Horse Racing : FAIRPLEX : Yes I’m Blue Hurries Back to Win Again

In almost a rerun of his victory last week in the Aprisa Handicap, Yes I’m Blue charged from off the pace to defeat Brett’s Lick by a half-length in the $49,950 Governor’s Cup Handicap Tuesday at Fairplex Park in Pomona.

As he did in the Aprisa, leading jockey David Flores held Yes I’m Blue back, then surged three wide around the far turn. The grey son of Marfa took the lead in the final strides, covering 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15 3/5--two-fifths of a second off Bundle of Iron’s track record.

“This race was a little more predictable on paper as far as the pace was concerned,” trainer Vladimir Cerin said. “I told Flores that Don’s Irish Melody and Black Jack Road would get the lead and that Brett’s Lick would be somewhere in midpack.”

Don’s Irish Melody and Black Jack Road stayed close together on the lead through early fractions of 21 2/5 and 44 3/5, before Brett’s Lick rallied on the rail to move ahead inside the final quarter.

“I thought we beat a good horse in Brett’s Lick,” Cerin said. “He had bull-ring experience and ran third to Dispersal (the recent Woodward Handicap winner).”

Cerin said Yes I’m Blue’s next start will be during next month’s Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita, in either the Ancient Title Handicap at six furlongs or the Morvich Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Fairplex Notes

David Flores, Julio Garcia and Omar Berrio had riding doubles Tuesday. Flores leads Garcia, 22-17, with six days remaining in the Pomona meeting. . . . Brazen, winner of the Bustles and Bows Stakes, heads a field of eight two-year-old fillies in today’s $40,000-added Black Swan Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. . . . Favorites continue to have a rough time. After 12 days, only 24% have won. Two favorites won Tuesday. . . . The horses-for-courses theory was evident Tuesday when Pirate John, Cancun Ruler, Viaggio and Yes I’m Blue scored their second victories of the meeting.