Not a 'Brilliant' Bluegrass - Turf & Dirt Top 21 for 4.18.2011

The BLUEGRASS STAKES produced yet another "Also Ran", in the form of BRILLIANT SPEED who is still unproven on dirt.  The Dynaformer colt prevailed in a photo finish over two other turf specialists, TWINSPIRED and KING CONGIE.

Brilliant Speed wins Bluegrass. Photo: Wendy Wooley/EquiSport Photos 1/1600 @ f/4, iso 1600, 500mm 

BRILLIANT SPEED, trained by Tom Albertrani, broke his Maiden prior to this race after 5 tries, finally winning on the turf. Following pedestrian fractions, 25 & 50, Brilliant Speed came charging with a last to first win by a nose.

“I was just glad to win a photo for a change. I’ve been beaten in a lot of photos lately. He ran great. I saw him far back, and I thought maybe he doesn’t handle the track. I saw him coming down the lane, and he was just making big strides,” Albertrani said.

Brilliant Speed wins Bluegrass. Photo: Matt Wooley/EquiSport Photos 1/1600 @ f/3.5, iso 1600, 300mm

In the Arkansas Derby it was 25-1 longshot ARCHARCHARCH prevailing in  a stretch run over 9-1 NEHRO. 

Trainer William "Jinks" Fires said the Kentucky Derby will be the next start for Archarcharch. 

“We will stay here a couple days and let him rest up before head up to Churchill. Back off him a bit and let him rest up. We will see how he comes out of it. He looks good so far.”

"Turf & Dirt" Top 21 for April 18th, 2011

Rank Horse (Sire)
1 DIALED IN (Mineshaft)
2 TOBY'S CORNER (Bellamy Road)
3 UNCLE MO (Indian Charlie)
4 MUCHO MACHO MAN (Macho Uno)
5 ARCHARCHARCH (Arch)
6 NEHRO (Mineshaft)
7 MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE (War Chant)
8 ANIMAL KINGDOM (Leroidesanimeaux)
9 PANTS ON FIRE (Jump Start)
10 SOLDAT (War Front)
11 MASTER OF HOUNDS (Kingmambo)
12 SHACKLEFORD (Forestry)
13 THE FACTOR (War Front)
14 JAYCITO (Victory Gallop)
15 COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie)
16 BRILLIANT SPEED (Dynaformer)
17 STAY THIRSTY (Bernardini)
18 SANTIVA (Giant's Causeway)
19 JP'S GUSTO (Successful Appeal)
20 DECISIVE MOMENT (With Distinction)
21 TWICE THE APPEAL (Successful Appeal)