Drain the Clock Runs Off in Limehouse

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Slam Dunk Racing homebred Drain the Clock ran off in the stretch to convincingly take Saturday’s $75,000 Limehouse Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Drain the Clock broke from post 4 under Edgard Zayas as the 9/5 favorite in the field of seven sophomore colts and settled just outside of Warrior’s Pride, who posted opening fractions of :21.78 and :44.84.

Ranging up to take the lead midway through the far turn, Drain the Clock straightened for home holding a clear advantage that he maintained the length of the stretch.

The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee crossed 7 1/4 lengths clear, completing the 6-furlong fast dirt sprint in 1:10.11.

“It was a pretty smooth trip,” Zayas said. “He broke sharp out of the gate. My only worry was that he was moving a little bit in the gate, but everything worked out really well. I was just trying to keep him in the clear and he did it all.”

Tiger took second by 1 3/4 lengths over Runway Magic, while fourth went to Newyearsblockparty by a nose and a neck in front of Warrior’s Pride and Highway Bound, respectively.

Ocean Ride completed the order of finish.

Willy Boi was scratched from the field restricted to 3-year-olds.

Drain the Clock’s win was his third from 4 career starts, all favored, with his lone defeat coming last out in a Delta Downs stakes when the irons broke mid-race and he lost the rider. The Maclean’s Music colt has now earned $91,170.

“It was really impressive,” Joseph Jr. said. “He impressed me today. He was always highly thought of. He was impressive in his debut. His second win was more workmanlike than impressive. Last time, it was a bit of a mishap. We got him back today and he showed up.”

Drain the Clock returned $5.80 to win, $3.60 to place, and $2.40 to show. Tiger brought back $7 to place and $3.80 to show, while Runway Magic paid $2.80 to show.