Harlequin Ranches et al’s YANKEE BRAVO (Yankee Gentleman) moved outside in
midstretch and powered home a convincing one-length winner of the $150,000
California Derby over the Tapeta surface at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday.
Now perfect from three starts, the Paddy Gallagher trainee was racing on a
surface other than turf for the very first time.
Piloted by Alex Solis, the dark bay colt was unhurried through the early
stages, settling in last through the opening quarter-mile reached by the
pacesetting Victory Pete (Five Star Day) in a modest :24 2/5. Yankee Bravo
advanced steadily until he was caught in heavy traffic on the far turn, but once
he angled out into the clear, it was obvious who was best on this occasion. The
8-5 favorite flew home in the final furlong to complete 1 1/16 miles in 1:44
2/5. Yankee Bravo rewarded his backers with mutuels of $5.20, $3.40 and $3.
Solis praised Yankee Bravo, who had to adjust to the kickback in his main
track debut.
“He was a little agitated the first sixteenth (of a mile) with the stuff
flying back at him, but after we went into the turn, he settled down,” Solis
said. “At this point, my colt is a baby, but he has a lot of class. I think
there’s a lot of room for improvement. He’s very special.”
Cafe Tortoni (Katahaula County) was close in midpack early and weaved his way
through traffic to earn the place by a head at 11-1. The runner-up was worth $10
and $5.60 while completing the $33.50 exacta ($1). Victory Pete led for the
opening half-mile in :49 1/5, was headed around the far turn, re-established a
brief edge while clocking one mile in 1:38 2/5 and finished gamely to the wire
to garner show honors. The nearly 8-1 third choice capped the $267.40 trifecta
($1) while giving back $5.40 for third. Tres Borrachos (Ecton Park) was another
1 1/2 lengths back in fourth as the 7-1 second choice, finishing the $1,531
superfecta (11-2-4-8) ($1) and was followed by Robscarvic (Ire) (Statue of
Liberty), Medjool (Monarchos), Spinning Sound (Ire) (Spinning World), Overland
(Harlan’s Holiday), Moonlit Master (Mizzen Mast), Bert’s Law (Bertrando), Many
Rivers (Storm Cat) and Capture the Call (Elusive Quality).
The unbeaten Yankee Bravo has increased his earnings to $142,052. A smart
winner in his debut at Redcar in England, he captured the Eddie Logan S. on the
turf at Santa Anita in his American bow last time out.
The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Tommy Burberry and Barry Hay.
Yankee Bravo has been sold at public auction three times, bringing $34,540 at
Tattersalls this past May in his last tour of the sales ring. He was purchased
privately by his current connections after his impressive maiden score.
Yankee Bravo is the first foal produced from the unraced Vickey Jane (Royal
Academy) and has a two-year-old half-sister named Ghostly Glitter (Runaway
Groom), as well as an unnamed yearling full sister. His second dam, Prima Gioia
(Brz) (Itajara), counts herself a full sister to multiple Grade 1 hero, $2
million earner and current sire Siphon (Brz).