By Randy Moss
In horse racing, an exceptionally fast race will often involve not just a speedy winner, but others who run faster than usual trying to keep up. That phenomenon arises again in this week's list of fast females, featuring six horses from three races.
6–IRISH MAXIMA, BAQ, May 9, Ruffian Stakes-GII, 1m
Beyer Speed Figure- 90 (video)
(m, 5, Maximus Mischief–Palace Pier, by Out of Place)
O-Irish Three Racing; B-Pillar Property Services (Ky); T-John Servis; J-Frankie Pennington.
Once again, Irish Maxima proved that when she shakes loose to a clear early lead, it takes a very strong performance to run her down. The two-time Fasig-Tipton sales grad ($65,000 October yearling, $50,000 Midlantic May 2yo) zipped away to a six-length cushion nearing the stretch of the Ruffian and held on for her first victory at a distance farther than seven furlongs.
5–SOMETHINABOUTHER, CD, May 8-6th, Allowance, 1mT
Beyer Speed Figure- 90 (3rd) (video)
(f, 4, Mendelssohn–Phantom Proton, by Ghostzapper)
O-X-Men Racing IV, Madaket Stables & SF Racing; B-Stepaside Farm (Ky); T-Brendan Walsh; J-Tyler Gaffalione.
Donato Lanni and partners' GSW filly ran a 1:33.97 turf mile at Churchill Downs, yet finished third in a stakes-level allowance that produced three of the week's six fastest females. Saving ground on both turns helped, although she didn't have the cleanest run through the lane.
4–MISS VYVYANNE, WO, May 9-8th, Allowance, 5f (AWT)
Beyer Speed Figure- 91 (2nd) (video)
(m, 6, Rainbow Heir–Caribean Beat, by Half Ours)
O-Ralph Murray & Calstar Farm; B-Tom McCrocklin & Gerald Martin (FL); T-Gail Cox; J-Pietro Moran.
She was fast and getting faster when Gail Cox dropped a claim slip for $32,000 last summer and since then she has won four of five in front-running fashion. And when any horse can repeatedly outsprint the competition to the front in five-furlong turf dashes, you know they're seriously quick.
3–FANTASTICAL, CD, May 8-6th, Allowance, 1mT
Beyer Speed Figure- 91 (2nd) (video)
(m, 5, Air Force Blue–Wangari, by Giant's Causeway)
O-Carl Moore Management; B-Paul Schwartz & James Reiley McDonald Jr (Ky); T-Joe Sharp; J-Axel Concepcion.
She could be better on Tapeta, over which she has earned four of her five wins. But that argument isn't as clear-cut after her runner-up finish in the aforementioned powerful CD allowance. She earned a straight-forward 91 Beyer on grass, compared to her previous Tapeta high mark of 82.
2–BRACELET, CD, May 8-6th, Allowance, 1mT
Beyer Speed Figure- 93 (video)
(f, 4, Authentic–Bella Gattino, by Tapit)
O-Selective; B-Jumping Jack Racing & Seclusive Farm (Ky); T-Brad Cox; J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
Bracelet was beaten just 1 1/4 lengths in the GII Mrs. Revere Stakes last fall, and now looks ready to tackle graded company again. She was put in perfect strategic position by Irad Ortiz– what else is new?–but now has recorded Beyers of 91 to 93 in three of her last four turf outings.
1–LITTLE TEDDY, WO, May 9-8th, Allowance, 5f (AWT)
Beyer Speed Figure- 94 (video)
(m, 5, Frac Daddy–Explosive Leah, by Silent Name {Jpn})
O-York Tech Racing Stable; B-Susan Rasmussen & H Lothian (ON); T-Santino DiPaola; J-Austin Adams.
Last year's Sovereign Award winner as Canadian champion female sprinter made six starts at Woodbine (the minimum for awards consideration in any given year is three starts in Canada) and won four of those, including two stakes. And she showed her trademark determination in her first start at five, running down a tough customer in Miss Vyvyanne (above).
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