Conquest Sandman tops Home of the Brave field

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Despite a very good chance of rain over the holiday weekend, and after some deliberation on the part of the racing office hierarchy, the Home of the Brave Handicap was drawn Friday for Monday’s special Memorial Day program at Gulfstream Park.

The Home of the Brave, for horses who have started under a claiming tag at any point in their careers, is scheduled for 1 1/2 miles on the turf. Racing secretary Chris Camac wanted to assure himself of “enough coverage” in the starting gate in the event the $60,000 overnight stakes must be moved to the main track due to inclement weather and unsuitable course conditions.

The Home of the Brave drew a full field of 12 topped by the 123-pound highweight Conquest Sandman, who has won four of his last six starts, topped by his victory last month in the Miesque’s Approval Stakes. The stakes-winning Durocher (122 pounds), trainer Todd Pletcher’s lightly raced but promising Bold Daddy (119), Bingo Kitten (117), and Erasmo’s Dream (117) are among the other more notable entrants. Rounding out the prospective lineup are Good and Proper, Powerline, Rythmofsimmard, Gemologist, Millionaire Runner, Archer Road, and Barefoot Cove.