Insights on the American Racing Scene for Feb. 4

1st-AQU, $60k, Msw, 4yo/up, 6f, 12:50 p.m. EDT
Chad Brown will debut Klaravich Stables and Bill Lawrence's WAGE ACCELERATION (Quality Road) in this Saturday opener. The bay, purchased for $250,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling in 2014, is a half to MGSW Race Day (Tapit) and is out of a half to MGISW Lite Light (Majestic Light). Wage Acceleration shows a steady series of above-average half-mile breezes over the Belmont training track, most notably covering the distance in :48 4/5 (6/68) from the gate there Jan. 22. Bran Jam Stable's Jamie's Jammin (Uncle Mo) also makes his career bow here. The John Toscano, Jr. trainee is a half to GSW Mask Zorro (Roman Ruler) and is out of a half-sister to MGISW You (You and I). TJCIS PPs

9th-GP, $46k, Msw, 3yo, f, 6 1/2f, 4:03 p.m. EDT
This extremely well-bred field of sophomore fillies appears to have the potential to create some heavy-hitters in their division going forward. Godolphin Racing's APIARY (Bernardini) looms as an imposing firster from the potent Kiaran McLaughlin barn. The bay is out of GSW Fast Cookie (Deputy Minister), making her a half-sister to these connections' MGISW Frosted (Tapit). Fast Cookie herself is a half to champion, MGISW and sire Midshipman (Unbridled's Song) and is out of MGSW/GISP Fleet Lady (Avenue of Flags). Apiary finished off her prep work with a promising half-mile breeze in :48 3/5 (4/55) Jan. 27 at Palm Meadows. “She is training very well,” McLaughlin said.”We think she's talented, but we think she might very well need a race or might just be in tough–I think it's a tough race. But we expect her to run well.” Todd Pletcher sends out Repole Stable homebred Nonna Bella (Stay Thirsty), a debuting half to their GISW Outwork (Uncle Mo). Out of a GISP half to MGSW Cairo Prince (Pioneerof the Nile), the dark bay worked a half-mile from the gate in :49 4/5 (5/23) Jan. 16 at Palm Beach Downs. “Her gate work was good, but she also can get a little bit excitable, so we're hoping she takes everything in stride, and gets an alert beginning, which I think is always critical in maiden races at Gulfstream,” Pletcher offered. First-timer Gifted Lady (Distorted Humor) may prove equal to her name. The chestnut, bought by Courtlandt Farms for $725,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, has worked like a runner since the beginning, completing her preparation with a local half-mile breeze from the gate in :47 3/5 (3/64) Jan. 22. Trained by Mark Hennig, the chestnut's second dam is a SW half to MGISW Secret Status (A.P. Indy). G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. unveils $525,000 KEESEP buy Awestruck (Tapit). Trained by Rusty Arnold, the gray is out of GSW full-sister to GSW/GISP Fury Kapcori, while her third dam is a half to dual champion Favorite Trick (Phone Trick). Awestruck signaled her potential with a four-furlong gate breeze in :48 1/5 (2/60) here Jan. 14. TJCIS PPs

9th-AQU, $55k, Msw, (S), 3yo, f, 6f, 4:50 p.m. EDT
Vincent Viola's St. Elias Stable will premiere firster A LOT OF FABRIC (Girolamo) in this state-bred event to close the Saturday card. The dark bay filly, picked up for $170,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga in 2015 and trained by Gary Gullo, is out of a full-sister to the late MGISW and influential sire Unbridled's Song. Michael Dubb and Sheep Pond Partners will be represented by debutante North End (Into Mischief). The Chad Brown pupil is out of an unraced half to 2002 GI Belmont S. upsetter Sarava, while her second dam is a half to GISW and Canadian champion Wilderness Song (Wild Again). North End appears to be working very strongly, and may have tipped her hand with a half-mile spin in :48 3/5 (4/101) over the Belmont training strip Jan. 28. TJCIS PPs —@JBiancaTDN