Photo: Ryan Thompson / Gulfstream Park showcases the significance of this event. The Breeders’ Cup holds immense importance in determining year-end championships, especially in the 2-year-old divisions. However, not all the top juveniles participate. Rated by Merit stands out as a remarkable horse. No 2-year-old has achieved higher speed figures, but all his previous wins were in sprints. Until Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Florida Sire In Reality Stakes: A Crucial Victory

Looking at home for the first time going two turns, the son of Battalion Runner took control from the inside and led comfortably up the backstretch with a short lead. In the far turn, Classic of Course made a move, but Jesús Rios remained relaxed on the favorite. When given the cue in the final stretch, Rated by Merit responded and won by six lengths. No match for the winner, Classic of Course finished a full nine lengths ahead of the third horse. The winning final time of 1:45.71 was nearly four seconds faster than My Denysse's previous race.Rios explained, "At the start, I aimed to put the horse in the best position. When I took the lead, I expected some pressure but didn't get any. This allowed me to stay relaxed. In the final stretch, he got a bit wide, but he was incredibly strong." Rated by Merit became the 11th horse to sweep all three legs of the Florida Sire Stakes series since 1982.Out of the Speightstown mare Banner Waving, this Florida-bred comes from a strong female family. His sire, Battalion Runner, is a 10-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song with a Tapit mare background. He had success before an injury cut his career short. Todd Pletcher-trained, he finished second in the 2017 Grade 2 Wood Memorial. From his third crop, Rated by Merit is his top performer.Rated by Merit made his debut going six furlongs at Gulfstream Park on July 13 and won by nearly 10 lengths. Then he easily won the six-furlong Dr. Fager Stakes, the first leg of the series. He earned three consecutive 90-plus Beyer Speed Figures and received a 99 for winning the Affirmed Stakes, the second leg. Six weeks later, he stretched out to two turns for the In Reality and won his final race at 2 by a combined margin of 25 3/4 lengths."We'll give him a break and then plan for the winter meet here," said trainer Michael Yates. It remains to be seen if this unbeaten and unheralded colt will be a contender at 10 furlongs in the Kentucky Derby 2025, but he is clearly one of America's best 2-year-olds.