Bran ends 10-month layoff with allowance win over tough field
DEL MAR, Calif. - With a sharp rally in the final furlong, Bran returned from a layoff of nearly 10 months to win a $81,500 allowance race against a tough group of rivals in Sunday’s first race at Del Mar.
The win is expected to lead to an appearance in turf stakes in late August or early September at Del Mar or Kentucky Downs, possibly the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 31.
“This gives us more choices of races,” trainer John Sadler said.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Bran ($13.20) ran a mile on turf in 1:34.52 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92. Bran was as close as second in a field of six in the opening quarter-mile, dropped back to fourth while racing on the inside, and then closed between rivals to win by a length.
“It was a beautiful ride,” Sadler said. “He sat inside very nicely, a professional turf ride. Sometimes, you don’t get the hole.”
Sumter, second or third in two stakes earlier this year, finished second, a nose in front of Packs a Wahlop, a two-time graded stakes winner in 2022. The remaining order of finish was War At Sea, Watsonville and Exaulted, all graded stakes winners.
Exaulted won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile in 2023. The allowance race was his second start of the year, preceded by a fifth-place finish in a field of six in the Grade 2 Wide Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 29.
Sent off as the 6-5 favorite on Sunday, Exaulted was third on the turn, but faded through the stretch, losing by six lengths.
Bran, a 6-year-old French-bred gelding, is owned by Hronis Racing. He had his best season in 2022, winning the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita at about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita, and the Grade 2 FanDuel Turf Sprint, a $648,640 race at six furlongs at Kentucky Downs.
Last year, Bran was winless in two starts – a seventh in the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Sept. 2, and a second by a half-length in the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 30.
On Sunday, Bran won for the first time at a mile in his third start at the distance.
Bran has won 8 of 24 starts and earned $768,032.
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