Full brother to Kentucky Derby winner Orb wins on Gulfstream turf

Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Personal Time, a 4-year-old full brother to 2013 Fountain of Youth (G2), Florida Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb, graduated in his turf debut at Gulfstream Park Sunday.

The son of Malibu Moon-Lady Liberty had run six times on dirt without winning while showing potential by finishing second twice previously over Gulfstream’s main track. The Kentucky-bred colt closed from 10th in a mile maiden race during the 2017-2018 Championship Meet and raced with the pace while running with blinkers for the first time in a seven-furlong maiden race Jan. 3.

“We tried him a couple times on dirt last year as a 3-year-old and I really thought after a couple of his races he could be as good as any of the 3-year-olds – not Justify,” McGaughey said. “He got a bone bruise and that kind of stuff and we gave him some time. Obviously, when we ran him here [Jan. 3] – the mile and a sixteenth race didn’t go – I ran him seven-eighths but he’s just not the sprinter type. He ran good that day.” After breezing well over the turf at Payson Park, McGaughey opted to try Personal Time on turf, and he responded to the switch in surface, closing from last on the backstretch to prevail by a neck. “I wasn’t thinking he was liking it too much going down the backside,” quipped McGaughey, who saddled Code of Honor for a victory in Saturday’s $400,000 Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream. “I think he can run both ways, if they take it off the grass, but I think he’s better on the turf,” he added.