Timber Ghost moves up in class following hard-fought win

ELMONT, N.Y. – Though he defeated only three horses in winning a second-level allowance race at Aqueduct last month, Timber Ghost was headed in the stretch by two different rivals yet still prevailed by a neck.

Thursday, at Belmont Park, Timber Ghost will step into the third-level allowance ranks where he is expected to face five opponents including one – Preservationist – from his own barn.

This third-level optional $100,000 claiming race at 1 1/16 miles is the featured event on Thursday’s nine-race Belmont card. It is the third of eight twilight Thursday programs at the meet with a first-race post of 3:05 p.m.

Timber Ghost, a 4-year-old son of Ghostzapper owned and bred by Frank Stronach and trained by Jimmy Jerkens, started his career with two fifth-place finishes in sprints at Gulfstream early in his 3-year-old year. Beginning last summer at Saratoga, when he won a maiden race by 9 1/2 lengths, Timber Ghost has three wins and two seconds from his last five starts.

“We’d eventually like to see if he’s going to be stakes quality,” Jerkens said, adding that he toyed with the idea of running him in Saturday’s Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park, “but that looks like it’s coming up pretty salty.”

Thursday, Timber Ghost figures to be on or near the pace under Javier Castellano. He will break from the outside in this six-horse field.

Jerkens also sends out Preservationist, who is coming off a second-level allowance win at Aqueduct on Feb. 2. Jerkens said Preservationist had some foot issues thereafter.

:: Shop for PPs, picks, DRF+ and more in our store!

“He might need one because he’s a big, heavy horse, but he’s been working willingly,” Jerkens said. “If the track stays as glib as it has been that should help him.”

Junior Alvarado rides Preservationist from the rail.

Expert seeks his fifth consecutive victory, a streak that began on Feb. 21 when he won a $40,000 claimer for Chris Englehart. Taken by Linda Rice that day, Expert won a starter allowance and then two open allowance races.

Bon Raison, third in the Runhappy Stakes on May 11; Hit It Once More; and Super Dude complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Timber Ghost, by Ghostzapper

Last 3 Beyers: 91-76-90

◗ After getting headed by Roaming Union on the outside, he was confronted by Exulting on the inside and held him off as well in April 13 allowance at Aqueduct.

◗ Exulting, claimed out of that race, came back to win the Oaklawn Mile for Mike Maker.

◗ He shows two stamina-building works since last race.

Preservationist, by Arch

Last 3 Beyers: 97-88-97

◗ Was all-out to win a second-level allowance at Aqueduct on Feb 2. and missed time with a foot problem.

◗ Grinding style suggests he could be effective at this longer distance.

Bon Raison, by Raison d’ Etat

Last 3 Beyers: 94-93-96

◗ Has already has made eight starts this year, with three wins and two thirds.

◗ This will be his third start of May and he will be stretching out from six furlongs.