Drop Red dazzles in Oliver Wendell Holmes

Drop Red and George Brennan put in a dazzling performance in the $228,500 Oliver Wendell Holmes for sophomore pacing colts, winning Saturday at the Meadowlands in 1:49.2. The Red River Hanover colt held off a late-closing Hypnotic Blue Chip (Andy Miller) as Vertical Horizon and Ron Pierce finished third.

 

Starting from post five, Drop Red left the gate fourth as Vertical Horizon and Hypnotic Blue Chip fired to the lead from the outside. Pierce and Vertical Horizon clicked off a :27.1 opening panel before Passmaster Hanover and Tim Tetrick, part of the favored entry, pulled from third to brush to the lead. Brennan and Drop Red followed the cover and took command on the way to a :53.3 opening half.

 

On the point, the second choice flashed past three quarters in 1:20.4. Hypnotic Blue Chip underway from fourth, closed on the leader in the stretch, joined by Vertical Horizon. But the challengers came up short at the wire. Passmaster Hanover finished fourth.

 

Drop Red, now a five-time winner in 2009, is owned by Robert Horowitz and Randolph Perry. The colt was bred by Perretti Farms. The victory increased his career earnings to $338,225.