Santa Anita: Closer Looks for October 31, 2013

Race 2

One More Wild Ride

Pattern is a bit worrisome; showed talent in Florida this spring, then came West and didn't run badly at DMR; however, she then fizzled on turf there, came here and ran even worse (last of 11) in a dirt sprint at this level Oct. 6; at least Mulhall isn't giving up on her - she does not drop her in for a tag; there are 3 nice works since and Talamo stays, but the way she faltered last time is disconcerting and her only prior route (on turf) didn't exactly get the pulse racing either.

Frandontjudge

Like the way she whipped maidens sprinting here Oct. 3; O'Neill risked her for a tag in her first 3 starts but he takes no such risk with her today; of course, there are 2 big hurdles: first time vs. winners and first time routing; however, none of her foes are monsters and she's bred all over to actually prefer this longer game; Bejarano stays, too.

Miss Fast Eddie

Maiden facing winners; that wouldn't be so bad except she come out of a mile race where she was a so-so 5th and was beaten easily by 2 of today's foes; did flash talent in her BSR debut Sept. 11 but that was sprinting so she's dealing with new territory in terms of distance, and of course facing winners as a maiden is no bargain.

Hot Bride

Came out firing to win her debut at DMR July 19; first try vs. winners came on dirt at BSR and she was no factor but hey, tht was her first try vs. winners, BSR can be a tough place for a horse with its tight turns, and a troubled start didn't help; freshened a bit since and there's no drop by Baffert; certainly bred to handle this distance and surface just fine being by wonderful all-purpose sire Unusual Heat.

Back to Life

Maiden facing winners but she comes off a very nice 2nd on this track at this trip, less than a length behind today's foe Appearance, who figures as one of the 2 favorites in here; so if that gal is a player here - and she is - then doesn't it follow this gal can be, too?; darn right it does, even though she's a maiden; though that good Oct. 14 effort has been the exception and not the rule for her so far.

Appearance

Baffert thought enough of her to try her in a stakes at BSR Sept. 13; OK, so that didn't go so well; however, he brought her here, put her back in vs. maidens, moved her to a mile, took off the blinks and wham!; she jumped up with a very nice victory; obviously handles the track and trip and there's a real nice work since; that being said, Bejarano was up that day but ends up on Frandontjudge today instead, so read into that what you will.

Susans Express

Won at first asking on DMR's Polytrack Aug. 30; came here for a sprint at this level Oct. 6 but after dueling early gave way; certainly bred to handle this longer trip and maybe the jock change can keep her from dueling; still, the footing is a question mark - dad was best as a turfer and his get seem to do best on grass and synthetic, obviously neither of which applies here today.

Race 4

Tax Enough

Tries a dirt route for the first time but has now shown much in the way of finishing kick since crossing the pond; recent workout activity is ordinary and even with the rail advantage, he does not seem like a primary contender today.

Hold Everything

Respectable debut race where he chased the pace until the final furlong; his sire won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and 1.26 million; the dam won 5 of 16 and 171K; there are no winning siblings to mention; playable.

Sir Macho

Newcomer was sired by Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Macho Uno who banked 1.26 million (his progeny have scored first out 12 percent of the time); the dam won 6 of 40 and 199K; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Kristo

Despite failing at 3 to 5 in his initial pair, he improved significantly in that second run; his sire won multiple G2s and 769K; the dam won 3 of 8 and 132K; winning siblings include 91K earner Ivy Connection.

Cautious Giant

Tries blinkers after quitting early on the turf a month ago but did suffer through a wide path that day; subsequent a.m. moves are fair and he should be able to stay within striking range here, perhaps making first run on Hold Everything.

Silent Ruler

Very tough beat earlier in the month when facing claimers; his sire won a G1 and 1.22 million; the dam went zero for 2 lifetime; among the winning siblings is 76K earner Tiz a Theme; cannot be discounted.

Juliet's Tizzy

Beginner was sired by Tiznow, who twice won the Breeders' Cup Classic while amassing 6.42 million (his offspring have scored in 44 out of 590 initial starts); the dam won 4 of 8 and 184K; winning sibs include 127 earner Mr. Beer Goggles.

Race 5

Relentless Heat

Maybe if this stakes placed performer can flashback to one of his better performances he can have a say in the outcome, but this stone-cold closer is going to need to show more than he has in his recent attempts to get the job done.

Goodbye Charlie

He might be able to prove to be an early pace factor, and that might be a bit of a question with the blinkers coming off, but he's never run a race that is fast enough to suggest that he has what it takes to get the better of these; he has the look of an outsider.

Carbonite

Stakes winning veteran enters this race off of a performance that was well below par for him, but he's clearly capable of making noise at this level of competition on his best day, and he has run some nice races down the hill in his career; must consider.

Hotradamus

If you're looking for the best last race Beyer Speed Figure in here, he has it, and he earned that figure over this turf course and at today's distance; not sure what to make of him being offered up for 32k today, but he clearly has to be regarded as a contender.

Bank the Eight

Veteran boasts a career best Beyer Speed Figure of 109 but his one start over turf wasn't one of his better performances, and his recent form hasn't been anywhere near his best; prefer to look toward others.

Dashing Ash

He deserves another chance to show what he can do over turf, and when seeing how much his form has improved lately, he can be viewed in the light of a contender; however, he seems to be at his best when he's involved in the running early on, and the early pace figures to be fast and contested.

Romeo Royale

He didn't run poorly when turned back in distance in his latest outing, but he did finish behind today's rival Mr. Bossy Pants in that race, and he'll have to be sharper if he's to threaten the top contenders in this spot.

Koast

Have to respect the fact that Sadler sees fit to reach out to Rosario for this, and if this stakes placed colt can regain some of the sharper form he displayed earlier in the year, he can have a say in the outcome; the drop to the 32-28k claiming level might be just what he's looking for.

Warren's Jeff G.

His best effort appears to be short of the mark of what it will take to win this and this has to be considered a tough spot for his first start sprinting over turf; he has the look of an outsider.

Mr. Bossy Pants

Tough to ignore his 11-for-23 race record and he's 7-for-19 over turf, including 6 of 12 over the Santa Anita turf; he's ideally drawn in the outside post at this trip and he figures to sit a favorable trip just off of the early leaders while racing in the clear throughout; obvious threat.

Meringue Pie (GB)

He's going to need to see a scratch from the main body of the race in order to draw in and he's going to have to be ready to show up with the sharpest performance of his career if he's planning on having a say in the outcome.

Major Magic

Gryder was aboard for a near-miss effort in his latest outing and that was his first start for this barn after being claimed for 25k two starts back; minor stakes winner will need to see a few of these show up with less than their best to have a chance at the top spot.

Bergman

His latest start was one of his better recent performances, but he finished behind a couple of today's rivals in that spot, and it is going to take a much sharper showing to get the better of this bunch.

Trelawny

Stakes placed veteran beat a few of these in his latest outing, but he is going to need to be ready for better while stepping up in class, and note that he was claimed away from the Mullins barn.

Race 6

Drill

Been facing some real tough customers; still, it's a tad worrisome that after a nice 2012 (G3 SW) things haven't gone well in 2013 (0 for 7, just 1 3rd); Beyers have actually remained fairly level so maybe it's simply a matter of getting away from those graded stakes guys; and you can forgive that BSR run as he got away slowly, was side and was dealing with a track that's not easy to deal with; maybe the move to this level and this longer trip can get him back on track...maybe.

Summer Hit

OK, so he apparently found his ceiling; held strong form for a long time, using his speed to be right in the thick of things from the start; well, he tried the G1 Awesome Again here Sept. 28 but those waters were too deep; moves to a much better level and a better trip, too; bullet work at BHP Oct. 24 helps negate fears that Awesome Again run may have taken something out of him; that being said, there's other speed signed up here (Soi Phet, Majestic City) but he may be quicker than those 2 so it's not out of the question he can open up some early and dictate how this game is played.

