Timmy M. should find the going easier in allowance
MIAMI – After Timmy M. finished an unlucky second in the Bears Den Stakes on Sept. 21 at Gulfstream Park, trainer Joe Orseno was originally planning on just waiting for the next turf stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park West for him. Instead, Orseno opted to shoot for what should be an easier spot Thursday, wheeling Timmy M. back in three weeks for a $45,000 entry-level allowance at 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass.
Timmy M. raced near the rear of the field during the early stages of the Bears Den, also run at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf, before making a big run to closer contention along the inside leaving the backstretch. But he was then forced to steady sharply while knocked around between horses in traffic at the top of the stretch. He did well to finish second behind the fast-closing Scraps.
“I think he would have won if he didn’t get bothered and stopped like he did,” Orseno said.
“He’s doing really well right now, and I think off his last effort he’s ready to go forward to his best yet and is capable of stepping up and running some really big races for us down the road. He’s just a good horse who shows up every time.”
Timmy M. will break from the rail while reuniting with jockey Paco Lopez, who rode him to victory in a restricted allowance race in April.
Thursday’s headliner drew 16 horses, half of which were entered for the main track only. There is a 60 percent chance of rain in the forecast locally for both Wednesday and Thursday.
Other key contenders if the race goes on turf include Sovereign Warrior, who finished fifth after setting the pace in the Bears Den; the speedy Max K. O., who adds blinkers for the first time; and recent statebred allowance winner Great Kahuna.
Imprimis banged up but OK
Orseno reported that Imprimis came out of Saturday’s troubled third-place finish as the 7-5 favorite in the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland banged up but none the worse for wear, and that the horse was on his way back to Gulfstream Park on Monday. Imprimis found himself trapped in traffic by Leinster, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, before rallying once clear under Lopez to finish 2 1/4 lengths behind Stubbins and 1 1/2 lengths behind Leinster.
“He got banged up a bit from being in tight quarters, but fortunately he didn’t get hit anywhere vital and he came out of the race good and sound,” Orseno said. “Tyler had Paco pinned in there the whole time and he couldn’t get out. It was a shame, because I think we ran the best horse and he didn’t get a chance to show it.”
Orseno said he is still hopeful Imprimis will earn a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita and that he plans to train him up to the Nov. 2 race at his home base at Gulfstream. Imprimis won a pair of stakes earlier this season, including the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland despite an eventful trip, and was also sixth, beaten less than five lengths, in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes earlier this season at Royal Ascot.
“With his credentials here and the race he ran at Ascot, I think he has some things on his résumé some of the others don’t have and that he deserves the chance to run,” Orseno said.