SERENA’S SONG’S SCHRAMSBERG BUBBLES TO TOP IN GRADED JOHN CONNALLY S.

Schramsberg, a regally bred son of Storm Cat out of the champion Serena’s Song, registered his first graded stakes victory when he swept to a 2 1/4-length win in the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Handicap (gr. III) over the Sam Houston Houston Race Park turf course on the night of Jan. 29.

With blinkers off, Schramsberg, was able to settle just off the leaders while racing on the inside until swinging out in upper stretch. He came home strongly to gain the lead from And Music Came approaching mid-stretch and drew off impressively while completing the 1 1/8-mile trip in 1:50.22 over a firm turf course.

Schramsberg, bred in Kentucky by the Robert and Beverly Lewis Trust, won for the first time since taking the Remington Green at Remington Park in October. The Connally victory, worth $120,000, was Schramsberg’s fifth in 17 lifetime races and boosted the chestnut horse’s earnings to $327,126.

Schramsberg carried 117 pounds out finishing Southern Anthem and Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) winner Stately Victor.