Breakout Beyers: Well-bred Empire Gal turns on afterburners in snappy debut

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

Empire Gal

Nov. 20, 6th race Del Mar, MdSpWt72k

Beyer: 76

6.5f 1:17.45 – 1st by 2 1/4 lengths

b. f. 2, Empire Maker – Double Tapped, by Tapit

Noteworthy siblings: Majestic Eagle (Medaglia d’Oro) – graded-stakes winner, $387K earnings

Auctions: None

Owner: Bridlewood Farm

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Breeder: Bridlewood Farm

A very sharp and encouraging debut performance from a homebred with a very, very nice pedigree. Empire Gal’s dam only won once but is a sister to the top-class runners Untapable and Paddy O’Prado. This filly was restive in the starting gate but broke decently, an outside draw allowing her jockey to let her drift back from a pressing position to sixth place going into the far turn. The rider, using his hands, asked his mount for run past the three-furlong marker while traveling wide and got a good response, Empire Gal moving into contention by the head of the homestretch, initially racing a little green when leveling off for the run to the wire, but then really cruising to the lead while never much urged by the fellow on her back. She passed horses comfortably with the stride rhythm of a horse meant for route racing who merely had sufficient talent to win sprinting. Eager to see where she goes from here.

Osbourne

Nov. 17, 2nd race Churchill, MdSpWT87k

Beyer: 78

7f 1:23.39 – 1st by 1 3/4 lengths

ch. g. 2, Tapiture – Planet Rock, by Rock Hard Ten

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auction: Wanamaker’s July auction 2020 – $9,000 (RNA)

Owner: Southern Springs Stables (Ron Moquett), the Estate of Floyd Sagely, and M. Tauber

Trainer: Ron Moquett

Breeder: Amy Boulton

Was an odds-on favorite facing just four foes following a fine second behind the promising Howling Time and made the short price stick. Broke a half-step slow but that didn’t matter as he had the outside post and could sidle up to contest the lead without worrying about getting trapped behind horses. This was a slow-paced race to the extent that Osbourne ran negative splits, going considerably faster from the quarter pole to the wire than he’d run down the backstretch and around the turn, though the runner-up did blast past him during the gallop-out. Changed leads right on cue and was much the best to the wire while going along with an appealing-enough stride. If nothing else, he’s already turned out better than a horse who failed to meet a mere $9,000 reserve at a relatively obscure sale during the summer of 2020.

G Munning

Nov. 19, 6th race Aqueduct, NY-bred MdSpWt70k

Beyer: 78

6f 1:11.78 – 1st by 1 length

b. c. 2, Munnings – To the Nines, by Super Saver

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Keeneland November breeding 2019 – $50,000; Fasig-Tipton select yearling 2020 – $90,000; Fasig-Tipton March select 2-year-old in training 2021 – $275,000

Owner: Flanagan Racing

Trainer: John Kimmel

Breeder: Clark Brewster and Gold Square Inc.

Went to the front and beat a field of New York-breds – but this still was a pretty appealing debut. No secret, as he went off at 2-1, and after a so-so break, he was sent fairly hard to get to the front, opening a clear lead into the turn while extending himself nicely. Got an upper-stretch challenge from fellow first-timer Bold Journey, who nearly got on even terms before G Munning, who had changed leads like an old pro, turned him back and drew away in the waning strides. The winner wasn’t allowed to gallop out much and appeared to cross the wire with plenty left, cause for optimism for a colt with this much speed who had been asked to take the early lead.

Life Is Great

Nov. 18, 7th race Aqueduct, MdSpWt80k

Beyer: 81

7f 1:24.64 – 1st by 6 3/4 lengths

b. c. 2, Tapiture – Zucca, by Read the Footnotes

Noteworthy siblings: Sadie Lady (Freud) – multiple stakes-winner, $412K earnings

Auctions: None

Owner: E.V. Racing Stable

Trainer: Robert Klesaris

Breeder: E.V.S. Corp

This colt was coming out of a one-turn route race at Belmont, and apparently the cutback was really what he wanted since this, his fifth career start, was far, far better than anything he’d previous shown. He did get a perfect pressing trip from an outside draw but made the most of it, taking over the lead past the quarter pole and rapidly drawing clear. The colt has an exuberant way of going and front-leg action a little wilder than desirable. Sharp showing, no doubt, but it’s hard to get terribly excited given his failure to approach this kind of form in four other chances.

La Crete

Nov. 20, 7th race Churchill, MdSpWt119k

Beyer: 67

1 1/16M 1:45.44 – 1st by 2 1/4 lengths

b. f. 2, Medaglia d’Oro – Cavorting, by Bernardini

Noteworthy siblings: Clairiere (Curlin) – G1 winner, $1.29 million earnings

Auctions: None

Owner: Stonestreet Stables

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings

Her Beyer didn’t meet the cutoff for a 2-year-old this time of year but have to include her in this week’s listings because she visually impressed going two turns in her career debut, just like her lone sibling to race, the excellent Clairiere. A strong enough early and middle pace can enervate a 2-year-old first-timer, and perhaps that led to the very modest final time, but, for now, the suspicion is she can turn out better than this figure.