- SHARONS BEACH, SA, 1-23, 4th race, 6 1/2 furlongs
BEYER SPEED FIGURE-89 (2nd)
(g, 3, Omaha Beach–Cosmic Code, by Into Mischief)
O-Panic Stable. B-Bryan Hawk (Ky). T-Jonathan Thomas. J-Umberto Rispoli.
He has always been auspiciously supported: as a debut 2-1 choice on turf when he lost by 22 3/4 lengths, then at 8-5 on dirt when he faded to lose by 9 1/4 lengths, and again last week at 9-5. This time, he lived up to the stubborn optimism. Few could have expected a Beyer leap from 58 to 89, but he pressed 6-5 favorite Liam Smith (below) from the outset, dropped about two lengths behind in upper stretch yet kept doggedly pursuing until he came up short by a diminishing neck–as they stopped the timer in a swift 1:15.95.
- LIAM SMITH, SA, 1-23, 4th race, 6 1/2 furlongs
BEYER SPEED FIGURE-89
(c, 3, Midshipman–Mama Joyce, by First Dude)
O/B-Donald Dizney (Ky). T-Doug O'Neill. J-Ernesto Jaramillo.
In the race described above, it took less of a leap of faith to expect such improvement from Liam Smith. He never got untracked in his debut against a strong maiden field, as he was shuffled back to last and climbed from kickback while the leaders sped through a half in :43.45–faster even than the Malibu Stakes later on the card. In this spot, he dashed right to the lead in :44.52 and led all the way. He was also one of three horses entered to be claimed, and was taken for $50k.
- CANALETTO, GP, 1/25, 7th race, 1 mile
BEYER SPEED FIGURE-89
(c, 3, Into Mischief–Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor)
O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant and Brook Smith. B-Lothenbach Stables (Ky). T-Chad Brown. J-Flavien Prat.
Ever since Minnesota racing and breeding titan Bob Lothenbach passed away unexpectedly in November 2023, his dispersed stock has lit up tracks from coast to coast. Last year it was GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit). And the latest is Sandman's half-brother, Coolmore's promising Canaletto, a pinhooked $1-million Saratoga yearling who kicked off his career Sunday with an eight-length romp at Gulfstream, earning 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' honors. In the same race, Coolmore also had Spartacus, a half-brother to Nest, but he finished a well-beaten fifth.
- CORONA DE ORO, FG, 1-24, 7th race, 6 furlongs
BEYER SPEED FIGURE-92 (2nd)
(c, 3, Bolt d'Oro-Lemon de Oro, by Lemon Drop Kid)
O-On Our Own Stable, U Racing Stables, Commonwealth Stable, James Nichols, Saints or Sinners, Edwin Barker, Daniel Rivers, John Haines, Titletown Racing, Deborah Self and Dallas Stewart. B-Willow Oaks Stable (Ky). T-Dallas Stewart. J-Brian Hernandez Jr.
At the very least, Corona De Oro has shattered the Five Fastest Maidens record for most ownership principals by a single entry: 11. As the 2-1 favorite making his third start, he burst from the pack to attack pacesetter Noble Affair (below) but couldn't get past him despite speeding his final quarter-mile in :23.61 and opening 8 1/2 lengths on the rest of the field. If he wins next time, the winners' circle should be crowded.
- NOBLE AFFAIR, FG, 1-24, 7th race, 6 furlongs
BEYER SPEED FIGURE-93
(c, 3, Vekoma-Paden Affair, by Rockport Harbor)
O-Wathnan Racing. B-Sandra Sexton and Silver Fern Farm (Ky). T-Steve Asmussen. J-James Graham.
Wathnan's $600k 2-year-old buy led from the start in his debut, refusing to let Corona de Oro by as the two colts flew down the Fair Grounds stretch. Based on earlier dirt races Saturday, the swift 1:09.84 final time translates to a sparkling Beyer, but a rainstorm hit just before the race, which in theory could have tightened the surface. That's why the performance of horses in this race will be monitored going forward to determine if the 93 figure needs to be adjusted.
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