Breakout Beyers: Uncle Chuck has a huge stride

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

Uncle Chuck

June 12, 2nd race, Santa Anita, MdSpWt50k
Beyer: 95
1M, dirt fast, 1:36.78, 1st by 7 lengths
b. c. 3, Uncle Mo – Forest Music, by Unbridled’s Song
Noteworthy siblings: Maclean’s Music – successful sire; Kentuckian – G3 winner; Electric Forest – G3 winner
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2018 – $250,000
Owner: Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, Paul Weitman
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings

Here we go again. There’s been 3-year-old attrition in the Baffert barn (Nadal done, Charlatan sidelined) but last week came debuting Cezanne and now Uncle Chuck. No blinkers and two turns for debut, which is pretty un-Baffertian, but man, this colt is a load, and you can see why connections just went straight to a route. He was on his heels when the gate sprang but huge strides got him to the vanguard before the first turn, by which time this race, for all intents and purposes, was over. Uncle Chuck just galloped them into the dust and is one of those behemoths that covers so much ground you don’t realize he’s actually going fast. From the way he traveled during the race and gallop-out, you’d think 1 1/4 miles and beyond would be within his scope, provided things go the right direction physically – no easy thing, perhaps, given his scope. It’d be just like the horse game if this $250,000 purchase turned out superior to $3.65 million Cezanne.

Creed
June 11, 4th race, Belmont, MdSpWt64k
Beyer: 89
1 1/16M, dirt muddy (sealed), 1:44.20,
1st by 7 3/4 lengths
b. c. 3, Honor Code – Aspiring, by Seeking the Gold
Noteworthy siblings: Sweet Success –$125k earner
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2018 – $650,000
Owner: G. Watts Humphrey and W.S. Farish
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Breeder: Edward Hudson and Lynn Hudson

Was ready to win under any conditions after a troubled and encouraging seven-furlong Tampa debut, but the setup in this one-turn route, with a fast, contested pace in front of him as Creed saved ground until midway around the turn, really flattered him. The dam hasn’t yet produced anything of real note, but third dam Weekend Surprise, sire of A.P. Indy and other successful progeny, is one of the blue hens of American dirt racing. Jose Ortiz had to use him just a touch past the half-mile pole to avoid getting pinned behind tiring leaders, and it was impressive how quickly Creed caught the front-runners. He won under mild encouragement and while not an A+ sort of prospect yet, he could be pretty good.

Crystal Ball

June 14, 4th race, Santa Anita, MdSpWt49k
Beyer: 83
1 1/16M, dirt fast, 1:43.86, 1st by 6 1/4 lengths
b. f. 3, Malibu Moon – Deja Vu, by Giant’s Causeway
Noteworthy siblings: Escapade – $163K earnings
Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2018 – $335,000; Fasig-Tipton Florida March Select 2yo 2019 – $750,000
Owner: WinStar Stablemates Racing
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Breeder: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds

Was third choice in a four-horse field where the Baffert-trained Via Angelica was odds-on, but Crystal Ball won her second start like a 1-5 shot. This was a classic case of “run them off their feet” the first five furlongs as this filly slowed way down her fourth quarter-mile, which went in 26.24, contrasted to the 24.21 she went around the turn to break the race open. Jockey Abel Cedillo kept her on a loose rein as she rolled along in front. Second dam produced two Grade 1-winning sprinters in Madcap Escapade – who did stretch out to win the Grade 1 Ashland around two turns – and Dubai Escapade, and one wonders, given the bloodlines and the slow finish, if this filly wants much more than one mile.

Silent Causeway

June 14, 11th race, Woodbine, MdSpWt47k
Beyer: 80
6f, Tapeta Footings, 1:10.26, 1st by 8 lengths
b. f. 3, Silent Name – Good Religion, by Giant’s Causeway
Noteworthy siblings: None
Auctions: Canadian Ontario September yearling 2018 – $3,099
Owner: Krasauskaite Racing
Trainer: Laura Krasauskaite
Breeder: Michael Deegan

This space has room for $3 million horses and $3,000 horses – if they run like this filly did. Was okay in her lone start at age 2, but really came out blazing in her 3-year-old debut. Good speed and made the lead but proved very manageable on the front end while able to open up around the turn without being asked. In fact, she never really was asked while just burying 12 rivals before the furlong grounds, coasting home from there. Given the auction price, the connections, and the manner of this victory, have to think the filly could be the subject of an upcoming private sale.