Santa Anita: Closer Looks for October 25, 2013

Race 1

Quinnette

5 for 10 on dirt (that accounts for all but 1 of her wins) so the return to this footing may help after that dull turf run here Oct. 4; that being said, her success came vs. likely lesser foes at PM and EMD, and while she was 5 for 12 in 2012 she's 0 for 7 this year; at least showed with that nice 2nd at DMR Aug. 23 that she's not out of her element at this level.

Sydney's Darling

Last win came here, albeit routing and on a wet track but hey, at least that shows some dirt ability; dull turf try for $25K here Oct. 4 but now comes a drop, a surface switch and that was her first race in 2 months so she may be ready to move forward; after all, her prior 2 starts were nice and Sherman saw fit to pay twice this much to claim her Aug. 8.

Town Belle

Nice try at this level at DMR and then a solid 3rd at BSR; last time?; well, she was on turf, facing much tougher ($32K) and had an impossible post to boot (11); she had been off the board in 4 grass starts going in so that footing apparently isn't her game; down in class and back to dirt so maybe that all gets her back on track...maybe.

Tribal Rain

Knocking on the door with 6 2nds in her last 7 starts; yes, it's all come vs. cheaper but it shows she's in good form and after that 2nd for $10K here Oct. 10 it's nice to see Hess Jr. moves her up 2 levels for this; has won here, handles the trip and she's got the speed and versatility to give her rider options.

Cee's the Year

Won routing here Feb. 13 so she handles this place; still, the recent pattern is a bit worrisome - dullish race at this level at DMR Aug. 10 (was claimed), got 2 months off and came back dull for $22,500 here Oct. 11; at least new trainer Harrington felt good enough to move her UP in price that day; now she's back to her claimed level and there's no layoff since, which is nice; and heck, you only need to go back to June/July 2 see she was sharp while winning 2 straight at BHP.

Fiesta Express

Looked good whipping restricted $20K foes routing at BSR Sept. 18; last time?; well, she was up in price to face much tougher on turf and was no factor after a slow start; and heck, not much was expected anyway (sent off at 78-1); back down in class, but remember Sierra claimed her for $8K Aug. 29 so she's still in well above that price, and back to dirt and that could result in a much better run - so long as that Oct. 10 turf dud didn't take some of the run out of her or isn't a sign she's going the wrong way.

Pawn Shop

One of the ones; decent 3rd at PLN July 5 for $12,500 and was claimed, went to DMR and was a nice 2nd for $10K and was claimed by West; been given time off since which can be worrisome but that fear is allayed by the fact West brings her back up in price, and Bejarano stays; still, it means facing tougher but these aren't monsters and she's been working along steadily the past month or so.

Race 3

Cravin' the Heat

New game going long but full sibling Hot Damon won at this distance on grass; miss has much more speed than she flashed in last; handled by Diva at the beach, but would not be surprised if rider puts her into the race from the sound of the bell today; barn has been firing with everything; due to hit paydirt.

Ryderroo

Unraced Game Plan has hit with about 12% of his first-time turfers in a 118-horse study; dam was unraced; lone sibling was third in best result; she could have been intimidated by the rail in the debut; no reason she will not be able to move forward today.

Dow Diva

She caught career splits last time and could not keep up; off slowly in last, if she breaks with her field this could be a whole new ballgame; miss has been close for this rider several times; contention goes long.

Sagebrush Queen

Unbridled Energy 5 for 50 with first-time juveniles; G2 winning sire took debut at 2, banked nearly $285K, never turfed; 4 for 17 dam was sprint only in the minor leagues; this is her first to race; miss has a right to be more involved early on the stretch out; must be left in the mix.

Bridle Plan

Top Beyer did come on grass; dam's lone win was a route and she was out of the money in only turf try; the 2 siblings to race are a combined 0 for 12; could see her fairly close up early, not sure she will be around when the smoke clears.

