Orphan Brigade gets up by a neck

Orphan Brigade stalked a hot pace then drove to a neck win over Keep On Punching in the $160,800 Premiere Breeders' Cup Stakes at Zia Park on Sunday. It was another two lengths back in third to Go Kitty Go.

Orphan Bridgade ($19.60) settled in fourth as Stone Rain, the favorite, and Sweepingly, dueled through fractions of 21.40 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.20 for the half-mile. Orphan Brigade overtook the leaders and went on to cover the six furlongs in 1:10.80.

"He really made his move over the last quarter-mile," said Roman Chapa, who rode the winner for trainer Robert Brewer.

Orphan Brigade, who races for Ronald Trent, earned $96,480 for the third stakes win of his career, lifting his earnings to $393,008. Overall, he has won 12 of 36 starts.