Bricks And Mortar

Purse $175.00 – For Three Year Olds – 7 Furlongs – Turf – Belmont Park – October 10, 2026

The inaugural running of the Bricks and Mortar at Belmont Park came down to the wire, with Express Run and jockey Edgard Zayas rallying from sixth to get up by a head in his first time going seven furlongs on the turf! After finishing fifth in the shorter Grade Three Mahony last time out, the homebred son of Jersey Express made the most of the added distance and became the first winner of this new stakes race! Express Run returned to the winner’s circle for the fifth time in his career—adding his first stakes victory on the grass lifted his lifetime bankroll to $321.48. The inaugural Bricks and Mortar gave Alydar Stables the distinction of being the first owner in the race’s record books. This Texas-bred colt’s final time of 1:20.27 over the Belmont Park turf also establishes the race’s first stakes record and gives future winners a mark to chase over the seven furlongs. It’s hard to say where connections will place Express Run next with almost no straight three-year-old turf sprints left this year. He will most likely be scratched out to two turns again. This was no doubt an impressive victory! Congratulations Alydar Stables!

Winner: Express Run – (Alydar Stables, E J. Zayas) Express Run broke slowly from the gate and settled in sixth by four lengths as Evil Contained set the pace upfront. The grey remained within striking distance saving ground down on the rail while jockey Edgard Zayas waited to ask him for his best run. He began to move forward around the far turn and was up to fourth as the field straightened for home. Express Run continued to gain through the stretch, passing the horses quickly between him and Evil Contained. The leader was still in front deep into the final furlong, but this colt closed the gap with every stride. He got his head in front to score right at the wire! The way this homebred closed down the stretch was impressive. Well done!

Second Place: Evil Contained – (Greyhound, J J. Castellano) This colt broke sharply and went straight to the lead, with Terafunk and Wolfman Jack tracking him closely in the early stages. Evil Contained set an opening quarter of 23.14 and reached the half in 46.09 while keeping the rest of the field behind him about a length ahead. Still in front after six furlongs in 1:08.94, the son of Demon turned for home with several rivals beginning to close in. Evil Contained kept fighting as Express Run advanced to challenge him through the final furlong. He held the lead until the last few strides, but Express Run got his head in front at the wire. Evil Contained finished a narrow second after setting the pace throughout. This was still a very formidable effort.

Third Place: Wolfman Jack – (Spankys Barn, K. Carmouche) Wolfman Jack broke well and sat about a length behind the leaders as Evil Contained took command down the backside. He stayed three-wide through the opening quarter in 23.14 and continued to track the pace as they reached the half in 46.09 with a clear running lane on the outside. Around the far turn, this New York-bred moved up to apply pressure and was within striking distance as the field entered the stretch. Wolfman Jack kept after Evil Contained but could not get past him as Express Run began to close on the inside. He stayed in the fight through the final strides, finishing third in a tight finish among the top three at odds of 29-1. The seven furlongs proved to be a nice fit.

Fourth Place: Forgotten Shark – (Mo Mentum Farm, K. Davis) Connections made a late jockey change from Samuel Marin to Katie Davis. Forgotten Shark settled two lengths behind the early leaders and saved ground along the inside as Evil Contained set the pace. He held a spot near the front through the opening quarter and remained in touch as the field reached the half mile pole. Still racing close to the rail around the far turn, this gelding had several horses ahead of him when they straightened for home. Forgotten Shark kept trying to make up ground through the stretch but could not match the late move of Express Run or get to Evil Contained and Wolfman Jack. He stayed on to take fourth, rounding out the top four after an inside trip. This $6.25 claim is paying off nicely.

– AJM

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded