Brilliant Berti Leads DeVaux Exacta in Wise Dan Stakes

Brilliant Berti's late-running score over stablemate Taking Candy provided trainer Cherie DeVaux a satisfying exacta in the $499,250 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) June 28 at Churchill Downs. A homebred for Klein Racing, the Wise Dan marked Brilliant Berti's most prestigious victory yet, and took the son of Noble Mission (GB)'s earnings over the $2 million marker. "He likes this track, he's 5-for-6 (here)," Richard Klein said. "The last race (a second in the May 31 Arlington Stakes) he dug in there and it was unfortunate the way it set up, but it set up perfectly today. He's a game horse, he likes a target, and he's the best horse I've ever had." Klein noted that winning the this race was particularly special because the race is the namesake of two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, who was trained by Charles and Amy LoPresti. "(The LoPrestis) broke (Brilliant Berti) and trained this horse to get him ready for the track for me," Klein said. Without a definitive front-runner in the race, it was 19-1 shot Seminole Chief who seized the advantage into the first turn. The Jack Sisterson trainee, never threatened on the front end, set dawdling early splits of :24.96, :50.31, and 1:14.17. Although the turf course was rated as firm, intermittent afternoon showers resulted in a fair bit of moisture in the ground. Neither the wet grass nor the slow pace would upend Brilliant Berti. Racing comfortably in the clear while midpack, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. took aim on the leaders turning for home. Despite racing six wide down the lane, Brilliant Berti wrestled the lead at the eighth pole and kicked on for a three-quarter-length advantage under the wire. Taking Candy closed gallantly in between horses and narrowly prevailed over Lagynos to be second. Mi Hermano Ramon and Fort Washington dead-heated for fourth. Favored Brilliant Berti ($6.08), posting his fifth black-type win, clocked the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.41. "I'm really proud of both the horses," DeVaux said. "Brilliant Berti is a really fun horse to train. It's great for the Kleins, the whole family obviously has a legacy here at Churchill Downs and in Kentucky racing, and this is a horse who has really rewarded them for their patience and time in their breeding program. "He's nearly perfect on this turf course at the highest of levels so it's great for him to bounce back after a disappointing second last time out. And Taking Candy, he's another horse who's a fun horse to train for the Jacksons who came with a late run. As a trainer, you want them both to win but if you can't, the next best thing is 1-2." Brilliant Berti's sire, Noble Mission, a full brother to top European stallion and racehorse Frankel (GB), was relocated to Japan for the 2021 breeding season. The 4-year-old is the second winner produced out of the Klein-raced Langfuhr mare Believe in Bertie. An earner of $413,482, Believe in Bertie was twice graded stakes-placed on the turf at Churchill Downs.