Brego Produces 17-1 Surprise in DeBartolo Memorial

The 17-1 shot Brego, given a patient ground-saving ride by Richard Eramia, rallied between horses and swept to the lead in deep stretch to earn a one-length victory in the $144,500 Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. Memorial Breeders' Cup Handicap on the Remington Park turf Sept. 3.

In the richest grass race of the Oklahoma track's season, Brego defeated 19-1 Almost Certain, with 10-1 shot Smooth Bid a half-length behind in third.

The favorite in the 1 1/8-mile event, 3-2 choice Inca King, gave way in the stretch to finish ninth after leading briefly. Therecomesatiger, the 5-2 second choice, finished seventh.

Racing along the inside in mid-pack, Brego moved up on the rail to reach contention mid-stretch. He responded to strong urging in the final stages to get the job done. Almost Certain, ridden by Larry Taylor, rallied belatedly from far behind and ran out of room. Smooth Bid, M. Berry aboard, also closed to get third. The winning time was 1:48 2/5.

Bruce Jackson trains the 5-year-old California-bred Brego for owner Paul J. Varni. The In Excesshorse, out of the Ezzoud mare Cheshire Cat, earned his first stakes win while improving his record to 4-6-1 in 19 starts. The winning share, $90,000, increased Brego's lifetime earnings to $200,789. Denise B. Tyler bred the winner.

The long-shots produced some huge exotic payoffs. The $2 exacta was $572.20. The $2 trifecta returned $8,505.40. The $1 superfecta, with 10-1 shot Sing Baby Sing in fourth, was worth $112,372.30.

Brego paid $36, $14.60 and $9.40. Almost Certain returned $21.60 and $10.40. Smooth Bid was $6.80 to show.

(Chart, Equibase)