Santa Anita: Closer Looks for October 3, 2013

Race 1

Market Portfolio

Knocking on the door for the diploma off 2-near-miss synthetic-surface finishes while switching to dirt for the 1st time; moves up again in claiming price; figures to sit just off the speed of Marino Mizer and Anytime while saving ground.

Second Proposal

Exits a co-best-last-race Beyer speed figure but saved his best start for the synthetic surface in last; takes the MSW-to-maiden claiming class drop some consider the biggest in racing; the trainer yields 33% winners with this angle since 2012; figures to stalk the speed while saving ground but still has something to prove on dirt.

Broker Brett

Back on dirt coming off a co-best-last-race Beyer performance; 2-back was a key race as the winner and runner-up finishers Beyered 94-87 in next-out BHP-50K-maiden claiming and DMR-50K-claiming wins; the 3-back runner-up posted an 82 Beyer in his next-out BHP-MSW score.

Street Choir

Just start 3 of career so still has some upside; 41%-winning SA jockey-trainer combo is hard to ignore reuniting with the debut rider today; has been working forwardly for the 1st dirt start but is in need of a strong improvement off first pair to upset these; cuts back to his shortest distance test ever after 2 slow gate breaks.

Anytime

Lone dirt start in a stakes where he beat the show runner a 67 Beyer TUP-maiden-optional-claiming next-out winner; raced on the lead twice during career but rated kindly in last; coming off the long layoff and with some good dirt workouts for this figures to press Marino Mizer for the lead.

Marino Mizer

Given no chance at 39-1-odds in the troubled debut when squeezed at the gate break; steady-morning workouts for this but none of those drills occurred on dirt hoping the surface switch may provide stamina answers; with a clean start projects as the one to catch here.

Big Macher

Another who races on dirt for the 1st time after breaking slowly for the 2nd time in 3 career races; the debut winner repeated in a DMR starter allowance with an 80 Beyer; idle 31 days for a 13%-winning fresh trainer since 2012; will be taking a wait and see approach.

Mi Hijo

Disappointed return to dirt for last; his field-best Beyer was posted on BHP synthetic when rallying at longer than this; all of his best speed figures occurred with blinkers off and the hood is removed for this; have mixed reviews from the SA-dirt worktab for this but posted a good SA-main track race in his April career debut here. By Art Gropper

Race 2

Sunrisa Sunrisa

She has not come close, before or since, that respectable placing 2 back at generous odds; breaks from the fence for the first time and will have to get into the race sooner today; workout activity during the last 2 weeks is modest.

Mudge

Newcomer hails from Group 1 winner Suances who banked 402K (his progeny have scored in 5 of 52 debuts); the dam won 3 of 7 attempts and 70K; among the winning siblings is 23K earner Arrow Flynn; has been working at today's distance.

Adriatic Lass

Could not recover from a slow break when stretching out recently; her sire won the Kentucky Derby and 2.91 million; the dam won 1 of 9 and 17K; winning siblings include 33K earner Pedacitos; reverts to the original pilot here.

Jade and Sauci

Scheduled to try blinkers after finishing a remote fourth in the last assignment; her sire won multiple G1s and 845K while the dam was without a victory in 2 attempts; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Union Blaze

Broke slowest of all in her maiden voyage yet passed a few rivals in the late stages; her sire won 464K including a G1 score; the dam won 1 of 2 and 25K; there are no winning sibs to highlight; can turn the tables with alert getaway.

Betty's Memory

Did not break straight and true in her only run; her sire was unraced; the mom won 7 of 42 and 65K; this is her only foal to make it to the races; latest workout from the gate could have been much sharper.

Warrens Lil Margie

She drifted out in her last venture while never really threatening; her sire was zero for 4 lifetime; the dam did not race; among the winning siblings is 67K earner Warrens Attack; switches to journeyman handling today.

Shoot Me Another

One of several in the field who exits a race where they broke slowly; her sire won a G2 and 1.15 million; the dam won 1 of 5 and 21K; sib to 330K earner Pack Your Bags; can awaken with the drop to the common ranks.

My Lucky Rose

This looks like an ideal spot for this lass who was cooked by a speed duel in her latest run; drilled a decent five-eighths following the last defeat while favored; seems capable of shaking clear in opening stages; expert trainer/jockey team a plus.

Frandontjudge

Bet heavily in the last run, she could only manage a distant third; unfortunately draws wide again; her sire won multiple G2s and 636K; the dam won 1 of 10 and 64K; sib to 228K earner Bench the Judge; can atone at a better price.

