Southern California Invader Game Time Goes Gate To Wire In at Golden Gate Fields (Vassar Photography)
Matt Dinnerman/Golden Gate Fields
BERKELEY, Calif.—3-year-old colt Game Time shipped in from Southern California for trainer John Sadler and made short work of the competition in Sunday’s feature race at Golden Gate Fields, the $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf. With the Alcatraz win, Game Time picked up his first career stakes trophy.
Sent to the lead by local jockey Armando Ayuso, Game Time set fractions of 23.09, 47.38, and 1:11.70, with a clear lead throughout, and turned into the final stretch run with a still-comfortable advantage. Game Time finished the race strongly and hit the wire two lengths ahead of runner up finisher Cousin Richie while stopping the clock for one mile over firm turf in 1:36.41. California Derby winner Prince Abu Dhabi raced at the back of the field early, made up ground down the stretch and hit the wire third home, beaten a neck by Cousin Richie for second. Phosphorescence was next in fourth, with Passarando finishing fifth.
Sent off as the 3-5 post time favorite, Game Time paid $3.40 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Cousin Richie, the longest shot in the field at 16-1, returned $6.40 to place and $3.00 to show. 2-1 second favorite Prince Abu Dhabi paid $2.10 to show.
With the Alcatraz Stakes triumph, Game Time improved his race record to 2 wins and 3 second place finishes from 8 lifetime starts. Game Time earned $45,000 on Sunday and increased his career earnings to $150,100. Game Time, a son of Not This Time purchased for $290,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling sale, was bred in Kentucky by Dermot Joyce. Hronis Racing LLC owns the dark bay or brown colt.
