The Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers have been associated with the term “three-peat” in recent times, but Rose Brier forced the conversation into horse racing September 24th by scoring his own “three-peat” at Laurel Racecourse during the Commonwealth Stakes Day card.
The 7 year old Mizzen Mast gelding, victorious in the 2014 and 2015 Bert Allen Stakes, won the 2016 edition in convincing fashion. Jockey Trevor McCarthy won his third stakes of the day atop Rose Brier. The Jane Cibelli trainee sat perched off the leaders early on, took control through the turn and crossed 4 1/4 lengths over Jump Ship in the 1 1/16 miles stakes.
The winner was bred by William Backer and is owned by the Panic Stable. Out of the El Gran Senor mare, Mexicali Rose, Rose Brier paid $2.20 as the heavy betting choice. He has won four of six this year and has captured four straight Virginia-bred stakes.
Rapid Rhythm won for the fourth time in seven starts this year in the $60,000 Oakley Stakes for fillies and mares. The 4 year old daughter of Successful Appeal rallied from mid-pack in the turn to beat nine other contenders in the 5 1/2 furlong event. Bred by the Lazy Lane Farms, LLC, Rapid Rhythm gave owner David Ross his second stakes win of the day. Out of the Quiet American mare, Patriot Miss, the winner is trained by Michael Stidham and was ridden by Trevor McCarthy.
The $60,000 Jamestown Stakes, for two year olds at 5 1/2 furlongs, is always one of the most interesting events on Commonwealth Day. A field of ten freshmen battled on Saturday and Lime House Louie prevailed by a length in 1:03.93.
One of only three in the field who had a victory heading into the race, the Limehouse gelding dueled in the top three before taking command in deep stretch. The victor was bred by Carlos Moore and Gillian Gordon-Moore and is trained by Flint Stites. He is out of the Housebuster mare, Mystic Bay. Gabriel Saez rode.
Virginia-bred Skipalute, bred by the Morgans Ford Farm, reached the winner’s circle for the first time in a year by capturing the $60,000 Brookmeade Stakes. The 4 year old daughter of Midnight Lute wired the field in the 1 1/16 miles race but had to hold off Complete St. in a thrilling finish. She earned her second lifetime win and seventh “in the money” finish, and saw her career bankroll go over the $230,000 mark. Jose Ortiz directed the effort for trainer John Kimmel.
Moon River, victorious in the 5 1/2 furlong, $60,000 Punch Line Stakes, picked the right time to gain his first triumph of 2016. The 4 year old Bluegrass Cat stalked the pace three deep through the turn in fifth, took control in mid-stretch then held off Available to capture his second career victory. Moon River, bred by William Backer and owned by David Ross, crossed in 1:02.03. He is out of the Capote mare, Hepburn.
