Brilliant Speed, trained by Tom Albertrani and ridden by Joel Rosario wins the Grade 1 $750,000 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes. Before a crowd of 24,990, on a cold and rainy day, Brilliant Speed secured his spot in the Kentucky Derby field, taking home the $450,000 first place share of the purse.
Joel Rosario made a wise move coming in from the West Coast to ride the Tom Albertrani trained colt. This is the first win this year for Brilliant Speed who finished second in his previous start behind King Congie in the Hallandale Beach Stakes.
Brilliant Speed, who's morning line odds were 6-1, went off at a whopping 19-1! With a slow pace up front led by Joe's Blazing Aaron, Brilliant Speed set in last place before making his move around the turn and rounding the field to nip Twinspired at the wire. King Congie finished third and Newsdad was just behind them in fourth. The payoff for a $2 wager on Brilliant Speed was $40.20, $20.80, and 13.00. Twinspired paid $21.20 and $11.80. King Congie paid $8.80 for third. The $2 exacta paid $655.20.
The post-time favorite, Santiva, finished ninth. Trainer Eddie Kenneally, who is Santiva's third trainer in the colt's short career, has, by design, sent the colt out only twice this year. Santiva's first start of the year was the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes in which he finished second behind Mucho Macho Man. Santiva is now sitting 23rd on the graded earnings list, so he'll need some defections in order to make it into the Kentucky Derby's limited field.
Photo: Courtesy Kentucky Derby
