BRASS HAT EARNS REST, DELIVERS MILESTONE TO TRAINER IN POPULAR LOUISVILLE HANDICAP VICTORY – Fred Bradley’s homebred Brass Hat did not stick around Churchill Downs very long Saturday after his victory in the Louisville Handicap.
    “After he cooled out, we took him back to the farm (in Frankfort),” trainer William “Buff” Bradley said. “I took him out to his paddock at 6:30 this morning. He is doing great and we will keep him here the next five to seven days.”
    It was a day of firsts for Brass Hat and for Bradley, who trains the 8-year-old gelding for his father. It was the first grass victory in eight starts for Brass Hat and first win in 609 days, dating back to the Sept. 22, 2007 Massachusetts Handicap. For Buff Bradley, it was also his first stakes victory at Churchill Downs.
    “I believe it was my first stakes win there,” said Bradley, who saddled his first winner in 1993 at Churchill Downs. “It was pretty exciting with the home crowd cheering him on. It was a big boost to the whole barn and for my dad having the patience with him. There are not many 8 year-olds out there running.”
    After the victory, Bradley mentioned the $750,000 United Nations Handicap (Grade I) at 1 3/8th miles on July 4 at Monmouth Park as the next possible target for Brass Hat.
    “That would work out pretty good time-wise,” Bradley said. “The (Stephen) Foster in three weeks is too quick, plus you know that Einstein would be in there. We are not trying to run him (Brass Hat) in the ground.”