JC / Railbird

Brass Hat Wins MassCap

You could feel the excitement as post time approached. “It’s been too long,” Larry Collmus told the crowd as the field for the first Massachusetts Handicap since 2004 was loaded in the gate for the 1 1/8 mile race.

The bell rang and a cheer went up from the 19,191 fans packing the grandstand. Fairbanks, the 3-5 favorite, bobbled at the break and longshot Fire Striker went to the front, setting slow fractions of :24.45 and :49.37 through the first half. Stalking Fairbanks took the lead at the six furlong mark; Brass Hat, never far behind, moved into contention at the top of the stretch, eventually drawing away to a 3/4 length win and returning $10.20 to his backers. Dr. Pleasure was third, Evening Attire fourth. The final time for the race was 1:49.72. “I love this game!” cried Brass Hat’s groom as he ran towards the track to lead his charge into the winner’s circle.

Owner Fred Bradley couldn’t have been happier with the win: “The horse ran a hell of a race,” he said. “We’ll be back next year, if the horse is sound.”

Brass Hat, unsaddled, heads to the test barn.

Winning jockey Willie Martinez being interviewed after the MassCap.

Watch the replay:

More: “Brass Hat shines in MassCap” (BRIS), “There’s no quit in Brass Hat” (Boston Herald). Brass Hat earned a Beyer speed figure of 98 for the win.

Posted by JC in Suffolk Downs on 09/22/2007 @ 9:00 pm / Tagged 2007 MassCap / Follow @railbird on Twitter

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