Home Brew Earns Preakness Berth in Oaklawn Stakes
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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 $150,000 Oaklawn Stakes in 1:50.63 April 23 at Oaklawn Park.
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 1 1/8-mile event: "'No horse in the lead has won (on 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 through splits of posted splits of :23.74, :48.10, and 1:12.04 until Home Brew made his move and took over through a 1:37.69 mile. 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.
The victory improved Home Brew's earnings to $203,625 with three wins and a second from five starts. Bred in Kentucky by his owners, he is out of the Tapit mare Omnitap .