Beatbox has fourth consecutive victory with Dust Commander Stakes

Beatbox, a $2.1 million yearling of 2019, is finally hitting his best stride. The colt has now won four consecutive races, defeating a salty field in his stakes debut in the $100,000 Dust Commander Stakes on Saturday night at Turfway Park.

Beatbox ($4) got away to an awkward start from post 2 and was unhurried early under Rafael Bejarano, finding himself sixth in the field of seven after the opening half of the 1 1/16-mile race. Up front, Pole Setter, back on short rest after finishing second in the rescheduled Forego Stakes on Feb. 12, took the field through that half in 47.28 seconds.

The field began to reel in Pole Setter nearing the quarter pole, and Bejarano angled Beatbox wide for his run. The colt circled the field, despite turning for home on the wrong lead, and forged his way to the front in upper stretch. He switched leads and kicked clear, drawing away by 2 3/4 lengths. He finished the 1 1/16 miles on Turfway's Tapeta surface in 1:42.82. The track record is 1:42.26, established by Cyber Secret in December 2016 on the old Polytrack.

Graded stakes winner Mr Dumas was a clear second, 3 1/2 lengths clear of Spectacular Gem, who closed for third after being bothered at the start from the rail and running in last through six furlongs.

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Beatbox, by Pioneerof the Nile, is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Guarana. He was a $2.1 million purchase by e Five Racing at the 2019 Keeneland September yearling sale, with breeder Three Chimneys then buying back in for a share. The colt was seventh on debut in October 2020 at Keeneland for trainer Chad Brown, then finished fourth in a pair of maiden races at Belmont and Saratoga last year. Brown transferred the colt to turf, and he broke through with a maiden victory on Oct. 2 at the Meadowlands.

Beatbox was consigned to the popular horses of racing age portion of the 2021 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, and he was a $70,000 purchase by Rob Comestro and Jeff Ganje. Transferred to trainer Bill Morey, he won his Turfway debut by 5 1/4 lengths on Dec. 30, then followed up with a six-length win at the track on Jan. 16, both against conditioned allowance company, before making his stakes debut.