Santa Anita: Closer Looks for October 4, 2013

Race 1

Lovely in Laguna

Sire Surf Cat is 1 for first 14 (7%) with firsters, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 9 of 23 for $1 million, was a 6-time G2 SW, also G1 SP; dam's 1st foal to race; dam won 2 of 13 for $8K; showed some zip in LA works in June/July but then missed all of August in terms of works before 2 BSR works.

Patriot C H

Takes the most important drop in the game (straight maiden to maiden claiming); results weren't too hot in those 3 tries but she did show speed; freshened, moves down in class, Espinoza stays and the works of late are most encouraging; 3 sibs to race are winners including Lucky J. H. (8 wins, $632K, multiple SW including a G3).

Shand

Flashed talent at times and today's drop and return to this track may be key; after all, her best result came for $50K on this track a year ago when she was a sharp 2nd; was gone quite a while but 2 nice DMR 4ths encourages and it's nice to see Bejarano take the call.

Tizhardtoget

Debut here Feb. 16 wasn't much but she ran into monster and now G1 SW Midnight Lucky that day, and heck, it was just her debut and came vs. straight maidens; then came 3 months off and a better run (3rd) at BHP May 18, again vs. straight maidens; trouble is, now there's another layoff (almost 5 months) but she returns this time with a significant class drop and some snappy local works.

Sheza Eyeopener

DMR debut Aug. 31 vs. straight maidens wasn't very pretty but hey, it was just her debut so you can be forgiving; it also came vs. tougher; now gets a drop in class, a move to dirt and blinkers added; 3 of 5 sibs are winners including Kissamee Glitter (9 wins, $249K).

Elusive Luci

Some good speed shown in her straight maiden debut at DMR Aug. 11 before she weakened to finish 7th; still, that show of speed was encouraging and now with that under her belt comes a significant drop, and she's been working well over this track, too; that being said, note Bejarano was up that day but here ends up on Shand instead, so read into that what you will; 2 sibs are Judy Free Bird (5 wins, $48K) and Stormy Lucy (4 wins, $217K, SW, 2-time G1 SP and G2 SP on turf).

Perfect Tango

Debut at DMR Aug. 21 was encouraging; after all, she got away quite slowly then got squeezed back but kept to her task nicely, passing a number of rivals to finish 4th; OK, so she was never a threat but the way she finished was good; that being said, it came vs. cheaper ($20K) on synthetic, so she's up in price and trying new footing, and her 3 works here don't hint at a lot of speed.

Race 2

Magical Band

She might have a tactical advantage in this spot; she appears to have more speed than most of these and will be moving from five furlongs to six and a half panels; is a winner at the distance, and looks like the one these will have to catch; win candidate.

Minds Eyes

She follows a pattern that has worked for her in the past, moving from a win over Del Mar's main track to a downhill turf dash at SA; like that she scored in good time last out, and suspect she will once again be making her case in the lane; contender.

Purim's Dancer

She's well-proven at this trip, as a stakes winner who is also Grade 3-placed on the downhill course; has more natural speed than most of her rivals and could get an ideal tracking trip behind the rail-drawn Magical Band; does give up recency as she has not raced since May, but shows forward works for return; win candidate.

In the Stars (BRZ)

Another who gives up recency as this will be her first start since April; she shows a nice series of foundation works for her return for barn that excels with its comebackers; was multiple Group 1-placed in her native Brazil; stretch threat on turn back in distance.

A Time to Love

Yet another in here who is turning back in distance and note this will be her first out at SA; has some good turf sprint form to call upon, as she won under such conditions this past spring at Churchill Downs; also has worked sharply for first start since July.

Race 3

Behind the Bossman

Makes his first start after being claimed by Mullins who the past five years has a 24 percent strike with claimed horses running back the first time; he is also coming off a solid effort in a race that has produced a couple of next-out winners; the rail could be an issue but his strong five-furlong move over this surface Sept. 24 adds to his appeal; the pick.

Market Notes

Another one coming off two solid races and he was also claimed out of his latest; the past five years Conlon has a 27 percent strike rate running them back the first time; he ran well on dirt at Pleasanton and it is encouraging to see Bejarano retain the mount; contender.

Sams Blue Cat

Debuts for Diodoro who is 16 percent with first-time starting juveniles the past five years; Bluegrass Cat 16 percent with debuting 2-year-olds; stakes-winning dam won her 2-year-old debut and nine more races; lone sib has won 5 sprints; new jock on this circuit is capable; don't sell short.

Hobbits Hero

Aragorn 8/74 with first-time starting 2-year-olds; 5 winning sibs to report the best being full-brother Buds Pal who has won 4 races and earned $67K; the past five years Armstrong has a 24 percent strike rate with first-time starting 2-year-olds and her latest at Del Mar, Z Z Way, paid a big price with Gutierrez riding; interesting.

Khal Drogo

He doubled his Beyer Speed Figure in his second start when Lasix and blinkers were added so it wouldn't be surprising to see him continue to progress; he will need to take a substantial move forward to contend here, though; nice work over this track Sept. 7 but others look more attractive.

