First Class Brass runs down favorite

First Class Brass ($11.80) finished with a good late run to wear down the leg-weary Bevys Best in the closing sixteenth of a mile to successfully defend his title in the Labor Day Stakes at Columbus on Monday.

Bevys Best, the 4-5 favorite in the field of seven older horses going 6 1/2 furlongs, opened up what appeared to be a commanding lead of six lengths at the top of the stretch but shortened stride late. First Class Brass, with Armando Martinez aboard, rallied along the inside and prevailed by three-quarters of a length, covering the distance in 1:20.40 over a fast track.