Post Time coasts to victory. (Jerry Dzierwinski/TMC)
Reigning Maryland-bred Horse of the Year unbeaten from ten starts at Laurel Park
Dan Illman/Laurel Park
LAUREL, MD—Reigning Maryland-bred Horse of the Year Post Time remained unbeaten from ten starts at Laurel Park after a devastating 17-length victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Polynesian Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile.
Post Time only faced two others in the Polynesian after Inveigled and Light the Way scratched, and he left them in the wake of his brilliance.
Sent away the 1-20 favorite under jockey Sheldon Russell, Post Time ($2.10) found himself a bit closer to the pace than usual as stretch-out sprinter Northern Flame set fractions of 24.20 and 47.76 over the sealed, muddy track.
Post Time handled the wet going with aplomb, and he breezed to the lead midway on the far turn. From there, it was merely a race against the clock, and Post Time stopped the teletimer in 1:37.23.
Northern Flame finished second with Awesome Ruta another fourteen lengths behind in third. Both received full marks for bravery, however, simply by agreeing to meet Post Time on his home turf.
“He’s really good here,” Russell said. “I’ve always believed that there’s a big one there. There’s something special there. He hit the front way too soon, but there’s only so much I can pull him back. That’s where I think he thrives because when you put him in those big races, they go those sprint speeds, and he sort of creeps into the race. We went 47 and a piece, and he was running through the bridle.”
Although Post Time appeared the consummate professional in the walk-over from the barn area, and barely turned a hair in the paddock, the 5-year-old gray son of Frosted tends to get ornery under tack. Once again, he was excused from the post parade and taken immediately to the gate.
“The mile chute is such a plus for him because when we come out of the paddock, I go right and he doesn’t get to see the gates.”
Trained by Sheldon’s wife, Brittany, Post Time enjoyed a very successful 2024 campaign, winning Aqueduct’s Grade 2 Carter Handicap and Laurel’s Grade 3 General George Stakes, and placing in Grade 1 races such as the Whitney Stakes and Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga, and the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar.
He prepped for the Breeders’ Cup with a similarly impressive performance in last year’s Polynesian, scoring by 13 ¼ lengths as the heavy favorite.
This year, however, Brittany Russell isn’t sure whether her stable star will travel to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup.
“We’ve had a little bit of a different year this year with him,” she said. “The division is really tough. I think we’re going to go back to the drawing board and see what’s around. Maybe look in New York. There’s plenty of options around. Hopefully, it’s another stepping-stone into another big one.”
Brittany Russell believes that proper spacing between races is key to Post Time’s success and longevity.
“He needs four weeks, five weeks, something like that [between races],” she stated. “I think that’s why he’s running now and running well. We certainly won’t change that.”
Bred by Dr and Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Dr. Brooke Bowman, and Milton Higgins III, Post Time was purchased by Mrs. Ellen Charles’s Hillwood Stable for $85,000 as a yearling.
After crediting Brittany and Sheldon Russell, assistant trainer Emma Wolfe, and their entire operation, Charles described her feelings watching Post Time strut his stuff.
“I don’t actually cry, but I get the feeling when you think you’re going to cry,” Mrs. Charles said. “You know, greatness, and I think you can say he’s certainly a level of greatness, really brings tears to your eyes. It’s so exciting, these animals of ours, with a human being on their back, can do what they can do.”
“Winning ten races ever is a big deal,” Brittany Russell said. “Winning races is a big deal. It’s huge for us. He’s a big time in Maryland. He has a lot of fans here and we love bringing him home, so it’s really special.”
Post Time now boasts a record of 12 wins from 20 starts for lifetime earnings of $1,431,100. The 2025 Polynesian was his eighth stakes victory.
Around the track … … …. …..
Live racing resumes on Friday with a nine-race card. The first post time is 12:10 ET, and there are two “Value Pick 5” wagers with a low 12% takeout rate. There is a $37,265 carryover into the Early “Value Pick 5” (Races 1-5)…
There’s still time to register for the “Charm City Pick 5 Challenge,” a free online handicapping contest. Select the winner in the final five races each day during the Laurel Park fall meet to win cash prizes. Learn more at charmcitypick5.com…
On Saturday, September 13, Laurel Park hosts the “Turf Festival,” featuring three $100,000 stakes races on turf…
Reserve your spot for our weekly “Bubbly Brunch Sundays” at Laurel Park. Kick back with friends over delicious brunch favorites and bottomless mimosas in our vibrant Stone Bar Restaurant and Bar. Sunday Brunch begins at 11:00 am and the event runs through the final live race…
Tickets are available for “Cigars on the Rail,” presented by WBAL NewsRadio 1050 AM. Enjoy premium cigars, an open bar, a trackside luncheon, and great live horse racing on Saturday, September 20, between noon and 5 pm. Learn more at laurelpark.com/cigarsontherail
