Jockey J. G. Torrealba wins three races
LAUREL, MD—Twenty-two years ago, trainer Jimmy Toner saddled Ellie’s Moment, a homebred daughter of Kris S. owned by Joan and John Phillips’s Phillips Racing Partnership, to a 6 ½ length victory in Aqueduct’s Rare Treat Handicap
Nine years ago, Toner and the Phillips tasted Grade 1 glory when Ellie’s Moment’s daughter, Time and Motion, rallied from off the pace under John Velazquez to take the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland.
Perhaps lightning will strike again for the connections after Tideoftime, Time and Motion’s second starter, worked out a perfect trip under jockey Jorge Ruiz to win her career debut in Sunday’s featured fifth race at Laurel Park, a $47,000 maiden special weight for juvenile fillies at one mile on turf.
“She’s been training very well,” Toner said in the winner’s circle. “She’s got a lot of class. She reminds me a little bit of her mother. Hopefully, she can follow in her footsteps. Off of this, it looks pretty good. We’re really excited about having her run like that.”
Ruiz avoided trouble when Lucky Esther took the first turn poorly, forcing Only Maria, Lendalfoot, and Palpitations wide in the process. Tideoftime saved valuable ground in midpack entering the backstretch, then snuck into prime pocket position as pacesetting favorite Coach Mazzula set very reasonable fractions of 24.70 and 49.75 seconds.
Coach Mazzula stole away from pace-prompting Lendalfoot after six furlongs in 1:14.56, but Ruiz eased Tideoftime off the inside at the head of the stretch. Tideoftime split Coach Mazzula and a three-wide Siouxse, and dug in gamely to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:37.66 over the firm Dahlia Turf Course.
Siouxse, previously a good fourth in her debut sprinting at Saratoga, finished second with Coach Mazzula another three-quarters of a length back in third. Then came Lendalfoot, Lucky Esther, Iamdependingonyou, Only Maria, Band On the Run, Palpitations, and Subtle Twist.
Tideoftime returned $9 to win. Take Home Gold, Uncatchable, and Cafe Embrace scratched.
“Since [we got her], she’s done everything we’ve asked her to do,” Toner said. “We couldn’t be happier.”
Tideoftime is by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Mendelssohn, who went on to finish second in the Grade 1 Travers, and third in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on dirt.
*Jockey J. G. Torrealba wins three races
Jockey J. G. Torrealba notched a natural triple by winning the sixth through eighth races on the program.
Torrealba’s run began with Caddiemaster ($7.60) in a $12,500 maiden claimer at one mile on dirt for trainer Horacio De Paz.
A half-hour later, Torrealba was back in the winner’s circle after favored Where’s Ray ($3.40) split rivals to take a $20,000 starter-optional claimer at 5 ½ furlongs on turf for trainer Tim Salzman.
Finally, Torrealba settled Don’t Wait Up ($14.40) into a fine pace-tracking position behind an early battle before pouncing to take a $20,000 starter-optional claimer at seven furlongs.
After the three-win day, Torrealba moved into fourth place in the jockey standings behind Yedsit Hazlewood, Jorge Ruiz, and Jevian Toledo.
*Around the track:
Live racing resumes on Friday with a ten-race program. The first post time is 12:10 p.m. ET, and there are two “Value Pick 5” wagers (first five races; last five races), each with a low 12% takeout rate…Enjoy Sunday brunch at the track with Laurel Park’s weekly “Bubbly Brunch Sundays.” Kick back with friends over delicious brunch favorites and bottomless mimosas in our vibrant Stone Bar Restaurant and Bar…Join us on the Trackside Apron at Laurel Park on Saturday, Oct. 25, as we present the “Craft Beer Festival.” Enjoy the flavors of the area’s best local brewers between noon and 4 p.m. For more information, click here.
