Gulfstream: Undefeated Rated by Merit Breezes for Florida Sire Stakes Final

By David Joseph —-

Undefeated Rated by Merit Breezes for Florida Sire Stakes Final

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – St. Elias Stable’s undefeated Rated by Merit, the fastest 2-year-old in North America based on speed figures, was sharpened for a scheduled start in the Nov. 30 In Reality in a five-furlong workout Wednesday morning at Gulfstream Park.

Rated by Merit breezed five-furlongs in 59.50 seconds for his quest to sweep the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series in the $300,000 final that will highlight the opening weekend of Gulfstream’s 2024-25 Championship Meet that gets underway Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28.

The homebred son of Battalion Runner, who has won his three starts by a combined 19 ¾ lengths, worked alone under regular jockey Jesus Rios while producing the fastest of three works at the distance by far.

“He did very well, working in 59-and-change. I’m very pleased with his work,” trainer Michael Yates said.

Rated by Merit earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure for his July 13 debut victory by 9 ¾ lengths going six furlongs, before capturing the Sept. 7 first leg of the FSS series, the six-furlong Dr. Fager, by 6 ¼ lengths, earning a 93 figure. The Florida-bred colt scored a 3 ¾-length victory in the Oct.19 Affirmed, the seven-furlong second leg of the FSS series, earning a 99 figure, the highest assigned to a 2-year-old performance this year.

The Yates trainee will stretch out around two turns for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile In Reality.

“I have a lot of confidence that that won’t be an issue for him,” Yates said.

Wednesday’s breeze was the second since his Affirmed victory, following a maintenance five-furlong work Nov. 9.

“He’s doing well mentally and physically. He’s eating good. He’s training well. He marches out there and trains,” Yates said. “I’m very, very pleased with his progression.”

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The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park – home of The California Crown and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com and visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.