Recently deceased Brilliant Speed represented by his first winner

Recently deceased freshman sire Brilliant Speed got his first winner when first-time starter Fly won a $41,320 maiden race at Laurel today. Brilliant Speed, by Dynaformer, was found dead in his paddock at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Ky., on July 14, apparently struck by lightning. He had stood at Three Chimneys since 2013.

Fly, out of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Desert Stormer, by Storm Cat, attended the early pace from second under Jevian Toledo, made his bid in late stretch and prevailed by a half-length over 9-10 favorite Consulting. Fly went off at 11-1 in the 10-horse field and completed the 5 1/2 furlongs in 102.87. He is owned by Dark Hollow Farm, Davidov, Davidov, MacWilliam, Teitelbaum, Wallace, et al., and trained by Phil Schoenthal.

Bred in Kentucky by Avalon Farms, Scott Swaim, and Desmond Ryan, Fly was sold for $80,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale, purchased by Schoenthal, as agent.

Desert Stormer has produced 14 foals, 11 to race, and 11 winners, including one stakes winner – Sahara Gold (by Seeking the Gold), winner of the Grade 2 Beaumont Stakes.

Florida-bred Brilliant Speed, bred and raced by Live Oak Farm, won three of 21 starts and earned $1,203,531. He was trained by Tom Albertrani and won the 2011, Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes and the Grade 3 Saranac. He was second or third in eight other stakes, including third-place finishes in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Sword Dancer Invitational, and the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, all Grade 1.

Brilliant Speed, out of Gone West mare Speed Succeeds, has 27 foals in his first crop and 24 yearlings in his second. He has had six starters to date.

He stood his first season in 2013 for $10,000, and had been $5,000 since.