Shea Brennan takes early lead to the wire in Bertrando Stakes
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CYPRESS, Calif. - Shea Brennan snagged an early lead in Saturday’s $100,000 Bertrando Stakes and proved impossible to catch in the one-mile stakes for California-breds at Los Alamitos.
Ridden by Armando Ayuso, Shea Brennan ($7.60) set an early pace of 23.69 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.30 for a half-mile, closely tracked by Coach Cronin, the 11-10 favorite.
Coach Cronin was well placed to challenge Shea Brennan early in the long stretch, but was unable to sustain the effort.
Speedy Wilson (8-5) closed from last of five to finish second, giving owner and breeder Nick Alexander and trainer Phil D’Amato a sweep of the exacta.
Shea Brennan was timed in 1:35.67, and won by 3 1/4 lengths over Speedy Wilson.
“I tried to go slow,” Ayuso said. “I wanted to have something at the end.”
Coach Cronin was third, beaten four lengths, and was followed by Whiskyginandbrandy and Barely Funtional. None Above the Law was withdrawn by trainer Peter Miller on Saturday morning.
The result was the subject of an objection by jockey Tiago Pereira, who rode Whiskyginandbrandy. On the turn, Whiskeyginandbrandy was checked by Pereira when racing in tight quarters behind Shea Brennan and Coach Cronin. The stewards disallowed the foul claim.
Shea Brennan has won as a pacesetter in the past – notably the King Glorious Stakes for statebred 2-year-old milers at Los Alamitos in December 2024 – but raced as a stalker in five starts last year.
The Bertrando Stakes was his first start since a third-place finish in The Chosen Vron Stakes for statebreds at seven furlongs at Del Mar last November.
The King Glorious and Bertrando are Shea Brennan’s two stakes wins.
Ayuso had ridden Speedy Wilson in 11 of his 12 starts prior to Saturday’s Bertrando Sakes. Ricky Gonzalez had the mount on Saturday.
Ayuso has ridden Shea Brennan three of his last four starts, including the Bertrando Stakes.
“I thought Shea was better going longer,” Ayuso said. “He’s getting better every time he runs and every time he works.”
Shea Brennan and Speedy Wilson are by Tough Sunday. Shea Brennan has won 4 of 11 starts and earned $347,530.
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