Keyed Entry wins at Gulfstream

MIAMI --Keyed Entry outran heavily favored First Samurai by 1 1/4 lengths on a sloppy track Saturday to win the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

First Samurai, the nation's dominant 2-year-old in 2005 and touted as a top Kentucky Derby contender, was making his 3-year-old debut.

Ridden by John Velazquez, Keyed Entry finished the 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:27 in the Grade 2 race.

"I'm really pleased with him. This was a big step up to go against a Grade 1 winner like First Samurai," said trainer Todd Pletcher, the Eclipse Award winner in 2005.

First Samurai broke on top from the outside, but Keyed Entry quickly rushed up the inside to take the lead. At the quarter pole, First Samurai came within a neck of the leader, but Keyed Entry opened a 1 1/4-length lead that he maintained to the wire.

Express News finished 16 lengths back for third.

First Samurai, who has won two Grade 1 stakes, had not run since finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in October -- his first defeat, and one that cost him the 2-year-old championship.

"I was satisfied with the way my horse ran coming off the bench. He was good and sharp ... he just couldn't get to the other horse," said Frank Brothers, who trained the 3-to-5 favorite.

Keyed Entry, the Kentucky-bred son of Honor and Glory, paid $7.40 and raised his earnings to $132,000 in his first stakes appearance.

Barbaro remained undefeated by winning Saturday's other stakes for 3-year-olds, the $150,000 Holy Bull.

Ridden by Edgar Prado, Barbaro ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 1-5 and paid $5.20. Great Point finished second, and My Golden Song was third.

"He won with something left," said Barbaro's trainer, Mike Matz. "It answered the big question, first time on dirt."

Brass Hat, a long shot, came from behind to win the $500,000 Donn Handicap for older horses by 4 3/4 lengths.

Ridden by Willie Martinez, Brass Hat ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 3-5 and paid $18.80. Pies Prospect and Andromeda's Hero, two of trainer Nick Zito's three-horse entry, finished second and third, respectively.

Wait a While, ridden by Velazquez, won the $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes by 14 lengths, running the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 1-5 to pay $8.80.

Misty Rosette won the $100,000 Old Hat for 3-year-old fillies by four lengths. Ridden by Sebastian Madrid, the undefeated Misty Rosette ran the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16 and paid $12.40.

Eyes on Eddy won the $100,000 Suwanee River Handicap for fillies and mares by three-quarters of a length. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Eyes on Eddy ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 2-5 and paid $4.60.