The hype around Brethren kicked up another notch as the 2-year-old colt ran his record to 2 for 2 after taking a mile allowance race by 1-3/4 lengths over 33-1 El Grayling on Churchill Downs’ “Stars of Tomorrow II” all-juvenile card Saturday.
Brethren is the half-brother to the retired 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, both being out of owner-breeder WinStar Farm’s A.P. Indy mare Supercharger. Brethren is by WinStar’s stallion Distorted Humor.
“We’re really excited about him,” said WinStar president Elliott Walden. “At the farm this spring, he was one of our best. He seemed to be genuine. He has a great way of moving, very athletic. He’s a little bit stronger, I think, at this point. Super Saver is a little lighter-made. But what a blessing that mare’s been. We bought her in foal carrying Super Saver to breed to Distorted Humor to get this colt.”
WinStar president Elliott Walden says the farm has always been high on Brethren.
After winning a six-furlong race in good time while racing near the lead in a Belmont Park maiden race, Brethren this time settled toward the back of the pack under Garrett Gomez. He kicked into gear on the turn, coming four wide to go after the leaders, then outfinished El Grayling and Justin Phillip in the final furlong while covering the mile in 1:36.78.
Walden said that Todd Pletcher, who also trained Super Saver and who trains Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo, told him he thought Brethren was “his second- or third-best 2-year-old.
“So that’s a good sign right there,” Walden said.
Because Super Saver had more 2-year-old racing experience, including winning Churchill’s Kentucky Jockey Club, Walden said Brethren could start his 3-year-old career earlier, perhaps in Tampa Bay Downs’ Grade III Sam Davis Stakes in February. Super Saver did not start until mid-March in the Tampa Bay Derby.
