Young Brian looks like half-million in debut

DEL MAR, Calif. – Last February, owner and breeder John Liviakis bought back a Hard Spun colt for $500,000 at the Barretts select sale of 2-year-olds in training. On Saturday at Del Mar, it was apparent why he sought to retain the colt, named Young Brian.

In his debut, Young Brian overcame an awkward start to win a maiden special weight race at 6 1/2 furlongs by 10 1/4 lengths. The win put Young Brian at the fore of the list of contenders for the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 7.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Young Brian recovered from the start to race in third on the backstretch and took the lead in early stretch with minimal effort. Bejarano hand rode Young Brian to the wire, and they finished in 1:17.10.

“He’s a long-striding colt,” Liviakis said. “He’s got a good, fluid gait. He seems that he wants to run all day.”

Phil D’Amato trains Young Brian and urged Liviakis not to sell the colt last February. Now, they have a possible starter for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.