Somelikeithotbrown tallies second graded stakes win in Bernard Baruch

There was no catching Somelikeithotbrown in the Grace 2, $150,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga on Sunday.

With new rider Tyler Gaffalione in the irons, Somelikeithotbrown raced alone on the lead in the 1 1/16-miles Bernard Baruch through a moderate opening half mile in:49.08 and six furlongs in 1:12.43, then kicked clear of the oncoming closers in the stretch to win by one length.

Trained by Michael Maker, Somelikeithotbrown sprung the upset in a final time of 1:41.32. He was followed across the wire by stablemate Mr Dumas, 8/5 favorite Good Governance and Halladay. Somelikeithotbrown earned his second graded stakes win and paid $19.60 as the second-longest shot in the six-horse field.

"I was a little surprised down the backside when I was all by myself," Gaffalione said. "I thought there would be a little more pressure, but I was happy with where I was and how he was running. All the credit to Mike and his team, they had him ready today."

After the race, Gaffalione was dismounted from Somelikeithotbrown on the trip back to the winner's circle. However, Somelikeithotbrown was corralled by the outriders without incident and Gaffalione said he was little worse for wear.

"He pulled up coming off the grass course," Gaffalione said. "He got onto the dirt, it's still a little heavy, and he just kind of grabbed himself and took a little tumble. Nothing major happened, so hopefully he's all right and we'll live to fight another day."

A 4-year-old New York-bred colt by Big Brown, Somelikeithotbrown improves to 13: 5-3-2 with more than $500,000 in earnings for Skychai Racing and David Koenig.

Last year, he won the Jeff Ruby Stakes (G3) and John Battaglia Stakes, both on the Turfway Park Polytrack. After winning a Turfway allowance in February to kick off this season, Somelikeithotbrown was second in the March 14 Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway and most recently was third in the June 6 Fort Marcy (G3) at Belmont Park.