Rated by Merit, yet to be headed in two prior starts including a last-out win in the Florida Sire Series Dr. Fager Stakes Sept. 7, stepped up to seven furlongs Saturday and kept his perfect record in tact with yet another gate-to-wire victory in the Affirmed Stakes at Gulfstream. Bet down to 1-5 off two wins by more than 10 combined lengths, the favorite again jumped to the lead but took pressure from Neoequos through the half in :45.45. Finally turning that rival away off the turn, Rated by Merit got some breathing room and opened up to the line, coming home a clear winner.
“The race went as we expected,” said winning rider Jesus Rios. “I thought we would be on the lead and [Neoequos] would be pressing us. I am very impressed with the horse. I trust him a lot. When I asked the horse to run, I know he is going to respond.”
Vinnie Viola, winning owner added: “I just want to thank Bo (Michael Yates). He's done a phenomenal job with the horse. He's really balanced, and it looks like he could be something, so it's exciting.”
Banner Waving has returned to Battalion Runner twice since producing Rated by Merit but has failed to produce another live foal since 2022. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
#2 RATED BY MERIT ($2.40) goes gate-to-wire to win the $200,000 Affirmed Stakes at Gulfstream Park and is now a perfect 3 for 3 in his young career. Jesus Rios was in the irons for Michael Yates.
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FTBOA FLORIDA SIRE AFFIRMED S., $200,000, Gulfstream, 10-19, (C), 2yo, c/g, 7f, 1:22.55, ft.
1–RATED BY MERIT, 121, c, 2, by Battalion Runner
1st Dam: Banner Waving, by Speightstown
2nd Dam: Freedom Flag, by Dixie Union
3rd Dam: Runup the Colors, by A.P. Indy
O/B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (FL); T-Michael Yates; J-Jesus M. Rios.
$120,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $220,000.
2–Neoequos, 121, c, 2, Neolithic–Bold Birdie, by Birdstone.
($22,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT). O-Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, LLC
and Stefania Farms, LLC; B-Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon &
Matalona Thoroughbres, LLC (FL); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
$40,000.
3–Classic of Course, 121, c, 2, Awesome of Course–Alma Mater,
by Honor Code. O-Amy E. Dunne and Patrick L. Biancone;
B-Amy E. Dunne & Ciaran G. Dunne (FL); T-Patrick L. Biancone.
$22,000.
Margins: 3 3/4, 7 1/4, NK. Odds: 0.20, 5.30, 11.70.
Also Ran: Big Paradise, Lou, Zizka.
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