Ever Dangerous Grinds Way to 74/1 Upset in Bryan Station

LEXINGTON, KY – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and R. A. Hill Stable’s Ever Dangerous got first jump on the fleet of strong closers and grinded his way to a 74/1 upset in Friday’s $150,000 Bryan Station Stakes at Keeneland.

Ever Dangerous – the second and last horse to draw into the field from the Also Eligibles list – dropped like a stone on the tote, eventually breaking from post 16 under Javier Castellano as the race’s second-longest shot.

Settling wide but remaining clear, Ever Dangerous sat just behind pacesetters Fancy Liquor and Don Juan Kitten, who dueled on the front end through fractions of :23.28, :47.45, and 1:12.44.

Set down at the top of the stretch and taking first run at the leaders, Ever Dangerous steadily worked his way toward the front, taking over command from Fancy Liquor at the 1/16 pole.

A mess of runners fought hard behind him, but the George Weaver trainee proved too tough, taking the 1 1/8-mile good turf route by a 1/2-length in 1:48.74.

Though stuck on the rail throughout, Fancy Liquor fought hard to save second by a 1/2-length, but the placing judges needed several minutes to sort through the photos before determining the order of finish.

The final analysis saw third go to Bye Bye Melvin ahead of Pixelate, while fifth was a dead heat between Reconvene and Ajourneytofreedom.

Behind them came Taishan, Don Juan Kitten, the 7/2 favorite No Word, Angelus Warrior, Spanish Kingdom, Enforceable, Mo Ready, and Fighting Seabee to complete the results.

Vanzzy and Order of Australia (who drew into Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Mile [G1] as an Also Eligible) were scratched, allowing Ajourneytofreedom and Ever Dangerous to draw into the field. Mud Pie and Bama Breeze were not as lucky; they failed to qualify for the race restricted to 3-year-olds and were also scratched.

Ever Dangerous’ win followed a gate-to-wire romp in a 1/16-mile Belmont Park optional claiming event on October 2 and improved his overall record to 6-3-0-0. The Kitten’s Joy colt, purchased for $135,000 as a yearling, has now bankrolled $159,260.

Ever Dangerous returned $150.60 to win, $49 to place, and $25.40 to show. Fancy Liquor brought back $6.60 to place and $4.60 to show, while Bye Bye Melvin paid $12.20 to show.