Drain the Clock to Make Graded Debut in Swale Stakes

Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, and Michael Nentwig's Drain the Clock will make his graded stakes debut Jan. 30 in the $100,000 Claiborne Farm Swale Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Although also nominated to the $200,000 Holy Bull (G3)—the 1 1/16-mile Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) prep that will headline Saturday's 12-race program with five graded stakes—Drain the Clock will seek to remain undefeated in South Florida in the seven-furlong undercard feature for sophomores.

Drain the Clock captured his Sept. 12 debut in a five-furlong off-the-turf maiden special weight race at Gulfstream before winning a first-level allowance optional claiming at six furlongs at Gulfstream Park West Oct. 28. The son of Maclean's Music  was favored to win the Nov. 30 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs but unseated his rider when a rein broke during the race.

The Joseph trainee rebounded in a big way at Gulfstream Park Jan. 2, winning the six-furlong Limehouse Stakes by 7 1/2 lengths.

"His last race was a breakthrough race. We always thought a lot of him," Joseph said. "First time out he showed that he could relax. Second time out was more workmanlike. Third time out everything went wrong. To see him come back like that was more impressive than we could have imagined. It was satisfying to see him win like that." 

For now, Joseph isn't ruling out a future stretch-out to two turns for Drain the Clock.

"It's definitely in the back of our minds," Joseph said. "We just want to take it step by step. The owners are very realistic. They're not going to get Derby Fever. They want to do what is right by the horse." 

Edgard Zayas, who has been aboard Drain the Clock for two of his three victories, has the return mount from post 5. 

Facing off against Drain the Clock will be Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable, and Stonestreet Stables Likeable, who will cut back in distance for the Swale after finishing far back in the 1 1/16-mile TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) at Keeneland after pressing a solid early pace.

"We kind of threw him to the wolves in the Breeders' Cup," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "He went too fast early on. We've regrouped since then, and he's been training well. We feel like backing up to seven furlongs will be a good distance for him." 

The son of Frosted  finished second in a photo finish in his debut Aug. 22 at Saratoga Race Course before taking a one-turn mile race at Belmont Park by more than eight lengths. Luis Saez has the call aboard Likeable from the rail.

Jump Sucker Stable, Claiborne Farm, and Adele Dilschneider's By George will make only his second career start in the Swale, following his 5 1/4-length maiden romp at Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 19. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call aboard the Christophe Clement-trained son of Into Mischief . The pair will leave from the outside post 6.

By George is the 2-1 morning-line favorite.

Stonehedge homebred Poppy's Pride will seek his fifth straight stakes victory Saturday. The son of Khozan —who is eligible for a $25,000 win-only bonus offered to Florida Sire Stakes-eligible runners—came off a maiden victory to capture the off-the-turf Armed Forces Stakes at Gulfstream, the Juvenile Sprint Stakes for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park West, and the Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs Dec. 5.

Jim Bakke and Gerry Isbister's Ultimate Badger and West Point Thoroughbreds and Peacock Stable's King's Ovation complete the field for the Swale.

Entries: Claiborne Farm Swale S. (G3)

Gulfstream Park, Saturday, January 30, 2021, Race 6

• Grade III
• 7f
• Dirt
• $100,000
• 3 yo
• 2:10 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Likeable (KY)	Luis Saez	118	Todd A. Pletcher	3/1
2	2King's Ovation (KY)	Corey J. Lanerie	118	Dale L. Romans	12/1
3	3Ultimate Badger (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	120	Dale L. Romans	10/1
4	4Poppy's Pride (FL)	Jesus M. Rios	120	Michael Yates	4/1
5	5Drain the Clock (KY)	Edgard J. Zayas	120	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	5/2
6	6By George (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	118	Christophe Clement	2/1