Unrivaled nails Trump Era to take the Snow Chief Stakes, Benoit Photo
Santa Anita Park Press
ARCADIA, CA —Unrivaled Time unleashed a furious rally under Armando Ayuso to nip longshot pacesetter Trump Era in the final strides of the $125,000 Snow Chief Stakes presented by City National Bank for California-bred 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles on turf Saturday at Santa Anita.
Sent off the 2-1 the second choice, Unrivaled Time was far back in a strung-out field as 26-1 shot Trump Era and Edwin Maldonado showed the way on the lead. Trump Era set fractions of 23.27, 46.89 and 1:11.59 for six furlongs. Pressing him in second was He’s a Knockout, the 3-2 favorite, who after breaking poorly, pulled Hernandez forward to challenge the leader.
Despite having never raced beyond 6 ½ furlongs, Trump Era looked to still be going strong in the stretch when completing one mile in 1:35.92. But launching his bid down the middle of the course was Unrivaled Time. The colt by Not This Time chewed into Trump Era’s lead and used one final surge to prevail by a head. Trump Era, who is trained by Ryan Hanson, finished three-quarters of a length in front of Ventry Stand (5-1) in third.
Trained by Leonard Powell, Unrivaled Time won in a time of 1:48.04. He is co-owned by breeder Alfred A. Pais and Innergy Racing. In November, Unrivaled Time won the GIII Cecil B. DeMille going one mile on turf at Del Mar. In two previous starts this year, both against open stakes company at one mile on turf, he finished third in the Eddie Logan in January and sixth in the Pasadena in February at Santa Anita.
Unrivaled Time was wearing blinkers for the first time in the Snow Chief. The victory upped his record to 6: 3-0-1 with more than $185,000 in earnings.
Unrivaled Time paid $6.00, $3.40 and $2.40. Trump Era returned $17.00 and $10.60. Ventry Stand, ridden by Antonio Fresu for trainer John Sadler, paid $4.00.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Santa Anita with a nine-race card. First post is 1 p.m. PT.
JOCKEY QUOTES
ARMANDO AYUSO, UNRIVALED TIME, WINNER: “That last half a mile was great, but the first part wasn’t. I wasn’t happy with it. I was a little worried about what was going to happen, because I didn’t want to be too far back. I wanted to break better. I think we just lost a little bit of focus.”
“The horse was great today. He was doing everything professionally. He was getting there. I asked him to be close and he was there. Then in the last half a mile, he had his momentum and ran very nice at the end.
“I think when he gets outside, he’s an even better horse. I never rode him before, but I saw his races. He just did really good. I think he’s going to be better next time, too.”
TRAINER QUOTES
LEONARD POWELL, UNRIVALED TIME, WINNER: “It wasn’t in our plan to be that far back in the beginning of the race. The jockey gathered himself and took his time from there in getting the horse back in the race. At the half, I thought we were making great strides, but then we lost so much ground on the final turn. We went wide. I knew he was going to get there. After his February race, we decided to take a step back with him. Then he got sick in March and we lost a bit of time. At that point, I thought we would point to get ready for the Snow Chief and now we are looking forward to a big Del Mar.”
OWNER QUOTES
ALFRED (SONNY) PAIS, BREEDER/PART OWNER, UNRIVALED TIME, WINNER:“When plans go awry and it still works out. I told Armando, I take back everything I said about you at the half (mile). The plan was to stick pretty close to the three horse (He’s a Knockout), but I think he didn’t break too good. It all worked out. Hopefully he is better next time…Sometimes they have to develop mentally as well as physically. I think we did the right thing. I think we kept enough gas in the tank so if he continues to move forward he will pay dividends in the long run.”
NOTES: The winning owners are Innergy Racing Corp and breeder Alfred Pais.
