Move back to turf a plus for Brerry
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Brerry gets back on what might prove to be his best surface in the featured eighth race at Tampa Bay Downs on Sunday, a first-level optional $75,000 claimer going a mile on grass. The race drew a full field of 10 3-year-olds, plus one also-eligible and another horse entered for the main track only.
In his only route race and his only start on turf, Brerry was a front-running 2 1/4-length winner of a $20,900 maiden special weight race going a mile at Hawthorne in October. The son of Haynesfield earned a 68 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest mark in the main body of Sunday’s field.
Last out Dec. 19, Brerry tried dirt for the first time in the $67,500 Inaugural Stakes and finished fifth behind the undefeated Ishaq, beaten 3 1/4 lengths. Manny Cruz was aboard Brerry for trainer Eoin Harty that day and retains the mount for the colt’s 2016 debut.
"I thought his race on the dirt wasn’t exactly a bad race, but he’s proven on the turf, and he’s proven on the synthetic, so I just went back to what I was most confident in for him," Harty said. "He’s doing well, and his last few works have been great."
KEY CONTENDERS
Brerry (Beyers: 62-68-51)
◗ He’s worked four times here since the Inaugural Stakes, turning in a bullet half-mile move in 47.20 seconds Dec. 19 and another bullet, five furlongs in 1:01.40, last Tuesday.
Highly Prized (Beyer: 71)
◗ This British colt likely will be favored if he can get in from the also-eligible list. Trained by Niall Saville, he got up in time to win his only U.S. start Dec. 31 at Gulfstream Park. He won the maiden special weight race by half a length while going a mile on turf with Javier Castellano aboard. His Beyer is the highest in Sunday’s field.
◗ Daniel Centeno is named to ride Sunday, but he’s also named to ride West Shore Drive in the main body of the field. West Shore Drive finished a distant second at this level in a route race on the main track here Jan. 6 for trainer Chad Stewart.
Bluegrass Tiger (Beyers: 53-50-34)
◗ The Beyer won’t impress, but he did win his maiden decisively last out Dec. 19 while going a mile on this turf course. He scored by 6 3/4 lengths as a lukewarm favorite for trainer Kathleen O’Connell and jockey Antonio Gallardo, who retains the mount.
Lovebug (Last 3 Beyers: 59-60-60)
◗ He’s won his two most recent races, both on the synthetic track at Presque Isle Downs in September, and will try turf for the first time here.