Insights on the American Racing Scene for Wednesday May 3

Insights on the American Racing Scene, brought to you by Alex Nichols Agency, turns the spotlight on the best U.S. races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses, other horses of note returning to action and/or notable results from sales pavilions around the world. Wednesday's Insights features a full-brother to GSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Speightster.

9th-CD, $51K, Alw (NW1X),3yo/up, 1mT, 4:52 p.m. ET
Live Oak Plantation snapped up the regally bred Speight Swiftly (Speightstown) for a cool $500,000 after he breezed a furlong in :10 even at OBSMAR in 2015. Originally a $200,000 KEESEP yearling, the Kentucky-bred began earning back his hefty purchase price with a head victory (Beyer Speed Figure 82) going 7 1/2 furlongs over the Gulfstream sod at first asking Mar. 10. That result has already yielded three other subsequent winners, and the Mark Casse trainee, 2-1 on the morning line, will leave from stall five. Speight Swiftly is a full-brother to GIII Dwyer S. hero and 'TDN Rising Star' Speightster and a half to fellow 'Rising Star' SW & GSP West Coast Swing (Gone West) and to SW Paiota Falls (Kris S.). The last named has already foaled SW and GIII Sam F. Davis S. third Rafting (Tapit) and French SW and G3 Prix Djebel third African Ride (GB) (Candy Ride {Arg}). Second dam is the wonderfully bred Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Classy 'N Smart (Smarten), a half-sister to U.S. and Canadian champion Sky Classic (Nijinsky II), and to Canadian champion juvenile colts Grey Classic (Grey Dawn II) and Regal Classic (Vice Regent). Classy 'N Smart produced Canadian Horse of the Year and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine Dance Smartly (Danzig), a full to Speight Swiftly's dam, as well as GISW and champion sire Smart Strike (Mr. Prospector), GISW Full of Wonder (Mr. Prospector), and GSW Strike Smartly (Mr. Prospector). TJCIS PPs