Top Billing lives up to name with handy allowance score

Top Billing boasts a terrific pedigree, as a son of two-time Horse of the

Year Curlin and the multiple Grade 3-winning A.P. Indy mare Parade Queen. That

makes him a half-brother to Grade 3 heroine Untouched Talent, who is herself the

dam of Bodemeister, the 2012 Arkansas Derby romper and runner-up in both the

Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

In his only start as a juvenile, Top Billing rallied from almost 15 lengths

back in the Laurel slop and won impressively by 5 1/4 lengths on December 6. He

stretched out from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles when trying winners next time at

Gulfstream. His attempt to go last-to-first was compromised by traffic in the

stretch, and he fell a neck short of overtaking Commissioner.

With Rosario back aboard, Top Billing was content to lope along at the

rear in Saturday's 1 1/16-mile test. Up front, 8-5 second choice Surfing U S A,

Commissioner's stablemate from the Todd Pletcher barn, dictated fractions of :23

4/5, :47 1/5 and 1:11. He had no difficulty in shrugging off his early pursuers,

Rockford and Hesinfront.

But at the same time, Top Billing was circling the field on the far turn, and

so great was his momentum that he quickly submerged Surfing U S A swinging into

the stretch. He reached the mile mark in 1:36, and still under a hand ride, he

drew 2 3/4 lengths clear in a final time of 1:42 3/5.

"He was the best horse in the race," Rosario said. "He always takes himself

back a little bit, but when he's ready to go, he goes. I was very happy with the

move he made. He just has such a quick turn of foot and when he's ready, he

gives it to you. He's an honest horse."

Surfing U S A was best of the rest by 2 1/2 lengths. We're All Set took

third, followed by Hesinfront; Rockford; Monopolize, Hall of Famer John

Velazquez's first ride back from injury; and the tailed-off Grand Arrival.

Top Billing, who paid his fans $4, has now earned $56,835 from a record of

3-2-1-0.

McGaughey is looking ahead to the Derby trail, and pondering how to keep his

contenders apart.

"I'd like to keep them separated," the Hall of Famer said. "You know there's

not going to be another allowance race for him, so somewhere along the line

we're going to have to put our heads together, see how he comes out of this.

"The one thing we're not going to do is overcook him early -- that's not

going to happen. We'll just have to wait and see how he comes out of this.

"I was a little nervous about running him back in three weeks. But he trained

well and came out of it well, but it does show he can do it.

"This horse has an unbelievably good mind. When he schooled the other day, he

was perfect, and he was perfect again today. If we do have to send him

somewhere, that won't be a problem."

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