By Christie DeBernardis
With undefeated “TDN Rising Star” Shagaf (Bernardini) headed to the GI Wood Memorial S. off a win in the GIII Gotham S. Saturday and GSW Flexibility (Bluegrass Cat) possible to join him, trainer Chad Brown already holds a strong hand as he heads down the road to the GI Kentucky Derby. Brown's chances continue to increase, however, as he now has “TDN Rising Star” My Man Sam (Trappe Shot) set to join his stablemates on the road to the roses.
Owned by Sheep Pond Partners, Newport Stables and breeder Jay Bligh, My Man Sam was a troubled fifth on debut sprinting at Aqueduct Dec. 19 and earned his Rising Star with an eight-length romp when stretched to 1 1/16 miles there Jan. 31. Facing winners for the first time in a track-and-trip allowance last Saturday, the bay produced a wide, late rally to finish a solid second behind the comebacking Matt King Coal (Cool Coal Man).
“He will be nominated to all of the last round of Derby preps and he will run in one of them as long as he is healthy,” Brown offered Tuesday.
Known for his success on the turf, Brown is also well-armed in the 3-year-old grass division. Paul Pompa, Jr.'s Converge (Sidney's Candy) took a big step up and became the first stakes winner for his sire with a victory in the GIII Palm Beach S. at Gulfstream Feb. 27.
A first out winner against fellow New York-breds at Belmont Sept. 19, the bay came running late to finish second after racing in close quarters with a loose horse in that venue's Awad S. Oct. 30 and was subsequently shelved for the year. Hammered down to 5-2 favoritism in his return in the Palm Beach, Converge produced a similar late run, sneaking up the rail in the final sixteenth to score by three-quarters of a length.
“Converge raced very well,” Brown commented. “It was his first start of the year off a layoff, in open company and a graded stakes race. Not positive of his next start either, but the [GI] Belmont Derby [July 9] will be a long term goal for him.”
The 37-year-old conditioner recently added another name to his list of stakes quality sophomores in Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables and Gary Aisquith's Just Talkin (Midshipman), who is a full-sister to MSW “TDN Rising Star” and GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint runner-up Lady Shipman. The chestnut filly saved ground near the back early and launched a three-wide bid to get up for a neck success in her 7 1/2-panel unveiling over the Hallandale lawn Mar. 6.
“I was very happy [with her debut],” Brown said. “She trained like she had plenty of ability leading up to that debut. She got an education in that race with an eventful trip to get up there at the wire. She showed her ability and looks to be stakes caliber 3-year-old filly on the turf, so we are excited about her.”
The upstate New York native added, “I'm not sure yet [about her next start], but at some point this year she will run in stakes company.”
Brown recently got an exciting new addition to his string of older turf horses as well in the form of Juddmonte homebred Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The 6-year-old won at the highest level in three different countries while under the care of Andre Fabre, taking the 2013 G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, the 2014 G1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin and the 2015 GI Sword Dancer S. at Saratoga. He closed out last term with a pair of runner-up efforts in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Hong Kong Vase Dec. 13.
“Flintshire is at Belmont Park,” Brown remarked. “He looks good. I need to get to know that horse better. He did come into the barn in outstanding shape from Andre Fabre. We are excited about him.”
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