Almost Time wins; El Sinaloense off board

VANCOUVER, British Columbia Almost Time overcame a slow start and a wide trip to win the $106,747 Jack Diamond Futurity for 2-year-old colts and geldings at Hastings on Sunday. Heavily favored El Sinaloense forced the pace before tiring to finish seventh.

Almost Time, who was ridden by Frank Fuentes, was forced out going into the first turn. He quickly recovered, though, and Fuentes put him in a stalking position going down the backstretch. Fuentes rode a very patient race and instead of going four wide around the stretch turn, he split horses with Almost Time as they headed into the turn. Almost Time took the lead in midstretch and then drew off to post a 1 1/2-length victory over Gotta Find Bubba.

Millwright finished third. Both Gotta Find Bubba and Millwright are trained by Steve Henson.

"I was sweating bullets for a while," said Fuentes. "I just thought I would bide my time and wait for the right moment."

Sent off as the second choice in the wagering, Almost Time paid $6.40, $4.10 and $6.50. The inflated show price was due to El Sinaloense finishing out of the money.

Trained by Dino Condilenios, Almost Time earned $64,048 for his owners, Swift Thoroughbred Inc.

Final time for the 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:18.28 over a track rated wet-fast.