Silver Timber breezes at Keeneland
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Silver Timber sharpened for his next start in the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint by having his first workout since winning the Grade 3 Woodford Stakes, going a half-mile Saturday over the main Polytrack surface at Keeneland.
With trainer Chad Brown in from New York to watch, Silver Timber breezed in 48.60 seconds with jockey Julien Leparoux aboard. Leparoux rode the 6-year-old New York-bred gelding to victory in the Oct. 10 Woodford and will have the mount back in the Breeders' Cup.
"He worked really, really good," said Brown, who won the BC Juvenile Filly Turf last year with Maram. "It's the best he ever looked."
Brown said Silver Timber would breeze once more here before departing for California.
Silver Timber was claimed by owner Michael Dubb for a mere $25,000 at Gulfstream Park in April. In his four races since, he has posted three wins, including two in Grade 3 turf sprints, and one second. He was ranked No. 7 on Daily Racing Form's latest list of contenders for the 6 1/2-furlong BC Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.
In the 5 1/2-furlong Woodford, Silver Timber laid just off the pace before wearing down Mr. Nightlinger to prevail by 1o1/4 lengths. Overall, Silver Timber has won 9 of 29 starts and earned $411,108.
Three riders draw suspensions
Keeneland stewards have issued three-day suspensions to three jockeys for separate recent riding infractions.
Jamie Theriot was set down for his ride aboard Miss Hopeful in the third race Friday, while Arienne Cox was suspended for her ride on Ronin Justice in the first race earlier that day. Corey Lanerie was penalized for his ride on Readyroll in the fourth race Thursday.
Both Theriot's and Lanerie's mounts were disqualified from their placings in their respective races, but Cox's was not.
Theriot and Lanerie, both regulars on this circuit, will begin their suspensions Wednesday and do not plan to file appeals, said steward Ron Herbstreit.
* Through the first 11 of 17 dates at the fall meet, Keeneland has averaged nearly 10 starters per race, well above the
industry standard. Through Friday, fields for Polytrack races have averaged 9.98 horses, with turf races averaging 9.83, according to data released by the racing office.