Photo: patlangphoto.com
Michael Dubb and High Grade Racing Stable’s Silver Timber went into Keeneland’s Grade 3 Woodford Stakes on Saturday with – at least for him this year – a rare two-race win-drought after his last two starts. At the conclusion of the 5 ½-furlong turf contest, the grey son of former New York sire Prime Timber had made full amends, forging to the lead of the 11-horse field to get his third Grade 3 victory of the year.
Silver Timber’s “win-drought,” following a storm of three consecutive (and two graded) wins to start his seven-year-old campaign, involved a second in the John McSorley Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 11th after a poor trip, and a fifth-place finish (by only 2 ¼ lengths) in the Troy Stakes at Saratoga on August 18th, when he was mired in traffic. Otherwise the grey gelding has been nothing less than spectacular since being claimed in April 2009 from Invictus Farm and trainer Linda Rice for $25,000 and transferred to the barn of Chad Brown. His six post-claim victories includ the Grade 3 Jaipur and Woodford Stakes in 2009, followed by a second to Cannonball in the Commentator Stakes for state-breds, and a competitive sixth-place finish in the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint. In 2010, after a five-month freshening, he won Keeneland’s Grade 3 Shakertown Stakes, Churchill Downs’ Grade 3 Turf Sprint Stakes in course-record time and (spotting the rest of the field 6-8 pounds) the Wolf Hill Stakes at Monmouth Park on June 5th.
Photo: patlangphoto.com
On Saturday Silver Timber went to post six as the 124 pound high weight (giving the rest of the field 2-8 pounds) with Julien Leparoux in the irons — a jockey who knows him well after having had the call in five prior races including all three earlier Grade 3 scores. The pair was third choice in the wagering behind favorite California Flag (who finished last) and fourth-place finisher Chamberlain Bride (winner of the 2009 renewal of the Woodford).
After the break, Central City, California Flag and New York-bred Fiddlers Patriot formed the vanguard, while Silver Timber raced in seventh, but well within striking distance, only about four lengths from the lead. With the first quarter and half going in a hot 21.67 and 44.44, as the field hit the top of the stretch Silver Timber angled out and found a clear path to close. He collared the new front-runner (after California Flag faded in the drive) and eventual runner-up Central City in the final stages to go on to a ½-length victory, completing the 4 ½-furlongs in a sharp 1:02:30 over the firm grass. Next stop for the grey will be the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on November 6 at Churchill Downs, where he set a course record in the spring. [VIDEO]
Photo: patlangphoto.com
The second Woodford Stakes win (and fifth graded victory) improves Silver Timber’s career record to 13-4-5 from 36 starts and increases his purse earnings to $677,619. Bred and foaled by Sez Who Thoroughbreds, Silver Timber was purchased by Linda Rice as a two-year-old for $110,000 at OBS April.
Photo: patlangphoto.com
His dam, multiple-winner River Princess (Alwuhush), has produced four winners from four starters, including New York-bred Cracovia (Action this Day), who is Grade 3 placed in Peru, and black type-placed Inrightclassitime (Straight Man). River Princess was purchased by New Dawn Stud at the 2000 Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale for $30,000. His sire, Prime Timber, stood at Sez Who North from 2007-2009.
