Breakout Beyers: Bold Journey upholds family honor in debut

Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive.

Bold Journey

Dec. 18, 5th race AQU, NY-bred MdSpWt70k

Beyer: 83

6f 1:10.96 – 1st by 6 3/4

ch. c. 2, Hard Spun – Polly Freeze, by Super Saver

Noteworthy siblings: Americanrevolution (Constitution) – G1 winner, $944K earnings

Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2020 – $75,000; OBS spring 2021 – $80,000 (RNA)

Owner: Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, Team Penney Racing, Seidman Stables

Trainer: Bill Mott

Breeder: Fred Hertrich and John Fielding

Went to the front and beat New York-bred maidens, so pass the gain of salt, please. That said, the colt is a New York-bred in name only, as his 3-year-old brother, the dam’s second foal to race, won the Cigar Mile earlier this month. This guy bears a real resemblance to Americanrevolution, at least on the computer screen and in the way he moves, and after a second-place finish in his debut, after which he was transferred to Mott, he now seems like an open-stakes prospect. One can fault his failure to change leads, but he still widened his advantage while under zero pressure and was on cruise control crossing the wire. Have to think connections will try him in a route next time after his rout of these overmatched rivals.

Icy Stare Down

Dec. 18, 7th race Oaklawn, MdSpWt84k

Beyer: 80

6f (muddy) 1:10.85 – 1st by 1 length

gr. f. 2, Frosted – Miss Emilia, by War Front

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Fasig-Tipton October yearling 2020 – $95,000; OBS spring 2-year-old 2021 – $425,000

Owner: Gold Square and Paul Braverman

Trainer: Brad Cox

Breeder: Anderson Farms Ontario

She was bet to favoritism in her Churchill debut, a well-beaten third, before stepping far forward in this, her second start. Maybe not a grand slam in the pinhooking game, but at least a solo home run, fetching big bucks earlier this year in a breeze-up sale. In this wet-track sprint, she broke all right and fell into a stalking trip as the jockey took a good hold, with Icy Stare Down ready to attack as early as the half-mile pole. She sidled three wide into strong contention before the three-furlong marker and moved smoothly to the front by the quarter pole without being asked. The jockey went to the crop at the furlong grounds, and the filly responded, finishing this off nicely with a long, if not impeccable, stride. A rival got within a length of her at the finish, making up ground in the late stages, but Icy Stare Down always seemed to be holding her clear and did gallop out in front. Would expect to see this nice prospect get a look over a route of ground next time.

Belgrade

Dec. 18, 6th race Fair Grounds, MdSpWt (restricted) 32K

Beyer: 79

6f 1:10.67 – 1st by 6 lengths

ch. c. 2, Hard Spun – Miss Prytania, by Eskendereya

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Fasig-Tipton select yearling 2020 – $45,000

Owner: Randy Bradshaw

Trainer: Brendan Walsh

Breeder: J.R. Ward Stables

This was one of those maiden special weight races restricted to horses that sold (or failed to meet a reserve) for a capped amount, in this case $45,000, exactly the purchase price of this colt. He was bought as a yearling by former trainer Randy Bradshaw presumably as a pinhook prospect since he was withdrawn from a 2-year-old sale earlier this year. “They” definitely liked Belgrade in this, his debut, betting him down to 3-10. Broke on top but was not asked for speed and took back behind two front-runners, who led him to the five-sixteenths pole, where the jockey moved Belgrade outside for clear sailing. Even before Belgrade was asked for anything, he looked like a sure winner; perhaps the most impressive part of his performance was how well he relaxed while traveling beautifully in the bridle. Pounced on the two in front of him in upper stretch and made the lead easily, at which point the jockey went to a surprisingly active ride, considering how easily he’d made the front and opened up. In the end, this was an utterly dominant showing against apparently overmatched competition, and since he won under a drive, it’s not as simple as suggesting that he’s better than the Beyer, which is good, not great for a December 2-year-old.