Breakout Beyers: Dazzling Blue’s late burst says longer races lie ahead

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

DAZZLING BLUE
Nov. 16, 8th race Churchill, MdSpWt119k
Beyer: 75
6 furlongs 1:10.67 – 1st by 4 1/2 lengths
b. f. 2, Into Mischief – Blue Violet, by Curlin
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2021 – $500,000
Owner: Juddmonte Farms
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: WinStar Farm

The speed figure came back lighter than we’d generally include in this space for a 2-year-old this late in the year, but the filly could well turn out better than the number. Say this: She was no secret. Debuted as a 3-5 favorite and made that look like a fair price, breaking alertly, stalking, then pressing the pace while well held down the backstretch before taking command into the far turn. Dazzling Blue already looked like a winner at the quarter pole, but I thought the best part of her race came after that. Florent Geroux asked for a little more at the three-sixteenths pole and this powerful-looking filly gave it to him, accelerating into a 12.37 final furlong after getting her fifth furlong in 12.57. She didn’t slow much around the turn, either, galloping out far in front like the route horse she’s bred to be. Definitely one to watch over the winter, presumably in New Orleans.

CORONA BOLT
Nov. 19, 8th race Churchill, MdSpWt120k
Beyer: 82
6 1/2 furlongs 1:16.44 – 1st by one length
b. c. 2, Bolt d’Oro – Stormbeforethecalm, by Quiet American
Noteworthy siblings: Proven Strategies (Sky Mesa, foaled 2017) – stakes winner, graded-stakes placed, $356k earnings
Auctions: Keeneland November breeding 2020 – $225,000
Owner: Stonestreet Stable
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: Summerfield Sales Agency and Etarip Stable

Second-highest Beyer from Bolt d’Oro’s first crop to race – Instant Coffee, fourth in the Breeders’ Futurity, was given an 85 in his Saratoga debut victory. Sharp debut win from this colt. He got a great trip stalking from third because he broke alertly from an inside draw, had speed, and responded to light rating tactics. Corona Bolt hit the three-eighths pole and . . . whoosh. Blew past the two in front of him with just a few flashy quick-twitch strides. The eventual runner-up, a capable Steve Asmussen-trained colt who was second choice while making his third start, came off the fence after being passed and tried to battle back, but what little progress he made from the three-sixteenths pole to the wire appeared to have more to do with Corona Bolt idling after making the lead than anything. When the two hit the wire and went out onto the clubhouse turn, it was Corona Bolt with the better energy, stronger gallop-out. He does carry his head higher than ideal, though that hardly slowed him here. Turf and stamina in the female family. The barn is loaded with good juvenile males this year.

POSITANO SUNSET
Nov. 18, 8th race Churchill, MdSpWt120k
Beyer: 80
6 1/2 furlongs 1:16.94 – 1st by 1 3/4 lengths
b. f. 2, Goldencents – Gigglin Gal, by Consolidator
Owner: Six Column Stables, Randall Bloch, John Seiler, David Hall
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Breeder: John Seiler, Randy Bloch, Trish Henson, Brad Stephens, and Dave Hall

You know trainer Ian Wilkes brings his young horses along at their own pace, never pushing them into something they’re not ready for. Check out this filly’s Beyer pattern: 57-65-80. Yep, she was all set third time out. Got a cozy trip breaking from an outside post, stalking two leaders and pouncing on them without having to work especially hard, but even accounting for favorable circumstances, she ran well. She ran to the wire nicely for a 2-year-old dirt horse, going her last half-furlong in 6.23, turning back an outside challenger, then galloping out solidly. Bred for a middle distance at most? Looked like it, the way her legs turned over. Appealing maiden win, regardless.

CLASSIC CATCH
Nov. 20, 2nd race Aqueduct, MdSpWt85k
Beyer: 78
1 1/8 miles 1:55.21 – 1st by 2 1/2 lengths
b. c. 2, Classic Empire – Moon Catcher, by Malibu Moon
Noteworthy siblings: Bobby G (Awesome Again, foaled 2014) – stakes placed, 16-time winner, $414k earnings
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2021 – $110,000
Owner: Whisper Hill Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Breeder: Liberty Road Stables

A Belmont Stakes prospect for 2023? The colt definitely has some stay to him, using a solid seven-furlong debut to win second out at nine furlongs while overcoming trouble and his own greenness. The greenness came in two spots – when he was stuck on the fence down the backstretch, for sure, and possibly after he swept to the lead. Classic Catch wound up in a somewhat tricky spot because the leader around the clubhouse turn bore out, which caused a horse to run up inside him. Classic Catch followed that rival into a tracking spot not far off the pace. Jockey Javier Castellano endeavored to get off the rail at the five-furlong pole, but his mount didn’t take him where he needed to be, and he wound up shuffled back, pushed back inside. Classic Catch didn’t care for it; he was off the bridle and not responding much to encouragement, which is why he was unbalanced enough that a horse coming over on him at the half-mile caused Castellano to check his mount. Things got much better from there. Classic Catch immediately found his stride once taken to the far outside around the far turn. He quickly bore down on the leaders to the quarter pole, didn’t corner very well and lost a bit of momentum, but was right back at it after switching leads and leveling off, easily moving to the lead before perhaps idling after getting there. Too late for the Dec. 3 Remsen over nine furlongs.