Rated by Merit looked like something of a throwback to his sire earlier this month, when he put up the year’s highest Beyer Speed Figure for a 2-year-old in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park. He earned a 92 for his debut win, romping by 9 3/4 lengths while covering six furlongs in a sharp 1:10.50. The next best Beyer among all 2-year-olds of 2024 is an 88. “It was pretty impressive,” trainer Michael Yates said of the race. “He looks like he has a lot of natural, raw talent.” Rated by Merit is a son of Battalion Runner, who in 2016 popped a Beyer of 98 in a maiden special weight sprint for 2-year-olds at Gulfstream. The December score came by 8 3/4 lengths and the Beyer he earned ranked among the top 10 juvenile numbers of that year. Rated by Merit is owned by his breeder, St. Elias Stable, which also raced Battalion Runner. Battalion Runner went on to finish second in the Wood Memorial and third in the Dwyer. Rated by Merit is a Florida-bred and is eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes, said Yates. The first race in the series is the $100,000 Dr. Fager at six furlongs Sept. 7 at Gulfstream. However, a decision on Rated by Merit’s next race has yet to be determined, Yates said Thursday. :: Get the Inside Track with the FREE DRF Morning Line Email Newsletter. Subscribe now.  “We haven’t made any final decisions to where we’ll start him next,” Yates said. “We’ll come up with that over the next week or two, have a plan moving forward. I don’t have any definites at this point. “He came back great, mentally and physically. He came out of the race very well.” Rated by Merit is a February foal out of the winning Speightstown mare Banner Waving. He shares the coloring of Battalion Runner, with both listed as grey or roan. “Mentally, he’s just a very uncomplicated horse,” Yates said of Rated by Merit. “Never too high, never too low – goes out and does his work and eats and sleeps and is in very good condition. A very uncomplicated horse at this point. “Physically, he’s a very well-balanced horse, good conformation.” Pay Zone has speed to lead Pay Zone has a chance to steal away in Sunday’s eighth race, a first-level allowance over six furlongs. Pay Zone used his speed to wire a field of $25,000 starter-allowance rivals last out at Gulfstream. He set fractions of 22.34 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.15 for the half-mile before winning the six-furlong race in a sharp 1:09.90. The 91 Beyer Speed Figure he earned is the beat last-race number in Sunday’s field. Edgar Zayas, who was aboard for the win, has the call again from trainer Rohan Crichton. Pay Zone will start from post 4 in the eight-horse field. Practically Dark will get good support off a four-length maiden special weight win at six furlongs at Gulfstream. He has tactical speed, and could get a tracking trip off Pay Zone. Other runners with speed in the race include Zydeceaux, who is making his first start since April. Crichton has another leading contender on the card in Yes I’m a Beast, who is seeking to win his fifth straight race in the third on Sunday. It’s a starter allowance over six furlongs and Yes I’m a Beast figures to be showing the way from the rail as he’s wired his rivals throughout his streak that started in February at Tampa Bay Downs. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.