Santa Anita: Closer Looks for October 6, 2013

Race 1

Royaly Dunn

Decent even effort first time out while racing wide; her sire won 3 of 34 starts and 153K while the dam was without a victory in 5 attempts; among the winning siblings is 12K earner Poker Queen; showed some improvement in latest a.m. move.

Inherit the Throne

Unlucky filly returns from a vacation and may finally work out a comfortable trip; her latest workout was a distinct upgrade and she switches to apprentice handling here; a generous price on the board seems likely.

Kopper Kitty

Newcomer hails from G3 victor Old Topper who netted 655K and whose progeny have done well first time out, winning 59 out of 363; the dam went zero for 4 lifetime; winning siblings include 57K earner Ambassy.

Miss Fast Eddie

Game to capture the place last month but against weaker competition; her sire won a G1 and 837K overall; the dam lost her only attempt; among the winning siblings is 7K bankroller Run to Ground.

Vegas Bound

This lass should benefit today by the lack of known pace opposition; she was involved in a lengthy duel in her last assignment yet still was good enough to hold the place; recent works are modest yet she still seems a viable candidate.

Grammy Big Mouth

In her debut race, she lost serious ground when outfinished by She's Flush; her sire won a G2 and 155K while the dam won 2 of 4 and 69K; winning siblings include 178K earner Grammy Small Mouth; latest drill at five-eighths was respectable.

Water Issues

Adds blinkers after disappointing in that July getaway race while the 8 to 5 favorite; her sire won a G2 and 1.51 million while the dam scored in 13 of 46 races earning 383K; sib to 76K earner Flying Home; worth some follow-up.

Marla Hooch

She had a legitimate excuse in that first defeat; her sire won 464K including G1 success while the dam was unraced; winning siblings include 26K earner Camila Carlotta; difficult to judge off that one performance.

Sweet Lips Pooh

Returns to the claiming realm where she turned in a solid placing 3 starts back under today's scheduled pilot; most recent work was an improvement and she should offer fair betting value; consider.

She's Flush

Familiar by now with breaking from wide posts, she could be chasing softer fractions today than in recent assignments and move forward; blew out nicely on 9/28 and lands into a field with little know early zip; can make first run on Vegas Bound.

Race 2

Cyclometer

Looked like a comer for Headley last year and into this year but then he found the G1 Triple Bend waters too deep, then tried a turf route at about this level at DMR July 17 and found that a tad too tough, though he didn't run badly; freshened since and back to what is likely his best game and best footing, but could it be he's always going to find someone just a smidge too tough at this level, hmmmm?

Declassify

Also entered in Saturday's G1 SA Sprint Championship; 2 starts, 2 romping wins so he would fit in that race; still, that would be a very tough spot for a horse who's run just twice and who hasn't run at all in over 4 months; after that big BHP win June 8 the target was the G1 King's Bishop; those plans didn't work out but he's worked superbly of late and that BHP win looks better when you note 2 of the 3 he beat that day came right back to win including runner-up Gonna Fly Now (won his next start and was then 3rd in the G2 Pat O'Brien at DMR Aug. 25).

Majestic Stride

Considering he'd been gone so long (over 18 months) that return win at BSR Sept. 7 was a beaut; it certainly showed he's doing well and that whatever sent him to the sidelines for so long left no lingering effects; that being said, the Beyer wasn't much (76) and he's facing much, much tougher this time around; but hey, at least he came back firing and is certainly eligible to vault forward.

Salutos Amigos

Big maiden win here Feb. 9 shows he likes this place and has some game (earned a 94 Beyer); 3rd in the G1 Amsterdam at SAR July 28 shows he's still got oomph (98 Beyer), even if his last 2 starts back east weren't very pretty; not only returns to SoCal but gets a class drop, though if Declassify ends up going in here it won't be as much of a drop as it might otherwise be.

Persuasive Paul

Finished full of run to easily win the TUP Derby Feb. 23 and it looked like he might take a swing at the Derby trail, even if he would have been a longshot; however, he hasn't been seen since, so that type of layoff, off that type of win is a bit worrisome; let's face it, you don't take a horse who seemed to be peaking, as he was, and put him away this long without good reason; worked steadily for this but his best work has also come routing so could this simply be more of a prep before the stretchout, hmmmm?

