BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-bred Rated by Merit continues to produce top analytics with a 93 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory in Saturday’s $300,000 In Reality, the final leg of the colts and geldings division of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes.
After delivering a 99 Beyer number—tops among all 2-year-olds in North America this year—in winning the $200,000 Florida Sire Stakes Affirmed going seven furlongs on Oct. 19, the St. Elias Stable homebred won the mile-and-a-sixteenth In Reality by six-and-a-half lengths. The 93 Beyer number ranks among the top four this year by 2-year-olds around two turns and Rated by Merit is the only 2-year-old this year with more than one Beyer among the top 15. Every Beyer from his four starts this year appear among the leaders.
Citizen Bull produced a 96 Beyer in winning the mile-and-a-sixteenth FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade 1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1 while Breeders’ Cup Juvenile second-place finisher Gaming received a 95. East Avenue was also credited with a 95 Beyer for winning the mile-and-a-sixteenth Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 5.
Rated by Merit produced at 92 Beyer Number when breaking his maiden going six furlongs at Gulfstream in July—a figure that ranked as the best among 2-year-olds in North America at that time. He returned in his second start to win the $100,000 Florida Sire Stakes Dr. Fager by six-and-a-quarter lengths, also at six furlongs at Gulfstream, achieving a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.
Rated by Merit is by Battalion Runner out of Banner Waving, by Speightstown and is trained by Michael Yates. Saturday, he became the 11th horse to sweep the male divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes, joining Smile (1984), Naked Greed (1991), Seacliff (1995), Express Tour (2000), Sir Oscar (2003), Big Drama (2008), Jackson Bend (2009), Fort Loudon (2011), Three Rules (2016) and Awesome Strong (2022).
Yates said Sunday that no decision has been made as to a next start for Rated by Merit but indicated the colt will stay in Florida for the Kentucky Derby prep races at Gulfstream Park.
