Skyrush rallies to upset Brubaker

DEL MAR, Calif. - Skyrush, an Argentine import making his U.S. debut, pulled an upset in Wednesday's $89,930 Harry F. Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar. Tiago, third in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic, finished last of six in his first start since February.

Skyrush ($25.20) ran 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:40.77 under jockey Martin Pedroza. Skyrush rallied from fifth in the final quarter-mile to win by a neck over 13-1 Racketeer. Tiz West finished third.

Tiago was racing behind horses at the start of the backstretch when jockey Mike Smith pulled him to the outside to avoid clipping heels. Tiago quickly rushed into third, but could not sustain the rally and faded late.

Skyrush has won 4 of 8 starts and $96,262. Owned by Herrick Racing and trained by Darrell Vienna, Skyrush won his first stakes in the Brubaker, which was restricted to nonwinners of a stakes worth $50,000 or more to the winner (other than statebred) at a mile or more since March 1.

In Argentina, Skyrush won a maiden race and two allowance races and was third in a Grade 3 race in April, his most recent start in that country.