From high to low and then back to a high, Luan Machado and Brunacini (Dortmund) sprung a 28-1 shocker over Book'em Danno (Bucchero) Saturday afternoon at Keeneland in the GIII Perryville Stakes.
Brunacini came into the race as an also-eligible with two starts to his name. The chestnut son of Dortmund was a first-out winner July 28 at Ellis Park, but faded to fifth late in the lane Sept. 19 at Churchill Downs when attempting to take a first-level allowance field gate-to-wire. The Matthew Sims-trainee was also making his stakes debut here, but had shown some encouraging signs in his work tab as three of his last six efforts at this venue were bullets.
Still, when the betting public compared the field to 3-5 favorite Grade I-winning Book'em Danno, they understandably leaned in the latter's favor.
Breaking outwardly and forced five wide as the leaders put up :22.01 and :44.75 opening fractions, he tracked the front trio from the outside and had ranged into contention through the far bend. Looming a clear danger as the running began turning for home, he took a narrow advantage as the pacesetters threw out white flags leaving the furlong grounds. Called on to stay the course, Brunacini held firm as Book'em Danno was making his customary late charge from the inside path, but ultimately came a neck short of catching the long shot. Epic Ride (Blame), who was part of that lead trio, and a fast-closing 'TDN Rising Star' Knightsbridge (Nyquist) ended up deadheating for third.
“[Brunacini] broke super sharp. I tried to get him over on the backside but couldn't make it,” said Machado. “He was taking me around there. I thought I'd just stay [outside] and try to give him at least a clear shot to make his run, and he did.”
“[The win] means a lot to me and to the whole connections [breeder and owner Emilie Fojan and trainer Matt Sims]. I'm not surprised; he's a very nice horse. I got the opportunity to breeze him a couple times in the morning and last week he did an unbelievable work, super comfortable. I even joked to the guys in the room, 'I don't think he can be worse than third here.'”
Machado added, “I was super happy for everybody. They did such a great job with this horse. He's not an easy [one] to train. He's so big; he thinks he's a dinosaur. He's very hard to gallop, super tough. So congratulations to the whole team.”
Watch the full replay as BRUNACINI hangs on to win the Perryville (G3) in an exciting finish, paying $58.16 to win! pic.twitter.com/pAAhcHS0yR
— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 19, 2024
Pedigree Note:
Brunacini is the most accomplished runner for his dam, and does have a winning full-sister named Chanisa. Their 2-year-old half-brother Blaihaan (Midshipman) was exported to Saudi Arabia last year, and thus far doesn't have any races on record. Our Conquistadora's last registered offspring is a yearling filly by Mo Town. She visited Mage for 2025.
Saturday, Keeneland
PERRYVILLE S.-GIII, $259,000, Keeneland, 10-19, 3yo, 7f, 1:22.80, ft.
1–BRUNACINI, 118, c, 3, by Dortmund
1st Dam: Our Conquistadora, by Wilburn
2nd Dam: Spree, by Conquistador Cielo
3rd Dam: Itstimetocelebrate, by Timeless Native
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Emilie Gerlinde Fojan (KY); T-Matthew P. Sims; J-Luan Machado. $147,250. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $191,270. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Book'em Danno, 123, g, 3, Bucchero–Adorabella, by Ghostzapper. O-Atlantic Six Racing, LLC; B-Gregory J Kilka & Bright View Farm (NJ); T-Derek S. Ryan. $47,500.
(DH) 3–Epic Ride, 118, c, 3, Blame–Pick a Time, by Gio Ponti. ($160,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Welch Racing LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich (KY); T-John Ennis. $21,375.
(DH) 3–Knightsbridge, 118, c, 3, Nyquist–Tyburn Brook, by Bernardini. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-William I. Mott. $21,375.
Margins: NK, 3/4, 1 3/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 28.08, 0.71, 15.90, 2.01.
Also Ran: Love Me Tender, Patriot Spirit, Banjo Chris, Henro, Goodlookinjustice. Scratched: Dilger (Ire), Locked, Save the Trees, West Saratoga, Who Dey.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