Mile High Magic

Flashed plenty of talent in 2012 but came back in the G2 San Fernando here this winter, was eased and hasn't been seen since; at least working well and there's not drop in for a tag; also nice to see Bejarano take the call, an dhe was up for this guy's nice win at BHP June 9 and for this guy's top Beyer there July 8 (ran 2nd, earning a 101 Beyer); certainly if he comes back to top form he can be a factor, but that's no small 'if', is it?

Race 3

Aotearoa

Sire Good Journey gets over 19% first time turf winners, over 14% overall turf winners, according to DRF sire stats; sire won 7 of 16 for $1.6 million, all 7 wins on turf including the G1 Atto Mile, 3 G2s, 3rd in G1 BC Mile; dam's 1st foal; dam won 2 of 11 for $58K, had 2 3rds in 4 turf tries; maiden win at DMR was a beaut but didn't far so well as the heavy chalk (9-10) in the I'm Smokin Sept. 2; far too early to give up on, there's a bullet work since and he's bred for this.

Indexical

Sire Latent Heat gets over 11% first time turf winners, over 12% overall turf winners; sire won 6 of 12 for $450K, won G1 Malibu, was G2 SW/SP, never tried turf; dam's 4 foals are all winners including Master Achievement (5 wins, all on turf, $130K); dam won 1 of 7 for $85K, never tried turf; found the G1 DMR Futurity waters a bit too deep, but in his defense he dueled from the start so he had a right to tire; in fact, pretty much all the speed tired that day; bullet work here Sept. 28 on turf sure bodes well.

Got Shades

Comes here as a proven commodity on turf in the south, and that includes 2 SWs on the LAD sod; faces some tough customers here but at least you know the footing suits and you have to like that big :46.80 move here Sept. 30, too; still, he didn't see anyone like 'Bachelor down in the bayou, did he?

Diamond Bachelor

No doubt the one to beat; made his Aug. 8 debut on the DMR sod with a gaudy reputation and he showed why, blasting maidens; cost $570K and now you can see why, too; came back to whip foes in a turf stakes there Sept. 4; plenty of speed in his arsenal and obviously the distance is no issue; 3 big recent works say he's doing well, though do remember that while they want to win the main purpose of this race is to send him into the BC Juvenile Turf here next month breathing fire.

Home School (IRE)

Plenty of good work in Ireland and he came to the U.S. and gamely chased 'Bachelor in the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf; while that 3rd was nice he was still no threat to 'Bachelor (beaten 5 1/4 lengths) and must deal with him again; on the other hand, he surely needed that first U.S. try and can definitely move forward, and you have to love the way he worked here Sept. 28 (4fs in :47.60).

Station House

Debut was a beaut at DMR July 24 as he led all the way to win easily on turf at this trip; that sent him into the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf seemingly a huge threat to 'Bachelor (was sent off at less than 5-2); alas, he was rank, had to steady and never really settled or looked comfortable and he was eased in the lane; the good news is his Hall of Fame trainer, a real sharp guy, still opted to put him in this spot, knowing full well he'd be running headlong into 'Bachelor again; in other words, Mandella isn't giving up on this guy, neither is Stevens, who stays, so you probably shouldn't either; a most viable alternative if you don't want 'Bachelor's short price.

Race 4

Ajac

Brave in defeat last time out when losing in a blanket finish and he continues his pattern of monthly racing here; finally draws inside and, despite Bejarano opting elsewhere, can stretch out with effectiveness.

Cinmars Dance

Closed with a rush when facing claiming stock last month; his sire won 2 of 3 and 98K while the dam scored in 2 of 13 appearances earning 32K; among the winning siblings is 63K earner Depth; extension in distance should help matters.

Charisma Code

Right behind Ajac in their last encounter; the grey lost more ground than that rival in that sprint assignment and can awaken now in a route affair; last month, he trained at longer distances in preparation for this test.

