Hedge Fund, True Timber knock heads in Sir Barton

WinStar Farm and China Horse Club International Ltd. et.al.’s Hedge Fund, narrowly beaten in the Illinois Derby (G3) last time out, cuts back in class and distance in the $100,000 LARC Sir Barton to benefit the TAA.

 

From the barn of Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, Hedge Fund took command of the 1 1/8-mile Illinois Derby at the quarter pole and held grimly to the lead until behind passed late by Preakness contender Multiplier, losing by a head.

 

It was the second straight graded stakes start for the sophomore son of Pletcher’s 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, tiring to third after setting the pace in the Sunland Derby (G3) March 26. Each of the first two finishers, Hence and Conquest Mo Money, are also running in Saturday’s Preakness.

 

“He put in a good effort last time. It was a tough beat in the Illinois Derby so this hopefully will work out for him,” Pletcher said. “We got a beautiful trip and got everything we wanted. He just kind of missed the bob. Jose Valdivia rode him that day and he said he didn’t really think he saw the horse coming on his outside and just got nailed.”

 

Pletcher initially had Hedge Fund among his early Triple Crown race candidates. The chestnut didn’t debut until mid-December running fifth in a six-furlong maiden special weight, but was impressive winning by four in his subsequent start Feb. 4 on the Fountain of Youth undercard at Gulfstream.

 

“We felt like he was behind schedule a little bit to make the Triple Crown races,” Pletcher said. “He ran credibly at Sunland and we kind of felt like hopefully he can step up into that top tier sometime down the road.”

 

Another horse on the Triple Crown trail, albeit through New York, was Calumet Farm’s True Timber. Another late starter who didn’t race until mid-November, the Mineshaft colt was third in the Jerome (G3) to end his juvenile campaign and second in the Withers (G3) to begin at 3, both at Aqueduct behind highly regarded El Areeb.

 

True Timber prompted the pace before weakening to fifth in the Gotham (G3) and fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial (G2) April 8, giving his connections reason to forego the Triple Crown races and look elsewhere.

 

“He ran very well that day. We were happy with his race. He’s had a couple of nice races and he’s doing well,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “[The Sir Barton] is a restricted stake so we like that, non-winners of an open sweepstakes. He’s doing very well.

 

“We always liked him and we thought distance might help him as he started going further,” he added. “He’s a really nice horse but he just wasn’t quite up to the top horses at that time. But he continues to train well so we’re going to continue to be hopeful. He’s a stakes horse, for sure.”

 

Rounding out the Sir Barton field are Honor the Fleet, a winner of two straight making his stakes debut; Time to Travel and Resiliency, fourth and 10th, respectively, in the Lexington (G3) April 15; Greek Prince, Society Beau, No Mo Dough and Watch Me Whip.

 

 

For the second consecutive year, the Latin American Racing Channel (LARC) will sponsor the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes on Preakness Day, May 20, while also presenting a $30,000 check to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) as part of its continued commitment to the Thoroughbred industry.

 

LARC will also host the 2nd Pan American Conference in Washington, D.C., from May 17-20, in conjunction with The Jockey Club.

 

“We are proud to continue our support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance mission,” said Mario Ascher of LARC. “We are committed to the Thoroughbred industry and the welfare of the horse when they are done racing.”

 

“It is an honor to have LARC continue their race sponsorship of the Sir Barton Stakes on Preakness Day to benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,” added John Phillips, President of the TAA. “For LARC to recognize the importance of the TAA mission as an obligation that protects our sport illustrates how aware and committed LARC is to our long term viability. LARC’s support as an international stakeholder reveals to us that aftercare is a global effort.”