9th-Gulfstream, $54,000, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 2-4, 3yo, 1m, 1:35.97, ft, 5 3/4 lengths.
IN DUE TIME (c, 3, Not This Time–Sweet Sweet Annie, by Curlin), a debut winner in the Monmouth mud July 18, returned from the bench to finish third, beaten 4 1/2 lengths, behind the two-for-two Dean's List (Speightstown) going six furlongs at Gulfstream Jan. 8. In Due Time fired a five-furlong bullet in 1:00 1/5 (1/19) at Palm Meadows Jan. 28 and meant business at an overlooked 10-1 here.
Drawn on the rail, he traveled nicely on the inside in third beneath Paco Lopez as heavily favored 'TDN Rising Star' American Icon (Gun Runner) was hounded through opening fractions of :23.27 and :45.78. In Due Time rolled up four wide approaching the quarter pole as American Icon was already all in. The chestnut took off with authority as they straightened and won going away by an eye-catching 5 3/4 lengths. The Todd Pletcher-trained American Icon held second at 4-5 by 1 1/2 lengths over his stablemate and fellow impressive debut winner Iron Works (Distorted Humor).
“We couldn't have asked for it to set up better, Paco [Lopez] rode a good race and we have a nice horse,” trainer Kelly Breen said. “I don't know if he's a Fountain of Youth, Florida Derby [horse] or what we are going to do with him. All options are open.”
Breen continued, “Our game plan after Monmouth Park was to give him some time. He had a very tough race in his first race. And with time, if he were to be this good, we talked about being on the Derby trail. But in his first race back he didn't win, but he needed the race. We'll see how he comes out of this race, but it was very professional. He did everything right.”
The winner's dam produced a colt by West Coast in 2020 and a colt by American Freedom in 2021. She was bred to West Coast for 2022. Sales history: $9,500 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $35,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $95,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $73,380. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Edge Racing; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Kelly J. Breen.
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