Pickin' Time triumphs in New Jersey Breeders' Handicap

Pickin’ Time won his first appearance in a race restricted to New Jersey-breds on Sunday in the $100,000 New Jersey Breeders Handicap at Monmouth Park.

The race was for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs and was one of three stakes on the card - all restricted to horses bred in New Jersey. Purses for the races totaled $325,000.

Pickin’ Time won last year’s Grade 3 Nashua at Aqueduct and the Smoke Glacken at Monmouth and was the 2-year-old New Jersey-bred champion of 2020. He came into the New Jersey Breeders Handicap off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational.

Pickin’ Time ($8.60) was content to sit just off the pace, with Pnutbutter Special taking the field through an opening quarter in 22.13 seconds and Golden Brown, the 3-5 favorite, taking over through a half-mile in 45.23. Pickin’ Time soon moved to the fore, drifted in the lane, and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:09.58.

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Following the race, Golden Brown's rider lodged an objection against the winner for stretch interference, but the stewards made no changes to the order of finish. There also was a stewards inquiry into a separate incident at the start. Wallercito appeared to be in the process of being loaded when the gates opened, and was declared a non-starter.

Pickin’ Time won by a 1 3/4 lengths over Golden Brown. It was another length back in third to Dr. Doyle.

Nik Juarez rode Pickin’ Time for trainer Kelly Breen.

The horse, who races for Roseland Farm Stable, is a son of Stay Thirsty who has now won 4 of 10 starts and earned $309,825

Amatteroftime was a 4 3/4-length winner over Prendimi in the $125,000 Charles Hesse III Handicap. It was another two lengths back in third to Optic Way.

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Amatteroftime ($5.40) was with the pace throughout, and covered the 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up in 1:44.89. Paco Lopez was aboard the winner for breeder, owner and trainer Silvino Ramirez. Amatteroftime is a son of Eskendereya who has now won 6 of 26 starts for earnings of $326,879.

Lopez won his second stakes on the card when Alta Velocita improved her meet record to 4 for 5 in the $100,000 Eleven North Handicap. The win was the first in a stakes for the mare, who is by Il Postino.

Alta Velocita ($6.30) rallied from off the pace for a nose win over Jersey Jewel. It was another 1 1/14 lengths back in third to Achieving Glory. The winner covered the six furlongs for fillies and mares in 1:10.45.

Andrew Simoff trains Alta Velocita for Imaginary Stables and M3 Racing Stable. The mare is now 5 for 15 for earnings of $249,378.