First Stakes Win for Morley-Trained Brother O’Connell
Press Release by EverythingEQ.com
October 22, 2016, Belmont Park — New York-breds showcased their talents on Saturday enduring less than ideal conditions as the rain came down, washing races off the turf course and turning the main track into a mudders dream come true. Relishing the slop, Tom Morley-trained Brother O’Connell took the early lead in the Mohawk Stakes and held it to win by a neck.
Originally scheduled to be run on the turf, heavy rain called for the Mohawk to be switched onto Belmont’s main dirt track. Five horses broke from the gate and took to a very sloppy main dirt track after heavy rain forced the 1 1/16-mile contest off of the turf. Gr.3 Poker Stakes winner King Kreesa broke sharply and then settled to the outside of Brother O’Connell, who led the field through fractions of 24.03, 48.15, 1:13.68 and 1:40.11. On the stretch, despite pressure from Ralph Nicks-trained Tapitation, Brother O’Connell refused to surrender and dueled with his foe all the way down to the wire. The dark bay colt, piloted by John Velazquez, hit the wire in front with a final time of 1:47.23.
Brother O’Connell is a 4-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway and British-bred mare Shared Dreams (by Seeking the Gold). He was purchased for $125,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale of 2013 by current owner Donegal Racing and has 5 wins of 14 career starts totaling $291,586. Saturday’s win marked his eighth start and fourth win for 2016, and his first stakes win since debuting in August of 2014.
“It’s always a joy to win a race, but even more so on days like this when New York-breds are showcased. Brother O’Connell ran spectacular despite the track conditions. We are very proud of his effort,” Tom Morley said following the race.
Jay Moran Photo
