Fair Grounds: Bradester continues improvement in Mineshaft
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
NEW ORLEANS – A trip from Florida proved fruitful for Bradester, who won the Grade 3, $150,000 Mineshaft Handicap on Saturday at Fair Grounds.
Trainer Eddie Kenneally said a return for the New Orleans Handicap in five weeks is possible for Bradester, a 4-year-old colt who earned his first stakes victory.
"He's an improving horse,'' Kenneally said. "The two turns is what he likes to do. The four races he's won have been at a mile and a sixteenth. The track suits his running style.''
Ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Bradester quickly established stalking position a few lengths behind front-runner Grand Contender and pace-pusher Ground Transport. Grand Contender set a moderate pace, running the first quarter-mile in 24.08 seconds, the half in 48.38, and six furlongs in 1:12.38.
Bradester powered to the lead approaching the eighth pole and pulled away, defeating runner-up Grand Contender by 1 1/4 lengths.
"Sat in a great position,'' Napravnik said. "He wanted to wait. I had to urge him along a bit, but he's a classy horse.''
Fordubai made a late run to finish third, another 1 3/4 lengths back in a field of nine older horses.
Bradester ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.80 and paid $15.40.