Kalypso gives Brody’s Cause his first Grade 1 winner

Kalypso and jockey John Velazquez win the Grade I, $300,000 La Brea Stakes, Sunday, December 26, 2021 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA.
© BENOIT PHOTO

Kalypso drew off in the final furlong of the $300,000 La Brea S. (G1) Sunday at Santa Anita, winning the seven furlong contest by 4 ¾-lengths to become the first Grade 1 winner for Second-Crop sire Brody’s Cause.

The 3-year-old filly made a triumphant return from a nearly eight-month layoff following her only off-the-board performance in the Eight Belles S. (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Away well along the inside in the seven-horse field, Kalypso took up a spot in third next to the fence. Livingmybestlife posted a quarter-mile in :22.11 and a half in :44.92. Kalypso, under John Velazaquez, switched to the three path for the stretch run and rolled by the pacesetters in upper stretch. She was full of run in the final furlong, wrapping up late to finish in 1:24.78 on a fast track.

“We turned her out after that Churchill Downs race,” winning trainer Bob Baffert said. “We brought her back and she was fresh. Johnny V. got her to relax. She has a tendency to go too fast. She was really relaxed today and she was one happy filly. Grade Ones are hard to come by.”

Kalypso now sports a record of 3-3-2 in nine starts, with earnings of $480,600 for owners David Bernsen, Gainesway Stable LLC, Rockingham Ranch and Littlefiel. She previously won the Santa Ynez S. (G2) and Anoakia S.

Kalypso was bred by Spendthrift Farm. She is the first foal out of Malibu Cove, who is a full sister to graded stakes winner Prospective. Malibu Cove has a 2-year-old Hit It a Bomb filly, a yearling Mor Spirit colt, and a weanling colt by Jimmy Creed. She is in foal to Authentic.

Brody’s Cause is also the sire of 2021 stakes winner Enbarr. He bred 147 mares in 2021, his largest book to date. He will stand the 2022 season for $5,000 S&N.