One Timer Goes Top Shelf In Victoria

TORONTO, ON – One Timer, under E.T. Baird, made it 2 impressive wins in a row, this time in the $125,000 Victoria Stakes on Saturday afternoon at Woodbine.

After dismantling his rivals to the tune of 12 1/2 lengths in his 5-furlong debut at Arlington Park on June 26, One Timer delivered another outstanding performance, overpowering his rivals in the 5 1/2-furlong Tapeta event for 2-year-olds. 

Sent off as the 3/5 choice, One Timer, trained by Larry Rivelli for owners Richard Ravin and Patricia’s Hope LLC, engaged Feelthebeat on the front end as soon as the gates opened. The pair were well in front of their five rivals as they took the field through an opening 1/4-mile in :22.11.

The two continued their front-end tussle, but Baird and the son of Trappe Shot found another gear as they straightened for home and then easily widened their advantage down the lane.

One Timer, 5 lengths ahead at the stretch call, crossed the wire 3 3/4 lengths ahead of Twenty Four Mamba. Concealed Carry was third and Summer Sunset rallied to secure fourth.

The final time was 1:03.33.

“He’s still not really comfortable being in there (the starting gate),” offered Baird. “I think that’s going to come with time. He’s anxious… he wants to go. He just doesn’t have patience for standing still for very long.”

Although it was another decisive score on Saturday, the veteran rider wasn’t feeling confident in the minutes leading up to the Victoria.

“To be honest, I wasn’t feeling really good in the post parade because he was getting awfully shook up. But you have to take into consideration that he shipped up here, he’s at a different racetrack, and he’s never seen it. That being said, I think he did a great job. He’s a really, really nice horse. He’s got a high cruising speed.” 

One Timer, bred in Kentucky by St. Simon Place LLC, returned $3.20 to win. Mowins was scratched.