Somelikeithotbrown seals the deal in John Battaglia Memorial

By Sarah Mace

Somelikeithotbrown came tantalizingly close to the winner’s circle on some very big stages as a juvenile. Most notably, he finished a game third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on November 2 at Churchill Downs after setting the pace, only three-quarters of a length behind winner Line of Duty.

In his sophomore debut Friday night the bay colt by New York sire and Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown[2] (Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions[3]) sealed the deal with a dominant performance in the $75,000 John Battaglia at Turfway Park.

Trained by Mike Maker for Harvey Diamond’s Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable of David Koenig and partners, Somelikeithotbrown hasn’t run a bad race since his Saratoga debut in an off-the-turf sprint contest. Making his second of three starts at the Spa he blew away eight rivals to break his maiden by eight lengths while stretching out all the way out from 5 1/2 to 9 furlongs, a race notorious for an error in the placement of the starting gate.

Somelikeithotbrown then launched the stakes portion of his career, coming up just short of Opry to finish second in the Grade 3 With Anticipation at Saratoga, then second by three-quarters of a length when collared in the Grade 3 Pilgrim, and the game third in Breeders’ Cup.

On paper Somelikeithotbrown had a class and talent edge over his Battaglia rivals and was bet down to even money accordingly. His main rival appeared to be The Mackem Bullet (3-2), a Group 1-placed filly in England and winner of her North American debut at Turfway by 10-plus lengths. The only open question for Somelikeithotbrown was whether, after a steady diet of grass races, he would take to the all-weather surface.

Bumped just after the break, Somelikeithotbrown quickly regrouped under Rafael Hernandez and tucked in behind a pair of dueling longshots – Dynamic Racer (29-1) and Maya Solomea (57-1) – for the run around the clubhouse turn and along backstretch.

In the approach to the far turn Somelikeithotbrown continued to draft in behind the leaders and maneuvered closer inside for a ground-saving trip around at the far turn, as the leaders ticked off reasonable splits of 24.08, 48.24 and 1:13.30.

As the field straightened away for the dash home, a gap opened at the rail and Somelikeithotbrown took full advantage. He scampered on through and dispatched Dynamic Racer, now alone on the lead, in upper stretch.

Drawing away in the late stages, Somelikeithotbrown drifted out, but was well clear of his competition, crossing the wire a 3 1/2-length winner.

Dynamic Racer hung tough for second, while Dabo, who found his best stride in the far turn, closed into third. The Mackem Bullet completed the superfecta. Next across the line were Over Protective, Maya Solomea, Kentucky Allstar and Zulu Legend. Echo Alpha Six was a late scratch after flipping in the gate. After a mile in 1:39.44, Somelikeithotbrown stopped the clock at 1:45.86 for the 1 1/16 miles. [VIDEO REPLAY[6]]

Bred by Hot Pink Stables and co-owner Sand Dollar Stable and foaled at Sequel Stallions New York, Somelikeithotbrown’s name is a clever amalgam. It pays tribute to the names of his sire Big Brown and dam Marilyn Monroan, while alluding both to the comedic masterpiece “Some Like It Hot” starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, and a legendary dish served at Louisville’s Brown Hotel named the Hot Brown[7].

Marilyn Monroan, a Kentucky-bred placed runner by Tapit, has a juvenile colt by Mission Impazible, a yearling colt by Temple City and was bred in 2018 to Palace Malice.

In six career starts, Somelikeithotbrown has compiled a record of two wins, two seconds and third and earned $246,918.

 

 

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2019/02/16/somelikeithotbrown-battaglia-memorial/

---