Jockey ET Baird is calm, calm and collected on September 10 at Kentucky Downs.
When the horses made their circle in the paddock, it was Baird’s mount, shot 19-1 A timer in $527,150 Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G2T), who looked shaken.
Fingers in a circle, 3-year-old child Trappe Shot gelding is pretty close to Baird, but this is no surprise for the 55-year-old rider.
“I knew him, I rode him (when he) broke his maidenhood,” Baird said. “He just wanted to do it. He wanted to go.”
It was on the track that the two finally met in the middle — and had a job to do against the heavy favorites. Great Invasion .
“I’m not worried about any of them behind my back,” Baird said. “They have to cover the ground that I own. I just ride my horse and whatever happens, happens.”
The pair wasted no time in showing off their abilities, quickly making their way to the front out of the gate. Apparently on the first call, the One Timer threw down the splits of :21.64 and :45:04 in the 6 1/2-furlong race.
Next in second place is Run Curtis Run led by Ricardo Santana Jr., who put pressure on the leader for the entire race but couldn’t come close enough. Big Invasion is also unrivalled, slow to gear and only making a late rally in the final match.
In turn, it was clear that the race was Baird and One Timer to lose.
They crossed the first rope in 1:14.59, 4 1/2 longer than the runner-up. One Timer returned $41.94 to win with a $2 stake.
“He broke really well, and I was able to open a couple of passages. He just had high airspeed, he was really comfortable when he got to the bend, his ears were pricked, he did it. very easy,” Baird said.
“He was in the whole battle; he wanted to run. He was comfortable enough… when I asked him, he just relapsed.”
Jockey ET Baird after defeating Franklin-Simpson
Run Curtis Run holds second place and Big Invasion comes in third.
Bred in Kentucky by St. Simon Place, One Timer increased its earnings to $577,113 for its owners Patricia’s Hope and Richard Ravin. His record improved to 5-1-0 after eight starts.
Having spent most of the past few months crisscrossing different routes driving, Baird, a Chicago native, said he’s always grateful to see it pay off.
“I’m a man without a home. I’m a nomad. I’ve ridden in St. Louis, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New York, Texas; I’ve done it all,” Baird said.
Longtime driver at Arlington International Racecourse and Hawthorne Park decided to branch out after Arlington closed earlier this year.
He says he has had only a handful of wins at the Kentucky Downs rugby.
“The people I’m walking down the street with are people I’ve ridden in Chicago, they have nice horses,” Baird said.
One Timer is the only runner among Blame mare Spanish star . Dam also has a 2-year-old child Tapwrit colt name Pasa Doblea longing Interrogation dirty, and give up a Spinning candy dirty this year. She was bred again Necessary quality for the 2023 season.
Gelding was a $21,000 purchase for Vincent Foglia from Machmer Hall Sales for the October 2020 Fasig-Tipton Sale.
Video: Franklin-Simpson S. (G2T)
