One hour after visiting the winner's circle with Beholder, owner B. Wayne Hughes, trainer Richard Mandella, and jockey Garret Gomez were right back in the Santa Anita Park winner's enclosure with Jimmy Creed , winner of the $150,250 Potrero Grande Stakes (gr. II) April 6 (VIDEO).
Racing for the first time since taking the Dec. 26 Malibu Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita, Jimmy Creed, a 4-year-old colt Distorted Humor colt, won his fourth race lifetime from eight starts and increased his bankroll to $403,000.
Sent off as the 6-5 favorite despite the three-month layoff, Jimmy Creed was raring to go from the outside gate against five opponents. When second-choice Comma to the Top left fast from the inside post, Gomez glued Jimmy Creed to his outside flank three-quarters of a length off him. Comma to the Top sped through an opening quarter mile in :22.17 and half mile in :44.78, which would cost him.
"Richard told me to let him out of the gate and let him be happy and see what happens," said Gomez. "He traveled beautifully. He made the lead earlier than I wanted but he put his head down and did what he was supposed to do."
Added Mandella, "It looked like it was meant to be. He had a perfect trip. He missed some time with a cough, and now we'll look at the Met Mile (gr. I) or the Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II)."
Gomez made his move on the bend for home in the 6 1/2-furlong contest and Jimmy Creed responded, getting on even terms with Comma to the Top in just a few jumps. Turning for him the winner had wrested away the lead as Comma to the Top began fading.
Unbridled's Note and Apriority took up the chase as Jimmy Creed flashed through six furlongs in 1:08.72. Although they closed as a team resolutely, they were never going to get to the leader, who stopped the timer in 1:15.03 and was three-quarters of a length clear of Unbridled's Note. Apriority was third, followed by Comma to the Top, Camp Victory, and Second City. Haverhill and Italian Rules were scratched.
Jimmy Creed, owned by Hughes' Spendthrift Farm, is out of the grade I-winning Citidancer mare Hookedonthefeelin. He was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.
Jimmy Creed paid $4.40, $2.80, and $2.40. Unbridled's Note returned $3.40 and $2.80, with Apriority good for $3.80. A $2 exacta ticket returned $14.80.