Rated by Merit turned in yet another sparkling effort in Saturday’s $200,000 FTOBA Affirmed S. Saturday at Gulfstream Park, rolling to a 3 ¾-length victory in the seven-furlong race for 2-year-old colts.

The gray/roan son of Battalion Runner has won his three starts, two of them in stakes races, by a combined 19 ¾-lengths.

Rated by Merit showed his usual early speed, with Neoequos pressing him through fractions of :22.74 and :45.45. Neoequos kept the pressure on until upper stretch, when Rated by Merit began to edge clear. He pulled away further in the final furlong to finish in 1:22.55 on a fast track.

“The race went as we expected,” said winning rider Jesus Rios. “I thought we would be on the lead and [Neoequos] would be pressing us. I am very impressed with the horse. I trust him a lot. When I asked the horse to run, I know he is going to respond.”

Rated by Merit is owned and bred by Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable and has earned $220,000. Prior to the Affirmed, Rated by Merit won the Dr. Fager S. by 6 ¼-lengths.