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Golden State Series California Dreamin’ Stakes
RETURN TO DEL MAR
STILL SPRY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
BY TRACY GANTZ
Even though Brandothebartender had already won two stakes this year at Santa Anita, winning the $152,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes July 25 at Del Mar might mean even more to his connections. After all, three years ago at Del Mar, trainer Craig Dollase and the owner partnership won a six-way shake for him.
Tat $40,000 claim has paid them back many times over, not only in cash but also in excitement. Brandothebartender likes to come from out of it, and the 8-year-old gelding always puts in a dramatic stretch run. Even when he doesn’t get there frst, he almost always earns an attractive paycheck.
Brandothebartender competes for Flawless Racing, Brian Flanagan, and Michael Jarvis. Te owners love coming to the races to watch their horse compete, and Jarvis goes back with the Dollase family so many years that he had horses with Craig’s father, Wally.
Ten California-breds lined up for the California Dreamin’ at 11⁄16 miles on the turf. Tey brought such impressive credentials that bettors couldn’t truly decide among half of the feld, sending them of from 3.70-1 to 5-1. Brandothebartender was the fourth choice at 4.70-1.
Bertrando Stakes winner Desmond Doss set the early pace, and after a quarter-mile in :23.83, Brandothebartender was last.
Jockey Umberto Rispoli wasn’t worried.
“You can do anything with him—sprint, long, grass, in front, come from the back,” Rispoli said. “He does it all.”
As the feld headed into the second turn, Flavien Prat on 5-1 Indian Peak suddenly urged his mount forward. Indian Peak almost instantaneously took command and looked like he would spring a mild upset. But Rispoli had Brandothebartender rolling, following Prat’s path. “Somehow I knew Flavien was going to make that early lead, so I said, ‘I’m following him.’ Ten my horse did his thing.” Tat “thing” was for Brandothebartender to come fying on the outside in the stretch, catch Indian Peak, and score by a halflength in 1:42.55. North County Guy also closed late and got third.
“He’s such a fghter in the lane, and he did it again,” said Dollase. “He’s 8 and he doesn’t know it.”
With the California Dreamin’, Brandothebartender was winning his fourth stakes, including this year’s Sensational Star Stakes and Crystal Water Stakes, and ninth race overall. He also has seven seconds and 15 thirds in his 46 lifetime starts, and he raised his lifetime earnings to $772,864.
John Haagsma and Wesley Ward bred the son of Tribal Rule—Frysland, by Stravinsky. It is an active family. For the breeders, Frysland has also produced Lost Bus, a graded stakes-winning daughter of Bring the Heat and champion California-bred older female of 2016. Lost Bus has already produced a son of Stay Tirsty who sold for $110,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton California fall yearling sale.
As for the owners, they continue to delight in Brandothebartender’s performances.
“So much fun to win on him for his wonderful ownership group and to win here at Del Mar,” said Rispoli.
Added Dollase, “Te owners are just a great bunch of people.”
© BENOIT PHOTOS
Brandothebartender belies his years as the 8-year-old gelding takes the California Dreamin’ Stakes at Del Mar
Brandothebartender’s California Dreamin’ victory comes true for his connections in the Del Mar winner’s circle
