Trainer Chad Brown had a bevy of stakes runners Saturday and was busy making plans for the group Sunday. Brown won the GII Gazelle S. at Aqueduct with Lewis Bay (Bernardini), who will go on to the May 6 GI Kentucky Oaks.
“I thought she ran terrific, she's been a real consistent and honest horse,” Brown said of Lewis Bay. “She's developed nicely and I thought her race yesterday was great. After she won the [GII] Demoiselle, we set a plan to run in the [GI] Davona Dale, then the Gazelle and we hit both marks. So far she looks good coming out of the race and if she remains healthy and does fine this week she'll ship to Churchill on the 19th.”
Brown was also pleased with the second-place effort of 'TDN Rising Star' My Man Sam (Trappe Shot) in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S.
“I thought he ran great considering that difficult post position,” Brown said. “He finished strong and got up for second and earned enough points if we want to run in the Derby, which we do, so if he comes out of the race okay, which so far he has, he'll also move over to Churchill on the 19th and have two workouts over the track.”
Shadwell Stable's Shagaf (Bernardini) was a disappointing fifth as the 9-5 favorite over a muddy and sealed track in Saturday's GI Wood Memorial, but Brown said the colt could also head to Kentucky.
“Shagaf didn't really appear to handle the track as well,” said Brown. “He made a good move into the turn, he ran up into a wall of horses and he had to pause. When he tried to re-rally again he was very one paced and tired and encountered a lot of mud and kickback. Irad [Ortiz] said the track just wasn't for him. So far he looks good this morning. If he has a good week, he'll go to Churchill on the 19th as well.”
Brown added that Flexibility (Bluegrass Cat), seventh in the Wood, would not go on to Louisiville.
“Flexibility was disappointing,” Brown said. “Manny Franco said down the backside he wouldn't handle the inner of the track. He was off the bridle by the midway marker and he had no horse under him at all. We'll regroup with him but for now he's off the Derby trail.”
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