Zipse: Out of spotlight, another Maryland star shines at Laurel

Photo: Maryland Jockey Club

On the same afternoon Mindframe was proving best against a strong field in the Grade 1, $1 million Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, another terrific Maryland-bred was doing things his own way. Post Time is a very nice horse wherever he runs, but at his home base of Laurel Park, he is simply untouchable.

Never once out of the money in 18 career starts, the 5-year-old son of Frosted is a remarkable 9-for-9 at the Maryland oval after his easy, 3 1/2-length score Saturday in the $125,000 Deputed Testamony Stakes.

Click here for Laurel Park entries and results.

Sent off as the prohibitive 1-10 favorite in the field of five, Post Time threw his head at the start and came out last of the quintet.

With pedestrian fractions being set by the two horses with the best chance to upset the reigning Maryland-bred of the year, regular rider Sheldon Russell let the big horse run just a bit to gain third up the backstretch.

Even though the early leaders were allowed to walk the dog through splits of 25.79, 51.16, and 1:15.57, it was only a matter of time before class would tell in the nine-furlong affair.

In a race named for one of the great runners bred in the state of Maryland, Post Time exerted his authority over this bunch within a few strides of the Laurel Park lane. Splitting Speedyness and Offaly Cool in mid-stretch, he took off from the leading pair like a shot and sprinted away to the wire.

   

Russell didn’t need to do much after the eruption but gear down the big gray. Post Time cruised home for yet another victory for trainer Brittany Russell, who shares both a last name and a marriage certificate with the winning rider.

Back in 1983, Deputed Testamony proved himself one of America’s top horses with wins in the Preakness Stakes and Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1) for trainer Bill Boniface. An 11-time winner, the son of Traffic Cop was more than just a good state-bred. He could compete and win at the highest level.

Mindframe has been doing much the same with back-to-back Grade 1 victories at Churchill Downs. As for Post Time, he is on the road to proving himself a Maryland-bred of high distinction.

An 11-time winner as well, the $85,000 yearling purchase has won graded stakes in New York and Maryland but to date has yet to break through at the Grade 1 level. He has been close, however.

Last year Post Time took a couple big swings at Saratoga, finishing second in the Met Mile and third in the Whitney Stakes. In his third and most recent try in Grade 1 company, he was a strong, closing second in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

A return engagement for him out at old Del Mar may well be in the cards, but the path taken to arrive there will be decidedly different in 2025. He won an easy one Saturday and will stay now relatively local for at least one more start.

Instead of a return to the Spa for the Whitney, his trainer is pointing Post Time to the $1,000,000 Charles Town Classic (G2) at 1 1/8 miles Aug. 22. It will be the confirmed stretch runner’s first go around the bullring of Charles Town.

Now a stakes winner in each of his four seasons on the track, Post Time has earned $1,363,600 for his owner Ellen Charles of Hillwood Stable. An experienced 5-year-old, he has been well handled with a nice mix of challenges and easier spots.

Having tested the deep waters last season, Post Time has proven he belongs. It will be interesting to see where the popular gray finishes his fourth season. After last year’s good result, another go in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile would seem to make sense.

One thing for sure is they love him in Maryland, and the home fans got to see the local star do his thing. Demonstrating he is going as good as ever, the lord of Laurel Park struck again Saturday.

Read More

Forget the hot dogs and fireworks this July 4 week. Racing's serving up its own American celebration with...
Elite bloodlines and top summer tracks take center stage this week as a stellar collection of first-time starters...
Monday the Supreme Court sent all three cases regarding the constitutionality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act...
She Feels Pretty , winner of the Grade 1 New York Stakes on June 6, fired a four-furlong...
Complexity , a Grade 1-winning son of Maclean's Music, is establishing himself as a young sire worth watching...