Brass Hat Grabs Rushaway Ring

Fred F. Bradley's homebred maiden Brass Hat, ridden by Jason Lumpkins, took command in the stretch and rolled to an easy 3 3/4-length victory over a suspect field of 3-year-olds in the $100,000 Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park.

Tales of Glory, who battled Boston Brahmin on the front end into the stretch and couldn't last, was second, 1 1/4 length in front of Gamblin. El Prado Rob, the 3-5 favorite ridden by Jerry Bailey, was fourth, beaten by eight lengths. El Prado Rob was part of a Nick Zito-trained entry with Pies Prospect. Ten competed.

The final time was 1:44 1/5 on a fast track for the 1 1/16-mile Rushaway.

Brass Hat had two career starts for trainer William Bradley, debuting with a second-place finish against $15,000 maiden claimers at Turfway in January. The Kentucky-bred bay colt by Prized was second again at Turfway in maiden special weight company Feb. 27.

Saturday, Lumpkins placed 38-1 Brass Hat fourth on the outside a couple of lengths off the lead as Boston Brahmin and Tales of Glory battled through fractions of :22 4/5 and :46 2/5. On the far turn, Brass Hat and Gamblin moved as a team to take on Tales of Glory as Boston Brahmin fell back. They completed the six furlongs in 1:11 1/5 as Brass Hat and Tales of Glory, ridden by Robby Albarado, hooked up in the stretch and Gamblin dropped back.

Brass Hat, who is not nominated for the Triple Crown, took control in the final furlong and won under steady urging.

Gamblin angled out in the stretch and came on again to make it close for second, three lengths ahead of El Prado Rob, who saved ground throughout but failed to rally.

The winner paid $79.60, $23.80 and $12.80. Tales of Glory returned $6.80 and $6.40. Gamblin, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, showed for $5.60. The $2 exacta was worth $328.

(Chart, Equibase)