French Beret says oui to a Bradley title defense

French Beret (red blinkers) made it through rush hour traffic to take the Bradley (Lou Hodges Jr. Photo) Sam-Son Farms’ FRENCH BERET (Broad Brush), winless since taking last year’s Colonel E.R. Bradley H. (G3) at Fair Grounds by 1 3/4 lengths, snapped a lengthy losing skid by prevailing in the same race on Saturday, but had to work much harder this time around. The six-year-old gelding split rivals through the stretch and just lasted in a prolonged duel with Golden Yank (Yankee Gentleman) to take the $100,000 Bradley by a nose. The 2-1 favorite under James Graham, French Beret completed about 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf to pay $6.40, $3.20 and $2.40. French Beret tracked in third most of the way while Acting Zippy (City Zip) drew off to an easy early lead, setting fractions of :22 4/5, :47 1/5 and 1:13. Turning for home, however, the leader hit a brick wall as Wise River (Belong to Me), who had sat in second from the start, ranged up to take command at the top of the stretch. He was soon joined by French Beret and Golden Yank, who did not give an inch to the other until crossing the wire. “He was really into the bridle in the post parade, so I felt I had a lot of horse going into the race,” Graham said. “He gives you everything he’s got. In the last jump he threw himself on the wire.”

Golden Yank, the 7-2 second choice, paid $4.40 and $2.80 while completing the
$27.80 exacta. Wise River finished a half-length behind Golden Yank and returned
$2.80, also at 7-2. The trifecta brought back $99 while the 1-9-4-2 superfecta
with 5-1 chance Classic Campaign (Rahy) paid $328.20.

Following Classic Campaign was Windward Islands (Cozzene),
the winner’s entrymate, and finishing out the order were Red Rock Creek (Numerous), Prom Shoes (Include), Embossed (Ire) (Mark of Esteem
[Ire]) and Acting Zippy. Tend (Dynaformer) was withdrawn.

In becoming the first repeat winner of the Bradley since Dixie Poker Ace won
three straight from 1992-94, French Beret was winning his third career stakes.
He also accounted for the 2006 Toronto Cup at Woodbine, and has placed three
times in graded company, most notably when a length second in the Mervin H.
Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (G2) at Fair Grounds last March. His record now stands at
34-4-6-10 with earnings of $645,114.

Bred in Canada, French Beret is the first registered foal out the
stakes-winning Misty Mission (Miswaki) and counts an unnamed juvenile colt by El
Prado (Ire) and an unnamed yearling filly by Dynaformer as half-siblings. His
granddam is 1987 Breeders’ S. winner and Prince of Wales S. runner-up Hangin on
a Star (Vice Regent), a three-time stakes heroine who is also the dam of
Canadian champion Comet Shine (Fappiano) and multiple Grade 2 runner-up Sky
Colony (Pleasant Colony).