Breakout Beyers: Gaslight takes to stretch-out

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

Gaslight

March 20, 11th race Oaklawn, MdSpWt70k

Beyer: 81

1M 1:38.28, 1st by 2 1/4 lengths

b. c. 3, Wicked Strong – Starship Angel, by Running Stag

Noteworthy siblings: Angel of Mischief (Into Mischief) – $172K earnings, 80 Beyer

Auctions: Fasig-Tipton summer yearling 2019 – $70,000

Owner: Madaket Stables and Ronald Frankel

Trainer: Brad Cox

Breeder: Spendthrift Farm

Blinkers on for second start following a solid runner-up debut, but also a stretch from a sprint to a route, leading to a decisive one-mile maiden win. To look at the horse, you’d think a route of ground would be required – he’s a massive specimen who looks like he could gallop all day. Got to the front here, and while the half-mile split of 47.78 seconds was legitimate, nothing came from behind all day on this Oaklawn card and being on or near the lead might have conferred an advantage. A challenger, Ardanwood, rose up at the half-mile pole and tried to run with him around the far turn, but Gaslight cut the corner more effectively, bounded away, and won comfortably with a good gallop-out. This was the eighth-highest Beyer ever from a horse sired by Wicked Strong, and you will not find too, too many mares by Running Stag. It’s an off-brand pedigree, sure, but one that has produced a fairly impressive individual.

Mighty Mischief

March 19, 5th race Oaklawn, MdSpWt93k

Beyer: 81

6f 1:10.31, 1st by 3 1/4 lengths

b. c. 3, Into Mischief – Wealth Creation, by Super Saver

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Fasig-Tipton summer yearling 2019 – $290,000 RNA

Owner: William and Corinne Heiligbrodt

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Breeder: Heiligbrodt Racing Stable

Hard to get through a week of Breakout Beyers without running into a horse by Into Mischief – and here we go. Actually declined one Beyer point from second-place finish in career debut, where he was beaten a half-length by a Aloha West. Broke sharply, took command early while racing with his ears pinned, blew this race open around the turn, and never came close to being threatened while much the best. Out of a Super Saver mare and has Quiet American a few dam sire’s back, but the colt himself moves like a horse who will be best served by distances one mile or shorter. The owners and breeders thought quite a lot of him to set the reserve above $290,000, considering the scarcity of near-term black type.

Wora

March 20, 6th race Gulfstream, MdSpWt45k

Beyer: 87

5 1/2 f 1:03.41, 1st by 3 1/2 lengths

b. c. 3, Upstart – Joyous Music, by Bellamy Road

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Keeneland November breeding 2018 – $180,000; Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select 2019 – $510,000

Owner: John Oxley

Trainer: Mark Casse

Breeder: Saint Simon Place & Scott Stephens

Modest debut last summer over the Tapeta at Woodbine, long layoff, two solid turf sprints, and here a breakout in first try over dirt. This was somewhat a long time coming, considering she was purchased for more than a half-million bucks as a yearling, that despite a fairly humble dam’s side and an unproven young sire. The filly does show some serious physical traits, and from looking at the way she’s made and goes, one can see why she became popular as a sales item. Solid early speed to track the leader, coming between horses before the turn, contending for the top spot, then, under hand urging, pushing to the front coming into the homestretch. Pretty long stride for a filly who’s been kept sprinting all four starts. Personally speaking, I’m always a little more circumspect when the big win comes in a short sprint. The filly has foundation now, with three starts this form cycle, so we’ll see how she can develop.

Masqueparade

March 20, 2nd race Fair Grounds, MdSpWt75k

Beyer: 81

1 1/16M 1:42.73, 2nd by 1/2, placed first via DQ

b. c. 3, Upstart – Cry War Eagle, by Any Given Saturday

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Keeneland November breeding 2018 – $100,000; Keeneland September yearling 2019 – $180,000

Owner: FTGGG

Trainer: Al Stall

Breeder: Brereton Jones

Qualifies for this space only because of stewards, who made a tough disqualification of victorious Alejandro, a foal of Grade 1 winner Rachel’s Valentina and grandson of Rachel Alexandra. Alejandro had wrested the lead from Masqueparade around the furlong grounds and had put away his stubborn foe before shifting left, into Masqueparade’s path, and making contact under a right-handed stick. Masqueparade already had drifted right, off his line, and since the foul took place so close to the finish, it’s likely Masqueparade would not have had time to rally back in front even had the contact not happened. Anyway, this colt – the second horse by Upstart to make the list this week – showed some encouraging late run sprinting in his career debut way back in mid-December. He does not look like a star but has grown more professional as a route horse through a four-start campaign, and he was at least a worthy maiden winner, if not an especially deserving one under the circumstances.