Silent Ruler

He never really got involved when he debuted in the same race Behind the Bossman exits but he is eligible to improve for Desormeaux who the past five years has an 18 percent strike rate with second-time starting 2-year-olds; both sibs to race are winners including 5-time sprint winner Tiz a Theme; looks like he might need at least one more race, though.

Burning

Makes his first start for Hollendorfer and he usually moves them up; slow start in his debut and he ran off before being loaded into the starting gate in his second try; winner of his debut finished second in the Grade 1 Hopeful in his next start; lone sib Treasury Bill placed in the Grade 2 San Vicente; no surprise if he makes an impact running for a tag the first time.

Matzoh Ball Magic

Latent Heat 15 percent with first-time starting juveniles; dam won going short, long and on turf; lone sib to race is a winner in Panama; works just average and Sherman not known for having his babies fully cranked first time out - 0/34 the past five years; passing;.

Race 5

Kilted Tilt (IRE)

Speedy filly makes her first start in a year while being offered for a tag for the initial time under this outfit's care; she was pretty good in her 2 tries over the course and her better numbers are a solid fit in here, but though she's been working well and long of late, have to wonder what she has left in her and if she's set to show it here; expect she'll at least be rolling early.

So She Dances

Had some trouble after breaking from the fence in her Del Mar main track finale and now she'll go back to the hill; mare does own a win over the local sod and she's been ok sprinting, but a minor award will likely prove to be her ceiling in this spot.

Sydney's Darling

Fresh filly drops in price for her first start off the barn's claim; she's got solid positional foot which should put her in a good spot early in here and she's run well down the hill in the past; with some solid interim drills in her she's one to consider.

Noise of the Crowd

Statebred didn't have enough late when beaten chalk on the turn back and surface switch against restricted runners at Del Mar 6 weeks ago; she remains winless on the year, but maybe the return to this course and trip helps her and she did work a nice half mile last weekend for this; contender.

Prima Gianna

Gets back to the lawn for the first time in a long while after a weak effort against better on the Golden Gate main track; maybe the drop to claimers helps, but her initial surface spin wasn't much and there's not a lot in her pedigree to suggest she improves much second over the stuff.

Quinnette

New outfit boasts a recent winner with a newly claimed runner and now they'll give this gal her first crack on the green; sire is 0 for 20 with his first time turfers and the dam never tried the footing prior to dropping a handful of winners who didn't get on the surface either; have to look elsewhere.

Catch Lorraine

Offered little in her first start in nearly a year and a half and now she's in for a tag for her return to the green; last week's work says she may be set to move forward second time back and her lone spin down the hill against better 3 starts back was pretty good.

No Tricks for Jack

She's had a little extra time since running down cheaper going long on the Del Mar main track; filly gets a confident hike in company for the surface switch and she is a turf winner, but her lone crack down the hillside course came at this level and it wasn't very impressive; siding against the repeat.

Smart Striking

She's another who has had a little time since her last Del Mar spin and she'll cut back to shorter trip in her return; mare boasts a solid off the pace kick and it does appear as if she'll get at least an honest clip in front of her; local slate isn't much, however.

Warren's Internet

Cal bred makes her surface debut while being offered for a straight tag for the initial time; filly is the first of her sire's runners to try the green and her dam's lone foal to try this footing scored 3 times over the stuff; may be worth a look at a big price for a barn that does well on the change in surface.

Promiscuoussuances

AE brings plenty of speed to the table and she loves the hillside course; expecting she'll have a little more to offer late on the cut back to this trip and the outside slot should help keep her out of trouble; it's been a while since she's won but we'll give her the nod to turn things around and get back on track if he draws in here.

Pebble Beach Baby

AE steps up to face older if she finds a way to meet the starter in here; filly didn't do much in her lone turf spin and she will move to a tricky course for this; dam did drop a couple of turf winners including G2 SP, 279K earner Yach Spotter, however, so maybe she deserves another crack over the footing.

Race 6

Ryderroo

Encouraged by the workout on the morning of 9/20; her sire was unraced (offspring of Game Plan have scored in 38 out of 311 initial attempts); the dam was also unraced; there are no winning siblings to mention.

Sagebrush Queen

Fairly even intervals to the work tab; her sire won a G2 and 282K (descendants of Unbridled Energy have scored in 5 of out of 119 debuts); the dam won 4 of 17 starts and 42K; this is her only foal to make it to the races.

Kana Flavor

Respectable showing a month ago but now she must cut back in distance; will benefit if Lucky Student sets a lively pace; should offer a square price and seems worth following up if that is the case.

Chumash

Adds blinkers after commendable maiden voyage where she might have been compromised by the rail slot, causing a slow getaway; note vast improvement to the latest drill at five-eighths and that might enable her to handle this class hike.

Italian Harmony

Like the workout pattern for this returning lass; her sire won 6 of 20 races and 331K while the dam involved never competed; among the winning siblings is 487K earner Italian Rules; interesting item.

Swiss Heart

Beginner was sired by G1 type Swiss Yodeler who amassed 761K and whose progeny have won more than 11 percent of their first races; the dam never raced; sib to 14K bankroller My Pal Val.