Grazenette

Respectable finish in her maiden voyage when capturing the show; her sire won a G3 and 245K while the dam won 3 of 10 and 100K; among the winning siblings is 93K earner Gracias; must avoid another slow getaway.

Smogcutter

Did not have a smooth trip second time out after flashing fair fighting speed in his debut; his sire won multiple G2s and 1.12 million while the dam went zero for 3; among the winning siblings is 11K winner Tiz Heat.

Mahalo Arturo

Progeny of Square Eddie, who won a G1 and 837K in total, are 1 for 7 as far as winning their first race; the dam was zero for 11; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate; a long series of workouts at five-eighths to consider.

Even to the Moon

The scheduled blinker removal may allow this colt to relax after being involved in a pace battle last time out; his sire won a G3 and 150K while the dam was without a tally in 5 attempts; this is her sole foal to compete; obvious true contender but a likely underlay.

Electric Eddie

See Mahalo Arturo, above, for information about the same sire; the dam involved won 1 of 7 and 24K; this is her only foal to rate; showed much more prompting speed in the latest run and can prove to be the right value play today.

Mosso

Outside post can pose real problems in this, his first route assignment; on the plus side: workout activity during the last few weeks is above average; might be able to stay within striking range therefore at a very generous price.

Race 5

Snuggley Bear

Showed good speed between runners in his Del Mar main track sprint debut and now he'll try the hill for an outfit that hasn't had much luck with runners switching to the green of late; sire gets just 7% winners from his initial surface starters and this guy is the first foal to race out of a dam who never tried the stuff; top turf pilot does get aboard and this colt's speed could take him a long way in a field without much grass experience.

Silver Torch

Didn't have much to offer after tracking from a wide spot at Del Mar first time out and now he'll get a new pilot for the move to the green; he worked a solid half mile last weekend for this and though the sire gets just 6% first time surface winners from his offspring, the dam dropped a couple of turf winners including multiple G3 SW turfer and 471K earner Political Attack, so he has a right to improve over the footing.

Testify Under Oath

Sire is 1 for 2 with his debut runners and this is his first to try the green; he's the first foal to race out of a SP dam who won first out and banked 176K while finishing third in her lone turf start; barn knows how to get them ready and they've worked him long of late.

Mr. Cactus

Offered little when dropped in for a tag on the Del Mar main track after a couple of weak tries against MSWs on the lawn; new outfit boasts some recent success with its claims right back and this guy did work an ok half mile last week; he's the most experienced turfer in here, but he'll need to improve to have a say in the outcome.

My Secret Affair

Took all the money in the key first out Del Mar sprint but lost his best shot immediately after the break; colt did show the ability to pass runners late after getting run off his feet early in that one and his sire gets nearly 11% winners from his initial turf starters; G3 SP dam hit the board twice without winning on the green and did drop a surface winner; encouraging to see Bejarano stick; consider.

Gravity Force

Flashed solid lick before fading first out at Del Mar and now he'll give the hill a shot for a barn that does ok with its first turfers; dam and her other foal to race never tried the green and this guy's sire gets 10% first time surface winners from his offspring; should again have some speed to offer.

Toowindytohaulrox

Wide trip didn't help him much first out at Del Mar but he's returned to work sharply on the local main track for his turf debut and the barn boasts some recent luck with its runners who have had the initial experience behind them; sire gets 12% winners from his first time turfers and he's the first foal to race out of a dam who was winless from 3 sod spins.

Dothraki

Nothing in 2 synthetic spins and now he'll give the hill a shot; sire gets 12% first surface winners from his offspring; dam was a G1 SW sprinter and 441K earner but was off the board in her lone turf try and her foals are a combined 0 for 4 on the green in the states.

Number Five

Debuts for an outfit that's profitable both right out of the box and with their initial turf starters; sire gets 9% debut winners and 7% first time surface winners from his offspring; limited route winning dam finished second once in 2 turf starts prior to dropping winners from each of her 3 foals to race inclduing G3 SP, 3 time turf winner and 267K earner Trend.

Race 7

South Sound

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam won 6 of 21 starts for 143k, including 2 of 8 turf starts for 52k; 200k purchase has some early speed to throw at these after breaking from the rail post.

Pleasant Miss

She finished behind a couple of these in her latest outing, and of the horses entering this race out of the sixth race at Del Mar on September 2, it's just tough to look past Clenor; she merits consideration underneath in the exotics.

Clenor (IRE)

She enters this race fresh off of an impressive stakes score and she beat a couple of today's rivals in that race; it's tough to knock anything she's done in her first two starts in America and going to look for her to be tough to deny once again today.

Miss Lafayette

Like to see that she made her turf debut a winning one when breaking her maiden in her latest outing but she's going to need a stronger performance if she's planning on making noise in this tough spot; her dam won 7 of 24 turf starts for 164k.

Feature Attraction

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam was winless from two starts, and she didn't make a start over turf; she's going to need to improve in her turf debut in order to contend and it might be worth noting the presence of Nakatani aboard another in here.

Tiz the Key

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 12 starts for 63k, including 3 of 7 turf starts for 48k; this is a tough spot for her turf debut but this 330k purchase has shown a good deal of ability in her first two career starts.

Miss Machiavelli

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; she beat a couple of these when stretched out in distance at second asking and she has a turf leaning pedigree.

Colonel Joan

Sire has won with 2 of 9 (22%) turf starters and dam was winless from seven starts, including two turf starts; late running type might not mind a move to turf and Gomez is one of the best at timing a late run.

Nesso

Have to respect what she's done in her first two starts and she looks like she's going to prove to be a sharp 25k claim for her current connections, but she wasn't a match for today's rival Clenor in her latest outing.

Come On Alannah

Sire wins with approximately 15% of his turf starters and stakes placed dam won 9 of 21 starts for 291k, including 2 of 10 turf starts for 120k; this is her first start beyond six furlongs and she's an early speed type who doesn't figure to be able to catch an early breather.

Race 8

E Equalsmcsquared

Lone race on dirt was a blowout win at 1.5F shorter than this; stakes-placed at today's distance on synthetic; the 2-back runner-up finisher scored next out in a DMR Grade 1 with an 80 Beyer speed figure; 24%-winning route-to-sprint trainer since 2012 adds to the appeal.

Wild Marini

Defeated the show and 6th-place finishers from last who Beyered 51-41 in next-out BSR-32K-maiden claimers; scored right on the lead on a synthetic surface; now switches to dirt with an extra half fulong while facing winners for the 1st time; has many new challenges on tap for this.

Whatsallthedrama

1st dirt start and the surface switch is the biggest ?; 39 days since the runner-up stakes finish coming off a maiden-claiming win where she snuck through the claim box; latest-gate workout was the best on her tab for this while the 35%-winning DMR jockey-trainer combo adds to the appeal.

Good Proof

Held on at shorter in her 1st dirt start but adding 2F onto last does not add to the appeal; stretches out to her longest-distance test ever today while facing winners for the 1st time is often any runner's toughest assignment; stays on dirt however the synthetic-surface workout for this does not add to the appeal.

Larocco

Just missed in last start when stretched out to 6F for the 1st time; wish the workouts stood out more for this however the trainer has been dynamic with 2-year-olds yielding 34% juvenile winners since 2012; has not run a bad race yet but needs a Beyer boost to score.

Swiss Lake Yodeler

New trainer off the debut win at 4F racing right on the lead; many of these have good-gate speed but she may have the very best; light-debut Beyer when scoring but the race looks better since the runner-up finisher Beyered 37 in a next-out BSR-32K-maiden claiming win; posted a best of 49 synthetic surface workout for this but we know she can dirt.

Ascription

Cuts back in distance off the route graduation when expected to score at 2-5 odds then delivered by 1 length on the lead; was no match 2-back for Wild Marini and her workout for this was not very enticing; have her ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Golden Celestial

Won despite a troubled trip showing heart and determination; followed up that victory with a sharp-SA 5F dirt workout so seems set for another good one; see plenty of upside given a clean journey; 29%-winning jockey-trainer combo since 2012 is a plus.

