Breezy Gust and Dexter Haddock take the Not For Love (Maryland Jockey Club)
Maryland Jockey Club Press Release
LAUREL, Md.— With Grade 3-winning millionaire and even-money favorite Eastern Bay racing in tight quarters through the stretch, Trending Stable’s Breezy Gust blew past rivals on the outside and went on to post a 1 ¼-length victory in the $75,000 Not For Love for older Maryland-bred/sired horses.
Based at Parx with trainer Josue Arce, Breezy Gust ($6) was racing for the first time outside of Pennsylvania for just the third time and first since June 2021. With regular rider Dexter Haddock aboard, the 6-year-old gelding covered six furlongs in 1:10.30 over a fast main track.
“At the three-eighths pole when I asked, he responded very good,” Haddock said. “Going into the stretch, I said, ‘I got this race.’ I had a lot of horse.”
Haddock settled Breezy Gust off the pace of 40-1 long shot Kenny Had a Notion and Coastal Mission, who were in front through splits of 22.41 and 45.88 seconds with Eastern Bay – winner of Laurel’s General George (G3) Feb. 18 – saving ground on the rail in fifth.
Eastern Bay improved his position while still racing inside rounding the far turn with Breezy Gust having clear run outside. Once straightened for home Eastern Bay was unable to split horses and kept in check by Breezy Gust, who surged past a determined Kenny Had a Notion for his 10th career win and first in a stakes.
Kenny Had a Notion held second by a neck over Eastern Bay, with Karan’s Notion another three-quarters of a length back in fourth. Coastal Mission, Brilliant Ice and Arden’sluckytobe completed the order of finish.
A son of Mr. Prospector, the late Not For Love was named Maryland’s champion stallion a record 13 times and was the first stallion in Maryland history to surpass $6 million in progeny earnings in a single year (2008). As a broodmare sire, he is represented by two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome. He died at age 26 in 2016.