Tiz Zoe Cee

She seemed in a good spot last time for a tag but could not quicken in time; dam won twice, earned nearly $100K, won on grass once; this is her first to race; legit trouble in the debut, may need softer to show top talent.

Coconut Cream Pie

Wrong surface last time, toss it; show horse in last return to beat Dow Diva; hungry bug hired here and could see this miss sitting a nice trip, maybe 3 or so off a legit pace, searching for room to maneuver at the top of the lane; right there with the A game.

Flaxen Maiden

Best effort came in this league on this course at this trip; she doesn't run them alike; one day she'll be close up early, the next she'll come from left field; needs very best.

Little Unusual

No speed, no asset; it's just hard to find the upside after 27 starts; against winners last time and she was inching toward the winner but she may be compromised by the slot this time; not my kind of play.

Race 4

Handsome Sam

Lightly-raced 3-year-old got off to a poor start and then raced greenly in his latest at Del Mar; it was a pretty tough field of $20K maidens with four of them coming back to win thier next start including the winner who beat $40K starter horses at BSR with an 80 Beyer Speed Figure; decent set of works showing and other than the likely favorite, this looks like a lot easier spot than he was in last time; consider for the exotics.

Defiant Scoutt

He was sent off at 70-1 in his debut and he ran to his odds, beating just a couple; he did have a little trouble early but he will need to take a substantial move forward to contend here; 5-year-old is the first foal out of a mare that won a single race going long; prefer others.

Indian Monkey

He has flashed decent speed in most of his races but so far he hasn't displayed a lot of stamina; he came from a stalking position to just miss in his latest at BSR but that was going four furlongs and he still needs to prove he can conserve his speed going this far; maybe for the exotics but that's about it.

Destino

He is easily the most experienced horse in the field which isn't exactly a good thing in maiden races; his lack of speed seems to be the main issue and in his last three starts he got away poorly so he might be developing a bad habit; it also seems like he wants a bit more distance; passing.

Army Commander

Not a lot to show for his first 10 starts although he did run his best race over this surface when he finished second in a $30K maiden claiming race last March; the career-best Beyer Speed Figure that he earned, 40, isn't going to scare anyone, though; hard to love him off his latest when he didn't fire at 95-1 in a slightly shorter sprint at this level; passing.

King Maya

4-year-old is the winner if he runs back to any of his previous races excluding his lone try on Polytrack at Del Mar; he earned an 87 Beyer Speed Figure in his last race at Hollywood which produced three next-out winners and anything close easily wins this; there are some obvious concerns but the past five years Cerin is 1/3 with horses taking a 50% drop in price that were coming back in 180 days or more; the pick.

Masochistic

Looks like he's fast but it would have been more encouraging if his six-furlong move Oct. 7 was a bit quicker; nonethelss his trainer can have them ready to roll first time out; sire 15% with first time starters; dam was unraced, lone sib won three sprints; looks pretty live.

Honored Hero

$8K yearling didn't break that alertly and after moving into contention early he faded late when he debuted in a two-turn sprint at BSR; Mullins has solid stats with second-time starters, though, and would expect some improvement here; five winning full sibs to report the best being $168K stakes winner Nene; don't sell short.

Chicago Hero

4-year-old was in the mix in most of his races as a 3-year-old but he just hasn't picked up his feet after finishing fourth as the chalk in a $25K maiden race at Fairplex last Sept. he's had a couple of decent works since his very dull effort at Del Mar Sept. 1 so maybe he's ready for an improved effort; nonetheless, it is hard to support him off what he's shown in his last four races.

Race 5

Navarre (GB)

Adds blinkers for the 1st time trying to wakeup off the 2nd-time in USA Beyer speed figure regression as a beaten favorite 1st time on USA grass; defeated by both the runner-up and 8th-place finishers from last who posted 78-76 speed figures in next-out SA-MSW and 50K-maiden-claiming wins.

