Kip Deville, Leparoux Team to Win Bryan Station

Kip Deville wore down early leader Smart Enough in the stretch to win the $150,000 Bryan Station Stakes Sunday at Keeneland.

Always within striking distance under jockey Julien Leparoux, the Oklahoma-bred son of Kipling ran one mile on the firm turf in 1:35.36 to post his fifth win in 12 career starts and increase his career earnings to $400,062.

"I asked him (Kip Deville) to go to the front and, when he got to the front, he was very relaxed," Leparoux said.

Storm Treasure, runnerup in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) last spring, rallied from last to finish second, 1 ¼ lengths behind the winner and a nose better than Smart Enough.

Michael A. Iavarone's IEAH Stables owns Kip Deville, who had been racing at longer distances in Virginia and Delaware prior to the Bryan Station. Kip Deville ran fifth, 13 3/4 lengths behind the winning Brilliant in his last start in the Kent Breeders' Cup (gr. IIIT) at Delaware Park Sept. 9.

Richard Dutrow Jr. trains the winner, who paid $11.20, $6.40, and $4.60.

Storm Treasure, ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, returned $5.60 and $3.60.

Smart Enough with Rafael Bejarano aboard paid $5.20.

Gimme Credit finished fourth in the field of nine 3-year-olds followed by Kingship, Union Avenue, Raedonald, Manchu Prince, and Titled.

(Chart, Equibase)