Rated by Merit (Battalion Runner) debuted with a sparkling performance when the colt won by 9 3/4 lengths and posted a 92 Beyer over the same course and distance July 13. Slammed at the windows at 40 cents on the dollar, the homebred was challenged from the bell up the backstretch by Neoeqous (Neolithic). Pushed three wide around the far turn, the juvenile responded and with a big kick down the lane proved his talent.
“It kind of went as I thought it would,” said trainer Michael Yates. “He's trained like he could do that. There was speed inside of him and he stalked the speed, and when it was time to run, he accelerated. I would say I felt like I was under a lot of pressure. The horse was doing well. I have a lot more horses that put more pressure on me than him.”
The sire of three racing crops of age, this is Battalion Runner's second black-type winner. Banner Waving was not bred for next season. Digging into this extended female family, we find under Rated by Merit's Grade I winning third dam MGSW Revolutionary (War Pass).
FTBOA FLORIDA SIRE DR. FAGER S., $100,000, Gulfstream, 9-7, (C), 2yo, c/g, 6f, 1:09.45, 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
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (FL); T-Michael Yates; J-Jesus M. Rios. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $100,000.
2–Neoequos, 121, c, 2, Neolithic–Bold Birdie, by Birdstone. ($22,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, LLC and Stefania Farms, LLC; B-Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon & Matalona Thoroughbres,LLC (FL); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.. $20,000.
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. $11,000.
Margins: 6 1/4, 1 3/4, 6. Odds: 0.40, 5.30, 4.90.
Also Ran: Just Relax, Candycrumbs, Lawler, Zizka, I'mbiggerthanilook.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
#8 RATED BY MERIT ($2.80) lives up to the hype in the $100,000 Dr. Fager Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. Jesus Rios piloted the juvenile Battalion Runner colt for trainer Michael Yates. He is undefeated in two starts. 🥇 pic.twitter.com/CR2xKivTZY
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 7, 2024
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