Violate

There are several angles that merge in favor of this lass who descends from special weights and adds blinkers; her sire won a G2 and 725K while the dam won 4 of 9 attempts and 176K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate. By Jim Kachulis

Race 3

Camp Victory

Grade 1 winner drops into a straight claiming race for the first time since Mitchell claimed him for $40K in 2011 and considering he hasn't won since he beat The Factor in the Triple Bend the drop makes sense; he has a good record on the lawn and he's coming off a solid effort going this distance at Del Mar; sharp work, blinkers going back and the fact that he can stalk if he needs to all add to his appeal; the pick

Insideondoutside

O'Neill wheels him back pretty quickly after a dull effort in a first-level allowance race coming down the hill and the past five years he has a 23 percent strike rate with horses coming back in a week or less; both of his wins came sprinting, however, and he will need to pick things up if he's going to be able to keep up with this group; passing.

Ready for More

This seems like an interesting spot for him to make his California debut; he's never gone farther than 6 1/2 furlongs in his career and four of his five wins came on dirt; first time for Gallagher and the past five years he has a 7 percent strike rate with new shooters coming back between 61-180 days; only older sib to race won a couple or routes so he should get the distance; nonetheless, others look more attractive.

Stoney Fleece

Nice win two back in a $40K claimer at Del Mar and then he had a rough trip when he finished fourth going 1 3/8 miles in his latest in a $40K optional race; on the surface it looks like he wants more distance but he won the Grade 3 Generous going a mile on turf in 2011 and he is a pretty sharp horse right now; contender.

Maybe Tuesday

First start after being claimed was a good one and Mullins is showing a lot of confidence by doubling his price; the veteran trainer has strong numbers in all the relevant categories and this guy won at this level going this distance here last Jan.; it looks like he could be coming around and it wouldn't be surprising to see him make some kind of impact.

Mega Heat

He ran a huge race coming off a long layoff when he won at this level at Betfair Hollywood park in April and it is possible he didn't care for Polytrack in his latest at Del Mar; he likes this course, though, with his only losses coming in a Grade 1 and the Cal Cup Classic; solid set of works showing and it is encouraging to see Bejarano accept the call; big shot.

Trelawny

Second from Mullins tried a middle distance for the first time in his latest at Del Mar in a $32K claimer and he ran a huge race; unfortunately he had his number taken down for causing interference in the stretch when he dropped to make his winning move mid stretch; can see him taking a big step forward in his second try at the distance and it's hard not to like a horse that has been in the thick of it in 22 of his 31 starts; don't sell short. By Randy Goulding

Race 6

Madre Luna

Lone win came on turf and came on this hillside course, but you have to go back to Jan. 2012 to find it - and after that she was gone over a year; hasn't quite looked the same since; at least there's no panicky drop in for a tag by Julio and she did work strongly here Sept. 28; maybe returning to the hillside can snap her back to life...maybe.

Woodlandsway (GB)

Came from Europe, with a turf pedigree, yes, but note her lone win overseas came on synthetic; first 2 U.S. starts, both on the BHP sod this spring, weren't any great shakes; in her defense, not only were those her first U.S. starts but both came routing; well, she's been freshened and shortens up and maybe that's the answer, as is more time in the U.S. to get acclimated; gets blinks, too, and note how snappy the works have been of late.

Heat Trap

Set the pace in the mile Solana Beach on the DMR sod Aug. 18 and while unable to stay in the mix in the final furlong was not disgraced at all by some very tough gals; doesn't face anyone like that here; that was also her first route and Gaines has freshened her and moves her back to a sprint, with a big 1:12 work Sept. 25 in tow to indicate she's feeling good.

Spring Breeze

Romped over $20K foes on DMR's main track Aug. 7 and O'Neill saw fit to claim her; brought her back vs. much tougher (with no tag attached) again there Aug. 31 and she ws a respectable 5th; good to see no drop (he still does not risk her for a tag) and today's surface switch could be key; after all, she sure handled sod well at CNL a few months ago; Maldonado is back aboard and he was up for that smashing Aug. 7 win.

Llandudno

A couple sharp 2nds on DMR's main track in August stamp her one of the ones; remember, her lone win came on THIS surface; in fact it came on this EXACT surface when she won down the hill here April 12, so turf is no problem whatsover; figures to bide her time and finish, and there's ample pace in here to give her a target.

Brilliant Melody

Nice win on the DMR sod Aug. 8 shows she handles the footing; of course, that came vs. Cal-breds only - she then tried this level, open company there Aug. 21 and was a respectable 3rd; nice to see Leparoux sees fit to stay and she has some tactical speed and versatility.

Atta Girl Alma

Can't knock a gal who has 2 1sts and 4 2nds in her last 7 starts; OK, so there is a way - all that work has come vs. Cal-breds only and today she faces open foes; also, in 2 of those 2nds she got beat by gals she faces again today; at least she's run big down the hill and it's sure nice to see Bejarano stays with her.

