Grade I winner Graydar, unraced due to injury since winning the New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) back in April, made a successful return to the races at Belmont Park on September 28th when he won the $400,000 Kelso Handicap (gr. II) in gate-to-wire fashion.
With jockey Edgar Prado aboard, Graydar broke cleanly and quickly assumed command of the lead, running the first quarter-mile in :23.41 to lead the way by one length over Souper Speedy. The latter was, in turn, a length in front of Easter Gift, who was racing on the inside of Hymn Book. Brujo de Olleros, Praetereo, and Jackson Bend were the trailers.
Following an easy half-mile in :47.11, the pace began to pick up a bit, and the third quarter was run in a stiff :23.36. Turning for home, Graydar was still in front by a length over Souper Speedy, but Brujo de Olleros was gearing up with a strong challenge on the far outside. Passing the eighth pole, Graydar was still clinging tenaciously to the lead, and while Brujo de Olleros seemed ready to run right by, Graydar found enough left in the tank to preserve a three-quarters of a length advantage to the finish line, which he reached in a very quick 1:34.08 for one-mile.
Brujo de Olleros finished second, a neck in front of the late-charging Hymn Book. Souper Speedy was fourth after having to check off heels in deep stretch, while Easter Gift, Praetereo, and Jackson Bend completed the order of finish.
Graydar is a four-year-old son of Unbridled's Song out of Sweetest Smile, by Dehere. Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Twin Creeks Racing Stable, Graydar has compiled a career record of five wins and a third from six starts, with earnings of $841,560. His biggest career victory to date came in the Donn Handicap (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park earlier this year.
Graydar is being pointed toward a start in either the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) or Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park this November.
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