Drain the Clock rolls to dominant victory in Swale
Drain the Clock left as the heavy favorite and did not disappoint in the $100,000 Swale Stakes (G3), using a strong stretch run for a dominant victory at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
“I’m very impressed,” said winning jockey Edgard Zayas. “He’s improving every race. Such an easy horse to ride, he breaks out of the gate like a rocket and positions himself in a perfect spot and when it’s time to run he kicks on really good.”
Running for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., Drain the Clock broke well in a field of six 3-year-olds and settled into second place behind Poppy’s Pride.
Those two dueled with Poppy’s Pride setting fractions of 22.48, 45.27 and 1:10.27.
When they entered the turn in the seven-furlong race, Poppy’s Pride, a Khozan colt trained by Michael Yates, remained on the lead. As they exited, he was fading to a fifth, with Drain the Clock out in front and rapidly increasing the margin.
The Maclean’s Music colt extended his lead down the stretch to score by 6 1/4-lengths in a final time of 1:23.29. Two entries from trainer Dale Romans, King’s Ovation and Ultimate Badger, checked in second and third, respectively.
Out of Manki, by Arch, Drain the Clock earned his second consecutive win with the effort following his 7 1/2-length romp in the Limehouse at Gulfstream on Jan. 2. In five starts, his only defeat came when he lost Heriberto Figueroa in the Nov. 30 Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs.
“I think he’s maturing a lot,” said Zayas, who piloted Drain the Clock to his Limehouse. “He’s running way more straight and way more focused."
Drain the Clock, who paid $4.20 as the even-money favorite, is owned by Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder STables and Michael Nentwig.
After the race, Joseph said in a Gulfstream press release that the Fountain of Youth (G2) on Feb. 27 will be considered as a possible next race for the victorious colt.
“Everything will be under consideration. We’ll talk to the owners, obviously, but there’s no pressure to push that route. If everything goes good, I’m sure we’ll try it,” Joseph said. “He looks like he’ll get further.”