Grade 2, $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Gulfstream, Feb. 3, 2018 (10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Audible, by Into Mischief Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Javier Castellano Owner: WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd., and SF Racing LLC Beyer Speed Figure: 99 In his first start around two turns, first start outside of New York, and in his stakes debut, AUDIBLE stepped up his game with a runaway victory while producing a strong Beyer Speed Figure three months out from the Derby. This was a strange race, though, as Audible finished 5 1/2 lengths in front of runner-up FREE DROP BILLY, who in turn was 7 3/4 lengths in front of third-place TIZ MISCHIEF. Perhaps the top two improved dramatically from 2 to 3 and everyone else is stuck in neutral, but – considering other lopsided victories on this card, most notably a maiden race won by Machismo – I’m also wondering if this was a surface some loved, and others, at best, tolerated. Regardless, Audible has now won three straight and has to be taken seriously as a top prospect. In this race, Audible got away well and went into the first turn just outside the leader, MASTER MANIPULATOR. He dropped back to third when AEQUOR ranged up outside and went after Master Manipulator, then re-engaged while three paths wide heading into the far turn while being ridden along by Castellano. He took the lead midway on the turn and was immediately challenged by Free Drop Billy, but quickly disposed of that rival in upper stretch and drew away with authority while swapping to his left lead a few jumps from the wire. :: The Road to the Kentucky Derby Player's Package Free Drop Billy, who finished second, went into the first turn in the two path while just behind the leaders, showing far more early speed than he had at 2. He raced just outside Audible down the backstretch and into the far turn while three paths wide, was almost on even terms with 300 yards to go, could not keep up with Audible but was well clear of everyone else. Tiz Mischief, who was third, had to check while in tight quarters heading into the first turn, was a bit keen while just behind Free Drop Billy and ENTICED heading into the backstretch, raced in traffic near the end of the backstretch and into the far turn, got clear midway on the far turn, but saw the top two sail away from him. Enticed, who was fourth, was ridden along from the gate to follow Master Manipulator while hugging the rail, stayed inside down the backstretch, got through on the far turn but had little response when asked to advance, only had to come around the tiring Master Manipulator, and could not gain any ground on Tiz Mischief, let alone the top two. Both he and Tiz Mischief need to take a step forward next time. Right now, their figs are stuck in the low- to mid-80s, which is not going to get it done. PONY UP, who was fifth, raced about three to four paths wide on the first turn, never could get over and had to go into the far turn in the four path, was pretty much done with a quarter-mile to go, yet split the field, an indictment of the four who finished behind him. TIP SHEET, who finished sixth, went into the first turn in the four path while at the rear of the field, was angled in near the end of the backstretch but had to go out anew on the far turn for room, tried to rally about four to five paths wide, did not swap over to his correct lead in upper stretch and never was in the hunt. BANDITO, who was seventh, broke poorly and then angled to the rail to save ground on the first turn while at the back of the pack. He remained inside entering the far turn, followed Enticed, but was always outrun. Master Manipulator, who was eighth, left alertly and took the lead while racing inside around the first turn, continued to lead down the backstretch and into the far turn, was asked hard to try and hold off Audible but could not, then faded badly through the final three-sixteenths of a mile. Aequor, who finished last of nine, veered out at the start, quickly got in gear and went into the first turn about four paths wide while hurriedly advancing toward the leader, was lapped on Master Manipulator down the backstretch, weakened suddenly three furlongs out, then quickly dropped right through the field.