Home Brew Pulls Ahead Late to Take Oaklawn Stakes
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Home Brew wins the Oaklawn Stakes at Oaklawn Park
After falling back to fourth early, Home Brew had something cooking down the stretch to take the 1 1/8-mile Oaklawn Stakes in 1:50.63 April 23.
The winning recipe also included a secret ingredient.
Jockey Jose Ortiz, speaking on Oaklawn's in-house broadcast, recounted of the nugget of wisdom he received from Jorge Abrego, assistant to trainer Brad Cox, before the race, "'No horse in the lead has won (Saturday at Oaklawn) other than Letruska , and she's a super mare. Just don't send him to the lead.'"
He didn't. Under patient handling, the son of Street Sense stalked the leaders and stayed within striking distance for the opening half-mile, two lengths off Kuchar , who led until Home Brew made his move late in the race. Home Brew pulled even with Kuchar and pace-pressing Happy Boy Rocket at the second turn before drawing off for 1 3/4-length win over the early leader.
Happy Boy Rocket ran third.
The win provided Home Brew with an automatic berth into the May 21 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course should owners Gary and Mary West elect to take it.
Home Brew's fractional time for a mile was 1:37.69 after Kuchar posted splits of :23.74, :48.10, and 1:12.04.
The victory in the $150,000 Oaklawn Stakes improved Home Brew's earnings to $203,625 in winning three of five starts. Bred in Kentucky by his owners, he is out of the Tapit mare Omnitap .