If you watched George Hall’s Max Player midway through his Nov. 12 career debut in a two-turn, one-mile test at Parx Racing, any conjecture about his future would have been humble.

Sackatoga Stable’s Funny Cide may have arrived at Churchill Downs under the radar screen before winning the 2003 Kentucky Derby (G1), but should things go well for the next few months before the 2020 Derby, the group’s 3-year-old Tiz the Law won’t.

Cheermeister was beaten to the lead in the Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 4 and grew discouraged.  Returning Feb. 1 in the Sweetest Chant (G3T) at Gulfstream, she showed how much more effective she can be when dictating terms.  

Racing for Zacney’s Cash is King and for new partner LC Racing, Mischevious Alex made his sophomore debut Feb. 1 after ending his juvenile campaign with a 9 3/4-length victory in the Nov. 5 Parx Juvenile Stakes at Parx Racing.

Florida has been kind to Tonalist’s Shape, but a trip to Kentucky in the spring might be in her future.

Increase of 13.1% in total off-track handle and 7.7% increase in mutuel handle.

Ahmed Zayat has issued a statement calling a lawsuit filed Jan. 30 on behalf of trainer Mike Maker “absurd” and “outrageous.” The complaint sues Zayat for breach of contract and fraud, and seeks more than $120,000 the trainer says he is owed.

The catalog for the 2020 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training is now available via the OBS website at obssales.com.

Globetrotting jockey Ryan Moore, second in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1T) at Gulfstream Jan. 25 and in the Classic Mile at Sha Tin Jan. 25, had to be content with the runner-up spot yet again in the Sun Met (G1) in South Africa Feb. 1.