Best Pal Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
DMR- For Two Year Olds
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
August 10, 2019
It is a name the suggests that a short femur is involved, or something else that could be problematic with his conformation. There is, in fact, nothing wrong with it, and Brittle has become a good contender for the BC Juvenile, and who knows what might happen after. His first two races were unspectacular, but after he was gelded, he has looked great, giving plenty of reason for his trainer, Aer Stables, to be excited. No one knows what the future will hold, but for now, Brittle is a grade 2 winner, and figures to be on the way to more success. Here, he gives his trainer and his jockey, K Frey, their first Best Pal wins. The time of the win was 1:09.45, slightly quicker then last year’s, the only other race run at six furlongs. Let’s have a look at it!
(1/4 Mile- :22.76)- Geromino, out of Nakamura Stables, is the quickest out of the gate, and becomes the early leader but soon as Guy Lafleur, from John Henry, skating up along his outside and runs along side him after two furlongs. Minor Tune joins in from the third lane for Fractious. Running well on the rail, and within a length is the Mb Stables’ entry of Sweet Sweat, who we had made our pick to win. Stalking the leaders is our eventual winner, Brittle from Aer Stables. Charteris (Fractious) has the same idea. Another length and a half back, running three wide we have Lawn Party (Rampage Stable), Boardwalk (La Canada Racehorses), and Stark (D J C Racing Stables). Tornado Force (Waldo), Dream Engine (Chili King Stables), and Great Britain (Blushing Meadows) are the trailers.
(½ Mile- :45.57, Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- As we move into the turn, Guy Lafleur takes the early lead, but I would not call it a breakaway. He had company on both sides as Geronimo continued to run well on his inside, and Minor Tune was right to his outside. These three stayed in front most of the way around the turn, until they found even more company. Sweet Sweat had been running well on the rail throughout, and he was able to stay there throughout the turn and into the stretch. Brittle, who had been stalking, had to move into the five wide position, and with a furlong and a half to go, these five were heads apart. It was two lengths back to the rest of the field, where Lawn Party looked to be the biggest threat. Charteris had dropped back, and neither Stark nor Boardwalk were making a move. Dream Engine and Tornado Force were not advancing, with Great Britain at the back, and needing to make up five lengths.
(Finish- 1:09.45)- In the stretch, Brittle and Sweet Sweat did not need much time to clear the other three they were running with, as they did not have the additional gear to put it into at this point. These two had a good battle, but with every stride as the wire got closer, Brittle was just a little bit better, and wins the race by a neck over Sweet Sweat. Lawn Party, who followed Sweet Sweat on through, ran well to the wire and gets third to show for his efforts over the hard charging Great Britain. That one made an exciting bid late, and it will be interesting to see him as the races get longer. Behind them, it looked like there could have been a four way dead heat for fifth, but only two of them dead heat, officially, that being Geromino and Guy Lafleur. Stark and Minor Tune were also involved here. Rounding out the order, its Tornado Force, Dream Engine, Boardwalk, and Charteris.
About The Winner- Brittle, trained by Aer Stables, and ridden to victory by K Frey, is a two year old colt by Brutal, and is out of A Princess. He was bred in New York as a yearling by Aer Stables, the only trainer for which he has ever known. He has two wins in four starts, and this was his first stake win of any type. His career earnings are now $161.480.
Track: Fast
Time: :223 :452 :571 1:092
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 4 – 1 Paid 29.90
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 1 – 5 Paid 54.50
Scratched: Back Handed
— NS
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
