Life and Times

Less than 48 hours after Team Godolphin celebrated Horse of the Year success, among other plaudits, at the Eclipse Awards ceremonies in nearby Palm Beach, 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Knightsbridge (Nyquist) kept the good times rolling, as he contested a hot pace outside of his less-experienced chief market rival Life and Times (Justify), got the better of that duel turning for home and kicked on gamely to take out Saturday's GIII Fred W. Hooper Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Favored at 4-5 off a maiden success at the graded...

Life and Times (Justify), the least experienced runner in the field, impressed in his belated debut, wiring a field over course and distance Nov. 1. by 5 3/4 lengths to earn a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. The 3-5 favorite on the step up Saturday, he had little issue handling this group of winners, pressuring Commuted (Gun Runner) for the early lead through the half in :46.60. Once in command, he drew off comfortably to lead this group in by 6 3/4 lengths with Dreamlike (Gun Runner) closing from last to...

6. SOLITUDE DUDE, GP, 11/1, 6 1/2 furlongs. (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 86 (c, 2, by Yaupon--After the Party, by Into Mischief) O-Chris Fountoukis. B-Martha Buckner and Matthew Ernst (Ky). T-Saffie Joseph, Jr.. J-Micah Husbands. Debuting as third betting choice (another Saffie Joseph first-timer was favored), he drubbed the competition by 9 1/2 lengths after setting the fractions. Joseph signed the $300k ticket in June at OBS for the son of first-crop sire Yaupon. The jury is still out on Yaupon's stamina genes, and Solitude Dude's dam was also a...