Bradester Too Strong in Salvator Mile

Runner-up in last year's Salvator Mile (gr. III) , Joseph Sutton's Bradester would not be denied in this year's edition July 5 at Monmouth Park.

 

Ridden by Corey Lanerie for trainer Eddie Kenneally, Bradester gained a narrow advantage from early pacesetter Fabulous Kid late on the backstretch, opened up around the turn after repelling a mild bid from third-place finisher Valid, and was unchallenged through the stretch for a two-length triumph.  

 

Covering the distance in 1:35.32 on a fast track, Bradester won comfortably from Red Vine, who swept past Valid in the stretch to take second by 1 1/4 lengths.

 

"Going into the three-eighths pole, I was feeling confident," Lanerie said. "Somebody came to my hip in the turn and I thought, 'I guess we're going to see what he has left.' At the eighth pole, I knew I still had a lot of horse." 

 

Fabulous Kid clocked an opening quarter in :24.42 before Bradester took charge through the half in :47.61 and six furlongs in 1:10.83.

 

"At the eighth pole, I knew I still had a lot of horse," Lanerie said. "It was a fairly slow pace and with this kind of horse they weren't going to beat him from there."

 

Race Day, the 9-10 favorite, was bumped at the start and never a factor thereafter, finishing sixth in the seven-horse field.

 

Bradester, second to Itsmyluckyday   in last year's race, returned $15.60, $6.60, and $5 for this year's victory, while improving his record to 6-5-2 from 18 career starts. His résumé includes two other grade III victories: the 2014 Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and Ack Ack Handicap at Churchill Downs. Unplaced in the Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) in March, he was third in an optional claiming event in his return in May at Churchill.

 

Bradester, a 5-year-old son of Lion Heart, was bred in Kentucky by Doug Branham and sold via agent Barry Berkelhammer to agent Carrie Frommer for $195,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida 2-year-olds in training sale. His dam is the Grand Slam mare Grandestofall.

 

Red Vine paid $3.60 and $2.80, while Valid returned $4.60 to show.

 

Don Dulce was fourth and Fabulous Kid was fifth, followed by Race Day and Coup de Grace to complete the order of finish. Decisive Moment, Just Call Kenny, and Pants On Fire were scratched.