Brandothebartender has second straight win in Crystal Water
ARCADIA, Calif. - For all his accomplishments in a five-year career, Brandothebartender reached a milestone in Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers at Santa Anita, winning consecutive races for the first time.
Brandothebartender won the Sensational Star Stakes for statebreds at six furlongs on turf on March 21, and was the third choice in a field of five in the Crystal Water for the partnership of Flawless Racing, Brian Flanagan and Michael Jarvis and trainer Craig Dollase.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, who was aboard for the Sensational Star, Brandothebartender closed from fourth in a field of five to win the Crystal Water by three-quarters of a length over even-money favorite North County Guy.
Brandothebartender ($12) was timed in 1:35.04 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.
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“Back to back, we’re kind of shocked,” Dollase said. “He’s kind of found the fountain of youth at age 8.”
The closing style has worked for Brandothebartender in a wide range of races, including a 1,000-yard allowance race against Quarter Horses at Los Alamitos in December. This year, Brandothebartender has had six starts. He was third by a neck in the Tiznow Stakes for statebred milers on dirt on Feb. 28.
He’s the type of horse that would go if you asked him at the beginning,” Rispoli said.
In the Crystal Water, Brandothebartender was fourth with a furlong remaining, trailing North County Guy by 1 1/2 lengths. An 8-year-old gelding, Brandothebartender did just enough to win, Rispoli said.
“He switched leads and caught the leader,” Rispoli said. “He was three-quarters in front and waiting on the others. He saves himself.”
Acclimate, the winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap in 2019, finished third, followed by Desmond Doss and Irish Heatwave. Prodigal Son was a late scratch.
Brandothebartender has won 8 of 43 starts and has earned $668,364. Brandothebartender was claimed for $40,000 by his current owners at Del Mar in August 2018.