There’s nothing like a pleasant surprise when it comes to our Pix but to have it happen twice on the same day is really cool. We touted firster Nikki and Papa in the Forward Gal at Gulfstream and said to play her under the other two BreezeFigs fillies in the race, Tonalist’s Shape and Street of Dreams, and of course some laughed.

Tampa Bay Downs | Race 11 | Post Time 5:29 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

On Saturday, Whitmore makes his 2020 debut at Oaklawn Park as a vulnerable chalk, there’s an interesting matchup between 3-year-old fillies Alms and Pass the Plate at Fair Grounds, and a potentially really nice 3-year-old filly in Venetian Harbor racing in the Las Virgenes, one of two Santa Anita stakes. All well and good, but front and center in North American stakes action Saturday sits Tampa Bay Downs.

Aqueduct | Race 5 | Post Time 3:25 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up 

Nearly 600 people are expected to compete this year in the National Horseplayers Championship beginning this Friday at Bally’s Las Vegas in Nevada, according to the organizers of the tournament.

The qualifiers are expected to play approximately 700 entries in the tournament, which will have nearly $3 million in prize money and will run for three days. The top 10 percent of players after the first two days will make the semifinals on Sunday, with the 10 highest cumulative scorers in the round earning a seat at the so-called “Final Table” that will determine the ultimate winner.

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

Eve of War

AMERICAN BUTTERFLY

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

Last race: Feb. 2, 8^th

Finish: 2^nd by a head

Beyer: 83

He showed no hesitation coming up the rail to be part of a four-horse dash to the wire in a first-level allowance sprint for 3-year-olds. It was a strong group of young horses, and he was just edged in his first start in two months. He’s appealing back sprinting or on the move to two turns as a son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

MUCHACHO

Trainer: Corby Caiazzo

Last race: Feb. 1, 7th

Finish: 1st by 1/2

Beyer: 82

Mucho Macho Man gelding is 2 for 2 since being transferred to this barn and he was very game under mere hands-and-heels urging to deny favored Let's Play Nine in first start out of the maiden ranks. Seems very comfortable at the one-turn mile and can contend next time in optional-claiming company. 

TALLEMARK

Trainer: Bruce Headley

Last race: Jan. 30, 7th

Finish: 4th by 10

Beyer: 53

This first-time starter by Surf Cat was uncomfortable racing inside and behind runners, shuffled and lost position into turn, re-rallied, flattened out, very promising debut.

MONGOLIAN HUMOR

Trainer: Peter Miller

Last race: Jan. 31, 2nd

Finish: 2^nd by 1/2

From the time a filly made an auspicious career debut in a graded stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park, to a workmanlike victory by an older gelding against an ordinary field of grass horses Saturday at Santa Anita, a lot happened. Stuff like this . . .