Spotlight Performances

SPOTLIGHT PERFORMANCES

JUNE 2, 2005

by James Scully

G P FLEET (Northern Afleet), who earned his first graded victory

last November at Churchill Downs, offered an eye-catching run to capture a turf

allowance at Churchill Downs on Sunday and is moving in the right direction

presently for trainer Steve Flint. The five-year-old gelding earned a 112 BRIS

Late Pace rating for his victory over Grade 2 winner and horse for the course

Senor Swinger (El Prado [Ire]), and G P Fleet looks like a major player for

upcoming stakes races on the turf this summer. The July 4 Firecracker Breeders'

Cup H. (G2) is a likely target.

LA REASON (Labeeb [GB]), runner-up in the Doubledogdare S. at

Keeneland two starts previously, returned to the winner's circle for the first

time in nearly a year when easily taking a 1 1/16-mile allowance under the Twin

Spires last Wednesday (May 25). The five-year-old mare received a 103 BRIS Speed

rating for her 3 1/4-length score, and La Reason appears to be rounding back

into top form for conditioner David Vance. A surprise winner of the Molly

Pitcher Breeders' Cup H. (G2) last July, she could be dangerous returning to

stakes company in her next outing.

MESAWMI (Lemon Drop Kid) remained unbeaten and showed an

affinity for the turf with a 1 1/4-length triumph over allowance rivals on

Monday at Churchill. Out of Grade 3 winner Theresa the Teacha (Cure the Blues),

the three-year-old made his career bow in a $30,000 maiden claiming event on May

3 in Louisville, Kentucky, and rolled to a 3 3/4-length victory for trainer Pat

Byrne, who was lucky to not lose the bay colt. Mesawmi made his second career

start on Memorial Day and came home quickly to win going away at 17-1.

MASSEUSE (Dynaformer) made his seasonal bow a winning one on

Sunday at Belmont Park, drawing off to a 4 1/4-length decision in a grassy

nine-furlong maiden special weight affair. Trained by James Toner, the

three-year-old filly is a half-sister to a pair of turf stakes winners and could

have a nice future on the grass herself. She completed her final eighth in :11

3/5.

INGOT (Seeking the Gold), the second foal to race from Grade 1

queen Catinca (Storm Cat), ran big in his career bow Saturday, inhaling the

pacesetter in upper stretch and cruising home to a 3 1/2-length tally at

Belmont. The Todd Pletcher-trained sophomore colt earned a 99 Speed rating for

his sharp performance at six furlongs and is bred to run long.

German stakes winner QSAR (Ger) (Tiger Hill) captured his U.S.

bow Sunday over a tough optional-claiming field at Hollywood Park, rallying from

just off the pace to win by three parts of a length in the 1 3/16-mile turf

event. Now trained by Bobby Frankel, the four-year-old earned a 108 Late Pace

rating for his fast finish. Qsar looks like one to watch for in the future.