Thoroughbred Daily News – 4/4/26
Crude Velocity (Beau Liam), already named a ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ for his debut win over course and distance March 7, stepped up to face winners Saturday for the first time. Racing without his blinkers as the 1-2 favorite, the Triple Crown-nominated colt had early traffic to deal with as he sat off the pace from just behind a leading pair past the half-mile pole.
Circling the field under his own power, he easily headed For All Mankind (Into Mischief) off the far turn and opened up in hand under Florent Geroux, cruising in under wraps by 6 3/4 lengths.
Owner Bill Childs told the TDN that Crude Velocity will head next to the GII Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 3 at Churchill Downs and from there, will make the trip to Maryland for a start in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the GI Preakness Stakes May 16, held at Laurel Park this year.
From his sire’s first crop, Crude Velocity was a $250,000 OBS June graduate who has a 2-year-old Highly Motivated half-sister and a yearling full-sister. Sweetnsour Kitty is due to Corniche this year.
2nd-Santa Anita, $70,500, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($50,000), 4-4, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 1:14.32, ft, 6 3/4 lengths.
CRUDE VELOCITY (c, 3, Beau Liam–Sweetnsour Kitty, by Lemon Drop Kid)
Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $84,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-CSLR Racing Partners, LLC; B-La Ciega LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $12,000 Ylg ’24 FTKOCT; $3,000 Ylg ’24 FTDDE; $250,000 2yo ’25 OBSOPN.
