to turf there Aug. 24 and stayed on very nicely to be 2nd, at a hefty 50-1, no less; could be she's found her game; changed hands and comes West, and she gives Sadler 3 cracks at this race; worked well at BHP; no surprise she handles turf as she's kin to Wingo Star (3 wins, 2 on turf, $59K). By Michael Hammersly

Race 4

Anythingtogeteven

He is certainly the most experienced horse in the field but he's moving up in price and facing open company after getting beat in a state-bred race for $32K in his latest at Santa Rosa; dam was strictly a sprinter but one of her two winning foals won going long; prefer others.

Code of Pleasure

He didn't receive much support when he debuted in a Cal-bred race for this price and he didn't make much of an impact; Hofmans has solid stats with second-time starters, though, and the past five years he has a 16% strike rate with horses stretching out the first time; first foal out of mare that won going long could make some noise at what should be a nice price.

Showmeister

First from Miyadi is coming back pretty quickly after not making much of an impact in his debut lastThursday; dam won going long; 5 siblings, one winner but she did win a couple of routes; he gets in light but he is going to have to take a big step forward so we're going to pass.

Black Tie

$10.5K Yearling helped spice up the exotics when he got up to finish third at 75-1 in a much-improved effort in his latest; he had to steady at the half-mile pole but he saved a lot of ground when he made his move along the rail on the turn; dam was unraced and this is her first foal; he should get some stamina from his Grade 2 winning sire; consider for the exotics.

Ghost of Harrenhal

He owns the best Beyer Speed Figure in the field and it came in his debut going this distance so he has to be considered a serious threat to win his second start; dam's lone win came sprinting and her only other foal is a sprint winner; the past five years the barn is 0/12 with second-time starters but this guy still looks pretty live.

Still Unbroken

Dueled from the rail and held on to finish second over Black Tie when he was sent off at almost 40-1 in his debut and it is easy to imagine him taking a big step forward with the race behind him; he's the first foal out of a mare that only won sprinting so the added distance could be an issue; nonetheless, he should be able to clear early, though, and note the strong numbers Gryder has riding for Miyadi; big shot.

Pantera Rojo

Homebred had an excuse when he hit the starting gate in his debut over Polytrack and it was a key race with the winner coming back to win a MSW race here with an 82 Beyer Speed Figure; this is a significantly easier spot and Krigger lands here instead of on Still Unbroken; dam's only win came going short and this is her first foal; the past five years McAnally has a 42% strike rate with horses going from MSW to maiden claiming; the pick. By Randy Goulding

Race 5

Highly Rated

Makes her first start in nearly 11 months with a sharp recent drill in tow for a barn that hasn't had much recent luck with this type; she does have early lick so the inside draw can help and she broke her maiden at this trip last summer at Del Mar; lack of speed in the heat should be a huge benefit and makes it likely they'll have to come and get her to win.

Love Tale (GB)

Drops a level while drawing a much better post than she did in her local return; maybe now she's over the cross country trip to New York and she did beat better 3 back on the green at Del Mar prior to that; hasn't done so well on the local lawn and she'll get another new pilot for this, but the price should be right.

Gittel

She's another dropping a notch after having little impact in her return to the local course; she returned to again put in a sharp drill and she earned decent enough numbers here last year to factor, but she doesn't finish first very often; siding with others on the win end.

Smart Striking

Tried the hill when dropped back to this level off the freshening and now she'll stretch back out; mare looks to be a good fit for this price on her best but she's another who hasn't run particularly well over the local sod; consider.

Secret Cove

Fresh mare switches to a barn that hasn't had much luck with its runners at the local stand; she does drop to a low level here and her most recent score did come over the local sod where she's won 3 times; class relief makes her a contender.

No Tricks for Jack

Had little impact after getting off to a tough start down the hill a few weeks back; she won routing 2 starts back so maybe the stretchout helps as she is a surface winner going long; with more early interest from her likely at this trip she's worth a look.

Tanquerray

Late runner ran out of a ground again while making her first start in 3 months against a notch better here earlier in the month; filly often unleashes a solid kick in the lane and she did win at the local trip in the spring, but she may not get the contested pace up front here that she'd prefer to see.

Boo Who Who

Outside drawn filly steps up and tries the lawn for the initial time in her first start off the claim by an outfit that hasn't had any recent lcuk with this type; her drill earlier in the month was slow, but her sire does get nearly 13% first time surface winners from his offspring and the dam did drop a turf winner from 2 to try the footing.

Lilly's Perfect

AE drops but remains above the level of the outfit's 2 back claim; beaten chalk was coming as the wire approached after finding herself much further out of it early than usual in that one; she'll start from a tough spot if she gets to go, but with Bejarano sticking and a more alert break she could prove to be the one to beat. By Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Macaabra (IRE)

Negative 3-pound weight swing for this off the loss to Boller Bomb where she showed nothing on the SA grass course regressing off her 1st-USA Beyer speed figure at DMR; cuts back in distance after fading and the rider keeps the faith but for an 0-for-16 route-to-sprint trainer since 2012.

Boller Bomb

Have to love that her 1st race off the claim is a new Beyer speed figure-career Top; likes it here; her grass debut was on SA green at today's distance where she upset the field stalking the pace; likely sits a little farther back early today then makes 1 run; curious the rider from last sides with Fanticola.

