Another Time points to Nassau Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Barb Minshall got off to a fast start at the meet, beginning on opening day, June 6, when Another Time posted a 6-1 upset in the feature.

Another Time lowered the 7 1/2-furlong course record on the inner turf when winning that open allowance over Souper Escape. She had struggled in her previous race, the Sand Springs Stakes at Gulfstream, 17 days after prevailing in her March 11 season opener in a second-level optional claimer at Tampa.

“She had an injury a year ago in the spring, so she was off for nearly a year,” Minshall said. “She was in South Carolina, and then I brought her to Ocala when she was getting pretty close. She ran super-good at Tampa. She didn’t run any good at Gulfstream, but came out of the race with a bruised foot. We gave her a little time. She had trained well, and I expected a big race. She came out of it really well.”

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Minshall said Another Time is headed for Grade 2 Nassau Stakes going a mile here June 27, in which she could meet 2019 Canadian Horse of the Year Starship Jubilee.

Minshall said Get Explicit also could run in the $175,000 Nassau, or an allowance. The Grade 2-placed mare was a non-threatening fifth behind Another Time going 7 1/2 furlongs on opening day.

“The distance wasn’t in her favor,” Minshall said. “She’s not a quick horse out of the gate. You have to be well positioned on that tight course, and she was a little wide. She’s still doing well. She just needs a little more ground than 7 1/2.”

Minshall won the first 2-year-old race at the meet for the boys last Sunday with Lion of the Sea, who was the first starter for Ontario freshman sire Reload. Ontario-bred Lion of the Sea fought off the other speed to take the 4 1/2-furlong dash with a 72 Beyer Speed Figure. Being eligible for all the bonus money offered in the open maiden special, the gelding earned a whopping $76,080.

“He’s a big, strong horse, and has a lot of maturing to do,” Minshall said. “He was gelded fairly early and had trained well all winter in South Carolina. I like the way he ran on.”

Minshall said Lion of the Sea could reappear in the $100,000 Victoria Stakes here Aug. 2.

Minshall sent out Dreaming of Drew to finish a closing second last Saturday in the first juvenile race of the meet for fillies.

“There was a long delay before that race,” Minshall said. “She’s very calm and was a little flat-footed when she finally left the gate. I think she’s a real special horse.”

◗ There is no allowance race on Friday’s eight-race card. An optional starter attracted 15 entries, including the classy Where’s the Widget. Twelve are in the body of the 6 1/2-furlong turf sprint.