Turf Paradise: Happy homecoming for Beer Meister in Luke Kruytbosch

Beer Meister, who got a crack at a Grade 3 and Grade 2 stakes last spring, relished the return to his backyard and the site of his biggest win as he rallied to capture Saturday’s $35,000 Luke Kruytbosch Stakes for 3-year-olds at Turf Paradise.

Owned by Linda Egger and William Burns and trained by Manuel Ortiz, Beer Meister won the Turf Paradise Derby last February at 40-1. After finishing seventh in the Grade 2 Peter Pan at Belmont last May 14 he went to the bench. This 1 1/16-mile race marked his first start since then and he bided his time toward the back of the pack, remained well back by the far turn but swung out and put in a strong sustained run that carried him past his rivals as he won by 2 1/4 lengths under Glenn Corbett. Goldfire sat at the back of the pack with the eventual winner and rallied well, and while unable to keep pace with Beer Meister was able to capture second. Wegner, the narrow 9-5 favorite stalked the pace and finished third in the field of eight.

Beer Meister ran the distance in 1:44.54 and paid $5.60. The winner’s share of $21,000 gives him earnings of $93,420 from 3 wins in 7 starts.