Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive. Strobe May 7, 14th race Churchill, MdSpWt121k Beyer: 92 6f 1:08.71 – 1st by 4 1/2 lengths b. c. 3, Into Mischief – Flashing, by A.P. Indy Owner: Godolphin Trainer: Brad Cox Breeder: Godolphin First-time starter Strobe lit up the falling darkness in the last race on the Kentucky Derby card. Strobe worked three times during May and June of 2021, then was off the tab until this past December. He worked steadily through March 19 at Fair Grounds, then didn’t show another published work until April 16 at Keeneland, but there’s no doubt the colt was very ready for his debut. Broke sharply from an outside draw and had the speed to clear the field and establish inside position into the far turn. That required a 21.73-second opening quarter-mile, and it defies belief that after going so fast in his first race, Strobe, pursuers closing in at the three-sixteenths pole, rebroke and finished faster than any of his 10 rivals. You just don’t see an unraced maiden post the fastest opening quarter-mile and the fastest closing furlong, 11.78 in this case. Strobe’s dam, Flashing, hasn’t yet produced a horse of note; she herself won the Grade 1 Test over seven furlongs and the Grade 1 Gazelle over 1 1/8 miles. Sky’s the limit for this colt if he can stay sound. Midnight Memories April 30, 8th race Santa Anita, MdSpWt67k Beyer: 95 6 1/2f 1:15.31 – 1st by 1 1/2 lengths b. f. 3, Mastery – Tiz Midnight, by Midnight Lute Owner: Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, Paul Weitman Trainer: Sean McCarthy Breeder: Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, Paul Weitman Obviously, Bob Baffert would be training this filly were he not serving a suspension, but “they” bet this first-time starter like she was coming straight out of the Baffert barn. Went off at 4-5 and showed why with a big debut. Her win margin doesn’t show just how spread out this field was crossing the wire – the margins behind the place horse were 9, 9 1/2, 7, and 5 1/2 lengths, usually the sign of a legitimately fast race. Midnight Memories didn’t have that brilliant gate speed, instead stalking the pace while outside and in the clear. She did respond immediately when called upon to go after the leaders at the three-furlong marker, and after a brief tussle with her stablemate, second-place finisher Valiancy, Midnight Memories edged clear in the final half-furlong. How fast was the race on the Beyer scale? Well, Secret Oath won the Kentucky Oaks last weekend with a 94 Beyer. She’s the second foal to race from the dam, whose signature victory came in the Grade 2 Bayakoa over 1 1/16 miles. Congressman May 7, 1st race Churchill, MdSpWt122k Beyer: 91 1M 1:35.50 – 1st by 1 3/4 lengths b. c. 3, Constitution – Don’t Stop to Shop, by Unbridled’s Song Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2020 – $275,000 Owner: WinStar Farm and Siena Farm Trainer: Todd Pletcher Breeder: White Fox Farm Debuted Jan. 29 at Gulfstream, where he was used up in a speed duel going seven furlongs, holding decently for fourth, and only here returned to action for his second start. His first out was more solid than spectacular, and this performance marked a major forward move in what seemed like a pretty strong heat; the first four finishers came across the line somewhat bunched but more than eight lengths separated fourth and fifth in this 12-horse field. He broke well and pulled a favorable trip pressing the leader, Warrior Johny, a logical contender with four starts already. Flavien Prat, riding Congressman, might have preferred to wait a little longer but was forced into a bid just before the quarter pole when outside stalkers started to move alongside him. Congressman and Warrior Johny slugged it out to the sixteenth pole, where Congressman began pulling away, and at the finish he’d decisively taken the measure of the pacesetter. Pedigree says a middle distance around two turns could be just fine. Saffron Moon April 27, 8th race Keeneland, MdSpWt100k Beyer: 89 1M turf 1:35.97 – 1st by 8 lengths b. f. 3, Malibu Moon – Crocus Hill, by Medaglia d’Oro Auctions: Keeneland September yearling 2020 – $80,000 Owner: CHP Racing Trainer: Chad Brown Breeder: Cove Springs Farm It’s fair to say the filly prefers turf to dirt. Her three dirt starts at 2 produced a top Beyer of 48, and here, in her 2022 debut, she was really good, We can’t ignore she got a perfect trip pressing a slow pace, but Saffron Moon always was traveling sweetly and she was explosive through the homestretch, running straight and true through a final quarter-mile in a blistering 22.49 seconds while under a hand ride. Her second dam, Vacare, was a Grade 1 winner on turf. This filly ought to stay a longer trip and might have bright summer in front of her. Ari Oakley May 1, 5th race Oaklawn, MdSpWt90k Beyer: 91 6f 1:10.05 – 1st by 2 3/4 lengths b. f. 2, Gun Runner – Belle of Perintown, by Dehere Noteworthy siblings; Beau Liam (Liam’s Map) – graded stakes-placed, 107 Beyer; Tomlin (Distorted Humor) – multiple stakes winner, $252K earnings; Strike It Rich (Unbridled’s Song) – graded stakes winner, $194K earnings; Sumptuous (Hennessy) – multiples stakes-placed, $105K earnings Owner: Stonestreet Stables Trainer: Steve Asmussen Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings Took five starts to exit the maiden ranks, but this was a performance on a different level than her first four races, her top Beyer jumping a whopping 18 points. The runner-up made steady progress through the homestretch and did gallop out in front, but more than 11 lengths separated second and third in this nine-horse field. The filly’s early speed has improved start by start and after a good break she went up to press the leader, taking control of the race before the five-sixteenths pole and quickly opening distance on the pack. She made a smooth lead change right on time in upper stretch, but then swapped back to her “wrong” lead, finally switching back to the proper one at the sixteenth pole. Does have the look of a one-turn horse who might even struggle to get one mile. The latest in a very long line of talented horses produced by this excellent dam. Efficiency May 7, 6th race Belmont, MdSpWt90k Beyer: 87 1 1/16M (sloppy) 1:43.72 – 1st by 11 1/2 lengths b. g. 3, Gun Runner – Sunday Sonnet, by Any Given Saturday Auctions: Keeneland January all ages 2020 – $290,000 Owner: Klaravich Stable Trainer: Chad Brown Breeder: Hermitage Farm Second-time starter was entered main track only and got his chance to run when the race was moved from turf onto a sloppy main track. Yet another talented horse from Gun Runner’s first crop, though this guy must have had his issues since he was gelded in December long before racing. Made a solid debut, and while off-turf, sloppy-track caveats apply here, there were things to like. Got an early challenge for the lead, which forced him into a very strong 22.76-second quarter-mile, and no sooner had he disposed of the early challenger than another one came at him before the quarter pole. Efficiency ran right away from that horse, too, but did race greenly – drifting in and out, changing leads – to the finish.