Breakout Beyers: Happy Saver radiates class
Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive.
HAPPY SAVER
June 20, 5th race, Belmont, MdSpWt64k
Beyer: 89
7f, dirt fast, 1:21.51, 1st by 5 1/2 lengths
ch. c. 3, Super Saver–Happy Week, by Distorted Humor
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: None
Owner: Wertheimer et Frere
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Breeder: Wertheimer et Frere
No “noteworthy siblings,” but third dam is the great Weekend Surprise (A.P. Indy, etc) and there’s good reason the well-known brothers Wertheimer (Goldikova et al) kept Happy Week in their broodmare band. Outside post, as so often the case with first-timers in one-turn races, served him well as he was able to obtain favorable early position and work out a perfect pressing trip. Looked like jockey could’ve asserted earlier if need arose, but it didn’t and he waited for the quarter pole to take command, his mount drawing quickly clear while urged for only a half-furlong or so. Happy Saver already had been geared down at the finish, accounting for others quickly catching up on the gallop-out. Plenty to like here, but keep in mind the track was favoring forwardly placed horses and his Beyer, while strong, isn’t in the straight “A” area (we’ll give him an A- overall) for 3-year-olds debuting this late in the year.
PARTYLICIOUS
June 20, 4th race, Churchill Downs, MdSpWt79k
Beyer: 87
6f, dirt fast, 1:09.07, 1st by 4 1/2 lengths
b. f. 3, Fast Anna–Busy Bev, by Not For Love
Noteworthy siblings: Royal Asscher (Tale of Ekati), 10-time winner, $206K earnings
Owner: Marty Johnson and William Johnson
Trainer: Al Stall Jr.
Breeder: Marty Johnson and William Johnson
Hard to believe this filly was 21-1 for her debut. Didn’t break on top, but she made the top after about three strides, jockey Miguel Mena just keeping her together as she initially struggled a little for her head. She settled better into the far turn after shaking off a pace rival, and perhaps as impressive as her abundant early speed was her fifth furlong here, an 11.61-second burst that propelled her well clear of her rivals. She got her final quarter mile in under 24 seconds, which is pretty impressive for a first-time starter that goes out in 21.68 (albeit with a massive run-up to the official start). Big-headed filly with a good-sized stride, but would be surprised if she can produce peak effectiveness beyond a one-turn mile, at best.
JACKIE’S WARRIOR
June 19, 3rd race, Churchill Downs, MdSpWt79k
Beyer: 81
5f, dirt fast, 57.49, 1st by 2 1/2 lengths
b. c. 2, Maclean’s Music–Unicorn Girl, by A.P. Five Hundred
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2019: $95,000
Owner: J. Kirk Robison
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Breeder: J & J Stables
Second 80-plus Beyer from an Asmussen 2-year-old this meet, Cazadero being the other. Won comfortably, despite getting caught in a tight spot along the rail and having to be steadied off the heels of the pacesetter at the half-mile pole. No problem. Switched out, came around the outside, took command about the three-sixteenths, and finished willingly in a typically professional Asmsussen 2-year-old performance. Lightly raced sire was very fast, and the dam was a sprinter, too.
SUMMER KID
Beyer: 86
June 21, 6th race, Gulfstream, MdSpWt40k
1m, dirt fast, 1:35,71, 1st by 3 3/4 lengths
ch.c.3, Lemon Drop Kid–Danessa Deluxe, by Summer Bird
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: OBS Spring 2-year-old 2019 – out
Owner: Gelfenstein Farm
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Breeder: Gelfenstein Farm
Debuted in January with a decent fourth-place finish, but this performance was in an entirely different class. Slipped into the pocket just after the start and traveled sweetly in hand, in the bridle down the backstretch and around the turn, looking like a sure winner until about the quarter pole. There, the inside speed, who he’d been following, began to falter as two outside-pressing horses went on with it – but no problem. Summer Kid’s jockey steered right, didn’t wait to try and follow one of the other two horses, just going four wide and passing the three in front of him within a few strides, impressive dirt acceleration, particularly around the turn, where so many Gulfstream main-track races are won. This one was over at the top of the stretch, but for good measure, he galloped out with encouraging post-race energy as well. Has gone two one-turn miles but is very much bred to stay on considerably farther. Looks ready for stiffer competition.
YAUPON
June 20, 10th race, Churchill, MdSpWt79k
Beyer: 81
6f, dirt fast, 1:09.48, 1st by a nose
b.c.3, Uncle Mo–Modification, by Vindication
Noteworthy siblings: Sawyer’s Hill (Spring At Last), $336K earnings, 96 Beyer Speed Figure
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2018 – $350,000; FTF March 2yo 2019 – RNA’d $485,000; FTI spring 2yo 2019 – withdrawn; OBS Open HRA 2019 – $255,000
Owner: William and Corinne Heiligbrodt
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Breeder: Betz, Lamantia, Coco Equine, Magers and Burns
Trial by fire, I guess you could say, as the runner-up drew abreast at the eighth pole, leaned into him several times making shoulder-to-shoulder contact, with Yaupon taking it in stride and holding clear for a narrow win. An active auction history, and didn’t post an official work until Jan. 20. Professional, outside-stalking debut, and he did have to be used a touch into the far turn to get the right trip, while the top two were well clear of third. Especially encouraging: The sire tends to get grass horses, the top sibling was a grass horse, and there’s plenty of dam’s side pedigree. Maybe what he does on dirt is just gravy.