Vekoma’s Bracket Buster sails to 15-length win in $200,000 WV Governor’s S.

Bracket Buster’s 15-length tour de force in Sunday’s $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s S. at Mountaineer Park was a triumphant return to the races for the 4-year-old Vekoma S.

Away from the races since October, Brack Buster showed no sign of rustiness. He was very relaxed while battling for the lead with Neoequos through the first half-mile. Shortly after that Bracket Buster began to pull away and put on a show in the final quarter-mile as he kept increasing the margin with no urging from Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez.

“Yes, because he was coming in off a long layoff,” said trainer Victoria Oliver when asked if she was surprised by the margin of victory. 

Bracket Buster is owned by BBN Racing, LLC and Bowen Thoroughbred Racing, LLC. The bay colt won last year’s Oklahoma Derby (G3) and Pegasus S. and was second to 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty in the Traver’s (G1). He is now 4-2-1 in 12 starts, with earnings of $908,706.

Bracket Buster was bred in Kentucky by David Baxter from the Dance With Ravens mare Spring Dance. He was a $425,000 purchase by Bowen at the 2025 Keeneland Championship Sale.

Vekoma now has 14 stakes winners and 24 stakes horses this year, easily topping the Third-Crop sire list.