The Salvator Mile (Grade 3)- $150.000 Purse
MTH- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile on the Dirt
July 5, 2015

Early in the spring, Aer Stables saw Brutal and made a quality investment of $250.000 on him. It didn’t seem like a bad purchase at the time, as Brutal had a decent two year old campaign, and put forth some good runs to begin this year, and perhaps he would end up lost in the shuffle a little bit at Mb Stables, whom he was purchased from. The trainer liked what he saw so much, that he put the colt on the KYD trail, but would disappoint in the AR Derby.   Now with the KYD Trail over with, and a KYD win in the trainer’s pocket regardless, Brutal will have his chance to shine. He ran well in winning an optional claimer, but seemed like he might come up a little short in this one. That would not be the case today at MTH as Brutal ran the best race of his career and showed just why Aer Stables saw fit to make this addition to his stable.    It is the first career win in the stake for Aer Stables, and the second time that winning jockey R Albarado was aboard the winner, having also done so in 2010 with Madhouse.   Congratulations to all of the connections! Let’s take a look at how this finish happened!

1st- 1- Brutal (9/2)- The eventual race winner stalked the pace early, content to run a length or two behind the pacesetters.  Maintained this distance throughout the backstretch run, but in the turn, he completely turned it on and at the top of the stretch he had drawn level with Actually, making up two lengths.  Put together a fantastic stretch run, and he needed too, because Actually was not letting up without a fight.  Jockey R J Albarado would make sure that Brutal had what it took to hang on, and when he the finish line he had beaten Actually by half a length.  The time of the victory was 1:34.58, which is the second fastest time in the history of the stake.  Brutal is a three year old colt by Chai Latte and out of Gift of Grace (Big Delinquent).  He was bred in CA by Mb Stables, and purchased by Aer Stables in private sales in March for $250.000.  Congratulations again!

2nd- 5- Actually (5/1)- Good out of the gate for Mb Stables, second along the opening turn and into the backstretch, and took the lead soon into this run.  Opened up a lead of almost two lengths as they entered the final turn as he set the opening half mile time in :46.91.  Handled the turn well, but couldn’t hold off the approach of Brutal.  Once Brutal went by, Actually continued to run in good stride and make him earn it to the wire.  Solid run, but the trainer likely wanted more.

3rd- 3- Dojea (6/1)- The Night Rider Stables entry did not have much interest in running early, and trailed the field for much of the race.  R Maragh urged his horse forward in the turn, but he had conceded far too much ground to the leaders, and when those leaders still had plenty of run for the rest of the stretch, the best Dojea could settle for was third.   He’ll need to be closer to the front earlier next time.

4th- 4- Muzikology (8/5)- The post time favorite from Wynnewood was good out of the gate, and led the field around the opening turn, setting the first quarter time in :23.61.  At first it might have seemed as though he was just going to back off of Actually in the backstretch, but it soon became apparent that he would just not have it today.

5th- 2- Dreaming Again (5/2)- Began the race toward the rear of the field for Gdp Inc.  Maintained this position for the early portion, running with Dojea.  Tried to make a move at about the same time Dojea did, but his bid would not be as strong, making Dreaming Again not a factor today.

Track: Fast
Time: :23³  :46⁴  1:10¹  1:34²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 5 Paid 27.30
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 5 – 3 Paid 119.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III