Rousing Sermon

Former G1 SP runner didn't quite turn out to be a big-time stakes horse, but he can still do some damage in the right spot; well, this may be such a spot; looked super powering home to win here Oct. 3 after 2 months off; 3 of 4 wins have come here and he may fall into a dream trip here stalking ample speed, ready to pounce when Julien gives him the cue.

Rail Trip

Once would have humbled these; alas, he's an 8yo now and isn't that G1 horse any longer; that's certainly understandable; trouble is, his 3 starts this year make you wonder if he has enough in the tank to be a factor vs. this kind; hey, these guys may not be the game's best, but they're no patsies by any means so a turnaround is required if he's to have any sorta shot; at least Bejarano must think so as he takes the call.

Soi Phet

Really came into his own this year; rattled off 4 straight wins before finding the G1 Awesome Again waters too deep; even so, he was not disgraced by 2 horses who will be going in Saturday's G1 BC Classic; ample speed to be in a good spot from the start, likely stalking/pressing 'Hit, and not only will the drop out of a G1 help but so too will the move back to this mile trip (3 for 5).

Majestic City

Have to go back to the summer of 2011 to find his last win; form has been spotty since at best; did post a nice 2nd to top-class Paynter at BHP June 14 (104 Beyer) and wasn't a bad 5th in the G2 Pat O'Brien at DMR; however, he was no factor at any point in the grassy Eddie D. (was eased) and now they move to dirt (well beaten 6th in only dirt try) and to a mile and he's a big question mark with regard to both these days.

Race 7

Horsesanddivorces

Hood goes on for her second crack down the hill this stand and now he'll move back in with restricted runners; her lick should make her prominent from the bell in a field without a lot of early lick and maybe that helps her last longer this time; one to run down.

Cotton's Point

Tries the hill for the first time after a slow start did her in from the inside draw on the main track; her lone turf sprint try was solid and when right she poses a nice off the pace kick; with Rosario taking the call she's worth a look to bounce back.

Oscillator

Found herself much further out of it earlier than usual on the main track last time and ran out of ground; return to the lawn may help her some in a field that doesn't look to feature a lot of speed so expect she'll also be able to stay more involved from the bell; with a top surface pilot taking the call she figures dangerous in the lane.

J and S Express

Hood comes off for her return to the lawn after another also ran effort on the main track, this time up north at Fresno; mare gets back in with statebreds but hasn't done much on the green and hasn't really been a serious threat since taken by this barn in the summer; passing.

Another Flashback

Router turns back to try the hill for the initial time while also moving back in with statebreds; filly has been solid since moved to the lawn and she does own numbers that would put her in the mix here; with a fresh maiden score to her credit she's one to consider.

Heat Du Jour

Loses her pilot but picks up Bejarano for her first hillside start since the spring when her late running style didn't earn her much; filly does go for a barn that's profitable with its turns backs and maybe she'll have a little more to offer in the lane today; giving her the nod to run them down.

Chimi Dee

She was right there until midstretch when making her first start back from 5 months on the shelf in the local route a couple of weeks back; 4 year old earned a big number down the hill in the spring and though she settles for plenty of minor awards she does have a right to move forward with her last behind her; contender.

Puff Pastry

Broke herm maiden down the hill 8 months ago and hasn't been a threat in any of her 3 subsequent sprints spins with winners; maybe the time off since Del Mar has served her well and the return to this configuration helps, but she's got some improving to do in order to get in the mix here.

Vegas Rules

Shipped upstate to score over Tapeta early last month and has been given some time to recover from the effort; neither of her turf spins was much and though she wasn't beaten much at the level 3 back, don't know that she's going to go so well in her first try down the tricky hill; prefer to side against the repeat.

Luckyvic

Outside drawn mare did little in her return from the freshening at Hollywood and was again given some time off that one; she did run well over the course in the spring and though she'll try a different configuration in this spot she was a solid third sprinting back in the spring.

