The Big Beast used a big rally to earn the first stakes victory of his career last weekend when he ran down Fast Anna to win the Grade 1 King’s Bishop at Saratoga. And that made him the big mover on this week’s Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz Top Midlantic-bred Poll, when he went from not receiving a single vote a week ago to the top-rated three-year-old bred in the region.
Among older horses, Real Solution’s disappointing flop in the Grade 1 Arlington Million gave some voters pause, but he maintained his status atop that list.
The Big Beast, a Maryland-bred, did not debut until this March and was a maiden until June. He’s now won three straight races and has an overall record of 5-3-1-1 with earnings of $415,500. In the King’s Bishop, The Big Beast stalked leader Fast Anna from third, came wide rounding the turn, and wore that rival down late to win by a neck.
The Big Beast is trained by Tony Dutrow for owners Alex and JoAnn Lieblong. He is by Yes It’s True out of the stakes-placed Deputy Minister mare V V S Flawless. He was bred by Green Willow Farms.
Miss Behaviour, the three-year-old leader in the last poll, dropped into a tie for second with Daring Dancer. She will look to bolster her case this weekend when she runs in the Grade 2 Prioress at Saratoga.
There was little change among the older horses, with Pennsylvania-bred Real Solution retaining the top spot despite a disappointing seventh-place finish in the Arlington Million. Princess of Sylmar, second in the prior poll, fell to third after running fifth in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign; that left Ben’s Cat alone in second.
The list included five Pennsylvania-breds, three Maryland-breds, and two horses bred in Virginia. Seven were males, and three were females.
This marked the eleventh semi-monthly edition of the poll.
Horses that have run in 2014 and were bred in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and the Carolinas were eligible.
POLL LEADERS IN ACTION THIS WEEKEND
- Miss Behaviour — Saturday, Saratoga, Grade 2 Prioress Stakes, 5-2 second choice
POLL RESULTS
The Big Beast’s King’s Bishop win vaulted him to the head of the class. Photo by NYRA/Lauren King.
TOP MIDLANTIC-BRED THREE YEAR-OLDS
- The Big Beast (40) — Maryland
- Miss Behaviour (20) — Pennsylvania
- Daring Dancer (20) — Maryland
- Storming Inti (16) — Pennsylvania
- Favorite Tale (10) — Pennsylvania
Others receiving votes: Giovanni Boldini, Thank You Marylou, Joint Custody, Miss Besilu, On the Backstreets.
TOP MIDLANTIC-BRED FOUR YEARS OLD AND UP
- Real Solution (33) — Pennsylvania
- Ben’s Cat (28) — Maryland
- Princess of Sylmar (25) — Pennsylvania
- Valid (12) — Virginia
- Blueskiesnrainbows (5) — Virginia
Others receiving votes: Delaunay, Purely Hot, Bold Curlin, Darwin, Falling Sky, Waterway Run, Awesome Flower, Emotional Kitten, Down Town Allen.
Participating Voters: Ted Black (freelance writer), Michael Campbell (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey), Cindy Deubler (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred), Linda Dougherty (freelance), Debbie Easter (Virginia Thoroughbred Association), Anne Frederick (Maryland Horse Breeders Association), Cricket Goodall (Maryland Horse Breeders Association), Jim Hague (freelance), Nick Hahn (freelance), Jeff Nations (freelance), Kate Painter (West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association), Vinnie Perrone (freelance), Frank Petramalo (Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association), David Richardson (Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), John Scheinman (freelance), Dan Tordjman (freelance), Frank Vespe (The Racing Biz), Bill Watson (freelance), Lydia Williams (freelance), Bobby Zen (freelance).
Note — Not all participating voters will vote in every poll.
(Featured image, of Real Solution, by Dave Alcosser/NYRA.)
