Beeline, a horse with a notable pedigree, won the Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream by narrowly defeating Improptude and Patriot Spirit, marking his first black-type win and maintaining an unbeaten record.
‣ Beeline, a horse by Bee Jersey, impressively won the Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream, marking his first black-type win and maintaining an undefeated record from two starts.
‣ The race saw Beeline overcoming challenges, including a strong threat from Improptude in the final moments, to secure victory by a narrow margin.
‣ Beeline comes from a notable pedigree, being a full sibling to Topsy, a stakes winner and graded stakes-placed horse, highlighting the quality and potential in his lineage.
.@Riley_Mott's Beeline (inside) crosses the wire first in the Hutcheson Stakes under @zayas_edgardo! #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/jCcyMujBRT
— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) March 16, 2024
Beeline, also known as Bee Jersey, absolutely crushed it on his first time out. He left a salty bunch of maidens eating his dust by 3 3/4 lengths on Feb. 10. And guess what? His performance only looked better as time went on. Three of his rivals snagged wins in their next races. They didn’t just win; they smashed their previous records, improving their Beyers by 23, 11, and a whopping 34 points, respectively. One even took a dive into maiden claiming to get there.
The race was on, and Beeline was the odds-on favorite. But it wasn’t a walk in the park. Pressure was mounting from his outside. It seemed like he was about to be swallowed by the competition. Valiant Force, a slow starter, suddenly looked like a threat. Three deep at the top of the lane, he was making his move.
Inside, though, Beeline found another gear. With Edgard Zayas practically becoming one with the horse, they surged forward. Then, out of nowhere, Improptude showed up, challenging Beeline as the clock ticked down. It was close, but Beeline got a lucky break. A fortuitous bob at just the right moment.
Let’s talk about Secretariat Humor for a sec. A £600,000 buyback at the 2014 Goffs London Sale, this horse comes from a lineage of champions. Perfect Soul (Ire) is in the family tree, boasting six winners from six races. Among them are Grade III-placed Ready Soul and SP Miss Injustice. And there’s more. Secretariat Wonder has a 2-year-old full-sister to Beeline named Tremendous Bee. Plus, a yearling full-brother is on the way, and she’s been bred back to the former Fipke runner for a 2024 foal. Beeline is making his sire proud as the sixth stakes winner.
Now, onto the HUTCHESON S. It was a $106,000 race at Gulfstream on March 16, for 3-year-olds sprinting 6f. Beeline, weighing in at 118, took it home. His lineage was on full display: by Bee Jersey out of Secretariat Humor, by Distorted Humor. This was his moment, his 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, with a purchase price of $70,000 at 2yo ’23 OBSOPN. Owned by Vintage Thoroughbreds LLC, Scott Estes, & Brian Hanley; bred by Charles Fipke in KY; trained by Riley Mott; and ridden by Edgard J Zayas. His career earnings? Now at $102,760. And let’s not forget, he’s a full sibling to Topsy, SW & GSP, raking in $227,363.
Improptude and Patriot Spirit were hot on his heels, but Beeline clinched it. The margins were tight, but victory was sweet. And the odds? Beeline was the favorite, and he lived up to the hype.
Oh, and did you catch the race? Gulfstream Park tweeted the finish. Beeline, under Zayas, crossing the finish line in a photo finish that had everyone on their feet. The excitement of the Hutcheson Stakes was palpable, a testament to the thrill of horse racing. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet. What a race!
