Wed, 02/12/2020 - 15:33

Breakout Beyers: Golden Tapit has the pedigree

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

Golden Tapit

Wed, 02/12/2020 - 08:41

Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Feb. 10, 2020

FRONTIER MARKET

Trainer: John Sadler

Last race: Feb. 8, 7th

Finish: 5th by 2 3/4

Beyer: 94

Veteran lacked speed, lost ground rallying wide into stretch, finished evenly, galloped out with run in Grade 3 turf mile. Useful comeback, uncertain where fits on class ladder.

Wed, 02/12/2020 - 07:58

Illman: Laurel horses to watch for week of Feb. 10, 2020

JUST CHILL OUT

Trainer: Ferris Allen

Last race: Feb. 7, 1st

Finish: 2nd by 3/4

Beyer: 44

Just Chill Out’s rider was intent on staying down inside in the opening race on a wind-shortened card. Unfortunately, as the day wore on, it appeared the rail was the worst place to be on the track. Gelding gave a good try on the fence to just miss and will factor going a one-turn mile at the $10,000 maiden claiming ranks.

Mon, 02/10/2020 - 11:30

Free: Venetian Harbor rockets to top of class

Emily Shields
Venetian Harbor is 2 for 3 following a win Saturday in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes, her stakes debut.

Fun stuff happened around the country Saturday, most notably the emergence of a star filly at Santa Anita and a splashy U.S. debut at Oaklawn Park by an undefeated Group 1 winner from Argentina.

A star is born

The 3-year-old filly division gets deeper every week, and Venetian Harbor’s freaky romp in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes on Saturday at Santa Anita puts her in select company.

Mon, 02/10/2020 - 10:33

Trip Notes for February 8-9, 2020: Sam F. Davis, San Vicente, and more

Tom Keyser
Sole Volante took the lead in the stretch of the Sam F. Davis Stakes, and drew away for his first win on dirt.

Feb. 8

Gulfstream
Suwannee River (race 11)

Sun, 02/09/2020 - 19:01

Mutuel field closes favored at 2-1 in Pool 2 of 2020 Kentucky Derby Future Wager

The mutuel field, the 24th or “all others” option, closed as the favorite over Nadal after three days of betting into Pool 2 of the 2020 Kentucky Derby Future Wager. The pool opened Friday at noon Eastern and ran through 6 p.m. Sunday.

The field closed at 2-1, followed by Nadal (8-1), Tiz the Law (8-1), Dennis’ Moment (10-1), Maxfield (13-1), Authentic (15-1), and Thousand Words (16-1). The lowest $2 exacta will-pay is the field over Tiz the Law (24-22), worth $54.40.

Sun, 02/09/2020 - 14:47

Road to the 2020 Kentucky Derby: Sam F. Davis analysis

Tom Keyser
Sole Volante earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96 for his victory in the Sam F. Davis Stakes.

Grade 3, $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Tampa Bay Downs, Feb. 8, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Sole Volante, by Karakontie
Trainer: Patrick Biancone
Jockey: Luca Panici
Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone, and Limelight Stables Corp.
Beyer Speed Figure: 96

Sat, 02/08/2020 - 15:02

TimeformUS Aqueduct Horses in Focus for Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020

RACE 3: FAIR LASSIE (#2)