Oaklawn springs back to life this week with a fine Saturday card, and after considerable stakes action across the nation Saturday, the Houston Ladies Classic and undercard races come Sunday at Sam Houston Race Park. Obviously, the hub of the racing world this weekend is Gulfstream Park, which hosts the first raceday medication-free Pegasus World Cup Invitational, so let’s start there.
Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 3:55 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive.
Nadal
Jan. 19, 7th race, Santa Anita, MdSpWt56k
Beyer: 98
6 1/2f, 1:15.82
Owner: George Bolton, Arthur Hoyeau, Barry Lipman, Mark Mathiesen
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Breeder: Sierra Farm (KY)
Oaklawn | Race 8 | Post Time 3:52 p.m. (CT) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
KEEPER IN SPITE
Trainer: John Robb
Last race: Jan. 20, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 4 1/4
Beyer: 35
Making first start off the claim and first with blinkers, this filly showed high speed from the outside post, pushed the other pace factor into defeat and held on gamely to be third. Looms a dangerous pace threat against $10,000 maiden claimers in shorter sprints.
ROOKIE SALSA
Trainer: Claudio Gonzalez
WOUND TIGHT
Trainer: Bob Hess Jr.
Last race: Jan. 18, 6th
Finish: 1st by 3 1/2
Beyer: 92
Gelding benefitted from slow pace in $200,000 Cal-bred turf stake at mile and eighth, but final three furlongs in 35.24 says win was no fluke. Tough right back vs. open company.
TIGRE DI SLUGO
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: Jan. 18, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 6
WICKED TRICK
Trainer: Linda Rice
Last race: Jan. 20, 7th
Finish: 1st by 9 1/4
Beyer: 102
Five-year-old gelding was going nowhere on turf until last summer but he has suddenly found himself since switching to dirt, where he had now won six straight while improving his figures each time. Triple-digit Beyer earned for this win suggests that he may get a shot in stakes company next.
SAGUARO ROW
ARCADIA, Calif. – The Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream Park lost its relevance in the shadow of the Pegasus World Cup, while the California Cup program at Santa Anita ceded its autumn importance by moving to the dead of winter six years ago.
But even if significance is marginal compared to the graded stakes calendar, the Saturday stakes for Florida- and California-bred runners at Gulfstream and Santa Anita at least proved that anyone – small breeders to claiming owners – can find a good horse.
Aqueduct | Race 4 | Post Time 1:56 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
