Transition Time Wins Arlington Feature

When Transition Time finished eighth in a maiden special weight turf race at Gulfstream Park back in January, jockey Rene Douglas took notice and told Ralph Nicks, assistant to trainer Bill Mott, he wanted a chance to ride the 3-year-old daughter of Dynaformer.

Douglas rode Transition time to a second-place finish her next time out, but had to wait until Sunday for the real payoff, guiding the filly to a neck score over Attico in the Office Wife Stakes. The time was 1:42.89 for the 1 1/16-miles over firm turf.

The win gave Douglas, who captured the Arlington Handicap (gr. III) aboard Falcon Flight and the Modesty Handicap (gr. III) astride England's Legend Saturday, a sweep of the three weekend turf stakes races.

"That day at Gulfstream, she was in trouble the whole way," Douglas said. "The jockey (Edgar Prado) never was able to let her run. I told Ralphie, 'I know you ride (Jerry) Bailey when you can, but there's one filly in your barn that I want to ride.' This was that filly."

Transition Time, who won for the third time in six starts, earned $37,800 for the victory to elevate her bankroll to $75,932 for owner Ronald K. Kirk. The slight second choice in the wagering, Transition Time paid $7.40, $4 and $2.80.

Attico, last at the top of the stretch, rallied wide in the lane to finish a game second, returning $6.60 and $3.40. Bee My Honey was third in the six-horse field and paid $2.60.

(Chart, Equibase)