The week's fastest horses: Chance It's game victory tops them all

Chance It's narrow victory in Saturday's Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park registered the highest Brisnet Speed Figure of the past week by a stakes winner.

Facing open stakes company for the first time, Florida-bred Chance It dug in gamely to re-rally in deep stretch and outlast As Seen on Tv by a head on the wire. The effort earned a 103 Brisnet Speed Rating, which tied for Chance It's career high and is his third straight triple-digit Brisnet number.

In the one-mile Mucho Macho Man, Chance It and Tyler Gaffalione stalked a loose-on-the-lead pacesetter through the opening half mile before ranging up to the front along the inside. Chance It had a head in front of As Seen on Tv at the quarter pole as those two commenced a see-saw battle to the wire, with Chance It ultimately prevailing in a final time of 1:35.53. 

“At the eighth-pole, in my opinion, he was beaten," said trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. "To show that guts and determination and find a little extra is a true testament to the quality of horse he is.” 

Joseph said Chance It's first stop on the 2020 Kentucky Derby trail could come in the Feb. 1 Holy Bull (G3) back at Gulfstream Park.

While the Mucho Macho Man is not a point-paying Derby prep, last week's Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct and Sham Stakes at Santa Anita did provide points to its top four finishers. 

In the one-mile Sham (G3) at Santa Anita Park, Authentic broke on the lead and never gave his rivals a chance despite racing greenly in the stretch. The son of Into Mischief -- who was making just his second start and first around two turns for trainer Bob Baffert -- earned a 97 Brisnet Speed Rating for the effort. Baffert, who is again loaded with 3-year-old talent, plans to race Authentic again in March.

Independence Hall remained perfect in three starts while earning a 92 Brisnet Speed Rating in the Jerome. The son of Constitution, who was difficult to deal with in the paddock before the race, lunged at the break and was last early before hustling up to pressure the pace. Independence Hall and Jose Ortiz got to the lead at the quarter pole, then cruised home a four-length winner in a final time of 1:37.27. Independence Hall could resurface in Tampa Bay Downs' Feb. 8 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3).

Here's a look at the fastest 10 stakes winners of the week that was on the Brisnet Speed Rating scale: