The Stars of Tomorrow programs at Churchill Downs have always been two of my favorite racing days of the year. An entire card dedicated to two-year-olds with their eyes on the following year's Kentucky Derby -- who wouldn't like that?
It just so happens that today is one of the Stars of Tomorrow days, with twelve races carded for up-and-coming juveniles. The schedule includes the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) and Golden Rod Stakes (gr. II), two tried-and-true preps for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively.
The first race of the card has just been run; a six furlong maiden special weight for two-year-olds of either gender. Twelve went to post, with Radiant Talent the favorite at 1-2. Dismissed in the betting at 25-1 was a colt named In The Beat, making his third start for owner Jim Tafel LLC, trainer Carl Nafzger, and jockey Calvin Borel -- the exact same connections of the 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense. Coincidentally, In The Beat is a son of Street Sense.
Shortly after the start of the race, Calvin Borel guided In The Beat to the rail, a technique that has earned Borel three victories in the Kentucky Derby. In The Beat was at the very back of the field early on as Radiant Talent helped set a quick pace of :21.84 and :45.30. Turning into the homestretch, the favorite kicked clear and looked to be on his way to victory.
But no one noticed In The Beat rallying furiously along the rail until deep stretch. Under a masterful ride, Borel had kept his mount glued to the inside and had picked off horses one by one to reach contention inside the eighth pole. Radiant Talent was still on the lead, but was beginning to tire after his early exertions. There was a small opening on his inside, just wide enough for a horse to squeeze through. Borel saw it and guided In The Beat to it for the final rally. Courageously, In The Beat shot through along the inside to secure a narrow victory in truly impressive fashion, completing the six furlongs in a quick 1:09.85.
What is even more amazing is that In The Beat is not bred to be a sprinter. To the contrary, he is by Derby-winning Street Sense out Rythmical Beat, a daughter of Derby-winning Fusaichi Pegasus. Time will tell how this colt turns out, but he certainly appears to be one of the hottest Derby prospects around. I'm looking forward to this colt's future.
-Keelerman
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