Chicago invader One Timer established control going into the far turn and proved best in Friday's $100,000 Speakeasy Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. The Speakeasy is a Breeders' Cup “Win & You're In” Challenge Race qualifier that provides the winner a fees-paid berth into the Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Nov. 5 at Del Mar.
Unbeaten in two previous starts over synthetic surfaces, and now unbeaten in three starts, One Timer, a 2-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Trappe Shot, was handled by Chicago-based veteran E.T. Baird, who guided him to a five-furlong turf win in 55.45. Trained by Larry Rivelli, One Timer was head and head to the three-furlong pole with race favorite Forbidden Kingdom. With a 1 ½-length advantage turning for home, One Timer prevailed by three quarters of a length over a fast finishing Time to Party and remained well in front on the gallop out around the Club House turn.
One Timer was bred in Kentucky by St Simon Place LLC and sold for $21,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale.
“He broke well, I had to ask him out of there, but he's pretty professional outside of the post parade,” said Baird. “He just kept running true. I think he took to the (turf) great. We worked him one time in Chicago (at Arlington Park) over the grass and I happened to work another horse, an older horse on same morning and the older horse ended up winning (a) stake after that work…I mean, he's competitive, he loves to run.”
The second choice at 9-5 in a field of six juveniles, One Timer paid $5.80, $4.00 and $2.40.
Owned by Patricia's Hope, LLC and Richard Ravin, One Timer, who is out of the Blame mare Spanish Star, picked up $60,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $138,153.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, Time to Party rallied well to be second, finishing 2 ½ lengths in front of Forbidden Kingdom. Off at 6-1, he paid $5.80 and $3.00.
The actual favorite at 9-5 with Juan Hernandez up, Forbidden King tired to finish third and returned $2.40 to show while 1 ½ lengths clear of Miss Alacrity.
Fractions on the race were 21.01 and 43.48.
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