Breakout Beyers: Dr. Post returns with a bang

Dr. Post

March 29, 6th race, Gulfstream, MdSpWt43k

Beyer: 92

7f, dirt fast, 1:22.37, 1st by 1 ¼ lengths

b. c. 3, Quality Road-Mary Delaney, by Hennessy

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Keeneland Nov. breeding 2017 - $200,000; Keeneland Sept. yearling - $400,000

Owner: St. Elias Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Breeder: Joyce Clark

Clearly well regarded from the start since he was 1-2 in a July 2019 2-year-old maiden race at Belmont. Just ran evenly there and second start wouldn’t come for almost nine months. This wasn’t one of those performances where the horse looked like a winner all the way; on the contrary, his rider started pumping his arms midway on the backstretch to keep Dr. Post in the bridle and went to the crop at the five-sixteenths pole. He was going much the best once finally leveling off a furlong from home and galloped out like a two-turn horse, though overall his pedigree suggests a miler.

Mystic Guide

March 21, 7th race, Fair Grounds, MdSpWt50k

Beyer: 84

1 1/16M, dirt fast, 1:43.66, 1st by 5 lengths

ch.c.3, Ghostzapper-Music Note, by A.P. Indy

Noteworthy siblings: Ventura Highway 12-time winner $217k

Auctions: Homebred

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: Mike Stidham

Breeder: Godolphin

Multiple Grade 1-winning dam might have herself a runner here. Not a great break or he might’ve won debut sprinting but was always meant to be a route horse and showed that here. Already relaxes and responds to his rider, who whispered at him (maybe with words, definitely with his hands) to get into position past the half-mile pole and got an immediate response. Finished off this crew at the furlong grounds and dashed alone under the line in a very encouraging second start.

Center Aisle

March 29, 4th race, Gulfstream, MdSpWt43k

Beyer: 88

6f, dirt fast, 1:10.11, 1st by 3 ¾ lengths

b.f.3, Into Mischief-Specification, by Empire Maker

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Keeneland Nov. 2017 breeding - $175k, KEE Sept. 2018 yearling - $450K; Fasig-Tipton March Select 2yo - $1,500,000

Owner: OXO Equine

Trainer: Chad Brown

Breeder: Breffni Farm

Home run in the pinhook arena looked like a future star in her debut. Broke well, was very fast for first three strides to make the front but was overtaken by one horse each to her inside and out within a half-furlong and eventually allowed to drop back to third by the half-mile pole. Ridden vigorously while taken three wide around the turn and really found her stride before the quarter pole when a rival came to her on the outside. Right-handed taps and hand urging, and she asserted complete dominance by the furlong grounds. Built like a colt that’s mature for his age. Impressive.

Rhythm Section

March 27, 1st race, Gulfstream, MdSpWt43k

Beyer: 81

1 1/16M, turf firm, 1:41.04, 1st by a nose

gr.c.3, American Pharoah-Rhythm and Rhyme, by Unbridled’s Song

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: None

Owner: Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Breeder: Chelston

Debuted in a $50,000 maiden claimer but showed enough to be boosted into a maiden special weight in this, his second start. To be honest, it was troubled runner-up Alonzo Mosely who probably was best here. To this colt’s credit, he did make a robust move around the far turn, but his closing victory was strongly aided by an intemperate early and middle pace.

Azrael

March 27, 6th race, Gulfstream, MdSpWt47k

Beyer: 86

1M, turf firm, 1:34.59, 1st by 2 lengths

b.c.4, Cross Traffic-Forestelle, by Forestry

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Keeneland Sept. 2017 yearling - $42,000; Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring 2yo 2018 - $350,000

Owner: Doubledown Stable

Trainer: Chad Brown

Breeder: GoldMark Farm

Yes, this was a 4-year-old maiden win, but there’s reason to see it as promising since his three starts at age 3 (this was his first race since July) came on dirt. Made the front early, was displaced by one horse, but ran comfortably inside that rival while along the fence in second. Took command in upper stretch while appearing to go easily and never came close to being threatened, finishing smartly off a pretty strong pace and galloping out like he had plenty left to give. Maybe no star but also probably quite useful along this trajectory.