Breakout Beyers: Paris Lights has bright future

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

Paris Lights

May 31, 5th race, Churchill, MdSpWt79k
Beyer: 85
1 1/16M, dirt fast, 1:43.29, 1st by 6 3/4 lengths
b. f. 3, Curlin–Paris Bikini, by Bernardini
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2018 – RNA $200,000
Owner: WinStar Stablemates Racing
Trainer: Bill Mott
Breeder: WinStar Farm

Stretched out off a decent third going seven furlongs in the Gulfstream slop and was quite impressive. Traveled strongly in the bridle just behind the speed, took over at will at the quarter pole, and got three cracks of the crop – mere reminders – before finishing on her own the final half-furlong. What seemed especially encouraging was the filly’s good positional pace combined with a steady, efficient stride rhythm that suggests she can, as they say, “run all day.” Turf could be an option, too, with all the European grass influences back on the female side of the pedigree.

Cazadero

May 29, 2nd race, Churchill, MdSpWt78k
Beyer: 81
5f, dirt fast, 57.65, 1st by 8 3/4 lengths
b. c. 2, Street Sense–Wild Gams, by Forest Wildcat
Noteworthy siblings: Mt. Brave – stakes winner
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2019 – RNA $120,000
Owner: Stonestreet Stables
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings

Somehow was 5-1 for his career debut, in retrospect a huge price given this very sharp performance. This is a big number for a first-time starting 2-year-old in May, and he’s a May foal, to boot. Plenty of gate speed, contested the pace while inside, shrugged off the horse to his outside, got some upper-stretch encouragement to go clear, and won dominantly, galloping out with good energy. First foal to race from a multiple graded stakes-winning dam who was a fast sprinter and wonder if this colt will get more than a mile. What he is going to get, if he progresses at all from this performance, is a summer stakes win.

Ocean Breeze

May 25, 7th race, Churchill, MdSpWt78k
Beyer: 80
6 1/2f, dirt fast, 1:16.66, 1st by 8 1/4 lengths
b. f. 3, Curlin–Oceanwave, by Harlan’s Holiday
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: None
Owner: Gary and Mary West Stable
Trainer: Wayne Catalano
Breeder: Gary and Mary West

Troubled, sloppy-track debut at Oaklawn before this romp. Outside post served her well as she was able to stalk in the clear without any impediments. Took over in upper stretch and went on to an easy win with a strong gallop-out. Good week for sire Curlin, who could help this filly get a route of ground. First foal to race from dam who is one of four six-figure earners for the second dam. Plenty of upside here, even if the wide margin was not entirely backed up by the speed figure.

Campanelle

May 31, 2nd race, Gulfstream, MdSpWt42k
Beyer: 80
5f, turf firm, 55.55, 1st by 3 1/2 lengths
b. f. 3, Kodiac–Janina, by Namid
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: Tattersalls October yearling (England) – $250,000
Owner: Stonestreet Stables
Trainer: Wesley Ward
Breeder: Tally-Ho Stable
Short-coupled filly had good gate speed, fought off her favored stablemate, drew clear before the eighth pole, and was comfortably best in this short turf sprint despite racing somewhat greenly in the late stages. She’s quick but doesn’t necessarily look like a great candidate to stay a route of ground. Ward and Stonestreet had her marked for a Royal Ascot start, and perhaps that’s still in the cards.

Gibberish

May 25, 4th race, Gulfstream, MdSpWt40k
Beyer: 82
1M, dirt sloppy, 1:37.36, 1st by 7 lengths
b. f. 3, Lea–Nippy, by Pulpit
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: Keeneland November Breeding 2017 – $230,000
Owner: eFive Racing Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Breeder: Dell Ridge Farm

Race was run in a virtual monsoon, but this filly, making her fourth career start and second since being transferred to Saffie Joseph following Kiaran McLaughlin’s retirement, didn’t mind at all. She pressed the pace, took the lead at the three-furlong pole without being asked, and wasn’t challenged. Goes with her head held somewhat high. Since she faced just four foes under these extreme conditions it’s hard to know exactly what to make of this performance. Bred top and bottom for turf, but was better in the slop than she’d been on grass her previous start.

What a Country

May 30, 8th race, Churchill, MdSpWt80k
Beyer: 84
1 1/16M, dirt fast, 1:43.75, 1st by 1 1/2 lengths
b. g. 3, Verrazano–Broken Silence, by Broken Vow
Notable siblings: Stronger Than Ever – stakes winner
Auctions: Keeneland September Yearling 2018 – $37,000
Owner: Baby Talk Stable LLC
Trainer: Gary Hartlage
Breeder: Scott Dilworth and Evan Dilworth
Fourth-time starter caught sloppy Oaklawn tracks his first two starts and had some trouble there in his third race. Got a favorable setup here but did make the most of it and was going away at the end. Nice maiden Beyer, but wonder how much more immediate development within range right now.