By Randy Moss
The GI Arkansas Derby undercard at Oaklawn Saturday produced two of the top five fastest maidens of the last week, while Pretty Boy Mia (Beau Liam) outran his auction tag with a dominant win at Aqueduct to garner the list's top spot.
5) FLEEK, OP, 3/28-12th, 1 1/8m VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure-81
(c, 3, Flat Out–On Fleek, by Curlin)
O-Poindexter Thoroughbreds. B-Allen Poindexter (Ky). T-Chris Hartman. J-Rafael Bejarano.
In the race before the GI Arkansas Derby at the same distance, Fleek continued his steady improvement to win going away at 13-1 odds. Owner/breeder Poindexter may be best known for his success at Prairie Meadows with Iowa-breds, but he also breeds in Kentucky–and on a racecard at Santa Anita six years ago, he bred the winners of the first three races.
4) DAWN AT NORMANDY, OP, 3/28-6th, 6f VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure-81
(g, 5, Omaha Beach-Flying Spur, by Giant's Causeway)
O-Contreras Stable and Andrew Knapczyk, B-Mike G. Rutherford (Ky). T-Cipriano Contreras. J-Emmanuel Esquivel.
Forty-one years ago, Texas oilman Mike Rutherford went to $2.7 million at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga for a yearling Alydar filly he named Milliardaire. She ran only twice–both impressive wins–but produced the brilliantly fast filly Lakeway. In turn, Lakeway produced Flying Spur, who in Rutherford's colors was second in Rachel Alexandra's GI Kentucky Oaks. And Flying Spur's latest winner is Rutherford-bred Dawn at Normandy, who reported home a winner at even money, then withstood a foul claim and stewards inquiry.
3) FLICK, TP, 3/25-10th, 6 1/2f VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure-82 (2nd)
(g, 4, Army Mule–Run Carrie Run, by Orientate)
O-Diamond F Racing. B-University of Kentucky (Ky). T-Michael Tomlinson. J-Danny Sheehy.
This week, we already have a Fleek–so why not a Flick? Making his 11th start, the dual 2023 Fasig-Tipton grad ran the race of his life on Beyer numbers and in midstretch finally appeared headed to victory, only to stay on his left lead and lose a close one to a 36-1 shot (below). This was a missed opportunity, because Tapeta seems to agree with his slow-breaking style and Turfway's meet ended three days later.
2) ANCIENT HISTORY, TP, 3/25-10th, 6 1/2f VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure-83
(g, 4, Anthony's Cross–Stormy Too, by Stormy Atlantic)
O/B-Steve Moger (Ca). T-Ed Moger Jr. J-Summer Pauley.
Here's the anatomy of a 36-1 shot: take a homebred by a stallion with a $2,500 stud fee, add a slow start and next-to-last finish in his debut, then toss in a nine-month layoff, a switch to an apprentice rider, and a half-mile tune-up breeze in :53. And what do you get? Ancient History running down 2-1 favorite Flick with our second-fastest maiden Beyer of the week.
1) PRETTY BOY MIAH, AQU, 3/29-5th, 6 1/2f VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure-89
(g, 3, Beau Liam–Tryingtolookpretty, by Mineshaft)
O-Team Penny Racing, Echo Racing, Flower City Racing, Anthony Bruno and Christopher Meyer. B-Thoroughbred by Design (Ky). T-Jeremiah Englehart. J-Ricardo Santana Jr.
He brought $60,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton October, but he's a lot better than that. Making his third start, he battled in hot fractions and just when it appeared the closers were closing in, he skipped away to a dominating 6 1/2-length score. His new blinkers may have helped, but he also showed plenty of talent in his debut over a deep Aqueduct strip.
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