Klein legacy rides with Believe in Bertie in Mint Julep

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – On Kentucky Derby Day, Richard Klein was attired in the green blazer that his late father, Bert, often wore to the racetracks of America. It was the first Derby since Bert Klein – banker, horse owner, philanthropist, and an iconic figure to many in racing – died in late March at 86.

The blazer was supposed to be in the Churchill Downs winner’s circle that day, but alas, Believe in Bertie lost a photo finish in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile, not only denying the 4-year-old homebred her first graded-stakes win but also the Klein family of a moment of great euphoria and sentiment.

“I thought my dad might bring her home a victory,” said Richard Klein, who bred Believe in Bertie in partnership with his father. “It was a special race anyway. I thought she was going to win. She showed a new dimension. She’d never been in a dogfight like that, but she really battled back and barely got beat.”

Believe in Bertie will be a solid favorite for Klein Racing and trainer Brad Cox on Saturday when returning in the 41st running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Mint Julep Handicap. The Louisiana-bred filly will have Shaun Bridgmohan back aboard when breaking from post 1 in a field of seven fillies and mares in the 1 1/16-mile Mint Julep, which highlights an 11-race card as the 10th race.

Last year, the Kleins won the Mint Julep with the since-retired Cash Control, also trained by Cox and ridden by Bridgmohan. The team stands an excellent chance at a repeat, with Believe in Bertie looming as the controlling speed. From 12 career starts, she has amassed six wins and four seconds while going through conditions and taking advantage of statebred restrictions.

“We thought about the Just a Game on Saturday at Belmont for her,” Klein said. “But these two turns are better than one, and that race did come up awfully tough.”

Linda and Sky My Sky look like the top challengers in a lineup that also includes Majestic Angel, Dona Bruja, Lots o’ Lex, and Dynazar.

The Mint Julep, first run in 1977, anchors a program that also includes three allowances (races 5, 6, and 9). First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the feature going at 5:21 and the 11th race at 5:51. The Belmont Stakes simulcast (6:37) will be televised throughout the facility and on the Big Board.

Churchill regulars who will be riding at Belmont and therefore missing this card are Corey Lanerie, Florent Geroux, Julien Leparoux, and Channing Hill.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Believe in Bertie, by Langfuhr
Last 3 Beyers: 102-96-96

◗ Her near miss to the favored Roca Rojo in the Distaff Turf Mile followed four straight victories, all in front-running style over the Fair Grounds turf and all but one in ungraded stakes company.

Linda, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 96-91-96

◗ This gray Whitham Thoroughbreds homebred was third in the Distaff Turf Mile and is the likely second choice on the strength of her 2 1/2-length win in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere here last fall for Ian Wilkes.

Dona Bruja, by Storm Embrujado
No Beyers

◗ Clearly the unknown of the group, this Argentine-bred champion mare gets Lasix for the first time when making her North American debut after 11 recorded breezes for Ignacio Correas.

Sky My Sky, by Bernardini
Last 3 Beyers: 88-86-85

◗ This tractable filly figures to be in closest pursuit of the favorite through the early stages when exiting a sharp May 14 allowance victory over the local course for Mark Casse.

Dynazar, by Purim
Last 3 Beyers: 80-84-84

◗ Her Beyers say she might be a cut below, but her 4-for-7 record over the local turf for Dallas Stewart speaks to an unmistakable affinity for racing here.

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