William H. Lawrence’s Analyze It was sent off the 1-2 favorite against 10 rivals in Sunday’s $102,070 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes (G3) at Del Mar and proved worthy of the backing with an easy 4 1/4-length victory under jockey Jose Ortiz.
The Point of Entry juvenile took command from the start, setting the opening quarter in :23.40, before being joined to his outside by King Eddie. That runner drew even, and the pair proceeded to duel down the backstretch through splits of :47.48 and 1:11.94.
Analyze It finally shook loose from that rival, as well as the rest of the field, rounding the final turn. The bay colt opened up and sailed home to finish a mile on the firm turf in 1:35.05 to return $3 for the win.
Pubilius Syrus was best of the rest, 2 1/4 lengths in front of 80-1 longshot East Rand on the wire. It was a four-horse photo for third, with East Rand a head in front of Choo Choo, who in turn had that margin over Inscom, and another head back to Extrordinary Jerry. Completing the order under the wire were Magic Musketier, Golden Dragon, Big Buzz, Armour Plate and King Eddie.
Analyze It is now two-for-two in his career after taking his maiden debut on October 28 at Belmont Park by 6 1/4 lengths. The Chad Brown trainee earned a 100 BRIS Speed rating for that one-mile turf affair, and has banked $105,000 lifetime.
Bred in Kentucky by Nancy & P. Headley Bell and NATO, Analyze It is the first registered foal out of the winning Consolidator mare Sweet Assay. His third dam is Grade 2 heroine A. P. Assay, who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1-scoring millionaire and sire Came Home.
CECIL B. DEMILLE QUOTES
Jose Hernandez, assistant trainer Analyze It, winner
“Wow. He’s an amazing horse to work with and be around. I was a little worried early when the horse came up outside and tried to put some pressure on him. But I know this horse and he can be on the pace or off it. As soon as they turned for home, he was gone.”
Jose Ortiz, jockey Analyze It, winner
“I wasn’t expecting to be in front; I thought I’d sit off the speed. But he broke so well and he was going to easy, I just let him roll along. When we went to the three-eighths pole, I knew I had it won. I still had a lot of horse under me. I love riding horses like this; when you ask them to go, they go.”
Kent Desormeaux, jockey Pubilius Syrus, second
“He ran well. It was an eventful trip, but he ran well.”
Drayden Van Dyke, jockey East Rand, third
“He’s a cool horse. He’s fun to ride. You can do whatever you want with him.”