Lucky Student

She has the best first gear of those who have raced; held well in that July getaway race and has valuable experience over this course; upgraded in the latest a.m. move as well and should be part of your exotic wagering approach.

Truly Awesome

Makes her belated 2013 debut after tiring early in her maiden voyage of long ago; her sire won 2 of 6 starts and 98K while the dam did not race; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; latest work was upbeat.

Run Sophia Run

Turned in a fair showing in her most recent test but must avoid drifting which was the case in that effort; this trainer/jockey combo has established a solid win percentage and the filly could work out an ideal stalking trip here.

Race 7

Sinfully

A number of these come out of the same Aug. 24 race at DMR at this level but going just a mile, and the top 6 finishers ended up within 1 1/4 lengths of one another at the wire; this guy, however, may have been best; was well back early and then when making a run into the lane had all sorts of traffic issues; gets more ground today and that plus the rail draw may be just what the Dr. ordered.

Blazing Lute

7th in his only turf try, but that was in that common Aug. 24 race so many of these exit and this guy dueled and was beaten just 2 lengths; that was not only his first turf try but his first route; in other words, he can surely improve, and he doesn't have to be on the lead - after all, his prior 2 races showed ample off-the-pace ability.

Very Unusual

5th, part of that blanket photo Aug. 24 at DMR, beaten less than a length; that was sure a nice move forward in his 2nd start after 9 months off; when he came back in a DMR main-track race July 21 he ran poorly (12th) but was claimed by Hajek who then put him on turf, to a route, took over blinkers, moved him up in class (to where they couldn't lose him via a claim) and he ran well; best work has come on turf and his speed should have him prominent from the bell.

As Good as Gold

Pressed the pace for $35K on turf at DMR July 20 but weakened late; that run came vs. 3yos only so today he's asked to face elders; hasn't run since but has been working steadily; does have some speed but surely the guy to his left is quicker, and this guy has had issues holding on going shorter so today's longer trip may be more of a hurdle.

Cinco de Mario

That's a real tough pro he chased at DMR Sept. 4 (Te Rapa, a 5-time winner) but was not disgraced at all when 3rd; remember, too, he had a bad draw and that was his first run vs. winners; gets a better draw today and drops and he's got the tactical speed to be in a good spot without being a need-the-lead type; quite playable.

Poshsky

Sire Vronsky is 4 for first 31 (over 12%) first time on turf, gets over 13% overall turf winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 3 of 11 for $135K, all 3 wins on turf; dam's 1st foal to race; dam was 3-0-1-1 for $8K, never ran on turf; looked super blasting maidens on BSR dirt Sept. 20, and that came at this distance so obviously the surface suits; still, it's first time vs. winners and first time turf so there are hurdles to be sure.

Two Term Leader

Finished the best (2nd) of the many runners in here who ran in that tough Aug. 24 race at DMR; stlaked the pace and kept to his task well, and he did have to wait a bit for room into the lane and that may have cost him; ample tactiacl speed to be in a good spot and that was also his first run in over 2 months so he can move forward.

Copper Bay

Was away very slowly in a $32K mile turf race at DMR Aug. 21 and couldn't overcome the deficit; to his credit he at least passed a few to end up 6th; very nice to see Mitchell not only saw fit to claim him (21% off a claim) but brings him back without a tag attached; horse broke his maiden on this course in the spring, and that DMR race was his first action in 3 months so he has a right to move forward.

Tommy O

Showed good turf form at MTH in the spring, came West and after 2 months off faced many of these in that same Aug. 24 race at DMR and finished nicely to be 6th, beaten just 1 1/4 lengths; that was an encouraging first try in his new surroundings and Stevens stays put; all that being said, he's stuck outside today so he'll have to avoid getting hung out to dry but you have to like that in 3 turf starts he's put in a nice rally in each.

My Friend Jimmy

AE was a sharp 4th in that common Aug. 24 DMR race; that was not only his first start out West but it was his first action in a couple months; it was also a nice move forward after he seemed a tad dull in Kentucky in the spring; could be he really likes his new surroundings.

Magnum Force

AE was claimed for $25K by Keen (16% off a claim) when a non-threatening 7th at BSR Sept. 18; remember, though, BSR can be a very tough place if you don't handle the turns or get the right trip; now Keen not only brings him back in a spot where he can't lose him via a claim but moves him to turf; trouble is, this guy's 3 turf starts weren't too hot (9th, 5th, 9th).

Hoosier Diddy

AE appears to be an outsider; maiden win came on GG's synthetic track May 19 but his 6 starts since vs. winners weren't very pretty at all as he was no factor in any of those, and 5 of those came vs. lesser, restricted claimers; also, in his only 2 turf starts, including his most recent outing at GG Sept. 14 he was no factor in either, finishing 5th each time.

This One's for Mel

AE would be scary if he goes; off his maiden win on the TAM sod March 29 he came west and his 4 tries vs. winners were all very smart; 3yo faces elders today after running 3rd vs. 3yos only at DMR Aug. 31 but that was a real tough 3yo race he tried; previous 3 came at this level and he was in the thick of it each time; 3 nice Sept. moves say he's doing well.