BERNED scores in the G3 Molly Pitcher on the Haskell Undercard

Courtesy of the BloodHorse

… Robert Masiello, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Chris Larsen’s Berned flew by the leaders at the top of the stretch to win the G3 Molly Pitcher.

The 4-year-old, Graham Motion-trained daughter of Bernardini  has competed at a much tougher level in the past, with off-the-board efforts in the 2016 Starlet Stakes (G1), the 2017 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), and the June 9 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), where she finished sixth.

Although she won the May 12 Serena’s Song Stakes and the 2017 Safely Kept Stakes, she hadn’t finished better than third in graded company since her third start, when she was second in the Tempted Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack in 2016.

Jockey Joe Bravo kept Berned near the back of the field while Divine Miss Grey and Unchained Melody battled on the front end, running fractions of :23.51 and :46.80 through a half-mile. Rallying three wide into the stretch, Berned pulled clear of the field early, but Dreamcall, coming in off a three-race winning streak, sprinted from last to close to within three-quarters of a length at the wire.

Final time for the 1 1/16-mile race was 1:44.52. Divine Miss Grey held for third.

Bred by AR Enterprises out of the Giant’s Causeway mare First Passage, Berned was a $550,000 purchase by West Point Thoroughbreds when she was consigned to the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services.

GRAY DUDE wins his 5th

4-year-old gelding GRAY DUDE (First Dude) winner at 3 of the Starter Stakes Jack Flats at Gulfstream,  won his 5th race.  This year he has been on the board in every start and today racing a mile off the turf he drove to the lead early and held it for the win. He is owned by Crystal Racing Enterprises and trained by Armando De la Cerda. He over $150,000 in earnings.

BIG DAY FOR KIRKWOOOD: a winner and 2 stakes placed

Five-year-old First Dude gelding WINE NOT second last out in allowance company, ran second again this time in the Saginaw S at Belmont Park He was wide throughout and made a bid in the stretch which earned him his first black type.  FIRST DUDE is owned by  West Point Thoroughbreds and has earned $236,000. Following him across the wire in third was the 5-year-old Hard Spun colt MSW HIT IT ONCE MORE  winner of the  Haynesfield Stakes at Aqueduct and third in the Stymie. HIT IT ONCE MORE was purchased from Kirkwood Stables for $90,000 as a two year old by his trainer Gary Sciacca. He is owned by Yellow Moon Stable and was bred by  JMJ Racing Stables, LLC. His bankroll stands over $523,000.

Also a winner was ONEBALLNOSTRIKES (Include) who took an allowance race at Monmouth by 4 lengths.  Trained  by  John C. Servis, he is owned by  Final Turn Racing Stable LLC and earned over $179,000.  ONEBALLNOSTRIKES was started and then consigned and sold by Kirkwood at Timonium in 2016.