Brilliant Bid seeks to ration his speed

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - One of the enduring theories in handicapping is the farther the distance, the more lethal speed can be. Bill Connelly is hoping that in the case of Brilliant Bid, 1 1/2 miles on the Churchill Downs turf course will result in proof positive.

Brilliant Bid has consistently flashed early foot when racing at shorter distances, so when the colt stretches out in the Thursday feature, Connelly will be looking for jockey John McKee to dole out the speed in careful measures.

"That'll be the game plan, anyway," said Connelly, a 28-year training veteran with a 25-horse stable at Turfway Park.

Brilliant Bid is one of seven 3-year-olds and upward in the eighth of 10 Thursday races, a $46,000, second-level allowance. Connelly said two other upcoming races also were logical spots for Brilliant Bid, a 4-year-old Glitterman colt owned by Bernard Schaeffer.

"This was the owner's idea," said Connelly, 52. "He said, 'What do you think?' There was a 'three other than' next week, which is jumping conditions, or a mile-and-an-eighth 'two other than.' So I thought this might work. We'll see what happens."

Brilliant Bid will break from post 2 when trying to lead for all three turns. His closest pursuers figure to be Gloria Goodbody, a 3-year-old filly coming off a smashing victory versus her own gender on the Keeneland turf for owner-trainer John Glenney, and probably Quasicobra and Biggerbadderbetter. The chief late-running threats are Guadalcanal and Hidden Glance.

Quasicobra, with leading jockey Julien Leparoux tabbed by trainer Dale Romans, should be sharp after having last raced Sept.o24, when he romped in an entry-level allowance on the Belmont Park turf at 12-1.

Biggerbadderbetter hails from the Ken McPeek barn, which has been exceptionally hot throughout the last few months. Two starts back, Biggerbadderbetter finished a close second at this allowance level going 1o1/2 miles on the Keeneland turf.

One other allowance (race 9) also is carded for Thursday, when first post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern. Dubai Majesty, most recently third at 29-1 in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland, could be a slight favorite in what shapes up as a competitive group of fillies and mares eligible for first-level allowances. Susies Gal, Color Me Up, and Woodford Girl also have the look of contenders in the one-turn mile race, which carries a $44,100 purse.