Bears Watching might have run himself into a stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Greatest Honour isn’t the only promising 3-year-old in Shug McGaughey’s arsenal. On Saturday, the Hall of Fame horseman sent out Bears Watching to an easy 7 3/4-length maiden win going seven furlongs. He received an 83 Beyer Speed Figure while winning geared down under jockey Jose Ortiz.

Bears Watching, a half-brother to Code of Honor, finished third, a half-length in front of Collaborate, when both made their career debuts Feb. 6.

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“He had been training like he was going to run good,” McGaughey said after the race. "I liked that he broke good, they outran him a little bit, he got to eat a little dirt, he was an easy winner, and got a little education, too."

McGaughey said he might nominate Bears Watching to the April 3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, “just to take a look.”

“If it came up a five-horse field or something, I might run,” he said. “I think he will run two turns. Jose said whatever he asked him to do, he did.”

Bears Watching was the first of three consecutive winners ridden by Ortiz on Saturday’s card. Both Luis Saez and Tyler Gaffalione posted hat tricks of their own the following day. Defending meet champion Irad Ortiz Jr. still holds a commanding lead in the jockey standings, despite serving a five-day suspension that will continue through Friday.