Bracken’s Laugh upsets Cardinal at Chelmsford, unlikely to try Kentucky Derby

Bracken’s Laugh won his 3-year-old debut in Saturday’s $126,300 Woodford Reserve Cardinal Condition Stakes at a mile on the synthetic track at Chelmsford City Racecourse in Britain, the final qualifying race in the European series for the Kentucky Derby.

As of Saturday afternoon, Bracken’s Laugh was highly unlikely to be sent to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby on May 4. Trainer Richard Hughes told a British television audience that he would like to start Bracken’s Laugh in the Dee Stakes at about 1 5/16 miles on turf at Chester Racecourse on May 9, a prep for a race at Royal Ascot in June.

Bracken’s Laugh has not been nominated to the American Triple Crown. A supplemental nomination for the Kentucky Derby would cost $50,000, while a supplemental nomination for all three races of the Triple Crown would cost $200,000.

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Bracken’s Laugh earned approximately $65,000 for the win on Saturday. None of the eight runners in the Cardinal Stakes have been nominated to the Triple Crown.

Sent off as the fourth choice in a field of eight, Bracken’s Laugh ($22.40) raced in the middle of the field before taking the lead with a furlong remaining. Ridden by Finley Marsh, Bracken’s Laugh pulled clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths over 9-1 Orne.

Capulet, the 1-5 favorite in American pools, finished third by 3 1/4 lengths after overcoming a bump in the stretch.

By Zoffany, Bracken’s Laugh has won 2 of 3 starts, beginning with a win in a race for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf at Newbury Racecourse last September. Bracken’s Laugh’s only loss was a fifth-place finish in his stakes debut in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint Cloud at 1 1/4 miles for colts and fillies at Saint-Cloud Racecourse in Paris last October.

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