Midwest shipper One Timer takes Speakeasy on front end; earns BC Juvenile Turf Sprint berth

ARCADIA, Calif. - One Timer handled the transition to turf and his first start in California with a bold win in the $100,500 Speakeasy Stakes for 2-year-old sprinters at Santa Anita on Friday.

With the victory, One Timer earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 5.

Ridden by E.T. Baird, One Timer ($5.80) dueled with 9-5 favorite Forbidden Kingdom through the opening quarter-mile before taking the lead. One Timer led by 2 1/2 lengths in the stretch, enough of an advantage to hold off a late threat from 6-1 Time to Party.

One Timer won by three-quarters of a length, finishing five furlongs in 55.45 seconds. One Timer earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 70.

Baird said One Timer was tested by Forbidden Kingdom early, but was in control of the race on the turn.

“I was having to ask him pretty hard,” Baird said. “The other horse maybe got a neck in front of me.

“He really accelerated.”

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Time to Party, the winner of a maiden special weight race at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Sept. 2, finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of Forbidden Kingdom, a slight favorite. Forbidden Kingdom won a maiden special weight race at 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt at Del Mar on Aug. 21 and had his turf debut in the Speakeasy Stakes.

Miss Alacrity finished fourth, followed by Blame It On Rose and Rock the Belles.

One Timer, who races for Patricia’s Hope LLC and Richard Ravin, is unbeaten in three starts for trainer Larry Rivelli. A gelding by Trappe Shot, One Timer won his first two starts on synthetic tracks - a maiden special weight race at five furlongs at Arlington Park on June 26 and the Victoria Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Woodbine on July 31.

Purchased for $21,000 as a yearling, One Timer has earned $138,153.