In a commanding performance on a sloppy Saturday at Monmouth Park, BBN Racing LLC’s Bracket Buster left no doubt, drawing away with authority to capture the $150,000 Pegasus Stakes.
The victory serves as a major local prep for the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes and stamps the son of Vekoma as a serious contender for the summer’s top three-year-old prizes.
Breaking sharply under jockey Axel Concepcion, Bracket Buster was immediately sent to the front to contest the lead from the inside.
He engaged in a spirited duel with the persistent Wildncrazynight through opening fractions of 24.03 and 48.48 over the sealed, off-track. The two matched strides down the backstretch, with neither giving an inch.
As the field rounded the far turn, Concepcion asked his mount for more, and Bracket Buster responded with an impressive surge. He took definitive control of the lead, shaking off his rival and opening up a clear advantage at the top of the stretch after clocking three-quarters in 1:13.22.
From there, it was a one-horse race. The Victoria Oliver-trained colt extended his lead with powerful, efficient strides, cruising under the wire a geared-down seven lengths in front. The final time for the one and one-sixteenth miles was 1:44.64.
The decisive victory earned Bracket Buster an automatic entry into the $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth on July 19.
“He broke well and I saw I had the speed,” said winning jockey Axel Concepcion. “He was comfortable on the front end, and when I asked him at the quarter pole, he just took off. He handled the track perfectly and was very strong to the finish. That was a big performance.”
Wildncrazynight, who ran gamely to press the winner for more than six furlongs, held on bravely to secure the runner-up position. Valentinian, who stalked the pace throughout, checked in third.
The win marks the first stakes victory for Bracket Buster, a promising Kentucky-bred colt who now has his sights set on the biggest race of the Monmouth Park meet.
Scratched Horse(s): Barbadian Runner (Trainer), Kentucky Outlaw (Trainer)
Fractional Times: 24.03, 48.48, 1:13.22, 1:37.82
Final Time: 1:44.64
Winning Connections
Winner: Bracket Buster
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Trainer: Victoria Oliver
Owner: BBN Racing LLC
Breeder: David Baxter
Bloodline: Bay Colt, by Vekoma out of Spring Dance, by Dance With Ravens. Foaled May 22, 2022, in Kentucky.
Stallion Info: Vekoma stands at Spendthrift Farm, in Lexington, KY ($35,000 Stands & Nurses)
Payouts
1st – (5) Bracket Buster – Win: $9.60, Place: $4.40, Show: $5.20
2nd – (6) Wildncrazynight – Place: $17.40, Show: $14.40
3rd – (4) Valentinian – Show: $4.60
Exotics: $1.00 Exacta (5-6) Paid: $64.60 | $1.00 Trifecta (5-6-4) Paid: $200.20 | $1.00 Superfecta (5-6-4-8) Paid: $743.00
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