The 3rd Running of Time To Leave Stakes – $70,000 Added
Video Provided By: Hollywoodracetrack Heavily-favored Teddy’s Promise toyed with six rivals Sunday at Betfair Hollywood Park en route to a second consecutive victory in the $85,450 Time To Leave Stakes. After sitting behind the pace set by Magical Band and Hidinginplainsight, Teddy’s Promise found room along the inside approaching the stretch, quickly burst to the front and was geared down at the finish by jockey Victor Espinoza. In winning by 4 ¼ lengths, Teddy’s Promise, who carried top weight of 124 pounds, completed the five furlongs over Cushion Track in 56.80 seconds. Scratched from the $125,000 B. Thoughtful Stakes April 27 due to a minor bruise to her left front foot, the California bred mare certainly looked in perfect health Sunday for owner-breeders Ted and Judy Nichols and trainer Ron Ellis. The win was the ninth in 23 starts for the 5-year-old daughter of Salt Lake and the Capote mare Braids and Beads and increased her bankroll to $720,991. Five of Teddy’s Promise’s victories have come in nine races over the Betfair Hollywood Park main track. In her first outing since finishing second behind Rumor in the Grade III Las Flores Stakes March 10 at Santa Anita, Teddy’s Promise paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10 as the 2-5 choice. “She’s relaxing and getting a lot more consistent than last year,” said Ellis, who is five wins away from 1,000 in his career. “She’s really matured. We’re pretty excited about her. “I don’t know about the ($70,000) Desert Stormer (at six furlongs June 16). Her main goal is the ($200,000, Grade II) A Gleam Handicap (July 13). That’s a ‘Win and You’re In’ race for the Breeders’ Cup (Filly and Mare Sprint Nov. 1 at Santa Anita).”
