Dan Illman

A Todd Pletcher-trained runner received last week's top Beyer Speed Figure for a 3-year-old.  It wasn't GEMOLOGIST for his 98-Beyer victory in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. 

Let's take a (pre-scratches and changes) look at some of this weekend's stakes races. COMELY STAKES - AQUEDUCT - RACE 7:

Friday's HandiGambling 277 exercise is the eighth race at Keeneland, an optional claimer for 4-year-olds and upward at about seven furlongs on the polytrack. REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE DECLARED THE WINNER OF THE HANDIGAMBLING EXERCISE; PLEASE CONTACT CSERVICE2@DRF.COM WITH YOUR DRF LOGIN AND PASSWORD IN ORDER TO ACCESS YOUR PRIZE PACKAGE.

*EZ EFFORT, making his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher, toyed with a group of maiden special weights going seven furlongs at Gulfstream on Saturday afternoon.  He won by eighth lengths under John Velazquez and received an 87 Beyer Speed Figure.  A half-brother to Grade 2 route winner Uh Oh Bango, seven-time stakes-winner Ez Dreamer, stakes-winning sprinter Top Debutante and stakes-winning router French Hit, Ez Effort was privately purchased following a runner-effort against California bred (or sired) maidens at Santa Anita on January 7.  Foaled in Arizona, Ez Effort spo

BOURBON COURAGE, a son of Lion Heart, blitzed entry-level optional claimers at Fair Grounds to the tune of a 101 Beyer Speed Figure on March 24.  That's two starts, two wins and two triple-digit Beyers for the $15,000 yearling.  Kellyn Gorder trains Bourbon Courage, a fascinating sophomore sprint prospect that may be headed to the Derby Trial around a one-turn mile at Churchill Downs.