Somelikeithotbrown Sizzles in Bernard Baruch

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Skychai Racing and David Koenig’s Somelikeithotbrown sizzled his way across the law from gate to wire to win Sunday’s $150,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (G2) at Saratoga.

Somelikeithotbrown broke well from post 3 under Tyler Gaffalione at 8/1 odds and went straight to the front, securing sole command heading into the clubhouse turn.

While Halladay gave closest watch from a few lengths back, Somelikeithotbrown posted opening fractions of :24.79, :49.08, and 1:12.43.

Still unchallenged heading into the far turn, Somelikeithotbrown repelled Halladay’s mid-turn bid and kicked away enough in the stretch to keep all challengers at bay.

Somelikeithotbrown crossed 1 length clear of his Mike Maker stablemate Mr Dumas, completing the 1 1/16-mile firm inner turf route in a final time of 1:41.32.

“I was a little surprised down the backside when I was all by myself,” Gaffalione said. “I thought there would be a little more pressure, but I was happy with where I was and how he was running. All the credit to Mike and his team, they had him ready today. … Every time I reached back and threw a cross and when I got into him a little bit, he kept on responding and giving me more, so I was pretty confident coming to the wire.”

The 8/5 favorite Good Governance headed Halladay for third, with Olympico a nose back in fifth. Seismic Wave never threatened before completing the order of finish.

Somelikeithotbrown’s win was his second of the year, including a Turfway Park allowance score in February, and improved his overall record to 13-5-3-2. The New York-bred 4-year-old Big Brown colt increased his career earnings mark to $546,838.

“You have to let him run his race,” Maker said. “I thought his last race, he went a little too quick and opened up a little too much, but I thought it was a very credible race.”

Somelikeithotbrown returned $19.60 to win, $7.70 to place, and $3.90 to show. Mr Dumas brought back $10.20 to place and $4.50 to show, while Good Governance paid $2.50 to show.