Winners of Chicago`s top 2-year-old races completed their sweep of the Breeders` Cup freshmen events when undefeated Gilded Time dug in during the stretch drive to take the Juvenile. The efforts will almost certainly cap off Eclipse Award-winning campaigns.
The Arlington-Washington Futurity winner scored a gritty three-quarter-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race, his first at a distance longer than a mile, and his first around two turns.
”He was a bit rank going into the turn, but the position he got was excellent,” said trainer Darrell Vienna. ”(Jockey) Chris (McCarron) did an excellent job. He gave him room. I think it is just Chris` normal thing to get him out and give your horse a shot in the race.
”I know we had to give up a little ground to do that, but this horse has never hesitated to get the job done. He`s made a lot of promises, and kept them all.”
More than five lengths off the early pace, Gilded Time kept much closer tabs on the leaders after a half-mile, making his move entering the stretch. Though brushed several times by River Special in the lane, the favorite maintained his concentration and determination. He paid $6 for a driving victory.
In the spirit of the ninth annual Breeders` Cup, which saw only the Distaff fail to tie or break a speed record, Gilded Time matched the Juvenile mark of 1:43 2/5.
River Special, who made the lead soon after six furlongs, gamely dug in against the winner`s assault, but relented and finished third.
It`sali`lknownfact was second.