Breakout Beyers: Noble Reflection dominates

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

Noble Reflection

March 7, 7th race Oaklawn, MdSpWt63k

Beyer: 89

6f 1:09.40, 1st by 4 1/2 lengths

gr. g. 3, Liam’s Map – Deal of the Decade, by Tiznow

Noteworthy siblings: Cash Out (Street Cry) – graded stakes-placed, $344K earnings; Pretty Fancy (Lemon Drop Kid) – stakes-placed, $226K earnings

Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2019 – $60,000

Owner: Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran

Trainer: Richard Baltas

Breeder: G. Watts Humphrey

Gelding debuted in a strong Del Mar maiden race last August (ran behind Dr. Schivel and Spielberg) but wasn’t seen again until this start, where he was odds-on breaking from the rail. Left the gate like a rocket and had a couple lengths on the field after 60 yards – and as it turned out the race was already over. No one came close to him at any point in the running, which is not to diminish his performance (though unpressured trips are obviously easier than pressured ones), but more to point out his dominance. No shadow roll, no blinkers, just a robust, powerful-looking colt with a whole lot of speed, and from his appearance, the way he hit the line, his gallop-out, and his pedigree, one would imagine two turns as a viable option. Older dam from a good family bore her first foal to race back in 2009. Ran on Lasix here, without it at Del Mar. Trainer and owner Nguyen won the Santa Anita Handicap on March 6 and got another dose of excitement here, and from a mere $60,000 auction buy.

Untreated

March 6, 6th race Tampa Bay, MdSpWt30k

Beyer: 86

1 mile 40 yds 1:39.17, 1st by 8 3/4 lengths

b. c. 3, Nyquist – Fully Living, by Unbridled’s Song

Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2019 – $550,000

Owner: Team Valor

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Breeder: Ashview Farm and Old Oak Farm

Debuted Jan. 9 sprinting at Gulfstream and ran sixth at odds-on in race won easily by Sam Davis Stakes winner Candy Man Rocket, who ran poorly as the favorite in the Tampa Bay Derby later on this card. Was trained first out by Chad Brown but transferred to Pletcher for this. Very impressive run. The Tampa dirt was very fast for this card, but even accounting for that, the raw time was strong. Took a minor bump from the inside at the start and dropped toward the tail of the field, getting cover to go three paths wide around the first turn while coping comfortably enough with kickback. Was moved outside (and out of the kickback) on the backstretch, launching a big, early move at the half-mile pole and passing most of the field while racing wide around the far turn. Last two in front of him were no match, either, and under strong urging in upper stretch he took total command while racing solo to the wire, the jockey taking his foot off the gas when the outcome became apparent. Not an especially powerful-looking colt but showed gears and ran straight as a string through the home straight. Wonder if they go straight to a stakes, like the Lexington, with this colt.

Defunded

March 6, 11th race Santa Anita, MdSpWt83k

Beyer: 83

6f 1:09.88, 1st by 2 1/2 lengths

ch. g. 3, Dialed In – Wind Caper, by Touch Gold

Noteworthy siblings: Spellker (City Zip) – $176K earnings, 87 Beyer

Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2019 – $210,000

Owner: Watson, Pegram, and Weitman

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Breeder: Athens Woods

Debuted in August at Del Mar and ran all right as the 2-1 favorite, but this was a far, far stronger performance. Gelding, racing without Lasix, lacked early speed, or at least the sort of early speed to keep up with a very strong, contested pace. Much closer to the front was Defunded’s favored first-time-starting stablemate, Following Sea, who wound up something of a pace casualty and was DQ’d for early interference to third. Defunded, too, could have run afoul of racing rules since he really bulled into fourth-place finisher Chaos Reigns to make his own room at about the three-sixteenths pole when trapped behind rivals and full of run. This came after Defunded had raced midpack and in the clear before moving up with a purpose around the far turn, making a second move after shoving Chaos Reigns aside. Was geared down late after going clear, which explains the modest gallop-out. Doubt he wants to “run all day,” but he can run, that’s clear.

Mischiefful

March 7, 11th race Gulfstream, MdSpWt45k

Beyer: 82

6f 1:10.51, 1st by 1 3/4 lengths

b. f. 3, Into Mischief – Shanon Nicole, by Majestic Warrior

Auctions: OBS Spring 2yo 2020 – $125,000 RNA

Owner: Sierra Farm

Trainer: Ian Wilkes

Breeder: Sierra Farm

Second-time starter ran solid race first out for barn that rarely hits with debut performers and here was much the best. Didn’t break very well but scooted between horses with a fleet first furlong to take control while going well in hand. Rider sat chilly until after he and the filly had turned for home, cut her loose, got a response, and won definitively, though the best part of her race came before the final furlong and, for whatever it’s worth, she was swamped on the gallop-out. Likeable performance but not elite, and she does not immediately project the attributes of a strong route candidate.

Law Professor

March 5, 3rd race Santa Anita, MdSpWt62k

Beyer: 80

1M 1:37.51, 1st by 2 1/2 lengths

b. c. 3, Constitution – Haunted Heroine, by Ghostzapper

Owner: Twin Creeks Racing Stable

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Breeder: Twin Creek Farm

Had shown little sprinting in career debut, but blinkers added and a stretch to two turns produced a massive leap forward. Did get a good setup here, stalking a strong pace with the race flow seemingly working in his favor as the front-runners caved and those at the back pushed forward late while wide. Also looked more like a grinder than a colt with brilliance, but he stayed on solidly, opening daylight after passing the last horse in front of him. The dam was a multiple turf-route stakes winner and a sister to Grade 1 turf winner Celestine, so one wonders if grass becomes an option at some point.

Lory

March 6, 3rd race Tampa Bay, MdSpWt30k

Beyer: 75

6.5f 1:16.95, 1st by 7 3/4 lengths

b. f. 3, Uncle Mo – Principal Role, by Empire Maker

Owner: Juddmonte Farms

Trainer: Chad Brown

Breeder: Juddmonte Farms

Didn’t meet the 80 Beyer threshold established for inclusion here at this point in the year, but we’re listing her anyway. Broke last from an inside draw but quickly got into things whizzing up the rail to reach contention five furlongs out. The leader bore out into the far turn, allowing Lory passage along the fence to hit the front, and after a brief challenge from the pacesetter, who got back on track, she flicked that filly away, and this race was all over. You’ll rarely see a horse win easier than this, and even while widening through the final furlong she raced under wraps. Started out in a dirt sprint, sure, but the sire is a turf influence, and the female family is big-time grass routes. Promising, indeed.