Brass Hat Recuperating at Bradley Farm

(from Churchill Downs notes)
Multiple stakes winner Brass Hat is back home in Kentucky after undergoing surgery for an injury suffered in the Lone Star Derby (gr. III) at Lone Star Park.

The 3-year-old son of Prized suffered a condylar fracture of the right front ankle in a ninth place finish in the race held on the eve of Breeders' Cup at the Grand Prairie, Texas track. Trainer William "Buff" Bradley said two screws were inserted in the injured ankle by Texas equine surgeons.

The winner of the Ohio Derby (gr. II), Indiana Derby (gr. II) and Rushaway Stakes is now resting on the farm of owner-breeder Fred Bradley, a former Kentucky state senator and the trainer's father, in Frankfort, Ky.

"He's expected to be out about six months," said Bradley. "They said the injury should mend perfectly and he'll back in 2006."

Brass Hat scored his first career victory in Turfway Park's Rushaway at odds of 38-1. The joy the horse has brought his father made this a memorable year, the trainer said.

"The most exciting part is seeing how much fun he's had," said Bradley. "We're proud of what he's done and we're glad we didn't sell him. I'm looking forward to getting him ready to run next year."

Brass Hat compiled a record of 3-4-0 in nine races and earned $624,430 in 2004.