Breakout Beyers: Wet track no problem for Merneith

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

Merneith

April 19, 10th race, Oaklawn, MdSpWt60k

Beyer: 91

6f , dirt sloppy, 1:09.96, 1st by 10 1/4 lengths

b. f. 3, American Pharoah-Flattermewithroses, by Flatter

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed ’17 - $300K; OBS March 2yo ’19 - $600K

Owner: Sultan bin Mishal al Saud

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Breeder: China Horse Club

Well – she likes a wet track! This was the very definition of a “Breakout Beyer” as this filly went 73-73 before popping this 91. Debut came in a sprint with blinkers on, second start in a mile with blinkers off; she was beaten on a head bob in the second start by a huge longshot after Merneith looked home at the sixteenth pole. Does she not stay a route? Maybe not, but unsure why she wouldn’t. She didn’t pull too hard in the route race, has the pedigree of a route horse, and the way she goes doesn’t seem especially sprinty. She got her last quarter mile in 24 seconds here and did so while on cruise control.

Basquiat

April 25, 5th race, Gulfstream, MdSpWt38k

Beyer: 80

7f, dirt fast, 1:23.25, 1st by 1 ½ lengths

b.c. 3, American Pharoah-Divalarious, by Distorted Humor

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: None

Owner: Peter Brant

Trainer: Chad Brown

Breeder: White Birch Farm (Peter Brant)

Homebred with a lot of turf in the female family, but his action looks fine on dirt – presumably why Mr. Brown debuted him on the main track. I’d describe his performance as “rugged,” but also thought it was more encouraging than the speed figure alone. He was at least mildly ridden along most of the race and never really tugged on the bridle, but he had tactical speed and willingly got down to the task at hand at the three-sixteenths pole, and crossed the finish in hand after the job had been finished. Good candidate to be even better over a route of ground.

Violent Pass

April 25, 11th race, Oaklawn, MdSpWt60k

Beyer: 83

1 1/16M, dirt fast, 1:45.06, 1st by 1 ¾ lengths

b.c.3, Violence-Cruzette, by War Pass

Noteworthy siblings: None

Auctions: Keeneland Sept. ’18 - $80k

Owner: Norma Lee Stockseth & Larry Dunn

Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel

Breeder: Machmer Hall

Ran well in his sprint debut, took a step back (with a tough trip) sprinting second time out, and turned in a breakout performance in his first two-turn start here. Made a clear early lead, didn’t fight the rider when another horse took off and supplanted him on the engine down the backstretch, eagerly collared the leader and drew clear to a definitive victory, coming across the line with bounding strides and good energy. Yes – he does bound, throwing his long front legs up and forward in a manner suggesting sustained pace, rather than quick acceleration, will be his strong suit. More middle distance influences than real staying blood on the dam’s side, but obviously the stretch to a long distance did him good.

Ragtime Blues

April 24, 7th race, Oaklawn, MdSpWt60k

Beyer: 80

6f, dirt fast, 1:09.96, 1st by a head

b.c.3, Union Rags-Home of the Blues, by Street Cry

Noteworthy siblings: Tough Love (2016, by Bernardini) – N1X alw. Feb. 22 OP 94 Beyer

Auctions: Keeneland Sept. ’18 - $500k

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Breeder: Mike Pietrangelo

Very route-oriented pedigree, but not a very route-oriented body. Second-time starter showed good speed but has a blocky body and takes short strides. Runner-up, Backshot, was closing fast at the wire, and you can see why connections debuted Ragtime Blues over 5 ½ furlongs. Got the job done, yes, but don’t see tremendous upside here.