Category: Brian’s Iron Mike

Brian’s Iron Mike Produces Resolutely to Win Costa Rising

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Brian’s Iron Mike with jockey Ben Curtis aboard captures the 14th running of the $100,000 Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lily Weir

 

Hat Racing’s Brain’s Iron Mike produced a resolute late move to leave no doubts about which older turf sprinter was best in the $100,000 Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Winning by 2 1/2 lengths Brian’s Iron Mike beat a field of five male rivals.

Trained by Allen Landry and piloted by Ben Curtis, the gray son of Iron Fist covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.71 to win his first across the sod. With the portable rails down, the Stall-Wilson turf course was rated “yielding.”

“He had a little time off and we’ve been getting him back right,” Landry said. “He loves the grass, it seems like that’s the spot for him.”

With the scratch of several pace presences, it was Unified Report who made the lead and set modest opening fractions of :22.57 and :46.12. Brain’s Iron Mike settled second to last, staying several paths off the rail. With a furlong to go, he kicked past Unified Report who held all other bids at bay to run second. Mangum rounded out the trifecta.

“I thought we’d be further back but he broke and got into stride very quickly today,” Curtis said. “I always say when riding on a short-priced favorite, one back and one out and no excuses up the stretch is the way to ride them. I got a lovely tow around, he traveled beautifully. When I asked him in the stretch, he put them to bed very well.”

Bet down to odds-on favoritism, Brian’s Iron Mike paid $3.20, $2.60, and $2.20.

Adding the Costa Rising to his stakes resume, Brian’s Iron Mike now sports a 18-5-5-2 career record, including the 2022 Monte Man, and stacks $281,500 in career earrings.

Brian’s Iron Mike Wins his First Stake in the Monte Man

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Brian’s Iron Mike wins the 1st running of the Monte Man Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

Hat Racing has a serious 3-year-old who you might not have known before today. Brian’s Iron Mike, a son of Iron Fist, powered home down the rail to upset Bertie’s Galaxy in the 1st running of the 6-furlong Monte Man Stakes for older Louisiana-breds. It was his first stakes win, and his trainer Allen Landry reports he will look for his second in the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint on Dec 10.

Drawn on the rail to the inside of the .90-1 favorite Bertie’s Galaxy, Brian’s Iron Mike took a hard right out of the gate, bumping that rival and forcing him to revert to off the pace tactics. Scarlettsblackjack seized the opportunity and led the field around the sloppy track in 21.53 and 44.94 seconds through the first two calls. The front half of the field bunched up at the turn, and Brian’s Iron Mike waited for an opening to make his move. First passing Takes Two to Tango who raced in third from go to whoa, Brian’s Iron Mike slid down the rail past Scarlettsblackjack, who held on for second. Winning by 1 3/4 lengths and stopping the clock at 1:10.32, the roan gelding rewarded his $2 backers with $11.60.

“He broke good,” jockey Joe Stokes said. “There was a lot of speed in the race. Coming down the lane it got a little tight but when it opened up, I asked him and he went.”

“Coming off of that long race against Who Took the Money (at Delta Downs), we knew he would be fit,” Allen Landry said. “He shows up every time.”

With a 4-3-2 record 10 races into his career, Brian’s Iron Mike has the form to keep piling on to his $177,500 lifetime earnings.