TRUE TIMBER RELISHES THE SLOP IN CIGAR MILE ROMP
True Timber (Mineshaft) has been knocking at the door of a Grade I win throughout his career, including in-the-money finishes in the last two renewals of the GI Cigar Mile H. The Calumet Farm runner broke through at the highest level in a big way at Aqueduct Saturday, romping in the mud to take this year's edition of the prestigious Cigar Mile.
With his last victory coming in a Belmont optional claimer in September of 2018, True Timber was overlooked at 7-1 in this event, which lost three contenders Saturday morning due to track condition, including second-choice Firenze Fire (Poseidon's Warrior). Racing two-wide, the bay stalked from third as come- backing sophomore King Guillermo (Uncle Mo) and hard- knocking New York-bred Mr. Buff (Friend Or Foe) battled through a :22.89 first quarter. Mr. Buff edged ahead of his younger foe through a half in :45.82 with True Timber maintaining his position in third and favored Performer (Speightstown) trailing the field.
Ranging up outside the top two approaching the far turn, True Timber turned for home in front and splashed clear of the field in the lane under confident handling from Kendrick Carmouche to pull off the upset by 5 1/2 lengths. Snapper Sinclair (City Zip), a 13-1 shot, completed the exacta and Performer got up for third.
VARDA STEALS THE SHOW IN THE STARLET
Bob Baffert was favored to win his fourth straight renewal of the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Saturday...just with a different horse. Grade I-winning TDN Rising Star' Princess Noor (Not This Time) was favored to rebound off a fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 6, but instead was pulled up and her stablemate Varda (Distorted Humor) took up the baton, springing a 17-1 upset. It was also the fourth consecutive Starlet victory for winning pilot Drayden Van Dyke and the second for Susan and Charlie Chu's Baoma Corporation, which campaigned last year's victress Bast (Uncle Mo).
Purchased by Donato Lanni for $700,000 at the delayed OBS April Sale after breezing in a sharp :20 4/5, Varda was a decisive debut winner going six panels at Del Mar Aug. 30. She was a well-beaten second behind Princess Noor in the GII Chandelier S. going two turns at Santa Anita last time Sept. 26. Cont. p5
TODAY’S GRADED STAKES
1:30a Champions Cup-G1, CKO
