Breakout Beyers: He’s in Charge moves up big-time in second start

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

He’s in Charge

Jan. 30, 7th race Fair Grounds, MdSpWt50k
Beyer: 91
6f 1:09.83, 1st by 3 1/4 lengths
Ch. c. 3, Candy Ride – Brazen Persuasion, by Indian Charlie
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2019 – $180,000
Owner: Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch, Parkland Thoroughbreds, and Newport Stables
Trainer: Al Stall ,br> Breeder: Bridlewood Farm

Colt was 28-1 in this, his second start, after debuting over Turfway Park Tapeta on Dec. 20 and losing by more than 20 lengths. Following the first start he was moved into the barn of Al Stall, who trained He’s in Charge’s dam, Brazen Persuasion, though not when she dead-heated for win in the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes during the summer of 2013 at Saratoga. Stall said after this very sharp win (the top three all ran well above par, with first-timer winning a place photo over first-timer Wild for Wycliff, the rest of the field left far behind) he’d keep He’s in Charge sprinting for the time being. The colt is of modest size and stride but traveled comfortably from the start after breaking from post 1, settling in behind the lead group and coming willingly up the rail to win going away as the second- and third-place finishers tired in the final half-furlong. The winner was not permitted to gallop out much at all but already had tipped his hand crossing the wire in a sub-1:10 clocking, which is rare at Fair Grounds.

Soup and Sandwich

Jan. 28, 6th race Gulfstream, MdSpWt(FL-bred)40k
Beyer: 89
6 1/2f 1:16.82, 1st by 7 1/4 lengths
Gr. c. 3, Into Mischief – Souper Scoop, by Tapit
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: None
Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Trainer: Mark Casse
Breeder: Live Oak Stud

Pluses: Ran fast, won easily, and did so without being asked for much. Minuses: Easy outside pressing trip while facing just five foes in a Florida-bred maiden special weight. You could look at his relative greenness as a minus in the sense he didn’t do everything right but a plus in the sense that there’s ample room for improvement here. The greenness, if it was just that, came in the form of failing to switch leads until about two strides from the wire and turning his head right while appearing to be gawking after making the lead and going clear in the homestretch. He goes pretty easy for a horse running fairly fast and galloped out like he can go farther. First foal to race from a daughter of the Jim Tafel homebred Scoop, a nice 3-year-old filly of 2001 who captured multiple stakes races for the late trainer Gene Cilio.

Crowded Trade

Jan. 28, 5th race Aqueduct, MdSpWt80k
Beyer: 83
6f 1:13.30, 1st by 1 length
Ch. c. 3, More than Ready – Maude S, by Jump Start
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: Keeneland November breeding 2018 – $185,000
Owner: Klaravich Stables
Trainer: Chad Brown
Breeder: Forging Oaks

You can see from the final time and the Beyer figure that this first-time starter was running over, as they say, a plowed field. Was bet to even-money and for good reason considering he was pounds the best regardless of the bare winning margin. Gate sprang open and he just stood there, getting away last before being urged into the race by his jockey. Colt then appeared to resent the kickback, getting his head up and trying to climb, the jockey again having to issue reminders with his crop to keep his mount in the race. Kicked in wide around the far turn to get vaguely within striking range, but then had to put forth a mighty midstretch surge to reach the clear leader. He won going away, followed by a good gallop-out with a stride suggesting longer races could be within his range. Second foal to race from a stakes-winning dam who was effective from seven furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, while second, third, and fourth dam’s sire are, respectively, Thunder Gulch, Deputy Minister, and Secretariat. Did get left behind for the winter in New York by Brown barn, for whatever that’s worth.

King of Dreams

Jan. 30, 7th race Gulfstream, MdSpWt40k
Beyer: 78
8.5f turf 1:41.49, 1st by 2 1/2 lengths
B. c. 3, Air Force Blue – Cabbage Key, by A.P. Indy
Noteworthy siblings: Tiz the Key (Tiznow) – $104K earnings, 4th G1 American Oaks; War Academy (Giant’s Causeway) – $192K earnings, top Beyer 99
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2019 – $105,000 RNA; OBS Spring 2yo 2020 – $180,000
Owner: Victoria’s Ranch
Trainer: Juan Carlos Avila
Breeder: Douglas Branham and Felicia Branham

From the connections that brought us King Guillermo in 2020, a colt who also cleared the maiden ranks on turf. This was King of Dreams’s second start following a non-contending performance over a sloppy track going seven furlongs in December at Aqueduct, and he moved many, many lengths forward. The cause was aided by making a clear, easy lead and relaxing for his jockey, and King of Dreams had plenty left when asked to quicken after turning for home. Never came close to being challenged and galloped out pretty well, but the favorable pace setup has to be accounted for. The owner, former Major League Baseball player Victor Martinez, seems to have a focus on big-race participation, so don’t be surprised if this colt returns to dirt before long.