Blue Tone captures stakes debut in Harry Brubaker

DEL MAR, Calif. - The objective of winning a stakes with the lightly raced gelding Blue Tone was met at the first opportunity in Saturday’s $98,650 Harry Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar. It may be a few months before he appears in a similar race.

Blue Tone ($3.20) led throughout the Brubaker over a mile, holding off a sustained threat by Big Bane Theory to win by a head. Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Blue Tone ran a mile in 1:36.03.

Trainer Bob Hess, Jr. said he would prefer to take a patient approach with Blue Tone, focusing as much on 2015 as races this fall at Santa Anita.

“He’s a gelding and we don’t want to get in a big hurry,” Hess said.

Blue Tone started from the rail in a field of six, and set fractions of 23.65 and 47.73 seconds while racing with Timeless Indy. Turning into the stretch, Timeless Indy faded from contention, but Big Bane Theory moved alongside Blue Tone with a three-wide rally.

Blue Tone led by a length with a furlong to go, and was fully extended to win. Big Bane Theory finished 4 1/4 lengths in front of Calm Pacific, who was followed by Safety Belt, Drill, and Timeless Indy.

Hess said Blue Tone grabbed himself slightly at the start. He said Blue Tone could make his next start in the Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap here on Nov. 29, which will be part of the track’s new autumn meeting from Nov. 7-30.

Blue Tone is owned by a partnership that includes Beverly Engelberg, Shoeder Farms, and Jan Steeper. A 5-year-old gelding, Blue Tone has won 4 of 9 starts and earned $216,980. As far back as the summer of 2012, Blue Tone was considered a stakes prospect by Hess, but had been plagued with minor ailments in recent seasons.