Unseen Visitor

Whipped lesser on the BHP sod July 14; then tried DMR's main track and ran on decently for 4th (Llandudno was 2nd) but then found stakes foes on BSR's dirt track Sept. 6 too much to handle; back to turf with a nice work since and hot-riding Stevens takes the call; that being said, while it's sure nice to get Gary note Maldonado was up for her last 4...but today ends up on Spring Breeze instead, so read into that what you will. By Michael Hammersly

Race 7

Blue Tone

Not a bad race in five starts and he was an impressive winner in his latest at Del Mar; horse that beat him two back won his next start and then finished a respectable third in the Grade 1 Awesome Again; he ran well over this surface in his debut last April so the surface switch shouldn't be a problem; future looks bright for this lightly-raced 4-year-old; the pick.

Circle the Moon

It's been a while since he tried dirt but he ran a decent race the last time he ran over it in 2012; the winner of his race two back won a Cal-bred stakes in his next start and then just missed in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile; nice work Sept. 29 and he should get a nice trip from just off American Act who may or may not last; would like him a lot more if he wasn't coming off two poor races at Del Mar but the shape of the race should work for him; tough call.

Rousing Sermon

Nothing but solid efforts leading up to his latest where he got bogged down on the rail and when it looked like he wanted to get into the race he was forced to steady; toss the race and he looks like a player; he won here in April so he should be fine with the move back to dirt; Leparoux takes the call and note the strong jockey-trainer stats showing; contender.

Myhorseofcourse

5-year-old has been a pretty dull horse latetly and he will need to turn things around to make any kind of impact; he has won on dirt but his last win came in a $30K nonwinners of two at Gulfstream going 1 1/8 miles on turf; his career-best 70 Beyer Speed Figure on dirt just isn't going to cut it and it is hard to support him off what he has shown us lately; passing.

Royal F J

He won the last time he ran here but that was coming down the hill and he has never actually won a race on dirt; he was also a bit dull in his latest in a stakes at Barretts and the winner was coming off a third-place finish in a $50K claimer; there should be some speed coming back to him and it wouldn't be shocking to see him work his way into the bottom half of the exotics, though.

American Act

He almost won the Grade 2 San Vicente here in 2012 so we know he likes the surface and he is coming off a big race on Polytrack behind Soi Phet who came back to finish third behind Mucho Macho Man and Paynter in the Grade 1 Awesome Again; so far he hasn't been able to carry his speed around two turns but he hasn't had that many chances and he is a half to Grade 2 placed multiple route winner Night Party so the pedigree is there; he could be dangerous if he breaks alertly and clears early. By Randy Goulding

Race 8

Still Unbroken

Keyed Entry 1 for 27 with debuting juveniles; sire took debut at 2, won a Grade 2, banked over $300K; 2 for 26 dam won at 2; this is her first to race; like fact he at least trained this far.

Candy Anniversary

He lost best chance when off slowly to kick it off; dam was unraced; all 3 siblings won; 2 raced at 2 to no avail but both of those runners banked 6 figures; considering the drop, if he can run at 2, he figures to show it here.

Quietly Confident

Chhaya Dance 0 for 4 with debuting juveniles; 3 for 14 stakes winning sire didn't go at 2, earned nearly $100K; dam was unraced; lone sibling took one sprint as older horse; he looks fit enough.

Chatter Up

He just pressed the issue briefly at the beach; dam 0 for 7; this is her first to race; rider fresh from the Grade 1 success at Belmont last weekend; don't ignore.

Grifters Mark

Freezing on the board and then the van came out; 1 for 13 dam lost only start at 2; lone half sis to race Gallantly lost only try at 2, took 3 of 17, earned nearly $25K; may need even softer.

Flying Open

Seemed in a good spot at Pomona but lost it when he clipped heels; dam was unraced; lone half bro took debut at 2, lost next 21; blowout last Sunday suggests he could be on his toes here.

Black Tie

Runner has yet to really raise a gallop; dam was unraced; this is her first to race; back pretty quickly, needs a rebound effort.

Deli Dude

Gelding may have been intimidated by the rail; 3 for 20 dam earned over $100K, was 2nd in best juvenile moment; lone half bro to race took 2 sprints as older runner; gelding does seem realistically placed.

Clemkadiddlehopper

Eight clear in bow, but then he regressed in a slower affair; dam took debut at 2, went 1 for 21 after; 5 of 6 siblings won; 1 cashed at 2; top kin Classical Lady took 4 of 22, earned about $180K; legit player in all the slots.

Song of the Times

Plenty of lick so far, very little stick; dam took debut at 2, was out of the money in other 2 starts; one sibling lost only start; the other, Musical Miracle, won debut at 2 going 2 furlongs here in :21.50; could be more relaxed without the blinks; don't sell too short.

Runaway Que

Leading the Parade 1 for 16 debuting juveniles; SP sire took 2 of 18, earned almost $100K, was 2nd twice in best turf results; 2 for 5 dam earned $25K, didn't go at 2; this is her first to race; youngster looks fit enough. By Brian Mulligan