Delaware: Brujo de Olleros dominates Carl Hanford Memorial for first win in United States

Brujo de Olleros, a Group 1 winner in Uruguay in January 2012, earned his first victory in the United States when he scored a convincing win in Monday’s $51,225 Carl Hanford Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park.

Coming off a narrow loss in the $100,000 Donald LeVine Memorial Handicap at Parx in his first start of 2013, Brujo de Olleros made a three-wide bid from third on the far turn under Alex Cintron, took the lead in upper stretch, and drew off to win by 6 1/4 lengths. He completed a mile and 70 yards on a fast track in 1:40.30 for his fifth win in 9 lifetime starts. A son of Wild Event, Brujo de Olleros is trained by Rick Mettee for Team Valor International. He was awarded a 91 Beyer Speed Figure.

There was nearly a four-way dead heat for second. A photo showed Thunder Lord got second by a head. Russian Greek and I’m Steppin’ It Up were in a dead heat for third, a nose in front of Speighter Man.