June 6, 2016
While some of the top fillies and mares at HRP went to BEL for the Grade I Phipps Stakes on the BEL undercard, the best in the West assembled for the Grade I Vanity Stakes and a pair of Mb Stables entrants complimented themselves perfectly, with Brawl Dead End finally getting her Grade I victory and Live For Today showing some solid talent that will probably lead to a Grade I win down the line. For the former, a $135.000 purchase last November, she now sports four wins from six starts for her barn and more than $580.000 in career earnings, which is not bad considering she is the only foal from an unraced mare.
Ocala Express (15.85) broke best in the Vanity but no one was really eager to take the early advantage and only filly who really did not want anything to do with the lead was Shimoon Kruz (82.90), who backed up to last from her outside gate. Stablemates Brawl Dead End (*1.15) and Live For Today (9.35) held well inside behind the longshot leader but through the first quarter-mile in 24.05, Broomsticks N Booty (3.45) came with a huge rush four-wide while Live For Today came charging up the rail and the race changed completely into the backstretch. As quickly as he came, the former KY Oaks was a length in front but still wide into the track before getting into a two-wide position and that forced Ocala Express to retreat and take Hydro (2.00) behind her, with Brawl Dead End looking for a space. The half-mile in 47.83 was well within the scope of this bunch and Broomsticks N Booty was still where she wanted to be but she moved into inside for a brief respite and that allowed Brawl Dead End the room she needed to kick forward and from there, the race was on. Six-furlongs came up in 1:11.15 and the leader was certainly solid up front but that early rush took more than she hoped out of her and for owner Drabfantasy, it was the same thing that happened to Dragonville in the Gamely over the turf course at this same track. Broomsticks N Booty was simply worn down by a tougher opponent and held well for second, as Brawl Dead End sprinted away to a 1.5-length score, while Hydro recovered to finish a closing third over Live For Today, who could not close into the modest early splits. Ocala Express stuck close but really could not keep pace in the latter stages while Shimoon Kruz faded from contention early and never factored in the final placings, trailing home last by more than five-lengths.
Second to fellow entrant Hydro at OP then third to champion Lullaby Maker Tf in her big rebound at CD, Brawl Dead End was bound to step up and finally earn her Grade I stripes and did so with smashing success in the Vanity Stakes, handling the one-mile trip at SA with power and grace to score the best win of her career. She throws her name into the list of candidates for the DEL Handicap, although staying close to home for a race like the Grade I Hirsch could be much better for her, with the ultimate objective being the Grade I Personal Ensign over the big course at SAR in the Summer.
Congratulations goes out to owner Mb Stables and their four-year-old filly Brawl Dead End, a rousing winner of the Grade I Vanity Stakes at SA!
Prediction Broomsticks N Booty / Brawl Dead End / Live For Today
Winner Brawl Dead End
Four-year-old bay filly
Phuneios-Kapa Wings (Kapa Haka)
Owner Mb Stables
Time 24.05, 47.83, 1:11.15, 1:35.43
Overall
Brawl Dead End *1.15 sat patiently, found room, clear late
Broomsticks N Booty 3.45 big rush around first turn, clear into lane, caught
Hydro 2.00 stopped in midpack, re-rallied
Live For Today 9.35 inside run, failed to quicken
Ocala Express 15.85 set pace, faded
Shimoon Kruz 82.90 never involved
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