Fanticola

50 days since the 1st-turf start gate-to-wire Mile stretchout maiden breaker as the win rider keeps the faith for her 1st start anywhere but DMR grass; back into a sprint for the class test; the 3-back winner repeated in a DMR-optional claimer with a 90 Beyer.

Moulin de Mougin

Had no answers in deep stretch for Tribal Spy who follows her here; the show runner from last Beyered 93 in a next-out SA-optional-claiming win; even-sprint losses suggest a longer distance may work out better?; wish the worktab sparkled more for her 2nd start since January.

Woodlandsway (GB)

Another who needed her last start but all 3 races in the USA lacked spark when landing behind similar rivals; has been working on dirt like that may be her best surface?; the addition of blinkers improved her gate speed so projects as a pace presence for part.

Lilbourne Eliza (IRE)

Winless in the USA while exiting a career-low Beyer when outrun throughout on SA green a surface she handled effectively in April; new rider is her 4th in as many races which is not a good win angle; off latest will be taking a wait and see approach.

Tribal Spy

Has been a new runner since switched to this conditioner for last pair following the 62-day layoff; outran her 51-1 odds in her stakes debut defeating the show runner who Beyered 93 in a next-out SA-optional-claiming win; the 2-back co-field-best speed figure was posted on DMR synthetic and saw the show runner win next out in an SA-25K claimer with an 83 Beyer.

Rosies Ready

Has been a new runner since blinkers were added and stretched out to 1 Mile but cuts back to a sprint which is the main concern; speedy on today's SA green in last when primed for this at longer; the 2-back synthetic win looks better since the runner-up finisher graduated next out in an SA-MSW event with a 71 Beyer.

Smooth Talker

Has never raced this short of a distance on grass and hasn't sprinted since February; was primed for this at longer landing behind similar; her lone win was right on the lead and hopes to make the front here; the 2-back winner repeated in an SA-100K event with a 92 Beyer; view as a pace presence for part.

Zanbo

60 days since the beaten-favored loss to Macaabra with a positive 2-pound weight swing for the sprint rematch; lone win was off a 50-day absence which adds to the appeal for today's-fresh attempt; she did not offer much in her SA-grass sprint March, 2012; rallyied too late in her last sprint in May at BHP chasing the winner who repeated in a BHP-optional claimer with an 84 Beyer.

Heat Trap

Was on the wrong end of a 3-horse win photo finish in last while coming off a 46-day layoff; posted a co-field-best Beyer in June when making just her 2nd-career start; today races 2nd off the bench so could be set for very best here; wide draw is an issue after racing well when saving ground from post 3 for latest.

Joeandbetty'sbaby

Great sign that her 1st race off the claim was a win posting a career-best Beyer while the 33%-win rider for the trainer at SA stays right here; hopes not to bounce returning in 11 days after scoring off an 84-day break; beat the 2-back show runner a next-out 73 Beyer DMR-32K claiming winner.

J K's Mischief

Tons to prove on turf after the grass debut was a last-place finish in May; worked nicely on dirt for this which was the surface of her last win and career-best Beyer; likely hopes this event gets moved to the main track; beat the 2-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 49 in her next-out SA-20K-maiden claiming win. By Art Gropper

Race 8

Kevin's Kool Kat

Goes outside to inside after racing wide, but she should have enough speed to gain a decent position; 8/9 show horse returned to graduated at this level next out beating Chocolate Mountain; note show horse in last was over 3 clear; should give a very good account of herself.

Patriot C H

Overmatched in first 3, she flashed solid speed in last and would expect rider to send hard and try to steal it; show horse in the DMR finale graduated next out in a MSW with a 73 Beyer; she has a shot to mature with grace as kin to Lucky J. H, who won 8 times, twice routing, banked nearly $650K; just may get brave with a lonely lead.

Visions of Candy

At least she got a taste of the route game; miss has shown the ability to pass horses; 8/15 show horse graduated next out in a maiden $40K claimer with a 65 Beyer; winner 8/15 repeated in a $40K starter, then raised record to 3 for 4 by winning a $25K optional with a 79 Beyer; there is a double route winner in the tree who banked over $150K; no reason she will not improve here.

Warren's My Queen

Just too many chances to embrace today; runner was 7th the last time this rider was aloft; beaten over 7 the last time going long on this surface; can t endorse.

Perfect Tango

She could have sulked in the debut after the slow start but she tried hard; at least she now has a race over the strip; dam was unraced; this is her first to go; don't sell too short.

Chocolate Mountain

This is a tough sell after she has been beaten double digits every time; the lone half sis won 5 times, but all sprints; crushed the last time in Arcadia; not seeing it.

Lethal Miss

Miss is starting to figure it out and she seems comfortable going long; the 8/14 show horse graduated next out at this level at Pomona, then was first by a nose here in a $12.5K N2L fray; she has a chance to get the trip as kin to A Jealous Woman, a multiple route winner on grass who earned over $450K; major threat.

Nezi O's Gold

Never thrilled to see the defeats at Fresno; off a career Beyer, but she is looking at much quicker splits this time; would think long and hard before taking too short a number. By Brian Mulligan