Some in Tieme wakes up with change of scenery in Louisville Handicap
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A change in trainers from Paulo Lobo to trainer Kenny McPeek and a move from California to Kentucky has apparently rejuvenated former Brazilian runner Some in Tieme. He showed as much Saturday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs, blowing open what seemed a competitive race to score by three lengths and notch his first victory since October 2015 in his native Brazil.
Although Some in Tieme enjoyed a favorable trip, saving ground and staying clear of heavy traffic for much of the race while rated in the rear half of the field, there was no disputing who was best in the race. Besides the clear margin of victory, he seemed to be running in another gear than the rest of the opposition in the stretch, inhaling the leaders once angled to the outside by jockey Manny Cruz.
Front-running Reporting Star, who carved out moderate splits with fractions of 50.11 seconds, 1:15, and 1:39.89 in the 1 1/2-mile Louisville Handicap, held second, finishing 2 1/4 lengths clear of third-place Bullards Alley.
The winner, a 5-year-old son of Shirocco owned by Some in Time Inc., raced 1 1/2 miles on a firm turf course in 2:27.25. He paid $26.20.
Saturday’s race marked the second consecutive encouraging performance from Some In Tieme, who had been a fast-closing second in a third-level allowance race at Keeneland on April 19 when racing 1 1/16 miles on grass.
Though the public may have been somewhat surprised by Some in Tieme’s victory, Cruz wasn’t. He noted he came away impressed after breezing him at Keeneland before the race. That led him to ride him with confidence, he said.