A little pre-race jitters proved to be enthusiasm for his first start and Bridle a Butterfly rallied late to deliver his sire, Country House , his first winner.
After some hesitation loading into the gate, Bridle a Butterfly settled in just off the pace in a maiden special weight on the turf at Gulfstream Park. Bridle a Butterfly was taken four-wide on the turn down the stretch by jockey Drayden Van Dyke. The 2-year-old gelding then exhibited some of his father’s turn of foot, catching the three rivals ahead of him and crossing the wire 3 1/2 lengths ahead. He stopped the clock in :55.46.
Bridle a Butterfly is a Glen Hill Farm homebred trained by Bethany Baumgardner. The chestnut is out of the Storm Cat mare Sly Storm.
It took Country House’s progeny just five starts among four starters to get him to the winner’s circle.
Winner of the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1), Country House stands at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington for $7,500.
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The son of two-time champion Lookin At Lucky , who won the 2010 Preakness Stakes (G1) among five grade 1 victories, earned $2,120,175 with a 2-2-1 record from seven starts.
His first win came in his third start and first of his 3-year-old campaign. He then finished second in the Risen Star Stakes (G2), fourth in the Louisiana Derby (G2), and third in the Arkansas Derby (G1) before winning the Derby in his swansong.
It wasn’t without controversy as stewards determined that Maximum Security , who crossed the wire first, was disqualified for interfering with other competitors in the race.
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