Santa Anita: Closer Looks for October 27, 2013

Race 1

Sumerian

He shares the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here with Stoney Fleece, and even though this runner has just a single win next to his name, it is nice to see that he earned that victory over this turf course.

Stoney Fleece

He's the only one in here with six wins to his credit and he has a number of starts on his card that are strong enough to suggest that he can be tough to deal with in this spot; G3 winner commands respect as a top contender.

Tortola

Lightly raced runner appears to be on the improve and he's a 1/2 to stakes placed Delmarva (2-10, 94k, including 2 of 8 turf starts for 93k); however, this isn't a soft spot for him to be looking to meet up with winners for the first time.

Segway

He has a very nice pedigree for turf and he hasn't run a bad race through his first four starts; it's probably worth noting the presence of Nakatani aboard another in here, but Stevens has won with 6 of 17 (35%) mounts for this barn in 2013, including 2 of 4 at the current meeting.

Little Jerry

Stakes placed gelding has shown the ability to dial up a pretty sharp performance on his best day, but his one win and career best Beyer Speed Figure were earned racing over a synthetic surface; this might prove to be a tough spot for him to try to secure his first turf win.

Soul Candy

Stone-cold closer is going to need to see some pieces fall into place to have his best chance in this spot and it isn't like the early pace is guaranteed to heat up; he's clearly a good fit at this level of competition, but this race doesn't look like it will shape up in his favor.

Vibrato Jazz

Stakes placed veteran put together a sharp performance two starts back at Del Mar, even if he was disqualified, and he might be ready to get back to that level of performance while making his second start back from a layoff; like to see that he owns the ability to get involved in the running early on if the pace is slow to develop.

Race 2

Arethusa

Like the way she improved when she stretched out to this distance in her second start and she could be ready for a big effort in the third start of her career; dam was a Grade 2 winner and her first three foals are winners; there should be an honest enough pace for her to work with; contender.

Be Proud

First of two from Baffert was in a good spot turning for home but came up empty in the stretch in the same race Arethusa exits and once again figures to be forwardly placed; pace could be a little quicker this time but she does figure to move forward in her second route attempt; dam two routes; 2 sibs, one winner who won sprinting; contender.

Consecrate

Willing to give her another chance after she got away slowly in her debut in a key race; the winner beat Be Proud in a minor stakes at BSR in her next start; 4 of 5 sibs are winners the best being $425K stakes winner Harlan Street who won 11 races in total; some things to like including her bullet five-furlong move across town.

Salsita

Daughter of $1.1 million Grade 2 winner Two Step Salsa ran well in both of her races and it was encouraging to see her show more speed when she moved out to seven furlongs in her second start; the added furlong here won't hurt and she might be quick enough to get the jump on Be Proud early; if she does she could be gone; sharp work here Oct. 22 adds to her appeal; the pick.

Madame Heat

Hard to make a case for her after two very dull starts to begin her career; maybe the added distance and move to dirt will help; full sibs include Mr. Chairman who won the Cal Cup Classic and $227K stakes-placed Bardy Woman; nonetheless others look more appealing.

Race 3

Shand

Keeps jumping back and forth from claimers to special weights but even her best lifetime Beyer comes up short in comparison to the major players; extension in distance today can help matters yet breaking from the fence again can pose problems; mixed signals indeed.

Inside Scoop

Finished midpack in that maiden voyage after breaking slowest of all; her sire won the Breeders' Cup Sprint and 1.53 million in total; the dam was without a tally in 3 tries; sib to multiple G3 turf winner Clearly a Queen who earned 504K.

Tappingintherain

Decent showing a month ago especially in light of the layoff and tardy getaway; had some super workouts going into that effort and can move forward in a big way here following that tightener; consider.

Dreamy Blues

Newcomer was sired by multiple champion Curlin who amassed 10.5 million (his progeny have won 8 of 90 debuts); the dam won 2 of 10 and 44K; among the winning sibs is G2 sprinter Shawklit Mint, winner of 464K.

Laria

Upbeat workout pattern of late for this beginner, daughter of multiple G1 victor Giant's Causeway who earned a total of 3.07 million; his descendants have won nearly 11 percent of their initial attempts; sib to 35K earner Rolanda.

The Magic Stone

Big wake-up third time out when racing over this course for the first time; most recent workout suggests that effort was no fluke; appears very dangerous here despite the additional sixteenth of a mile to travel.

Siena Grace

Legitimate excuse to the last defeat when seeing the heels of some of these same foes; her sire won a G1 and 1.02 million while the dam won 3 of 16 attempts and 142K; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Race 4

Two Blue Hens

Del Mar graduate tries the lawn in her first with winners for a barn that boasts nice numbers on the surface switch; filly didn't do much in either of her cracks on the green and now they'll ask her to tackle a much tougher bunch of boys; have to pass on this longshot.

