Dontblamerocket enjoys successful stakes debut in Colonel E.R. Bradley

NEW ORLEANS – The young trainer Norm Casse has only a handful of horses stabled at Fair Grounds. But where else would Dontblamerocket be?

Dontblamerocket on Saturday made his eighth start over the Fair Grounds turf course and after winning the $125,000 Colonel E.R. Bradley Stakes now has five wins and two second-place finishes over his favorite racing surface.

This was a higher-level success, however, than Dontblamerocket ever has found. He raced for a $25,000 claiming price here a year ago, and Casse, with owner AJ Suited Racing, claimed him for $50,000 this past May at Churchill Downs. Dontblamerocket has since won a starter allowance at Saratoga, a starter allowance at Kentucky Downs, and now the Bradley.

“It’s what you dream about when you claim a horse,” Casse said.

Julien Leparoux gave Dontblamerocket a perfect trip in the Bradley and his mount made the most of it. Leparoux waited in the clear, sitting third, as Factor This and Sailing Solo scrambled through a classic speed duel, laying down taxing splits of 22.76 and 46.95 seconds over a firm, fast-playing grass course. Dontblamerocket caught them at the furlong grounds, dashing clear to post a three-length victory. Midnight Tea Time got up for second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Factor This, who held surprisingly well for third. The winner clocked 1:40.55 for 1 1/16 miles on turf and paid $15.60. Mr. Misunderstood, the 3-2 favorites, ran one his worst races and checked in last of eight.

Dontblamerocket is a 6-year-old gelding by Blame out of Theme Song, by Dixieland Band, and expect him back here, on his favorite course, Feb. 15 in the Fair Grounds Stakes.