Backyard Heaven was very good winning the Alysheba, crushing, among others, Always Dreaming, who hasn't run a truly good race since winning last year's Kentucky Derby, and Good Samaritan, who was disappointing today, but whose closing style might have been compromised by a Churchill main track that does seem kind to speed.

In any case, it will be interesting to see what Backyard Heaven's connections do with him going forward. Today was this 4-year-old's first start around two turns (and only fourth career start), and he certainly loved going long. But considering Backyard Heaven made his first three starts in one turn mile races, cutting back to one turn, at least temporarily, could be worth it for something like the Met Mile.

But Backyard Heaven sure loved two turns today.