Empty Headed

Statebred tries open company in search of her third straight score on the local sod; late runner hasn't run as fast as some of these and his style would appreciate some pace up top, but he should be coming late and in his current form could get up for a minor share.

Planet Sunshine

Field's highest last out Beyer earner hasn't seen the winner's circle in 16 months and he'll try the green for the initial time in this spot; sire gets just 6% first time surface winners from his offspring and the dam was winless from 6 cracks over the stuff prior to dropping one foal to try the footing who was 0 for 1 on it; stuck in this condition a long time, it's probably best to look for the winner elsewhere.

Jules Journey

He's been away nearly 8 months since a solid runner up finish over the local course resulted in a career best Beyer at the level; he did get some pace in front of him in that one, but he's been working well of late for his return and he's yet to finish out of the money over this sod; contender.

Swift Eagle

Six year old is working ok for his return from the freshening but he's another who has been stuck in this condition for a long time; he's capable of running a big number on the green and that makes him an exotics threat, but he's not very consistent and this is not his preferred course.

My Samurai Warrior

Stretches out in his second crack over the local sod at the stand and the barn has done pretty well of late with its runners tackling added ground; interim drills suggests this gelding may be a little more involved early at the increased trip and he ran ok routing at the level 3 back at Del Mar; consider.

Horizontalyspeakin

Sophomore gets back in with older after holding onto third money in his return to the local sod; gelding does have speed and though he draws outside have to think he'll be up on the pace while switch to Bejarano; they may have to come and get him to win.

Appealing Tale

He's another 3 year old getting back in with older after getting up for third money in a local sprint stake; just missed behind a torrid clip in the hillside sprint 2 back at the level and he proved he could handle 2 turns in the maiden breaker over the main track late last year; giving him the nod to beat them home today.

Race 5

Tiz the Truth

He's done his best work to date over the local main track and the race he fired last out makes him the one to beat; he wired his rivals from the rail through some righteous fractions, and the Beyer Figure of 104 that he earned ranks as this field's best career number; shortens up in distance some and barn has sharpened his skills for the move based on recent works; win candidate is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Notional ($733K).

Gonna Fly Now

Barn tries something new and sends this one two turns and there are aspects of his pedigree that suggest he will take to the added ground; his off-the-pace style also suggest he might like more real estate; makes a notable class move, as he returns to the overnight ranks, site of his last win, off a pair of graded stakes starts; leading contender.

Everton

He's been favored in each of his three starts, and is a head from perfection; won his bow with a Beyer Figure of 100, then was edged one start later before making a successful two-turn debut last out at Dmr; makes first start since the summer, and the bullet five-furlong moves suggest he's in the mood to race.

Tree of Life

He's an accomplished sort as he was a stakes winner at 2; brings a nice amount of racing experience to the table, and is returning to the overnight ranks following a pair of stakes starts; seems best served with pace and might get what he needs courtesy of a few of these; can share.

Fury Kapcori

He's another who was a stakes winner at 2; he also was Grade 1-placed, in December; hooked one of his division's best last out in Will Take Charge, who has since been pre-entered in the $5M Breeders' Cup Classic; like a few others in this spot he's returning to the overnight ranks after facing stakes foes of late; he's also shortening up to a mile and that might serve him well as the last time he raced at the trip he just missed in the $100K El Cajon; is a full brother to Tizfiz, a Grade 2 winner of $410K; win candidate.

Blue Tone

He's fired some big races at two turns, most notably a maiden special weight win in July for which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 102; has a useful stalking style and might get an ideal trip behind a few of these; has also been sharpened for the distance move with a near bullet half-mile Oct. 22; promising.

American Blend

He gives up recency to these as he has not seen action since May; like that he has been a consistent sort as a rule, and that he is a two-time winner over the main track at SA; further, his dam, a Grade 3 winner of $448K, has produced four stakes winners: Tiz Elemental, a Grade 3 winner of $483K, Tiz a Blend ($186K), Excessive Blend ($173K) and Holladay Road ($383K); barn excels with comebackers; one to preview in the paddock.

Race 6

Crushed It

Sire is 22-for-297 with 1st-turf starters; 34-327 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a 2-for-17 dam (17K) who went 2-0-0-0 on grass producing 8 winners from 10 other foals to race; 3 of 8 foals to race on turf are grass winners including 99K-lawn earner Ricspreteniosgal (1-for-9).

Distillery

Sire is 25-for-298 with 1st-turf starters; 1st foal out of a dam who was unraced; improvement is expected for a trainer winning 27% first-time out with newly-acquired runners; the show runner from the debut Beyered 64 in a next-out CRC MSW win then repeated with an 80.

