BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE (Edited)
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL—St. Elias Stable’s Rated by Merit returned to the Gulfstream Park worktab Friday morning for the first time since maintaining an unbeaten, unchallenged record in the $100,000 Dr. Fager, the first leg of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series, on Sept. 7.
The homebred son of Battalion Runner, who has produced two of the five highest Beyer Speed Figures for all 2-year-olds this year, stretched his legs during a half-mile workout in :52.46.
“We just did a little easy work with him. He worked an easy half, galloped out on his own,” trainer Michael Yates said. “It was a little maintenance work. We’re very happy with him.”
Rated by Merit debuted at six furlongs with a nearly 10-length victory July 13 at Gulfstream while earning a 92 Beyer Speed Figure, the fastest of all 2-year-olds this year until Ferocious, a $1.3 million purchase at Ocala Breeders’ Sales in March, was credited with a 96 following his impressive debut at Saratoga Race Course two weeks later.
The Florida-bred Rated by Merit came back to register a 93 figure for his six-and-a-quarter-length romp in the six-furlong Dr. Fager while setting a stakes record in 1:09.45.
Yates said it has not been decided where or when Rated by Merit will return to action, but the $200,000 Affirmed, the seven-furlong second leg of the Florida Sire Stakes series Oct. 19, is an option.
“It’s all about developing the horse after two such big races,” Yates said.
Rated by Merit is out of Banner Waving, by Speightstown and has earned an even $100,000 in his two starts.
Rated by Merit was nominated to the Oct. 5 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland but is not likely to be entered.
