Clock Tower notches first stakes victory with Cecil B. DeMille

DEL MAR, Calif. - At times in Sunday’s Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at Del Mar, Clock Tower was running so comfortably on the lead that he seemed to be galloping.

Facing no significant pressure, Clock Tower proved too tough to catch in the one-mile turf race for 2-year-olds. Leading by more than a length on the turn, Clock Tower ($3.80) won by 2 1/2 lengths over the maiden Scipio, who closed from last of nine.

The $101,000 DeMille Stakes was Clock Tower’s first stakes win.

Ridden by John Velazquez, Clock Tower set a moderate pace of 23.62 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.75 for a half-mile, leading by at least a half-length over the outsider Lazlo.

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“I knew then that he’d be tough,” Velazquez said.

Clock Tower extended his lead to two lengths with a furlong remaining. He finished in 1:36.78 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 78, which equals his career best.

Scipio, the 8-5 second choice, closed with a wide rally to briefly pose a threat in early stretch. A maiden, Scipio was unable to gain ground late, however.

“I made an early move,” jockey Flavien Prat said. “The winner had it easy on the front end. I was worried about that.”

Origami (6-1) closed from fifth to finish third, beaten 3 3/4 lengths. Game Warrior finished fourth, followed by Snowdonia, Prince Dolce and Lazlo. Kale’s Angel and Pali Kitten were scratched earlier on Sunday.

Clock Tower, a gelding by the Giant’s Causeway stallion Not This Time, races for Fitriani Hay and trainer Wesley Ward. Clock Tower has won 2 of 5 starts and earned $225,938.

Clock Tower beat maidens in a one-mile turf race at Kentucky Downs on Aug. 29 and was third in his stakes debut in the Grade 2 Bourbon Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Keeneland on Oct. 6.

Velazquez rode Clock Tower in his first two starts, a third and second in maiden races on dirt at Churchill Downs and Saratoga. He noted after Sunday’s win that Clock Tower has every right to show further improvement.

“I asked him in the lane and he picked it up,” Velazquez said. “He’s still a little green. He was looking around at the infield.”

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