SV Photography
By Sarah Mace
Tic Stables’ Split Time (Take Charge Indy) rallied energetically in the stretch to score a decisive victory over nine rivals in the $75,000 New York Oaks, which was co-featured along with the New York Derby on Saturday afternoon at Finger Lakes.
Coming into the New York Oaks, Split Time had yet to run a poor race for trainer Linda Rice. Second in her unveiling last December 6, the bay followed up with four victories in her next five starts.
Split Time reeled off her first three wins from mid-January to late March, culminating in a half-length score in the Maddie May Stakes on March 24, her stakes debut. Following a brief freshening, the filly finished a solid third in the Bouwerie behind the accomplished Midnight Disguise and English Soul – her main rival in the New York Oaks and fellow co-highweight at 124 pounds. Most recently, on June 16, Split Time made the trip to Laurel Park where she captured the Alma North Stakes after being pinched back at the start.
When the gates opened on the 1 1/6-mile New York Oaks, four fillies vied for the early lead, but 3-2 favorite English Soul won the battle from her advantageous rail post and set the early pace pressed along by local heroine Crashing Connie, winner of the Niagara Stakes on June 18. Split Time, who broke from post six, was content to settle in the second flight in sixth place in the two-path
Two-wide along the backstretch and into the far turn, Split Time appeared to check in the compact field around the quarter pole and lose some ground. The filly regrouped quickly though and fanned out four-wide for the drive.
Up front, after English Soul completed a moderate six furlongs in 1:14.49, she faced a serious challenge from Crashing Connie, who took over a narrow lead in upper stretch.
At this point Split Time was just finding her best stride. She passed three rivals in mid-stretch, then reeled in the new leader just shy of the sixteenth marker. With a driving finish, Split Time hit the wire a two-length winner with her ears pricked.
Crashing Connie and English Soul finished noses apart in second and third, and Indy’s Lady, a two-time Finger Lakes stakes winner, completed the superfecta. Split Time’s final time for the 1 1/6 miles was 1:47 flat. [VIDEO REPLAY]
With the $45,000 winner’s share of the purse, Split Time’s earnings increased to $240,700 and her record improved to five wins a second and a third in seven starts. Second choice at post time, she paid $7.80 to win.
Bred by Sequel Stallions New York and foaled at Sequel’s farm in Hudson, Split Time issues from a familiar New York family. Her winning dam Speed Dating, a $155,000 yearling purchase in 2007, is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner and $693,500-earner Saratoga Snacks.
Speed Dating has an unnamed 2-year-old colt by freshman Sequel stallion Alpha named Bet Alpha, who has not yet started, and a yearling filly by Freud named Afreud of a Storm. The mare has no reported foal this year.
