Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher's Bad Beat Brian, stuck behind a wall of horses entering the far turn, swung into the clear approaching the stretch and came with a steady drive through the lane to edge Xy Speed by a length in the $90,000 Claiming Crown Canterbury Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Bad Beat Brian ($10.20) ran five furlongs in :54.78 over a firm turf course to extend trainer Mike Maker's record to 19 career Claiming Crown victories with his first in the Canterbury. He has won at least one race in all but three Claiming Crowns since 2007.
“Hopefully, we'll get a couple more,” Maker said.
Bad Beat Brian was unhurried under jockey Emisael Jaramillo while saving ground in the early going, as Oct. 2 Laurel Dash winner Xy Speed went right to the front and was challenged by Admiral Abe through a sizzling opening quarter-mile in :21.12. Xy Speed maintained an advantage around the turn and straightened for home in front after going a half in :43.46, with Jaramillo swinging out into the clear.
“The horse broke really sharp and the pace was lively. I was just hoping we'd have a chance somewhere to get out, and he did and ran them down,” Maker said. “As soon as he got him out without getting stopped, I felt pretty confident.”
Xy Speed held second, with 24-1 long shot The Connector third, and Harry's Ontheloose fourth. Discreet Tune was fifth with narrow 3-1 favorite Belgrano checking in seventh.
A 4-year-old Jack Milton gelding, Bad Beat Brian had gone winless in four starts since being claimed back by Maker for $40,000 July 16 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., after losing him for $62,500 one start earlier at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
“He's good. He's a maintenance-free horse, very easy-going,” Maker said. “He's a favorite around the barn.”
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