Bradley Handicap (Grade 3)- $125.000 Purse
FG- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf
January 16, 2016

Exactly one month ago, on the 16th of December, a $50.000 claimer was run at AQU.   It’s a common race in the virtual world, and when such a race is usually over, you tip your cap to the winner and flip the page in your program to look at the next race. No one would be claimed in that race, but Grimley did more then just watch his horse (Antelope Storm) finish second.   (Writers Note: This is what I envisioned probably happened that day, it is not necessarily what definitely took place). The trainer saw the fabulous effort by the race winner, a horse named Donnybrook, as he recorded a 105 SRF figure.   Donnybrook wasn’t claimed that day, but he was sold in a private sale that day, from former trainer Luz International, to Grimley, for $80.000.   Not a bad price it would seem at the time for Luz International, given he could have just been claimed for less, but Grimley clearly had larger intentions.   A month later, Donnybrook found himself at FG, ready to run in this Grade 3. Duca Di Toscana was the most accomplished horse in the field, but it was concerning that he was coming into this race carrying six to seven more pounds then anyone else. In the end, that’s what we can probably chalk his performance up too, and we tabbed Donnybrook as the one to beat as long as he could duplicate the performance he did at AQU.   He would do that in the Bradley Handicap and nearly pay back the entire purchase price of a month ago when Grimley purchased the Kildale colt. The race marks the first time that Grimley was won this particular stake, and the same holds true for jockey K D Clark. The winning race time of 1:39.36 was just a nose slower of the stake record, which is 1:39.32, set last year by Sri Lanka.   Let’s take a look now at just how this race was won!

1st- 2- Donnybrook (5/2)- Our eventual race winner from Grimley started well and would assume a stalking position for the first half of the race. During the backstretch, he raced about a length and a half behind Five Daddy Darling while having Secret Song to his outside. Then, at the top of the turn, he would make his move on the leader and this is where the race was won. At this time, he pulled a valuable length of Secret Song. In doing this, he moved to the outside of Five Daddy Darling, and this would force Secret Song over another lane, and maybe even two for the run around the turn and into the stretch. At the top of the stretch, he was about to take the lead, but had the length cushion still on secret song. In the stretch, Donnybrook was strong, but Secret Song inched in a little closer. Also, the hard charging Tucson was rapidly closing from behind, and K D Clark and Donnybrook were able to hold him off for the win! If he had waited a tenth of a second longer to make his move, then perhaps Tucson gets him. It was a well planned race by K D Clark, and the jockey deserves a lot of credit for this result! Congratulations to Grimley on getting a win so quickly after purchasing the horse!   Donnybrook is a four year old colt by Kildale and out of Elfin Spirit. He was bred in Texas by Running Bear, and passed through two barns before arriving at Grimley last month!

2nd- 4- Tucson (7/1)- The Aer Stables entry looked good in this race coming in off of a three month layoff. Early on, he would be content to run near the back, and ultimately at the back when High Hand moved up. For the backstretch run, he would be about five lengths off the lead, and as the race moved into the final turn, F Geroux started to urge his gelding forward.   He gained some ground there, but it would be in the stretch where Tucson would turn it on. There would be no one in this race better come stretch time then Tucson was here. He accelerated quickly at the top of the stretch, and there was nice hole open for him to thread himself between Donnybrook and Five Daddy Darling. F Geroux took advantage of this hole and made a game push forward. Unfortunately for the trainer, the wire came up a few strides too soon, but it was good to see Tucson deliver today and this should bode well for his 2016 efforts.

3rd- 5- Secret Song (4/5)- A lot of people in the stands had confidence in the Blushing Meadows entry, likely getting some home-state faith given his recent performances at home. He did break well out of the gate, but would opt for a stalking position behind Five Daddy Darling. This where he would be positioned for the majority of the race, with Donnybrook running to his inside. Donnybrook made his move on the leader just slightly sooner then would Secret Song and would pick up what would prove to be an invaluable half length or so on Secret Song for the stretch. Another thing to note is that because Donnybrook made this move when he did, Secret Song had to be a little wider then he may have otherwise been for the final turn. In the stretch, Secret Song was every bit as good as Donnybrook, if not a little better, but would not make up all the ground he needed. Since he was outside, Tucson got in there and swiped away second as well.

4th- 6- Five Daddy Darling (60/1)- The longest shot on the board from Night Rider Stables would serve as the race pacesetter. He broke alertly out of the gate and this allowed him to get to the rail as they moved into the opening turn, setting the opening quarter in :23.57. In the backstretch he would lead the field by about two lengths, running a half in :46.88. Moving into the turn, the field, particularly Donnybrook, began to approach, but Five Daddy Darling valiantly tried to hang in there and run with him. In the end, there would simply be a few quicker, but this was a game effort.

5th- 1- Duca Di Toscana (4/1)- It should be safe to say that there were not a lot of people confident that Duca Di Toscana would be able to showcase his best ability while carrying so much more wait. While trainer Nakamura Stables was hoping that it would not be a big deal. In the end, though, this race might be a textbook example of how weight can impact even the best of horses. The best he could do today would be to be near the back of the pack early and throughout.

6th- 7- High Hand (21/1)- Promptly went to the back for trainer Robeth, and would be six lengths out by the time they hit the first turn. He would advance in that turn somewhat, but eventually stabilized his position about four lengths off for most of the trip. There would be no push for the front for the stretch, although he did stay level with the field.

Scratch: 3- Crescent City Rebel (Figured to be a longshot)

Track: Firm
Time: :23²  :46⁴  1:09⁴  1:39¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 4 Paid 12.50
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 4 – 5 Paid 15.50

Scratched: Crescent City Rebel(L)

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES