Timo, Vous win as outsiders

MIAMI - Drawing the extreme outside post position in a full field is usually the kiss of death over the Calder turf course. But such was not the case Saturday, when Timo and Vous broke from post 12 in their respective races and ended up in the winner's circle after the $100,000 Mecke and $100,000 Hollywood Wildcat Stakes.

Timo finished full of run down the middle of the course to wear down Imperialism and Cool Conductor and post a half-length victory in the Mecke. Vous split horses at midstretch and overtook Honey Ryder in the final strides to register a head decision in the Hollywood Wildcat. The Mecke was for 2-year-olds and the Hollywood Wildcat for 2-year-old fillies. Both were at 1 1/16 miles.

Timo, a son of El Prado trained by Bill Badgett Jr. for his owner-breeder, the C K Woods Stable, paid $4.80 as the favorite in the Mecke. Timo's final time of 1:41.24 over a firm course was more than a full second faster than Vous's 1:42.37 winning time in the Hollywood Wildcat. Vous paid $22.80.

Timo shipped in from his winter home at Fair Grounds off a decisive 2 1/4-length victory in Belmont Park's Pilgrim Stakes. Allowed to settle near the rear of the pack during the early stages of the Mecke, Timo was taken to the extreme outside by jockey Eibar Coa, started his bid into the stretch, then settled suddenly once entering the home lane and ran down the leaders with an impressive closing burst of speed.

Imperialism, who started in post 11, moved to close contention on the second turn, overtook Cool Conductor in late stretch, but could not last. Cool Conductor gained command leaving the final turn but faltered near the end.

"I wasn't happy to draw post 12," said Badgett. "He might have lost a little ground into the first turn but [jockey Eibar Coa] got him over pretty well towards the rail."

Badgett said Timo may return from New Orleans for the Tropical Park Derby on Jan. 1.

Jockey Joe Bravo did a masterful job getting Vous over to the inside and in good position during the early stages of the Hollywood Wildcat. They saved ground into the stretch, angled out for clearance near the eighth pole, and rallied to best Honey Ryder. Honey Ryder gained a slim lead near the sixteenth pole. Chelsea's Pearl rallied to be third. Peace Symbol, the 2-1 favorite, finished sixth.

"I feel fortunate we were able to get Joe, and he rode her with a lot of confidence," said Tim Hills, who trains Vous for the Tee N Jay Farm. "He was able to get her over to the rail going past the wire the first time, then was able to pick his way through the field and split horses at the top of the stretch."

Hills said he would seriously consider the Tropical Park Oaks here Jan. 1 for Vous's next start.