Luxuriance

AE is working well for her first start in nearly 3 months for an outfit that boasts a winner from limited starters at the stand; filly has shown some positional foot at times and that could help her in a field without a lot of early lick, but she hasn't run so well at the local sod and has been stuck in this condition for a long time.

Marina Del Heat

AE got her neck down to beat open starter allowance runners when stretched out a couple of weeks back; filly does enter this on the improve and maybe she has more to offer late on the turn back to this trip.

Suances Flower

AE held on to score after fighting every step of the way against claimers at Fairplex; she'll return to statebred competition for the first time since the beginning of the year here; she owns a winning sod effort that's off the page now but it earned her a career best number; local course record does leave a lot to be desired.

Promiscuoussuances

AE is mired on the list and not likely to get in, but if she does find a way to go the shades will go back on; she loves the course and trip and will likely be able to make the lead in a field without much front end speed signed on; they'll have to run her down if she starts.

Race 8

Stepinmoon

Randy's Moon one for 7 with debuters; sire won only start here in 2009 in a maiden $62.5K claimer with an 81 Beyer; dam took one sprint in her career; lone half sis took one for 11, banked about $25K; miss does look fit enough.

Rich in Tradition

She has had her chances but is coming off one of her better Beyers; the 8/28 place horse graduated next out in this league with a 48 Beyer and the winner repeated in a $40K starter, then ran out of the money in an N1X fray; backers can point to fact there are several multiple race winners in the tree including a $115K earner; at least her best race was local.

Valarta

Seldom like to see multiple defeats at Pomona and she just took a step backward in last; she was losing ground two back at the shorter distance; not seeing it.

Sheza Eyeopener

Been a bad actress at the gate so far; dam was unraced; 3 of 5 siblings won including 9 for 48 racer and near $250K earner Kissamee Glitter; backers have to hope the drop shakes her up.

Glad's Gals

She could have sulked after bobbling in last but she kept to her task in a pretty nice try; if you figure she just needed the last then a case can be made for a move forward; a repeat of the beach finale and the rest may be looking at minor awards.

Charger Girl

Off a career effort but she never really threatened the winner; there are several winners in the tree but none were special; with her style, backers have to hope they go bonkers early and the race falls completely apart.

Frannie'sspirittoo

Can't fault those that are gun shy with 3 chalk flops in last 4; miss did show some energy in the bullet blowout on the 25th; could see her sitting a nice stalk and pounce trip; overdue.

Speedy Vixen

Miss loses 20 times and fans jump on 5-1; what s up with that?; at least she made the middle move to get within a length of the leader in last; still, not my kind of play.

Sophie's Secret

Sadler tinkers with blinkers and maybe miss just needed the last race; the 8/9 show horse graduated next out in this league at Pomona with a 55 Beyer; connections wouldn't mind if she starts acting like 7 for 42 sibling and near $125K earner Topper s Movin; beaten chalk in 6 of 8 in her career; that's a tough stat to hang you hat on.

Ilovefools

Include about 11% with debuters in a 392-runner sample; sire was third in best result in 2 starts at 2, earned over $1.6 million, was best long; stakes winning 2 for 15 dam banked over $160K; 3 of 5 siblings won; top kin Anni's Jackpot took 6 of 33, banked about $40K; note gap in published moves till 10/20.

Magic Number

Toss the grass races and the form brightens; the two winners in the tree won multiple times each in Japan; never thrilled to see defeats at Pomona; at least she has shown the ability to pass horses; must be left in the exotic conversation at least.

Bright Town

She has trained solidly since clipping heels; 3 for 15 dam banked $65K; one of 3 siblings won; that runner, Cutter, took 4 of 30, banked over $100K; works this month have been solid; in for 13K more than purchase price; must hurry.

Dulcemia

Even after the decent 4th two back, fans backed off to the tune of 36-1 and they were dead on the money; at least she had the two races to draw from now; could sneak in for a slice.

Uniformly Yours

Wraps added two back, now blinks make up the equation; she has a ton of work to do to match top siblings and near $230K earner Sans Souci Island; trainer has spotted them just fine this year with limited starters; drawn right, interesting.