Pricey Berardini Colt Graduates Second Out

8th-GPX, $42,000, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:42 3/5, fm. 
GALA AWARD (c, 3, Bernardini–Wilshewed, by Carson City), a $1.55-million Keeneland September yearling, was second, beaten 3/4-lengths, in his course-and-trip debut Dec. 7. The strapping bay colt, an even-money favorite, pressed the pace through fractions of :24.07 and :47.87. He took over after three-quarters in 1:11.94, but was headed by Loves Last Chance (Not for Love) at midstretch before finding another gear in the final strides and surging clear to a 3/4-length victory. Dylan Ward (Artie Schiller), seven wide at the top of the lane, edged Loves Last Chance for second. Gala Award is a half-brother to Stormello (Stormy Atlantic, GISW, $700,100); and to My Best Brother (Stormy Atlantic, GSW, $362,890). Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $33,180. Click for the brisnet.com chart or VIDEO.