Canopus

Sire is 32-for-281 with 1st-turf starters; 16-197 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a 1-for-7 dam (24K) who went 1-0-0-0 on grass producing 2 winners from 2 other foals to race (152K Gonna Fly Now 2-for-8); only foal to turf went 5-0-3-0 (26K).

Miraglo

Sire is 2-for-42 with 1st-turf starters; 3-53 with 2-year-old debut runners; is the 1st foal out of a 7-0-0-1 dam who went 3-0-0-0 on grass (3K); Garcia gets the call to ride winning 40% at SA for the trainer since 2012.

Tombigbee

Brief speed in the career debut and now has to test the speedy Bourne Hot to the lead; the worktab for this does not impress but cutting back 1.5F can only help the cause; 52-1 in the debut so little was expected; view as a pace presence for part.

Big Tire

Sire is 22-for-225 with 1st-turf starters; 28-186 with 2-year-old debut runners; is out of a 9-0-0-3 dam (11K) who went 3-0-0-0 on grass; her only other foal to race is 2-for-11 Grand Corredora (21K) who went 3-0-0-0 on turf.

Taelyns Prince

95 days since posting the field's best Beyer at much longer than this; displayed talent in the debut beating the show finisher who graduated next out in a DMR-MSW event with a 70 speed figure; 21%-winning route-to-sprint barn but the SA jockey-trainer combo have won just 1-of the last-16.

Relative Time

Sire is 1-for-5 with 1st-turf starters; 3-11 with 2-year-old debut runners; is the 1st foal to race out of a 1-for-10 dam (56K) who went 1-0-0-0 on grass; the 1-for-15 trainer since 2012 with 1st-turf runners has me taking a wait and see approach.

Bourne Hot

Try to catch me racing 3 straight times 1st at the 1st call; cuts back to his shortest-distance test since the career debut; held on well at longer 3-back when defeated by Carson's Ten and the winner who repeated in a DMR-100K stakes with a 74 Beyer.

Run the Show

Sire is 10-for-43 with 1st-turf starters; dam went 3-0-0-0 on grass; no foals raced on turf; faded badly 2nd-time out at triple-digit odds; 1st raced on synthetic then dirt now grass seeking a massive-wakeup call; would be a shocker.

Global View

Sire is 7-for-44 with 1st-turf starters; dam was unraced; her only foal to race on North American green is 2-for-14 Turns My Head (78K turf); rallied in the debut like he will love this added furlong; 33%-SA-jockey-trainer combo adds to the appeal.

Carson's Ten

Form has fallen apart since 2nd best in August to a next-out 100K stakes winner(74); lone race without blinkers was a dull effort but exits a career-low Beyer in his 1st-SA grass attempt; the 2-back runner-up finisher graduated next out in an SA-Grade 1 with a 78 speed figure.

Sir Macho

Sire is 17-for-194 with 1st-turf starters; 22-for-203 with 2-year-old debut runners; is the 1st foal out of a 6-for-40 dam (199K) who took 6-of-32 on turf (186K); posted a steady worktab on display for 1st asking.

Mr. Cactus

Super 1st off-the-claim trainer purchased him off a career-low Beyer when dropped into a maiden claimer for the 1st time; worked well on dirt for this a surface he has not attempted yet; off the trio of dull efforts would be a surprise.

Race 8

Bio Pro

71 days since finishing evenly vs. the runner-up finisher who posted a 91 Beyer speed figure in his next-out SA-optional-claiming win; he beat the 5th-place finisher from last a 90 Beyer-DMR OPC winner; April's Mile SA-turf test was a near-miss finish but faces a lot lesser than this; won 2nd and 3rd time off the bench in 2013 so assuming he will need this one to see very-best form again.

Sirocco Strike

Has not raced past 6.5F yet; latest-fade at shorter does not add to the appeal; has had a tough time finishing well enough in sprints which makes this Mile a very tough stamina test; El Commdore and My Best Brother figure as the ones to catch with this guy likely chasing the other gate speed from the inside then hopes to hang on for a share.

Huntsville

Rallied in last like 9F wasn't enough distance but cuts back a furlong for this; winless since September, 2012, taking a 1M-SA grass allowance stalking the pace from 5th; career-best Beyer at 1M on synthetic so today has been his best distance; needs to break a lot sharper than last to end the 15-race winless drought.

Polytechnicien

Mid-pack runner faltered in deep stretch of his 1st-SA grass start; March, 2011 was his last win at 2F longer than this; his SA-Mile middle move loss in last was his best USA Beyer but ended up the last of 8; rider of last sides with the speedy El Commodore; others appeal more.

Willyconker (IRE)

Trio of dull races off the claim; his field-best Beyer was posted December, 2011, a HOL Mile turf gate-to-wire optional-claiming win with Bejarano who sides with My Best Brother for this; El Commodore seems the one to catch and his big-gate speed once displayed is a distant memory; the 2-back winner repeated in the G1-WO Mile with a 109 Beyer.

