It was a hurricane of the emotions for the Hall of Fame coach Bob Baffert on the Thurby evening around Churchill Downs May 1st.
Not too long after it has been announced that his Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), winner, winner, Rodriguez was scratched by a foot output by May 3, Kentucky Derby (G1). He took the 199,740 US Fort Bragg .
The triumph of the 5-year-old son of Carpet Baffert's first mission was among the Twin Spiers since he was suspended from the route for three years after Medina Spirit had been disqualified by his 2021 Kentucky Derby Derby after a failed post -statast test.
“We brought a few nice horses here to win on the sub -card,” said Baffert. “This is what I miss the most about Churchill: I miss the undercard races. They are so great. It is good to start with a win.”
The Jockey Juan Hernandez brought Fort Bragg into a perfect stalking position in third place behind it Champin and stable data Speed Boat Beach . Champlin stayed forceful after brisk break from: 21.10 and: 43.67 on the route, but Fort Bragg was able to remove him for a 1 1/2 length victory on the wire. Ecstatic is a choice closed for the third.
Register Bloodhorse Daily
Fort Bragg completed six Furlongs in 1: 08.04 and paid $ 14.54 to win. Fort Bragg was second, just one neck, in his only other start in Churchill Downs, one of the reasons, why Baffert decided him from California in search of a first assignment since the win 2023 Dwyer Stakes (G3).
“I thought he would like that,” said Baffert. “He likes this track. I thought it was a good place to bring it back.”
Baffert was also pleased to give the owners something to celebrate. SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Robert Masterson, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan are all partners in Rodriguez and are owned by Jay Schoenfarber. He was bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock and Henry Field Bloodstock.
Speed Boat Beach, the 8-5 favorite, was abolished after it was faded on the route. Baffert reported that the horse was bleeding and got a courtesy home.
Video: St. Matthews overnight S. (BT)
Brilliant Berti comes back on the right track in the opening verse
One of the top 3-year-olds on lawn in 2024, Brilliant Bitti In his second start as a 4-year-old with a courageous victory in the $ 346,250 open opening.
The winner of the 3rd grade has a disappointing eighth eighth from five-month discharge in the 1 1/8 miles Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T) at organized Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 22. He was crossed both in the opening verse and the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T), but coach Cherie Devaux ultimately chose the miles long to strengthen his trust for the rest of the year.
“We had a lot of talk about it,” said Devaux about the decision. “We wanted to do what he was really successful, which was the mileage distance. We only tried to get the year on the right foot. We will definitely see larger goals from here, we just wanted to be for his self -confidence to ensure that he is still the same and can progress over the course of the year.”
Brillanter Berti wins the opening verses in Churchill Downs
He showed the usual turn of the foot that he had exhibited in his second campaign after setting Midpack behind factions from: 24.12 ,: 48.40 and 1: 11.87. Exceeded with Brian Hernandez Jr. Lagynos In the route for half a long victory.
His performance in Louisiana did little to get away from the players and paid 5.74 US dollars as a favorite when he completed the mile in 1: 34.93.
“The race on fair grounds was only a little complex all the way, it wasn't it,” said Devaux. “He always went well here (in Churchill Downs). It's nice to get him back.”
Video: Opening S. (BT)
Were in the eye of the breeder cups with a little finger
While Fort Bragg and Brilliant Berti came back on the track, Pinkie finger stayed consistent when she defeated the Colts in a goal-to-wire victory in the $ 246,500 in Kentucky. The victory had owners and coach Wesley Ward, who dreamed of larger destinations down the street.
Pinky Finger wins the Kentucky youth states in Churchill Downs
Break sharply that Army pussy Stut foals by Spearmaco in Kentucky was bred early by breaks: 21.61 and: 45.08. Although she seemed to leisurely down at the end of the five-furgon event, she could stop The biggest prime The delayed fee for half a length victory in: 58.32 under Joel Rosario. Station-trained stability Double speaker was third.
“They went after her early and Joel knows this stut foal very well,” said Ward. “He had stuck from the first jump. As much as it was weakened early because this horse pressed us, he saved some for the finish.”
After 2: 2 to start her career, Ward said that he would consider Pinky Finger to the Royal Ascot meeting in June. However, its final goal is the 1 million dollar -breeder cup cup -jungtier -lawn sprint (g1t) under sea October 31.
“This is a track that favors speed, it is close to five eighth,” said Ward. “I think if she is in this race as clever and elated as she is here, that's really what I'm looking for.”
While Pinky Finger is at the destination for the Breeders' Cup, Ward is already planning beyond the World Championships to travel internationally. He was accompanied on Thursday in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame coach Gai Waterhouse in the circle of the winner.
“Gai has been trying to bring me down (to Australia) for about 15 years,” said Ward. “I promised her this year that I would make earnest efforts to get down after the breeding cup.”
