By Steve Sherack
A pair of very talented, unbeaten 3-year-olds could potentially face off in the GII Pat Day Mile S. on Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs.
Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) will take his two-for-two record to Louisville for Bob Baffert following a powerful, 6 3/4-length victory over older horses in an optional claimer at Santa Anita Saturday. He earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.
The $250,000 OBS June graduate previously overcame an impossible trip to win at first asking by a neck Mar. 7, good for 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' honors.
The blinkers came off for Crude Velocity's second career start.
#5 CRUDE VELOCITY ($3.00) and @flothejock cruised home to win R2 at @santaanitapark. The son of Beau Liam (@AirdrieStud) is trained by Bob Baffert. CSLR Racing Partners owns. pic.twitter.com/ToMEiTwhmI
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 4, 2026
“After this race here, Bob (Baffert) said he came back to the barn and looked like he hadn't even run a race,” said owner Bill Childs of CSLR Racing Partners. “He wasn't the least bit tired.”
Childs continued, “(Jockey Florent Geroux) said that once he got about three lengths ahead of them that he just quit asking him all together and he just coasted on him. It was great to be able to see that against those caliber of horses.
He didn't break that well (again), but between now and then, that will be corrected and they'll have him breaking better. It's just his second out, he's still learning.”
Both of Crude Velocity's races were contested at 6 1/2 furlongs.
“He was still looking for more ground at the end of this race,” Childs said. “I think he's gonna want to go a little further.”
Englishman (Maxfield) will also bring a two-for-two record to the Pat Day Mile.
Englishman | Hodges Photography
A no-brainer 'Rising Star' on debut after stopping the timer for seven furlongs in a razor sharp 1:21.35 at Churchill Downs Sept. 19, he romped again in his highly anticipated return in an optional claimer going six furlongs at Fair Grounds Mar. 19.
He's won his two starts by a combined 14 3/4 lengths and has earned Beyer Speed Figures of 97 and 95, respectively.
Englishman, a $400,000 Keeneland September purchase by C R K Stable, was back on the worktab with a four-furlong move in :47.20 (2/51) at Cherie DeVaux's Keeneland base Apr. 3.
“Englishman is working in fine fashion for this race,” owner Lee Searing said. “I saw him and he is a beautiful horse and I'm pretty sure a mile is well within his scope. Very excited for his next step.”
He was the talk of the town then, he's the talk of the town now! 🌟📰
💪 ENGLISHMAN returns in style in R10 at @fairgroundsnola! @reredevaux trains the colt and @jose93_ortiz was aboard.
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/o3B3KVdN0V
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 19, 2026
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