Some In Tieme Wins 80th Running of $100,000 Louisville Handicap

May 20, 2017 Darren Rogers

Kenny McPeek, trainer of Louisville Handicap (GIII) winner Some in Tieme (Brz). The victory was McPeek's fourth in Churchill Downs' 1 1/2-mile turf test. (Churchill Downs)

Some In Time Inc.’s Brazilian-bred Some in Tieme (Brz) muscled his way into the clear in mid-stretch and ran down pacesetter Reporting Star by three lengths to win Saturday’s 80^th running of the $100,000 Louisville Handicap (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

Some in Tieme, ridden by Manny Cruz and trained by Kenny McPeek, ran 1 ½ miles over a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 2:27.25, narrowly missing Simmard’s 2012 stakes record of 2:27.16.

Reporting Star set the pace for the grass marathon through fractions of :24.33, :50.11, 1:15 and 1:39.89 with Some in Tieme unhurried and relaxed under a snug hold in the early stages. Some in Tieme began to inch closer as the field headed into the final turn while racing along the inside hedge. At the head of the lane, the eventual winner’s path was obstructed on the inside but Cruz made a bold move to swing six-wide and around the competition to keep his horse’s momentum going forward. Some in Tieme drove past Reporting Star inside the eighth pole for the visually impressive victory.

The win was worth $57,660 and improved Some in Tieme’s earnings to $414,299 with a record of 10-4-2-1.

Some in Tieme, a 5-year-old son of Shirocco (Ger) out of the Royal Academy mare Orma Giusta, was bred in Brazil by Haras Santa Maria de Araras.

Some in Tieme, who carried 116 pounds, returned $26.20, $12.80 and $7.40 at odds of 12-1 in the field of a dozen older horses. Reporting Star, under Joe Rocco Jr. and 118 pounds, paid $8.40 and $5.40. Defending champ Bullards Alley, ridden by Marcelino Pedroza at 116 pounds, was another 2 ¼ lengths back in third and paid $10.

Gold Shield, Kaigun, Nessy, Danish Dynaformer, 5-2 favorite and 120-pound high weight Twilight Eclipse, Street Fashion, Patrick’s Day, Grey Wizard and Generous Kitten completed the order of finish.

This was the fourth Louisville Handicap victory for McPeek, who also won the race with Pisces (2002), Drilling for Oil (2007) and War Dancer (2014).

LOUISVILLE HANDICAP QUOTES

MANNY CRUZ, jockey of SOME IN TIEME (BRZ) (winner): “I really like this horse. Kenny (McPeek) had me work him on Sunday and he trained very well. Once we got clear of the traffic, he cruised home.”

ALAN SHELL, assistant trainer of SOME IN TIEME (BRZ) (winner): “After he came over in Brazil, he was running on the west coast and the owners were looking for a change of scenery. It was a very patient ride by Manny (Cruz). He was able to come to Keeneland to get on this horse last Sunday. We’re really happy things worked out.”

JOE ROCCO JR., jockey on REPORTING STAR (second): “He ran big. He got out there on the lead and he was able to slow it down there pretty good. He had quite a bit to finish with, but Kenny’s horse was a bit too much for him today.”

MARCELINO PEDROZA JR., jockey on defending winner BULLARDS ALLEY (third): “It was a pretty good race. It felt like at the half-mile pole that he was going to back-up and finish last, but he kept on going. He’s that kind of horse – he likes to go all the way, farther and farther. He ran a good race.”