Pewter Stable homebred Winning Time, coming off an 11-length debut win at Parx Racing for trainer Kathleen Demasi on Nov. 7, held off 81-1 longshot Veeson by three-quarters of a length in Tuesday's $200,000 Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes for 2-year-old state-breds at the Bensalem, Pa., track.
Ridden by Silvestre Gonzalez, Winning Time ran the seven-furlong distance in 1:26.48 on a fast track and paid $7.80 to win as the third betting choice in the field of 11 Pennsylvania-bred juvenile colts and geldings.
Veeson, who came into the race as a maiden after four starts, finished second under Jeremy Laprida. Gordian Knot, the 2-1 favorite, was 1 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up in third while ridden by Mychel Sanchez, followed by Ninetyprcentmaddie, Keithsendshelloooo, All Eyes On You, Respirator, Strawberry Treat, Picture This, Bejuco, and Paynted Warrior.
Winning Time is a 2-year-old colt by the stakes-winning Tapit stallion Winchill, the latter trained for much of his career by Demasi. The Pennsylvania Nursery winner was produced from the Fusaichi Pegasus mare, Merry's Pegasus, who also was trained by Demasi. Second dam Merry Princess, a multiple stakes winner by Polish Numbers, was also conditioned by Demasi.
Winning Time broke from the outside post position and quickly engaged All Eyes On You for the early lead through an opening quarter mile in :22.36 and a half in :45.55. Gordian Knot, who was unbeaten in three starts for Guadalupe Preciado, broke slowly and steadied at the start, then ranged into contention with a strong middle move on the turn. The latter looked to have the runner-up position secured in midstretch, with six furlongs clocked in 1:12.06, but Veeson, last early, saved ground while gaining on the leaders on the turn, swung out at the top of the stretch, and finished fastest to make it close at the end.
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