Graydar returns a winner in Kelso Handicap

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.

O'PRADO AGAIN WINS THE REMSEN!

O'Prado again wore down Souper Speedy in deep stretch to win the $200,000 Remsen Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct by three-quarters of a length.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, the son of El Prado sat reserved off of a slow early pace set by Souper Speedy and Our Entourage, who clicked off fractions of :24.38, :49.97, and 1:15.05. The two colts remained together on the lead all the way into the homestretch, battling side by side until Souper Speedy began to draw away. But O'Prado again was charging hard on the far outside and his late bid carried him to victory in 1:52.07. Souper Speedy held second by a head over El Padrino, with Done Talking another head back in fourth.

Paddy O'Prado is trained by Dale Romans and owned by Donegal Racing, the same connections that raced the top turf three-year-old of 2010 Paddy O'Prado.

-Keelerman