El Commodore

1st-SA turf try today while the last time this speedster made the lead was a DMR-Mile grass win; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 85 in his next-out FNO-75K stakes win; declining Beyers since the barn change is not very enticing but he is the one to catch.

Venomous (GB)

Just his 2nd start since July, 2012; did not show a big late kick in latest Mile loss chasing the runner-up finisher who Beyered 98 in his next-out SA-G3 win; best Beyer was his USA debut on SA grass at longer; last win was April, 2011, in a French Mile allowance.

Utopian

Long layoff after tesing the winner from last who Beyered 99 in his next-out DMR-G1 win to make 6 in a row; last Mile test was over the SA green January, 2012, when screamng out for more distance; the 2-for-24 SA-jockey-trainer combo does not entice; will be taking a wait and see approach.

My Best Brother

Exits his lowest Beyer since the career debut with 95 days to regroup for a 9%-winning fresh trainer; lone-SA grass start was a G2 fade at longer; way off best form since DMR 2012; figures to chase El Commdore to the lead; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 95 in his next-out BHP-G2 stakes win.

Hawk's Eyes (BRZ)

Improving-Beyer pattern since the USA debut but seeks his 1st in-the-money finish in the states; tired in deep stretch at longer 1st time on SA turf but it does represent his best speed figure; projects to press the pace wide while hoping to find the missing stamina.

Race 9

Preacher Roe

Drops a notch, could be more relaxed and aware of surroundings with the blinks off, but he will have to deal with the fence; stakes placed dam earned over $200K, won 8 sprints as older horse; 2 of 3 siblings won; top kin Havoc took debut at 2, went 3 for 11 after, earned over $70K; named for 5-time All Star pitcher, expect better effort.

Growin Up

Mr. Greeley has won with about 10% of his juvenile first-timers in a 386-horse sample; sire won third juvenile start, earned about $475K in 16 starts; stakes winning 6 for 22 dam banked nearly $125K, won once at 2; several multiple race winners in the tree, several banked 6 figures, kin Micromanage won debut at 2 and earned over $300K and top earner Indescribable took G3s, earned nearly $500K; barn has been firing.

Hitter's Alley

Hung wide from the marooned slot, he should have his sea legs under him by now; one for 6 dam didn t go at 2; both siblings won, one cashed at 2, neither was a monster; looms late threat again.

Znelle

Only one off effort and he was fried in a duel that day; the 8/9 place horse graduated next out in this very league, was then 2nd beaten 4 in a $40K starter; SP 2 for 10 dam earned over $100K, won once at 2; this is her first to race; he was over 3 clear, respect.

Hallett Boy

He came back to earth a bit in last and that happens when you go from Pomona to Arcadia; dam was unraced; 7 of 8 siblings won; top kin Alpine Sport won at 2, cashed 16 times, banked over $230K; must pick it up.

Market Notes

He s fired every time and considering he was off a tad slow in last, the effort was not all that bad; 3 for 33 dam was 2nd in best result as a juvenile; this is her first to race; major player.

Papa's Trashed

Runner has been stabled here and like the speed progression of the last 3 local drills; SP 1 for 10 dam won at 2, earned over $50K; this is her first to race; has some things to iron out.

Runaway Que

Took his share of action in the debut but could have been compromised by the post and he was pushed wide; 2 for 5 dam banked $25K, didn't run at 2; this is her first to race; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one.

Top Hot Rod

Old Topper has popped with about 16% of his juvenile debuters in a 223-horse sample; sire won twice at 2, earned over $650K; 6 for 36 dam won at 2, earned over $150K; 5 of 6 siblings won; top earner Going for a Spin won at 2, took stakes, banked nearly $350K; homebred does look fit enough.

Harbaugh

Never simple to win long at first asking but considering the drop, if he can run at all, he figures to today when offered for sale; 2 for 11 dam didn't race as a juvenile; 5 of 6 siblings won; 2 won at 2 including juvenile debut winner, stakes winner and over $150K earner Liturgy; tries to punch it in off clever blowout on the 19th.

Mosso

Colt wanted no part of the miler last time but at least he got a feel of the surface; only beaten a length the other time this rider was up, and the 9/8 winner repeated in a $40K starter with a 70 Beyer; 3 siblings raced at 2 to no avail; must hurry.

Illybilly Boy

Wraps added last time to no avail; SW 5 for 21 dam banked over $100K, didn't race at 2; this is her first to race; not sold on chances.

Reps and Warrants

Square Eddie 1 for 10 with debuting juveniles; sire won at 2, took a G1, earned over $800K; 5 for 19 dam banked $235K as older horse; 5 of 6 siblings won; one won at 2, top kin One Chin Again earned over $200K in a long career; like fact he got a local spin under the girth.