Airfoil

Sire is 4-for-121 with 1st-turf starters; dam won her only turf start (25K) producing 1-or-3 grasser Typhoon Charlie (28K); posted a field-best Beyer on BHP synthetic at shorter than this and getting today's mile and an eighth distance is a huge question mark.

Maxx the Giant

Big-style change when breaking slowly; he is best when on the lead like the 2-back posting a career-best Beyer; his only race at today's distance was a last-place finish and career-low speed figure; the runner-up and 8th-place finishers from last graduated next out with 78-76 Beyers taking SA-MSW and 50K-maiden-claiming wins.

Adamor

Sire is 13-for-196 with 1st-turf starters; is out of an unraced dam who's only other foal to race 1-for-18 Brawler (28K) did not race on grass; nearly 90-1 odds in the dull debut removing blinkers for this seeking answers; the added distance is just another concern.

Thunder Cole

Did not give the impression in latest that today's added distance would work out well but 2-back was game; the winner from last repeated in an SA-optional claimer with a 78 Beyer; worked well on dirt for this and figures to be a major pace player but unsure how well he can hang on late.

Snaps

Sire is 45-for-312 with 1st-turf starters; is out of 1-for-3 grass dam (73K); 1 of 6 foals to race on turf is a lawn winner (1-for-5 Campionessa 29K); some runners move forward 2nd-time out and the addition of new rider Bejarano suggests at least a stamina improvement is on the way.

Valtari

Was screaming out for more distance in last and gets it here; chased the runner-up finisher from last a 78 Beyer graduate next out while beating 2 of these and the 8th-place finisher a 76 speed figure SA-50K-maiden-claiming next-out graduate; steady-dirt workouts for this noting the 2-for-31 jockey-trainer combo since 2012.

Citron Kid

7 weeks since outfinished by Thunder Cole who faces him today; adds blinkers for the 1st time a 1-for-14 angle for the trainer; has been uable to duplicate his debut Beyer on BHP grass when rallying well; the dirt workouts for this suggest we take a wait and see approach.

Bornatthetrack

Back on grass after middle moving in his career debut vs. the runner-up finisher who Beyered 81 in his next-out BHP-MSW win; have mixed reviews from next pair racing very well 2 back but then showed nothing 15 days ago when blinkers were removed trailing throughout.

Apostle Paul

One of his co-career-best Beyers was posted at longer than this so while some may have an issue with 9F; today's distance seems right up his alley; 2 of his 3 exacta finishes were posted on SA green while needing his last start off the 55-day absence; will break widest sure to lose ground after 2 straight ground-saving rail posts.

Race 7

Quiet Force

That 4th to Tom's Tribute looks a whole lot better since 'Tribute came back to win a stakes on the hillside turf course here Sunday; this guy had trouble that day at a crucial point in midstretch, too, or he may well have been a lot closer; nice to see Bejarano stays and that strong :59.20 work Oct. 15 says he's doing well.

Tortola

Perked up nicely as Gutierrez took the call here Oct. 12, stalking the pace and finishing gamely to beat maidens on this course; faces winners for the first time, a big step up in class, but the way he won and the way his Beyer shot up 13 days ago hints he may well be figuring things out.

Poshsky

4th here Oct. 4, which isn't bad; trouble, winner of that race My Friend Jimmy is back in against him, not to mention a few other toughies; still, he ran on decently and that was just career start No. 3 and career turf start No. 1 so he can certainly improve - though he'll have to if he's to have a say.

Power Ped

Removed blinkers 2 back and that may have done the trick; first was a sharp 2nd on the DMR sod Sept. 2 and then a game winner here Sept. 27; that win looks better, too, when you note 2 he beat that day came right back to win; usually once Mandella gets 'em on the right path they tend to stay there; horse has shown speed and also shown he can sit and finish, which gives Maldonado options.

Brother Pete

Showed promise inthe spring/early summer with 4 very nice grass efforts to start his career; then came a dud at DMR Sept. 1; in his defense, he was also asked to go 11fs that day vs. some hard-hitting stayers; Sadler has given him time since to regroup, there's no drop in for a tag and the shorter trip helps - though none of 3 guys who rode him before are back up.

