OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Owner/trainer Steve Schauer had a lot of success in 2025, when suddenly he disappeared from the racing landscape.
On Sunday, at Aqueduct, Schauer made a successful return to the races when Bramito rallied along the rail under apprentice Yedsit Hazelwood to win a $100,000 claiming race by 1 3/4 lengths over a stubborn Light the Way. Bramito was Schauer’s first runner since Aug. 29, when Kitty Start won a $12,500 claiming race at Saratoga. That victory gave Schauer his 10th win from 31 starts on the year.
Schauer explained that after the Saratoga meet ended, he gave up the remaining few horses he had to take care of his ailing father.
“I had to take care of my father. The best thing to do was to get rid of the horses,” said Schauer, who added he was down to only two after several got claimed from him.
Schauer claimed Bramito on Dec. 26 for $50,000. According to Schauer that was the last day he was eligible to claim. Schauer, who also owns Bramito, wasn’t necessarily pointing the 6-year-old gelding to this race, but entered when he got a call from a racing office member who convinced Schauer that he fit in the field.
Schauer then tabbed hot-riding apprentice Yedsit Hazelwood to ride Bramito. Even though Schauer said he told Hazelwood not to come up the rail, the apprentice felt he had no choice and was able to get there. Hazelwood won despite losing his whip around the quarter pole.
“I didn’t even see it,” Schauer said. “He came back and said ‘Sorry. I lost the whip.’ So, he won and he didn’t even hit him.”
Schauer said he’s not sure where he will run Bramito next, though he noted the horse is eligible for a second-level allowance.
Schauer said he currently has one other horse, Cocktailsnkringle, who is entered on Friday. Schauer purchased the horse privately from Ilkay Kantarmaci after he won a $30,000 claiming race for horses who never won two races on Dec. 12.
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