The remarkable career of 9-year-old Brass Hat just got even better.
Under the patient handling of Calvin Borel, Brass Hat rallied from last and came roaring down to the stretch to win the $100,000 Sycamore (gr. IIIT) (VIDEO) by a length Oct. 21 at Keeneland. It was the sixth graded stakes win for the gelded son of Prized. He is a homebred of Fred Bradley, and is trained by Buff Bradley.
The Kentucky-bred Brass Hat won for the first time at Keeneland in his sixth try, covering 1 1/2 miles on the firm turf course in 2:30.73.
Brass Hat, who was raised at the Bradley’s Frankfort, Ky., farm, has overcome a pair of serious injuries in an outstanding career that has seen him earn $2,167,921. The fan favorite has won stakes on turf, dirt, and synthetics in his 39-start career, 10 of which have been victories.
It was an emotional win for the elder Bradley, who said after the race: "It means more than anything in the world to win one here."
Brass Hat was near the back for much of the way, as Presious Passion set the pace under Elvis Trujillo. He moved into contention along the hedge when they hit the top of the lane, but was still seventh with a furlong remaining as favored Musketier took the lead.
Musketier and 54-1 longshot Southern Anthem fought for the lead by mid-stretch, but Borel swung Brass Hat away from the inside and the game horse responded. He kept charging at the leaders and collared them in the final yards for the victory.
Southern Anthem nosed out Musketier for second with James Graham aboard.
"This is his home crowd," said Buff Bradley, who gave the horse a big hug in the winner's circle. "My dad really wanted to win one at Keeneland. We've been coming here for a lot of years.
"He's a family horse. He was bred and raised on the farm. My father and I foaled him. My father's been very patient with him. Anytime he's had a problem he said, 'Bring him home and give him some time off'."
It was the first win in six starts in 2010 for the bay horse. He was runner-up last out in the Sept. 6 Cliff Guilliams Handicap at Ellis Park. Earlier this year, Brass Hat finished second on the turf at Keeneland in the grade II Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes.
Brass Hat is out of the Dixie Brass mare Brassy.
Sent off as the third choice in a field of 12, the winner paid $11.60, $6.20, and $3.60. The exacta (5-1) returned $466.20, and the trifecta (5-1-7) paid $1,603.40.
Presious Passion set fractions of :24.32, :48.29, 1:13.01, and 1:38.93 before giving way to Tajaaweed at the top of the lane. Tajaaweed went on to finish fourth, followed by Yate's Black Cat, Lemonade Kid, Free Fighter, Rezif, Presious Passion, Your Round, Lignon's Hero, and Solitaire.