One More Wild Ride

Saved best Beyer for grass but lone win was on dirt at shorter; was primed for this at longer while her 2-back Southern California debut saw her fade at shorter than this; working forwardly but hails from an 0-for-26 juvenile barn since 2012.

Pay the Debt

Debut race represents her career-best Beyer at 1.5F shorter on synthetic; posted the 2nd-lowest speed figure of her career in her 1st-ever dirt start when DQ'd to 9th when badly outrun then drifting out; good-gate speed displayed in the debut which has been missing from recent races.

Susans Express

Posted a field-best Beyer in her synthetic-surface maiden-claiming debut a shocking $35 winner scoring despite trouble; wish the SA dirt workouts for this were snappier exiting a 37-day layoff for a trainer 1-for the last-29 with similarly-freshened up runners.

Patty Wack

Drilled back-to-back Beyers Tops the latest on dirt when chasing Larocco who follows her here; the 3-back winner made it 2-for-2 in a 63K event with a 68 Beyer; solid-synthetic workout for this racing for a 6%-winning 2-year-old trainer since 2012.

Tookmebysurprise

Best Beyers/finishes on dirt for a 30%-winning repeat trainer; the workout for this does not inspire confidence; gate-to-wire to earn the diploma for last but rematches with some of these who easily handled her on synthetic; view as a pace presence.

Race 9

Mr Lemon Tree

Like the improvement he's shown in his first two starts as a 3-year-old, and that includes his turf debut n his latest start; he commands his share of respect with Bejarano aboard and he's won with 5 of 14 (36%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Rob's Pal

He appears to be heading in the right direction as he gets ready to make his third start back from a layoff but he must show up with his sharpest performance to date if he's going to put pressure on the top contenders in here.

Accomplish

Sire wins with approximately 13% of his turf starters and dam won 2 of 26 starts for 35k, including 1 of 5 turf starts for 9k; like what he showed in his career debut and Talamo has won with 4 of 11 (36%) mounts for this barn in 2013.

Gentlemen Pete

The 0-for-18 mark is tough to ignore when considering him for the top spot, but if he can produce one of his better performances, a spot underneath in the exotics doesn't appear to be out of the question; 3rd finisher from latest won next out at Dmr on 8/28 going 6f vs. MSW rivals with a 76 Beyer.

Excessive Tequila

He ran well in his first start wearing blinkers after a layoff at second asking and it's interesting to see him getting back over turf when seeing that he debuted on grass, and he has turf in his pedigree; frankly speaking, he has to step up his game in order to contend, but that isn't out of the question for this lightly raced gelding.

Anzeau

Silic has been a poor influence as a turf sire but have to respect the performance that this colt showed up with while making his first start for this barn in his latest outing; 3rd finisher from latest won next out at Dmr on 8/25 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 72 Beyer.

Brave Act

His turf form has consistently been in the neighborhood of what it will take to win this and he beat today's rival Anzeau in his latest outing; 3rd finisher from latest won next out at Dmr on 8/25 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 72 Beyer.

I'll Fly for You

River Flyer is another poor turf sire being represented in this race and this 4-year-old is going to need to be ready to take his game to another level in order to have a say in the outcome in this spot.

Thunder Cole

Full brother to Romeo Royale (3-23, 183k over turf) produced a sharp runner-up performance at second asking and there's reason to believe that he can still have more to show us with only two starts behind him; must consider.

Empty Headed

The 78 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his latest performance represents the best last race figure in this field, and this has to be considered a favorable spot for him to make a serious bid at his first career win.

Elusive Journey

Tough to give him a push for the top spot when seeing his 0-for-15 career mark, but it isn't like his best race can't get him into the mix against these; winner from latest won next out at Dmr on 8/3 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 25k OPC's with an 89 Beyer, and then moved on to win the G2 Del Mar Derby over turf.

Public Interest

Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and dam was unraced; this colt is a 1/2 to minor stakes winner Frankelstein (8-40, 257k, including 3 of 10 turf starts for 128k) and multiple graded stakes winner Liberian Freighter (10-33, 759k, including 8 of 28 turf starts for 634k).