by Myra Lewyn

Fred Bradley’s homebred Brass Hat engaged favorite Fairbanks at the top of the stretch and outdueled that foe through the lane to win the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap on Saturday at Suffolk Downs.

Brass Hat, sent off as the third choice at 4.10-to-1, made his fourth start since returning in July from a career-threatening ankle injury that sidelined him for more than a year. The six-year-old Prized gelding proved a capable and willing challenger for his younger opponent as he pushed past late under steady urging from Willie Martinez to triumph by three-quarters of length.

Brass Hat stalked the pace from fourth then third as Fairbanks pressed Fire Striker through a slow half-mile in :49.37. Fairbanks surged clear on the far turn and led by one length through six furlongs as Brass Hat closed in on the four-year-old Giant’s Causeway colt and uncorked his rally.

Brass Hat edged past 7-to-10 favorite Fairbanks and held a half-length advantage in early stretch. Fairbanks quickly took up the challenge and the pair raced stride for stride toward the wire. Brass Hat dug in resolutely as the finish line neared and prevailed in 1:49.72 for 1 1/8 miles on a track rated as fast.

“Our plan was not to let Fairbanks get an easy lead, keep [Brass Hat] happy, and get a good position,” Martinez said. “Since we had the outside post, I was able to track everybody and dictate the race. Once I got to the first turn, we knew how good he was going to finish the race, so I was very confident that there was only one horse to beat [Fairbanks] going down the backside.”

Brass Hat, winner of the 2006 Donn Handicap (G1), earned his second win in four starts this year. He improved to eight wins in 19 career starts and boosted his lifetime bankroll to $1,582,451.

Sidelined after an unplaced finish in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) in June 2006, Brass Hat made a triumphant comeback on July 8 with a head victory in a 1 1/16-mile allowance/optional claiming race at Churchill Downs. Trained by Bradley’s son, William “Buff” Bradley, he finished unplaced in both the Whitney Handicap (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course in his two starts prior to the MassCap, which had not been run since 2004.

Fred Bradley was especially pleased with Brass Hat’s win on Saturday.

“I can’t describe it; he’s just special, that’s all,” he said. “He’s a family horse, that’s the main thing. Buff and I bought his mare, and we bred it and we foaled it, trained it, and everything. It’s just been a family operation, and I really appreciate it.”

For the Equibase chart, click here.

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor