BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL—St. Elias Stable’s homebred Rated by Merit left everyone wanting to see more of the son of Battalion Runner, who stood the 2024 breeding season at Ocala Stud, after he streaked to a nearly 10-length debut victory at Gulfstream Park July 13.
Everyone will have that opportunity Saturday when Rated by Merit returns in the $100,000 Dr. Fager, the six-furlong first leg of the $1.2 million FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series for eligible 2-year-olds sired by accredited Florida stallions.
The Dr. Fager will co-headline Saturday’s Gulfstream Park program with the $100,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Desert Vixen, a six-furlong sprint for fillies. Rated by Merit is the even-money morning-line favorite in a field of eight 2-year-olds.
“He’s very uncomplicated. Mentally, he hasn’t changed because he was very mature mentally going into his first race,” trainer Michael Yates said. “He keeps marching out there doing his job every day. He’s growing, maturing. He’s going the right way.”
Rated by Merit’s debut victory became all the more impressive when the homebred colt’s effort was assigned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure, which was the highest of any 2-year-old in the country before being surpassed by Ferocious, a $1.3 million Ocala Breeders’ Sales purchase in March, who was credited with a 96 after his impressive debut at Saratoga two weeks later.
“It was basically a ‘Wow’ moment, I guess that’s the best way to say it,” Yates said. “I expected he would run well, but it was kind of a ‘Wow’ moment.”
Since his debut, Rated by Merit has had four workouts at Gulfstream Park that have Yates confident in the Florida-bred colt’s return.
“It’s all about just doing what’s right for the horse every day—just making good decisions and keeping him out of harm’s way and helping him move forward,” Yates said.
Yates has enjoyed past success in the Florida Sire Stakes series, having saddled Cajun’s Magic (2021) and Cajun Firecracker (2018) for victories in the Dr. Fager, as well as Go Jo Jo Go for a win in the 2020 Desert Vixen.
“I’m anxious, absolutely. I’m very anxious to see him run again,” Yates said.
Rated by Merit is a homebred for Vincent Viola’s St. Elias Stable. He is out of Banner Waving, by Speightstown and earned $40,000 in his lone start.
Jesus Rios has the return call and they will depart from the outside post eight.
Ian Parsard, Shining Stable LLC and Stefania Farms LLC’s Neoequos is rated second on the morning line at 3-1 off an impressive maiden score. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained colt, who lost his rider following a bumping start in his July 21 debut, pressed the pace while racing three-wide before drawing off to win by two lengths in a five-furlong maiden special weight race Aug. 10.
Neoequos is by Pleasant Acres Stallions resident Neolithic out of Bold Birdie, by Birdstone and was bred in Florida by Helen and Joseph Barbazon and Matalona Thoroughbreds LLC.
A $22,000 purchase by Joseph out of the Abbie Road Farm consignment at last year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Yearling Sale, Neoequos has earned $45,400.
Joseph, who saddled 2019 Dr. Fager winner Chance It, has awarded the return mount on Neoequos to Miguel Vasquez.
Amy Dunne and trainer Patrick Biancone’s Classic of Course, who debuted with a six-and-a-half-length victory at Gulfstream May 3, enters the Dr. Fager off two stakes appearances. The son of Awesome of Course is rated third at 4-1 in the program after finishing fourth behind winner Studlydoright in the $150,000 Tremont at Saratoga in June before returning to Gulfstream to fall a neck short of winner and fellow Florida-bred Naughty Rascal in the $95,000 Proud Man on Aug. 10.
Classic of Course is out of Alma Mater and was bred in Florida by Amy Dunne and Ciaran Dunne. He sports a field-high bankroll of $74,550 from his three races.
Emisael Jaramillo, who has been aboard for Classic of Course’s two Gulfstream starts, has the call from the inside post one.
Trainer Mary Lightner’s Candycrumbs holds the distinction of being the only stakes winner in the Dr. Fager field. The son of Bridlewood Farm resident Valiant Minister, finished second in his June 8 debut at Gulfstream then closed from tenth to capture the $105,000 Hickory Tree going five-and-a-half furlongs on Aug. 3 at Colonial Downs.
Candycrumbs is out of Crumb, by Graeme Hall and was bred in Florida by Shooting Star Thoroughbreds.
Edgard Zayas will ride Candycrumbs for the first time Saturday.
David Hunt’s I’mbiggerthanilook, Just for Fun Stable Inc.’s Lawler, John Minchello’s Zizka and Sonata Stable’s Just Relax round out the field.
