Game Time outlasts Cousin Richie in Alcatraz Stakes
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Game Time was allowed to set his own pace in Sunday’s $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-old turf milers at Golden Gate Fields.
Unlike his four previous starts in turf stakes in Southern California since early December, Game Time kept the lead throughout the Alcatraz.
Ridden by Armando Ayuso, Game Time ($3.40) finished two lengths in front of 16-1 Cousin Richie, who tracked the winner throughout.
Prince Abu Dhabi, who won his first four starts, finished third as the 2-1 second choice in his turf debut, beaten a neck for second. Prince Abu Dhabi closed some ground with a three-wide rally in the stretch, but could not reach Cousin Richie.
Prince Abu Dhabi won the California Derby at 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic main track at Golden Gate Fields on April 30.
Phosphorescence, second in the California Derby, finished fourth in the Alcatraz, followed by Passarando. Welton and Harcyn were withdrawn earlier Sunday.
Game Time was timed in 1:36.41 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 84, which equals his career best. Game Time set early fractions of 23.09 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.38 for a half-mile, leading by 1 1/2 lengths on the backstretch.
Game Time, a colt by the Giant’s Causeway stallion Not This Time, has won 2 of 8 starts for Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler.
The Alcatraz Stakes was his fifth consecutive appearance in a turf stakes. In each of those races, Game time led or stalked the pace.
Game Time was second in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes for 2-year-old turf milers at Del Mar on Dec. 4, and fourth at the end of that month in the Eddie Logan Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.
Earlier this year at Santa Anita, Game Time was second in the Pasadena Stakes at a mile on turf on April 2 and a troubled fourth in the Singletary Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf on May 7.
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