Spring Up

Nice bounce-back to be a sharp 2nd on this course Sept. 29 behind Tom's Tribute (came back to win the Uniformity on the hill here Sunday); that makes that dull DMR main-track sprint dud Sept. 4 looks more like an aberration or just one of those days; has speed and versatility and off that smart 2nd he's worked very nicely twice here since.

This One's for Mel

Continues his fine form; may be the one to beat as he looked super powering away from $50K rivals on this course Oct. 11; Miller pushing all the right buttons this meet (10 for first 43, 23%) and while he risked this guy for a tag Oct. 11 note he takes no such risk today; ample speed to flee his outside post and get a nice trip stalking/pressing the issue until Leparoux steps on it.

My Friend Jimmy

Looks as though he likes his new surroundings; things didn't go so well in Ky. this spring but then came a freshening, change of barns and trip West - and he's improved as he was a fine 4th (beaten less than a length) on the DMR sod Aug. 24 and a smart winner (at 12-1) here Oct. 4; far outside draw won't be as big a hindrance since he figures to just break and sort of fall in behind the field anyway; Talamo stays put and another move forward can surely make him scary in the lane.

Imperative

AE finished strongly to be a sharp 2nd for $40K at DMR July 20; hasn't been seen since, which is a tad worrisome, though now that he does resurface it's a very nice sign that he does so doubled in value; of course, that also means facing tougher and while he ran well on the DMR sod July 20 that's his lone good showing in 3 turf tries (4th and 6th in the other 2).

Race 8

Arizona Wildcat

Like the series of drills since last outing; the Pomona finale came back live as the 2nd, 4th and 9th finishes graduated next out and the winner repeated in a $40K starter with an 80 Beyer; he broke inward in last and returned bleeding in the mouth; not impossible task.

Caliente Cat

Gelding had to be off for 15 months for a pretty serious reason; the day he did finish in the money he sure wasn't threatening the winner; runner does have some semblance of speed in a race that is pretty much devoid of that commodity; backers could get a brief thrill.

Dani's Birthday

Crushed the other 2 times in Arcadia, note soph was bothered at the break two back and the show horse that day graduated next out in a maiden $6500 claimer at ALB; bothered at the break in 2 of the last 3 outs; not sold on chances.

Broker Brett

Out to make amends after he went backward in last; that June swoon came back live as the 2nd and 4th finishers 6/13 graduated next out and the winner repeated in a $50K claimer, then ran out of the money; rider is 30% for this barn in the last year of so; the one to beat.

Alsace

Maybe he was just dead short in last; that May effort screams off the canvas but not sure he was beaten by anybody that day; the winner, Wild Tony, has been out of the money three times since; must pick it up.

Coranto

Okay, he finished with interest in last but it was Fresno; and they were all together on the line, sometimes a sign of an ordinary race; 9/18 place horse graduated next out in this league with a 74 Beyer; he does have the 3 races to draw from now; contender, far from a cinch.

Anytime

In good hands and at least he got a feel of the strip; blowout on Sunday should have him on his toes too; show horse in the 2012 closer has won twice since, but the last was just in a $3200 N2L seller at Arapahoe; he got beat by a nice horse in the 2012 closer; the winner that day has won 3 times since, the last in a $50K optional at Canterbury; surprise package.

Swiss Sword

Colt has trained steadily for this and could be more on the muscle with the blinks; he was vanned off in last so try to get a good look at him on the track; show horse in last graduated next out in a maiden $35K claimer, then took a $40K starter with a 69 Beyer; backers have to hope the drop shakes him up.

Karaiskakis

He lost a little ground late in last and now has to go 2 furlongs farther; the debut was pretty solid, but he has gone the dreaded other way since; he has trained solidly in Inglewood coming to this race but would have liked to have seen a local spin; due.