TimeformUS Speed Figure Report for week ending Aug. 13, 2017
Each week, TimeformUS Chief Figure Maker Craig Milkowski takes a look back at the weekend’s graded stakes and releases the TimeformUS Speed Figures for these races.
Arlington
Grade 1 Arlington Million
1/2 133
1m 116
Fin 117
Top 3: Beach Patrol 118, Fanciful Angel 117, Deauville 116
Note: Well below par for Grade 1 older males; winner had lost six straight – his last win came over this course in the 2016 Secretariat.
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Grade 1 Beverly D.
1/2 126
3/4 113
Fin 118
Top 3: Dacita 122, Grand Jete 121, Dona Bruja 121 (dead heat for 2nd)
Note: Winner trained by Chad Brown, who also won the Million in next race; nightmare trip for Grand Jete, probably best
Grade 1 Secretariat
1/2 133
1m 126
Fin 122
Top 3: Oscar Performance 123, Taj Mahal 119, Afandem 118
Note: Race was run 0.60 of a second faster than Arlington Million later on the card; third straight win for 2-year-old turf champ after starting season with two off-the-board finishes
Grade 3 Pucker Up
Fin 116
Top 3: Fault 116, Journey Home 116, Lovely Bernadette 112
Note: No pace figures - race run on rarely used course configuration; huge superfecta comprising top four fastest last-race TimeformUS Speed Figures
Grade 3 American St. Leger
Fin 121
Top 3: Postulation 121, Tagleeb 118, Keystoneforvictory 115
Note: Second stakes win in a row (first graded) for Postulation, previously 0 for 6 since shipping to the U.S.; no TimeformUS Pace Figures for races over 1 ½ miles
Saratoga
Grade 1 Fourstardave
1/2 125
3/4 131
Fin 131
Top 3: World Approval 131, Time Test 128, Ballagh Rocks 127
Note: Rain hit before race, course considerably slower than earlier in the day; first try on turf at mile distance for winner, has won at distances as long as 11 furlongs (Grade 1 United Nations)
Grade 2 Saratoga Special
1/4 129
1/2 117
Fin 107
Top 3: Copper Bullet 110, Hollywood Star 99, Tempestad 96
Note: Winner had much talked about tough trip in last when second in Grade 3 Bashford Manner; second best TimeformUS Speed Figure of 2017 thus far (Kowboy Karma, 111)
Grade 2 Adirondack
1/4 93
1/2 99
Fin 101
Top 3: Pure Silver 100, Southhampton Way 85, Wall of Compassion 82
Note: Track coded red in TimeformUS PPs - speed did very well; winner now 3 for 3, first try outside statebred ranks
Del Mar
Grade 2 Best Pal
1/4 126
1/2 119
Fin 93
Top 3: Run Away 104, Dia de Pago 87, Fleetwood 87
Note: Winner 3 for 3, winning by open lengths in each race; tough start for 6-5 favorite Serengeti, finished sixth
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Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo
1/4 113
1/2 113
Fin 116
Top 3: Skye Diamonds 113, Constellation 113, Bendable 107
Note: Skye Diamonds has won last six starts at 6 1/2 furlongs or shorter; fourth consecutive runner-up finish for Constellation this year after taking Grade 1 La Brea to close 2016
Emerald
Grade 3 Longacres Mile
1/2 117
3/4 118
Fin 118
Top 3: Gold Rush Dancer 118, Mach One Rules 111, Dedicated to You 111
Note: Winner took lead after opening half-mile and steadily drew clear all the way to the wire; return trip to Emerald after starting career with five races over the track, including winning a stakes race around two turns
Monmouth
Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks
1/2 118
3/4 112
Fin 112
Top 3: Teresa Z 111, Sine Wave 110, Overture 110
Note: Winner had best TimeformUS Late Pace rating in race predicted to set up well for her closing style; her first stakes win
Woodbine
Grade 3 Seagram Cup
1/2 127
3/4 125
Fin 126
Top 3: Melmich 127, Are You Kidding Me 126, Gigantic Breeze 125
Note: Melmich is undefeated in 2017 in three tries with TimeformUS Speed Figures ranging from 127 to 130; 14th win on Woodbine synthetic track
Ellis Park
Grade 3 Groupie Doll
1/2 134
3/4 122
Fin 110
Top 3: Tiger Moth 110, Walkabout 109, Danzatrice 106
Note: Second straight stakes win for Tiger Moth, both coming from off the pace in “red fraction” races; top two finishers were clear top-rated TimeformUS Late Pace horses in race projected to have a hot pace