When Rachel Alexandra was sold just a few days after her sensational Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) win and transferred out of the barn of Hal Wiggins, there was only one thing left for the trainer to do: “Move on and concentrate on my 2-year-olds,” Wiggins said.
It is unlikely that Wiggins will find a horse like Rachel Alexandra any time soon, but he does have a promising young colt making his stakes debut in the $100,000 Bashford Manor (gr. III), a sprint for 2-year-olds July 3 at Churchill Downs. Millsap Stables’ homebred Brassy Boy, undefeated in two starts, will face eight rivals in the six-furlong Bashford Manor, the feature of Churchill’s 11-race card. Post time is set for 7:24 p.m. EDT.
Brassy Boy is the only starter with an allowance win on his résumé and will carry top weight of 120 pounds as a result. The bay colt was bred in Arkansas and is by Storm and a Half, out of the Dixie Brass mare Brass Doll. He made his debut May 29 at Churchill in a $30,000 maiden claimer and won by 2 1/2 widening lengths. On June 11, Brassy Boy came from off the pace in a five-furlong allowance to get up by a neck at 28-1. Both times he was ridden by Corey Lanerie, who stays aboard.
“Mr. Millsap owns Storm and Half and he’s been the leading sire in Arkansas for many years,” Wiggins said. “He’s a really good sire. I’ve been training for Mr. Millsap for about 15 years now, so I get all of his Storm and a Half’s. They are all pretty decent, hard-knocking horses. I’ve had about five or six of Brassy Boy’s half brothers and sisters. This might be the best one I’ve had.
“His allowance race really surprised me. I told my wife before the race I would be happy to get fourth. Most of the other horses in there were prepping for the Bashford, but I was just looking for a spot to run him. He really ran well.
“I’m hoping six furlongs will suit him. He’s in a tough spot here but I really like the way he’s been training.”
Brassy Boy, who will break from post 3, breezed three furlongs in :36.80 on June 30.
Among those Brassy Boy will face is Twin Creeks Racing Stable’s Mission Impazible, who could go off as the favorite based on his third-place finish in the April 30 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill when running well despite a troubled trip. The son of Unbridled's Song broke his maiden at first asking April 16 at Keeneland. John Velazquez will ride for Todd Pletcher.
Others to watch for are Steve Asmussen trainee Grand Slam Andre, who broke his maiden by 7 3/4 lengths June 4 at Churchill, and a pair of Westrock Stables entries trained by D. Wayne Lukas – Westrock Gold and Soundman. The latter ran third to Brassy Boy in the June 11 allowance.
$100,000 Bashford Manor (gr. III, Race 10, 7:24 p.m.), 2YO, 6 Furlongs (Dirt) PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Grand Slam Andre (KY), S Bridgmohan, 118, S M Asmussen
2. Westrock Gold (FL), J R Leparoux, 118, D W Lukas
3. Brassy Boy (AR), C J Lanerie, 120, H R Wiggins
4. Mission Impazible (KY), J R Velazquez, 118, T A Pletcher
5. Backtalk (FL), M Mena, 118, T M Amoss
6. Even Wilder (KY), J K Court, 116, T Veinot
7. Soundman (KY), J Theriot, 118, D W Lukas
8. Vito Filitto (KY), C H Borel, 116, B S Flint
9. Flatter Than Me (KY), R Albarado, 118, M R Scherer
