Breakout Beyers: Nitrous Channel validates sales numbers in maiden win
Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive.
Nitrous Channel
Feb. 5, 3rd race Gulfstream, MdSpWt53k
Beyer: 94
6F 1:10.03 – 1st by 2 1/4 lengths
ch. c. 3, Nyquist – Laurenmychanelgirl, by Afleet Alex
Auctions: Fasig-Tipton Kentucky select yearling 2020 – $200,000; OBS March select 2-year-old 2021 – $625,000
Owner: R.A. Hill Racing, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Spedale Family Stable
Trainer: George Weaver
Breeder: VinLaur Racing Stable
The dam has produced three other foals to race that have gone a combined 16-3-0-3 with nary a stakes placing, and the second dam produced four foals to race, none so much as stakes-placed. Nitrous Channel’s dam was winless in just a two-start career. Yet this colt sold for $200,000 as a yearling and $625,000 as a 2-year-old. I think there are a couple reasons. One, he’s generally a grand-looking horse, and from this race video, at least, he appears to be very, very correct and well made. Until he tired very late in his debut, he ran absolutely straight as a string through the homestretch, never leaving his line. The other thing comes from deeper pedigree: His fourth dam is Imagining, dam of the great Serena’s Song, and her second-best foal to race was Nitrous Channel’s third dam, Vivid Imagination, winner of the Golden Rod Stakes, a Grade 3 at the time. This colt took plenty of betting action and obviously ran to the money, putting up one of the highest 3-year-old Beyers so far in 2022. He broke well, pressed the pace while traveling easily, took on the pacesetter at the five-sixteenths pole, and when the Todd Pletcher-trained first-timer Stay Restless tried to make some late ground, Nitrous Channel kicked back on and won clear. The second dam’s sire, interestingly, is Nashwan, all Euro turf, and this colt, who is more long than tall, acted like he’ll be able to stay a route.
Brit’s Candyman
Feb. 2, 9th race Gulfstream, Florida-bred MdSpWt / $50KMCL
Beyer: 85
5f turf 56.54 – 1st by 2 1/4 lengths
gr. c. 3, Valiant Minister – British Event, by Wild Event
Auctions: OBS winter mixed 2020 – $27,000 (RNA); OBS yearling, 2-year-old, horses of racing age 2020 – $27,000; OBS spring 2-year-old 2021 – $21,000
Owner: Rick Tatoli, Rabalac Racing, and Rohan Crichton
Trainer: Rohan Crichton
Breeder: Christine Weiss
He finished a distant third debuting at this same blended maiden level (Florida-bred maiden-specials or any maiden for a $50K tag) earning a 44 Beyer, but the dam was a turf horse through and through and Brit’s Candyman moved far, far up with the second-start surface switch. The even-money favorite seized the early lead, Brit’s Candyman pressing, but Brit’s Candyman overwhelmed him with a display of speed before hitting the turn, traveling powerfully with his ears pricked into and around the bend. He failed to change leads, but it mattered not, the favorite managing second while eight lengths clear of third, a vast margin in just a five-furlong dash. The strides are fairly short, but he’s a strongly made colt who turns over quickly. Drew much farther clear during the gallop-out, but mama struggled to get more than six panels and sprinting might be his future. Given the low purchase price and the high figure, I suppose Brit’s Candyman is a private-purchase prospect at this point.