Not That Brady 'would be nice and fresh' for Belmont Stakes

Not That Brady, owned by trainer Rudy Rodriguez and Michael Imperio with Lianna Stables and R.A. Hill Stable, came out of his creditable fifth in the Wood Memorial (G2) in good order.

 

"He came back good. He ran a good race, but those races are tough," said Rodriguez of the Big Brown chestnut's pace-setting effort. "We're happy with how he ran considering how he ran in the Gotham [last of eight]. He came back and ran a good race."

 

Bred in New York by KatieRich Farms, Not That Brady boasts a record of two wins and two seconds from eight starts, including a win in the Damon Runyon in December. 

 

Rodriguez said the strapping gelding, who has twice contested off-the-turf races, has plenty of options going forward.

 

"We have the Albany at Saratoga [1 1/8-miles on the main track, Aug. 23] and we maybe will try to see what kind of horses turn up for the Belmont Stakes. He would be nice and fresh," said Rodriguez. 

 

A third attempt at a grass debut is also a possibility.

 

"Definitely. We have a New York Stallion Series in Saratoga at one-mile [Cab Calloway, July 24], so he has a lot of options. He's still a baby and right now, the sky is the limit," said Rodriguez.