Brant Homebred Basquiat Scores on Debut at Gulfstream

Peter Brant's Basquiat made his debut a winning one April 25 at Gulfstream Park, pouncing from off the pace to score a clear victory in a seven-furlong maiden special weight for 3-year-olds on the main track.

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who had taken time away from riding amid the COVID-19 pandemic, returned to the saddle Saturday and had the mount for trainer Chad Brown. The American Pharoah  colt broke from post 8 in a field of 10 and was third through a :22.29 opening quarter-mile set by Chasing Anna, who ran a brisk half-mile in :44.85. Basquiat was fifth, three lengths off the pacesetter, at the half-mile marker, and with a four-wide bid caught up to Chasing Anna down the stretch. 

Ashiham, the slight 9-5 favorite over Basquiat, was ninth early and showed a strong rally late but fell 1 1/2 lengths short of catching Basquiat, who finished in 1:23.25 on a fast track. Ashiham finished second, two lengths ahead of Dreams of Tomorrow in third. Chasing Anna held for fourth.

The first three colts across the wire were all born and raised at Claiborne Farm. Basquiat was bred by Brant's White Birch Farm and is the fourth winner from five runners out of the stakes-placed Distorted Humor  mare Divalarious, Ashiham (Tapit ) was bred by Dattt Farm and purchased by Shadwell Estate for $800,000 from Denali Stud's consignment to the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and Dreams of Tomorrow (Speightstown ) is a Phipps Stable homebred.