The effort earned a 103 Beyer Speed Figure and 127 TimeformUS Speed Figure, which are the highest by a 3-year-old going two turns this season.
Messier completed 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.89. Messier kicked into high gear leaving the second turn, pulled away to lead by eight lengths at the furlong marker and continued to extend his advantage before crossing the wire a scintillating 15-length winner.
The Canadian-bred son of Empire Maker shot to the front under Hall of Famer John Velazquez and with two rivals pressing, set a pace of 23.24, 46.94 and 1:11.32 for six furlongs. The speed figures backup that assessment. While the rivals in his wake weren’t much, this was as visually impressive as anything seen on this year’s Triple Crown trail. He is a prime candidate to become Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen’s first Kentucky Derby winner. Epicenter earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure, 101 Brisnet Speed Rating and 118 TimeformUS Speed Figure, which all rate near the top of this year’s preps.Įven more encouraging for the Derby is Epicenter proved the ability to sit off horses, take kickback and finish with a flourish. The final time was 1:54.38, a new track record, but note the distance is limitedly run at Fair Grounds. Pacesetter Zozos set fractions of 23.27, 47.35 and 1:11.69 for six furlongs as Epicenter sat three lengths back in third.Īs the field reached the quarter pole, Epicenter was finally tipped out some six wide for running room and with the mile split was reached in 1:36.16, he drew off for an authoritative 2 1/2-lengths victory. The son of Not This Time was outrun to the first turn by a pair of rivals, which left Joel Rosario content to secure a ground-saving trip along the rail stalking the leaders. Epicenter, Louisiana Derby (G2), March 26Īfter setting or attending the pace in all five prior starts, Epicenter showed a new dimension when winning this 1 3/16-miles prep at Fair Grounds. TimeformUS awarded a 125 on its scale, second-best in this year’s crop.Ģ. The Brisnet Speed Rating was 111, which is also the co-highest among sophomores. The effort returned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure, which is the co-highest this year for a 3-year-old going two turns this year. The final time on a fast track was a sharp 1:48.46. The Gun Runner colt then took aim at the leaders leaving the second turn and when inside the sixteenth pole, surged past top Kentucky Derby prospect Messier to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths. He proceeded to race three- to four-wide while stalking fractions of 22.75, 46.75 and 1:10.97 for six furlongs. In the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby, Taiba broke well but was eased off the pace entering the first turn by Hall of Famer Mike Smith. The $1.7 million auction purchase put the racing world on notice when going from a six-furlong debut win on March 5 for Bob Baffert to taking down the Western region’s major Kentucky Derby prep five weeks later for new trainer Tim Yakteen. Below are five of the best from the 2022 Triple Crown trail.ġ. Some produced standout efforts, others did not.
Between those Kentucky bookends were an additional 46 points-paying prep races held around the globe for horses hoping to qualify for the 148th Kentucky Derby under the Twin Spires on May 7.