Rated by Merit

The fastest 2-year-old so far this season didn't graduate at either Del Mar or Saratoga. That honor belongs to--at least on the Beyer Speed Figure scale (through Aug. 2)--St Elias Stable homebred Rated by Merit (c, 2, Battalion Runner--Banner Waving, by Speightstown), who earned a 92 rating when airing by 9 3/4 lengths for trainer Michael Yates going six furlongs on debut at Gulfstream Park July 13. That is four points higher than the co-second fastest duo of Mentee (City of Light), the younger full-brother of champion Fierceness, and Colloquial...