Time is right for Preservationist, Timber Ghost to try stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – In an era of instant gratification, trainer Jimmy Jerkens still likes the old-school approach to developing horses.

But now that Timber Ghost and Preservationist have gone through their conditions, both are likely headed to stakes company for their next start. Timber Ghost, who won a third-level allowance race at Belmont Park on Sunday, is a candidate for the $100,000 State Dinner Stakes on July 7, closing day of the Belmont meet.

Preservationist, who beat Timber Ghost in a third-level allowance here on May 23, is likely to make his next start in the Grade 2, $700,000 Suburban Stakes at Belmont on July 6.

Candygram, who has won two straight allowance races each by 5 1/2 lengths, could also be headed to the State Dinner, though he still has third-level allowance condition remaining. Combined, that trio of horses has won 11 of 25 starts, and not one has started in a stakes race yet.

Such a schedule requires patience by owners and trainers alike. Timber Ghost, a Frank Stronach homebred son of Ghostzapper, rated kindly while in third on Sunday, took over at the eighth pole, and won by 1 1/2 lengths. He ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.55 and earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

“We agreed to take back a little but we knew Lenstar was definitely going to go to the lead. It worked out good,” Jerkens said.

Preservationist and Candygram are both owned by Centennial Farms, which definitely subscribes to the old-school method employed by Jerkens.

Preservationist, a 6-year-old by Arch, has not been the easiest horse to keep sound. But when right, he’s very good, as his allowance win here on May 23 demonstrated. That start was his first since April when he won a second-level allowance at Aqueduct.

Though Preservationist has yet to run beyond 1 1/16 miles, Jerkens feels the 1 1/4 miles of the Suburban will be within his scope.

“Now that he has that race under his belt and he’s a willing work horse, I think he can get ready for it,” Jerkens said. “He looked like he had something left in the tank the other day.”

Jerkens will also nominate Rocketry to the Suburban, but would likely run him only if it’s a really small field.

Candygram has won a pair of one-turn mile allowance races quite handily. Jerkens didn’t rule out the State Dinner for him.

“I like him around one turn,” Jerkens said