DeVaux goes 1-2 in $600K Bryan Station with Brilliant Berti, 44-1 Depiction

Stakes recap by Keeneland’s publicity department (Coady Media/John Gallagher photo of Brilliant Berti winning the Bryan Station)

LEXINGTON, KY (Oct. 26, 2024) – Klein Racing’s homebred Brilliant Berti rallied from far back and held off longshot stablemate Depiction by a neck to win the $600,000 Bryan Station (G3), one of three stakes on closing day of the Keeneland Fall Meet, for 3-year-olds. Both horses are trained by Cherie DeVaux.

Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Brilliant Bertie covered the 1 mile on the turf course labeled as firm in 1:34.40.

Brilliant Berti is a Kentucky-bred son of Noble Mission (GB) out of the Langfuhr mare Believe in Bertie. He earned $344,100 for the victory to increase his career earnings to $1,601,285 with a record of 7-5-1-0. His other stakes wins are the American Derby (L) at Churchill Downs and the $1.5 million Global Tote Gun Runner at Kentucky Downs. He also was second in the Secretariat (G2) at Colonial Downs.

Brilliant Berti paid $8.18, $5.36 and $3.30. Depiction, ridden by Florent Geroux, returned $26.38 and $11.20 and finished 1 length in front of Herchee, who paid $5.04 under Edgar Morales.

Evade (FR), Lagynos, favored Trikari, Neat, Demolisher, My Boy Prince, Call Protection and Mansa Musa (IRE) completed the order of finish.

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Quotes from the $600,000 Bryan Station (G3)

Click here for a replay of the race and the post-race interview with winning connections.

Brian Hernandez Jr. (winning rider of Brilliant Berti)

“He’s shown us all year long what a talented horse he is. We’re just proud of him, especially for the Klein family (owner/breeder Klein Racing), for them to keep breeding these good horses like they do. It’s a proud moment for them. The only time I got nervous today was when we were in the Paddock and Richard (Klein) told me, ‘We’ve won stakes at Keeneland before but I’ve never gotten to come out in the infield for a winner circle picture,’ so I hoping like, ‘Man, I hope we can get it done for him today.”

Cherie DeVaux (trainer of Brilliant Berti and runner-up Depiction)

“He’s a horse that’s shown he has a lot of ability from the beginning. He had a mild setback as a 2-year-old so he ran his first race when he was 3 (when fifth at Fair Grounds Feb. 15), and it just was a learning experience. But from there it’s just been an upward trajectory for him. His only second place was at Colonial (Downs in the Secretariat-G2 Aug. 11), and you really can’t fault him for that.”

On the performance of stablemate Depiction

“He’s a horse that’s shown a lot of ability, but he’s had a hard time getting the trip. He has looked great coming into this race, and that’s not always been the case. He’s always trained well, but he’s finally matured and is keeping his weight on. There was such a hot pace, I kind of figured for both of them – he was following Brilliant Berti and I felt like they’d both be coming home. I just was really impressed with how well (Depiction) ran.”

Florent Geroux (rider of runner-up Depiction)

“I was pretty far back, actually. We made a really nice move too late, finished extremely fast. One more jump and it looked like I was going to run down the winner.”

Edgar Morales (rider of third-place finisher Herchee)

“He was sharp out of the gate. He traveled behind them really good, relaxed for me. Came through the rail. He might have got a little lost when he made the lead – it’s his fourth start, so he is still learning. I think he’ll be really mature for next year and we’re going to have fun from here. He tried. He is still improving, still a little playing around. He needs to mature a little bit but he’d be alright.”