Somelikeithotbrown takes charge early in Bernard Baruch

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - There was some concern among horsemen that the Saratoga turf course wasn’t playing kind to front-running types. Trainer Mike Maker shared that concern, but when it comes to Somelikeithotbrown he believes being in front early is key to his success.

Despite the presence of another speed horse in Halladay, Maker instructed Tyler Gaffalione, the rider of Somelikeithotbrown “to let him run his race.”

Somelikeithotbrown was able to secure a clear early lead through easy fractions and then had plenty in the tank to hold off the late comers and win Sunday’s Grade 2, $150,00 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga by one length. Mr Dumas, also trained by Maker, closed to get second by a head over 8-5 favorite Good Governance, who nosed out Halladay for third. Olympico and Seismic Wave completed the order of finish.

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The most anxious moments for the connections of Somelikeithotbrown came after the race, when he unseated Gaffalione on his way back to the winner’s circle. Somelikeithotbrown was caught by an outrider and might have grabbed part of his foot, according to Gaffalione. Gaffalione was fine and came back to ride longshot Feeling Dangerous in the finale.

Gaffalione said Somelikeithotbrown stumbled going from the turf course to the dirt and unseated him.

There were no such mishaps during the running of the race. Somelikeithotbrown broke well and assumed the front from Good Governance soon after the start. He was able to open up a clear advantage through fractions of 24.79 seconds, 49.08, and six furlongs in 1:12.43.

Luis Saez on Halladay got within a half-length of Somelikeithotbrown at the top of the lane, but with two smacks of Gaffalione’s right-handed stick, Somelikeithotbrown kicked away from his pursuers and ultimately beat his stablemate by one length.

“He broke so sharp and I knew there was speed on the outside, I figured Luis wasn’t going to get in a speed duel with me and this horse, he likes to be forwardly placed if not in front, that seems to be his best running style,” Gaffalione said. “He was nice and comfortable out front, got everything our own way, when I asked him he really responded.”

Somelikeithotbrown, a New York-bred son of Big Brown owned by Skychai Racing and David Koenig, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.32 and returned $19.60 as the second-longest shot in the field of six.

Good Governance, the hot favorite off an allowance win, was saving all the ground, but didn’t have the necessary kick in the lane to be a late factor.

Maker said he wasn’t surprised by Somelikeithotbrown’s performance given how well he ran in the Grade 2 Fort Marcy at Belmont when he was third to Instilled Regard despite having to go too fast early.

“I thought his last race he went a little too quick and opened up a little too much,” said Maker, noting that a horse with broken equipment was up on the pace and getting Somelikeithotbrown “into the bridle a little more than we wanted,” Maker said. “But I thought it was a very credible race.”

Maker said he was also bullish on Mr Dumas coming into the Bernard Baruch “and it looked like he showed up this afternoon as well,” he said.

For Maker, it was his sixth turf stakes victory in the last two weeks including the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth on July 20 with Aquaphobia and Grade 2 Elkhorn on July 12 at Keeneland with Zulu Alpha. He won five turf races this week at Saratoga including Sunday’s finale with Turn of Events.