Latest news with #BrianHernandez
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brilliant Berti Victorious In Wise Dan
Brilliant Berti Victorious In Wise Dan originally appeared on Paulick Report. A fourth generation homebred for the Klein family, Brilliant Berti picked up his second career graded stakes win in the $500,000 Grade 2 Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on June 28. The 4-year-old son of Noble Mission completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.41 over the firm, yet rain-softened, turf. 'Brian did a great job at getting him to settle,' trainer Cherie DeVaux told Churchill Down's Kaitlin Free. 'He kicked clear and ran a great race.' Advertisement The Wise Dan was the seventh win for Brilliant Berti in 11 career races. He won his first graded stakes in the G3 Bryan Station States at Keeneland in October, and won the American Derby for 3-year-olds on the turf on this card last year. Sent out from the DeVaux barn, Brilliant Berti was relegated to midpack after the break. With no pace in the early stages, Seminole Chief from the far outside cleared the field to lead heading into the first turn. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. placed Brilliant Berti in fourth heading into the first turn. Seminole Chief led the seven-horse field along the backstretch, setting fractions of :24.96 and :50.31. Mi Hermano Ramon took over the lead from Seminole Chief with an early move in the middle of the home turn, as Brilliant Berti began his own rally a length behind. Brilliant Berti briefly dueled with Mi Hermano Ramon, before putting that foe away. As they duked it out, Taking Candy and Lagynos charged up the rail but Brilliant Berti was able to hold on by three quarters of a length. Stablemate Taking Candy got up for second with Lagynos in third. Californian-invader Mi Hermano Ramon and Fort Washington finished in a dead-heat for fourth. Sent off as the 5-2 post-time favorite, Brilliant Berti paid $6.08 for the win. 'They both came back with a lot of dirt on them,' Devaux continued. 'There was a lot of give.' This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
01-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan snaps 5-race losing skid with win in Blame at Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $270,000 Blame Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs, where he won the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Mystik Dan won the 150th Derby by a nose in the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947. After that, his skid included a second in the Preakness, an eighth in the Belmont at Saratoga and a ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. 'In hindsight, I wish I could take away a couple of those races after the Triple Crown,' trainer Ken McPeek said. 'We got him back to his old self.' Reminiscent of that race, Mystik Dan relaxed off the pace along the inside rail, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and powered home Saturday under Brian Hernandez Jr. 'When Mystik Dan is right, he's such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,' Hernandez said. Mystik Dan 1 1/8 miles in a stakes record time of 1:48.45. He paid $8.12 to win as the 3-1 third choice. Antiquarian was second and 2-1 favorite Post Time was third. The victory, worth $166,710, increased Mystik Dan's career earnings to $4,417,570. ___ AP horse racing:
