By Jill Williams
When Speedway Stables LLC spent $900,000 at OBS April in 2023 for a daughter of Nyquist, a 4-year-old campaign and perfect record probably weren't the first things on Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's minds. But, nearly two years later, it's likely the partners in Speedway are not upset with a little delayed gratification, as Cavalieri (Nyquist)'s victory Saturday in the $300,000 GI B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes at Santa Anita made her the newest Grade I winner in their barn.
Off at even money, Cavalieri broke in an even line with the other five runners in the Beholder. As the dust settled, she emerged in a tracking spot behind pacesetter Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke), who led the field through :22.56 and :46.24 fractions. Bunched together early, the field saw positions mostly unchanged as Richi–a multiple Group 1 winner in Chile and 2025 graded winner in the U.S.–and Cavalieri began inching away from the others. As they spun off the turn, the Beholder came down to a two-horse race as the Bob Baffert-trained stablemates skirmished briefly. It was Cavalieri who kicked on, outfinishing Richi by three-quarters of a length and stopping the clock in 1:34.96 for the mile. MGSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini) was third.
“We always knew she would be a superstar,” said Baffert of the winner. “I'm proud of both horses. That was racehorse time.”
Now four-for-four, Cavalieri's unblemished record includes January's GIII La Canada Stakes in January. She debuted in August at Del Mar at a mile with an introductory 90 Beyer Speed Figure, then followed it up with an entry-level allowance at Santa Anita in October before making the jump to stakes company.
Pedigree Notes:
Alastar Thoroughbred Co. bought Stiffed, dam of Cavalieri, for $320,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November sale. In addition to the Beholder Mile winner, the mare has produced 2023 GII Gulfstream Park Oaks victress Affirmative Lady (Arrogate), as well as a 2-year-old filly by Connect and a yearling colt by Mandaloun. Bred to Elite Power for this spring, Stiffed has produced two of the 23 black-type winners for Stephen Got Even as a broodmare sire.
“Marette Farrell, who helps us as a bloodstock agent, loved her physical,” said Fluor of Cavalieri. “Her breeding, well, Nyquist speaks for itself, kind of beyond that you just kind of keep your fingers crossed.”
Nyquist, who stands at Darley, has three champions among his 16 graded winners and 28 black-type winners in just five crops to race.
Saturday, Santa Anita Park
B. WAYNE HUGHES BEHOLDER MILE S. PRESENTED BY FANDUEL TV-GI, $300,500, Santa Anita, 3-8, 4yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:34.96, ft.
1–CAVALIERI, 122, f, 4, by Nyquist
1st Dam: Stiffed (MSW & MGSP, $256,559),
by Stephen Got Even
2nd Dam: High Noon Nellie, by Silver Deputy
3rd Dam: Full and Fancy, by Marfa
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($170,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $900,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Speedway Stables LLC; B-Alastar Thoroughbred Co, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $318,000. *1/2 to Affirmative Lady (Arrogate), GSW, $284,435. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Richi (Chi), 120, m, 5, by Practical Joke
1st Dam: Rich Baby (Chi) (MGSP-Chi), by Scat Daddy
2nd Dam: Richwood Royal, by Royal Academy
3rd Dam: Magic Feeling (Ire), by Magical Wonder
O-Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. (J. G. Sikura) and Stud Vendaval, Inc.; B-Haras Paso Nevado (CHI); T-Bob Baffert. $60,000.
3–Tarifa, 122, f, 4, by Bernardini
1st Dam: Kite Beach, by Awesome Again
2nd Dam: Tizdubai, by Cee's Tizzy
3rd Dam: Cee's Song, by Seattle Song
'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $36,000.
Margins: 3/4, 5 3/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 1.10, 3.10, 5.90.
Also Ran: Hoosier Philly, Alpha Bella, Ultimate Authority.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
#3 CAVALIERI ($4.20) keeps her undefeated record intact with a win in the $300,000 Beholder Mile Presented by FanDuel TV (G1). The four-year-old filly by @DarleyAmerica's Nyquist was ridden by @JJHernandezS19 for trainer @BobBaffert. pic.twitter.com/0YAlhIe1Xe
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 8, 2025
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