Owner

Albert Ciuffetelli, Stephanie S. Brennan, Shining Stables LLC, BAG Racing Stables & Paul Braverman

Trainer

Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.

Jockey

Gonzalez, Edwin

Breeder

Stepanie Baltzan

Earnings

$118,700

Color

Bay

Overview

Bet Bravaro with TwinSpires, the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby

 

Who is Bravaro?

Bravaro is a 3-year-old bay colt born March 24, 2023, in New York. He's trained by Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. and owned by a partnership including Ciuffetelli, Albert, Brennan, Stephanie S., Shining Stables, BAG Racing Stables, and Braverman, Paul. Bravaro has raced at Belmont at the Big A, Gulfstream Park, and Aqueduct.

Family Tree

Bravaro's father is Upstart, who won 4 races and earned $1.7 million during his racing career. Upstart competed at major tracks like Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn Park. His mother is Opera Star, whose racing background doesn't include any recorded races. This family tree shows mixed credentials—a father with winning experience but a mother with no racing record.

 

Racing Record

Bravaro has raced 5 times with 2 wins and 3 losses, earning $272,700. His victories came at Belmont at the Big A as a maiden (6 furlongs, September 2025) and in stakes (1 mile, October 2025). His most recent two races both resulted in losses at stakes levels at Gulfstream Park (February 2026, 4th place) and Aqueduct (April 2026, 4th place).

 

 

What Matters

Bravaro has shown he can win races, with victories in maiden and early stakes competition. He's raced at quality tracks against stakes-level horses. His connections have experience at multiple racetracks.

 

Caution

Bravaro's recent form is concerning—he lost his last two stakes races, finishing 4th both times. He won only 2 of 5 races, showing he doesn't consistently beat competition. His mother never raced, meaning less racing genetics on that side. He hasn't won a stakes race in 2026, raising questions about his ability against the strongest Kentucky Derby competitors at longer distances like 1 1/4 miles.

Bravaro's Important Related Information

Pedigree

Sire Name Upstart

Dam Name Opera Star

Oaks News February 3, 2026

Kentucky Derby Prep Review Feb. 3, 2026

Nearly left a favorable impression in his initial stakes and two-turn start, drawing off to 5 3/4-length win in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream

Wagering February 25, 2026

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Saturday’s $425,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park is an important stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, awarding 50-25-15-10-5 qualifying points to the top five finishers.

Wagering April 1, 2026

Study Guide: 2026 Wood Memorial

Saturday’s $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct is a top-tier Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers.

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