By Randy Moss
A perfect mix this week: three dirt and three turf, three stakes and three allowances.
6–AMBERGLEN (IRE), CD, 6-19, Allowance, 1 1/8m (turf)
Beyer Speed Figure- -89 (video)
(f, 3, Night of Thunder {Ire}–Sea Empress {Ire}, by Sea the Stars {Ire})
O-Stonestreet Stables. B-Sunderland Holding (IRE). T-Brad Cox. J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
This was a huge step forward for Stonestreet's 320,000gns ($430,301) yearling buy at Tattersalls October, as her previous high Beyer in three starts was 67. Ortiz immediately put her in forward mode from her outside post and she cleared to the rail by the first turn, setting the pace for the first time in her career then drawing away to a five-length victory as the 3-2 favorite.
5–CLOE, CD, 6-21, Allowance, 5 1/2f (turf)
Beyer Speed Figure– 89 (video)
(f, 4, Tiz the Law–Nuhood, by Smart Strike)
O-Lugamo Racing Stable. B-Crosshaven Bloodstock (Ky). T-Mike Maker. J-Tyler Gaffalione.
Her unraced dam is a half-sister to Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Eldaafer, but sprinting appears to be her groove. She's a stakes-winner at five furlongs at Gulfstream, was second to eventual Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Shisospicy in the GII Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs last fall, and won here by 1 3/4 lengths at odds-on. Owner Luis Gavignano owns a string of McDonald's franchises and operates Ocala-based Lugamo Racing Stable with sons Luis Jr. and Andres.
4–ECLATANT, CD, 6-20, GII Chicago Stakes, 7f
Beyer Speed Figure- -89 (video)
(f, 4, Into Mischief–Downside Scenario, by Scat Daddy)
O/B-Stonestreet Stables (Ky). T-Brad Cox. J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
Lightly raced Eclatant is obviously capable of much faster than this, but Cox appeared to cautiously ease up on her training somewhat after her sensational 109 Beyer in the GI Madison Stakes preceded by 104 in an allowance. This Grade II was really just busy work to keep her progressing toward the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint back at Keeneland, yet she still kicked into overdrive late to get up at the wire.
3–CASH CALL, CD, 6-19, Allowance, 6f
Beyer Speed Figure– 90 (video)
(f, 4, McKinzie–D'Fashion, by D'Wildcat)
O-Bill Childs. B-Brent & Beth Harris (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. J-Florent Geroux.
The $600,000 Ocala 2-year-old returned to the winners circle for the first time since her victory last June in the GIII Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita. She had only started twice in between, finishing fifth in the GI Test Stakes at Saratoga and third in her comeback race in March in California. She's a half-sister to Laurel stakes winner Strategic Dreams, whose Beyers topped out at a modest 75, but her dam's half-brother is Express Tour, a Godolphin graded winner from 25 years back.
2–MOPO, LRL, 6-20, Jameela Stakes, 6f (turf)
Beyer Speed Figure–90 (video)
O-Mopo Racing. B-Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Dr. Brooke Bowman and Rebecca Davis (MD). T-Phillip Capuano. J-Forest Boyce.
Longshot Gift of Gab had all the momentum at the sixteenth pole, but Mopo dug in gamely and wouldn't let her past to prevail at 9-10 odds against Maryland-breds in her first stakes start. She began her career with six runner-up finishes in eight starts but now has won two of her last three–and this was easily her best Beyer yet.
1–NERAZURRI, TDN, 6-20, Lady Jacqueline Stakes, 1 1/8m
Beyer Speed Figure–93 (video)
(f, 4, Protonico–Beautiful Liar, by Candy Ride {Arg})
O-Michael Eiserman. B-Porta Pia Stables (Ky). T-Mark Casse. J-Flavien Prat.
Privately purchased last fall by Eiserman, Nerazurri was overshadowed at Oaklawn this winter by Casse stablemate Nitrogen yet flashed considerable talent in two restricted stakes victories. She came up lacking against Grade I competition in the Apple Blossom Handicap and La Troienne Stakes, but her 4 3/4-length romp as a big favorite in this easier spot should restore her confidence.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
