SPOTLIGHT PERFORMANCES
JUNE 2, 2005
by James Scully
G P FLEET (Northern Afleet), who earned his first graded victory
last November at Churchill Downs, offered an eye-catching run to capture a turf
allowance at Churchill Downs on Sunday and is moving in the right direction
presently for trainer Steve Flint. The five-year-old gelding earned a 112 BRIS
Late Pace rating for his victory over Grade 2 winner and horse for the course
Senor Swinger (El Prado [Ire]), and G P Fleet looks like a major player for
upcoming stakes races on the turf this summer. The July 4 Firecracker Breeders’
Cup H. (G2) is a likely target.
LA REASON (Labeeb [GB]), runner-up in the Doubledogdare S. at
Keeneland two starts previously, returned to the winner’s circle for the first
time in nearly a year when easily taking a 1 1/16-mile allowance under the Twin
Spires last Wednesday (May 25). The five-year-old mare received a 103 BRIS Speed
rating for her 3 1/4-length score, and La Reason appears to be rounding back
into top form for conditioner David Vance. A surprise winner of the Molly
Pitcher Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) last July, she could be dangerous returning to
stakes company in her next outing.
MESAWMI (Lemon Drop Kid) remained unbeaten and showed an
affinity for the turf with a 1 1/4-length triumph over allowance rivals on
Monday at Churchill. Out of Grade 3 winner Theresa the Teacha (Cure the Blues),
the three-year-old made his career bow in a $30,000 maiden claiming event on May
3 in Louisville, Kentucky, and rolled to a 3 3/4-length victory for trainer Pat
Byrne, who was lucky to not lose the bay colt. Mesawmi made his second career
start on Memorial Day and came home quickly to win going away at 17-1.
MASSEUSE (Dynaformer) made his seasonal bow a winning one on
Sunday at Belmont Park, drawing off to a 4 1/4-length decision in a grassy
nine-furlong maiden special weight affair. Trained by James Toner, the
three-year-old filly is a half-sister to a pair of turf stakes winners and could
have a nice future on the grass herself. She completed her final eighth in :11
3/5.
INGOT (Seeking the Gold), the second foal to race from Grade 1
queen Catinca (Storm Cat), ran big in his career bow Saturday, inhaling the
pacesetter in upper stretch and cruising home to a 3 1/2-length tally at
Belmont. The Todd Pletcher-trained sophomore colt earned a 99 Speed rating for
his sharp performance at six furlongs and is bred to run long.
German stakes winner QSAR (Ger) (Tiger Hill) captured his U.S.
bow Sunday over a tough optional-claiming field at Hollywood Park, rallying from
just off the pace to win by three parts of a length in the 1 3/16-mile turf
event. Now trained by Bobby Frankel, the four-year-old earned a 108 Late Pace
rating for his fast finish. Qsar looks like one to watch for in the future.