Ubrute put an end to Brandon Blvd’s undefeated record while breaking his maiden in 1:50.1 in the sole $111,111 fourth-round dash of the Kentucky Championship Series for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings at The Red Mile on Tuesday, Aug. 26. 

In Ubrute’s case, the fourth time was the charm. Steered by Yannick Gingras, the son of Tall Dark Stranger-Warrawee Ubeaut kept to the task and defeated the favoured Brandon Blvd (Tim Tetrick) comfortably.

Away from post four in the field of seven, Ubrute went to the front early and led for much of the first quarter of :28.1 before releasing Brandon Blvd to the top. Brandon Blvd led the juvenile pacers through splits of :56.3 and 1:24.2 before Gingras moved his horse out in the stretch, and Ubrute soared past Brandon Blvd in the drive to the wire with a last panel in :25.3, winning by 2-1/2 lengths. Funky Buddha (Todd McCarthy) closed from fourth but was no match for the top two. 

Ubrute has been steadily improving for trainer Ron Burke since breaking stride in his first pari-mutuel start in this series last month. The colt sports of a resume of 4-1-1-1 and has earned $96,667. Owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Hatfield Stables, and Phillip Collura, Ubrute is the first foal from a Dan Patch Award winner that still shares the world record for a two-year-old pacing filly of 1:48.3. The colt fetched $202,703 at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and was bred by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Crawford Farms Racing, J&T Silva–Purnel & Libby, and Collura. Those that wagered on Ubrute, the second choice, collected $8.28 at the windows.

The 14-race card also offered two $41,667 fourth-round divisions of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $20,883 fourth-leg splits of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series, and two $13,889 fourth-round groups of the Kentucky Wildcat Series for two-year-old male pacers.

Gingras guided Thiago Hanover to a gate-to-wire victory in the first division of the Commonwealth in 1:50.4 for Burke. Downbythelakeside (Todd McCarthy) was second by a length and favorite Captain Apple (Dexter Dunn) finished third. The win was Thiago Hanover’s third in a row, and he stopped the clock in a lifetime best. The son of Tall Dark Stranger-Trillions Hanover is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Larry Karr, Knox Services Inc. and Beasty LLC. Thiago Hanover is now 7-3-1-2 and has banked $64,222. He paid $5.52 to win.

Scott Zeron and Drink To That won the second split by a neck in 1:51.2 over Kountry Blue (Dave Miller). Dunn and Show Me Your Ace were third. Drink To That, a son of Tall Dark Stranger-Tall Drink Hanover, broke his maiden in his fifth start and increased his bankroll to $36,250. Trained by Tony Alagna, Drink To That is the second foal out of a world champion and O’Brien Award winner, who was conditioned by the same individual. He is owned by Riverview Racing LLC, Steven Head, Pryde & Alagna Stable, and Caviart Farms. A win ticket on the fifth choice paid $13.16.

Out of Breeders Crown winner Peaky Sneaky, Benny B Hill ($4.30) and Miller won by a nose in 1:53.2 in the first division of the Golden Rod as the favourite. Sea Bistro Hanover (Todd McCarthy, $25.12) and Down The Line (Tetrick, $18.52) were best in the other two divisions.

Favourites Caviart Cadet (Anibal Borjas, $4.42) and Ooglesaurus (Joe Bongiorno, $3.22) had their pictures taken in the Wildcat Series.

(The Red Mile)