Breakout Beyers: Costa Terra’s maiden win more than meets the eye

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

Costa Terra

July 1, 6th race Ellis Park, MdSpWt51k

Beyer: 69

5f (sloppy track) 57.41 – 1st by a nose

ch. c. 2, Gun Runner – Teardrop, by Tapit

Noteworthy siblings: Pneumatic (Uncle Mo) – stakes-winner, $257K

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds

Flashy looking colt, with a flaxen mane and tail, from the very encouraging first crop of the great Gun Runner. Won by only a nose but more than six lengths separated second from third, and don’t have a problem terming this a “breakout.” Based on what we saw here, five furlongs was on the short side for this colt, who had to be ridden with the crop at a couple points in the middle stages just to maintain contact while racing several lengths off the leaders over a wet track. Just looked like one of those situations where everything was happening faster than ideal for a young horse that might prefer the more moderate rhythms of something longer than a short sprint. Nevertheless, he got into gear at the three-furlong marker, really found his stride at the head of the stretch, and finished resolutely to win a photo with a second-time starter, Buckingham Palace, who had gone clear at the three-sixteenths and wasn’t stopping. Eye-catching gallop-out and a good Winchell family behind him. Promising, indeed.

Tiz the Bomb

July 2, 4th race Ellis Park, MdSpWt51k

Beyer: 67

1M 1:37.32 – 1st by 14 1/4 lengths

b. c. 2, Hit It a Bomb – Tiz the Key, by Tiznow

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Fasig-Tipton Kentucky select yearling 2020 - $330,000

Owner: Phoenix Thoroughbreds

Trainer: Ken McPeek

Breeder: Spendthrift Farm

Faced just five foes in a race rained off turf, and it is quite early in the year for 2-year-olds to be racing two turns, so don’t get too jazzed about the margin of victory. Those caveats deployed, hard not to like what was on view from second-time starter who’d basically just run around the track, no real goal in mind, going five furlongs in his debut. Fetched a good chunk of change at auction given the young, relatively unproven sire, though his dam’s side is rock-solid, and you can see why given his physical. Stride covers a lot of ground, and while he was eager here, like a young, inexperienced horse, he was controllable while leading and traveling strongly throughout. Race was over before the furlong grounds and there could be more to come from this fellow.

Twenty Four Mamba

July 4, 6th race Woodbine, MdSpWt86k

Beyer: 75

5f Tapeta 58.31 – 1st by 5 1/4 lengths

b. c. 2, Classic Empire – Oh Maybe Baby, by Harlan’s Holiday

Auctions: Keeneland November breeding 2019 - $55,000

Owner: Gary Barber

Trainer: Mark Casse

Breeder: Respite Farm

Okay fifth making career debut in Churchill slop but regressed on a fast track there second time out. Here, there were two new variables introduced – blinkers and a move to the Tapeta Footings surface at Woodbine. Whether from one of those, a combination of both, or just ongoing improvement, this was a very nice performance. Raced along the rail in sixth hitting the far turn and by the three-furlong pole he had really begun to get into the race, gathering himself for a run into a contested pace. Was taken off the fence and into the no. 4 path before the quarter pole, and in 20 strides he made up roughly five lengths on the leader to take command and quickly draw clear for a decisive score, moving very sweetly. Didn’t fetch much at auction yet the broodmare sires here are Harlan’s Holiday, A. P. Indy, Seeking the Gold, and El Gran Senor – pretty good stuff. Wonder if this breakthrough could translate to dirt at some point.

Lois Len

July 3, 5th race Woodbine, MdSpWt113k

Beyer: 65

5f Tapeta 58.10 – 1st by 1 1/4 lengths

ch. f. 2, Hunters Bay – Pink Trillium, by Unbridled Song

Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2020 - $7,500

Owner: Quintessential Racing Florida, Aron Yagoda, D.J. Stable

Trainer: Mark Casse

Breeder: Adena Springs

Breakout week for trainer Mark Casse, who got three onto this list with Woobine back rolling. Ontario-bred filly faced 11 in a maiden dash and was favored at 3-1. Broke modestly and was ridden to maintain midpack position while chugging along the inside down the backstretch run. Wound up getting a favorable trip as all the gaps opened when she needed them after a strong pace had spread the field and enervated the front runners. Didn’t especially assert her superiority after hitting the front, nor does her stride extend mightily, but she was solid, for sure, and the Canadian-bred options, if not unrestricted, ought to leave her ample opportunity.

Dolder Grand

July 4, 5th race Woodbine, MdSpWt86k

Beyer: 90

1 1/16M Tapeta 1:43.73 – 1st by 10 1/2lengths

b. c. 3, Candy Ride – Tamboz, by Tapit

Noteworthy siblings: Oceanwave (Harlan’s Holiday) – multiple graded-stakes placed $245k earnings; Tiznoble (Tiznow) – stakes-placed $267k earnings; Battalion Runner (Unbridled’s Song) – graded stakes-placed $258k earnings

Auctions: OBS spring 2yo 2020 - $800,000

Owner: D. J. Stable

Trainer: Mark Casse

Breeder: Dell Ridge Farm

Finally left the maiden ranks in his ninth start, but this also was his first try on a synthetic surface and he ran far better over the Woodbine Tapeta than on turf there last year and at Churchill in his two most recent starts, or on dirt at Fair Grounds and Churchill. Suppose that would suggest he’s somewhat limited, and in this romp, he got loose on an easy lead and controlled the proceedings from the start as an odds-on favorite. Put everyone to sleep with a third quarter-mile in 23.58 seconds, the fastest stretch of his race, and cruised home under the mildest urging. Had never led until this start and perhaps liked being away from other horses. Still, it’s getting fairly late in the year for 3-year-old maiden winners.