Shocking Win at Home: Post Time Dominates for Russell Duo!

Indeed, you can return to where you started.

Post Time, a horse with a reputable track record of impressive performances in New York, came back to his old stomping grounds on Saturday and seemed thrilled to be back. The distinguished gray dominated his opponents, securing a massive 11 1/2-length win in the Polynesian Stakes at Laurel Park.

Seeking a morale boost for her leading horse, trainer Brittany Russell achieved just that in the listed one-mile stakes race at their local track.

Competing against a notably less challenging group than the million-dollar, Grade 1 races at Saratoga, the 4-year-old progeny of Frosted effortlessly outpaced his overwhelmed competitors in such a manner that it will be difficult to exclude Post Time from another major event in his upcoming outing.

This next challenge could likely be on Nov. 2 at Del Mar, at the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. While no official decisions have been made for Posty, as he’s affectionately known, this race appears to be a very fitting choice for a horse who has clearly outclassed the local field.

Starting as the overwhelming favorite at 1-20 odds under the guidance of the trainer’s husband, jockey Sheldon Russell, Post Time was initially content to trail at the back in the five-horse field.

Upon being prompted for a bit more speed in the one-turn mile, he quickly advanced into contention along the rail.

Temporarily caught in a three-horse clash and squeezed between competitors as they neared the stretch, Russell signaled his mount, and the standout of the race decisively pulled ahead.

Post Time accelerated down the stretch to cross the finish line solo. The final time for the eight-furlong journey on the fast main track at Laurel was 1:36.98.

Previously, in his home state where he was bred, Post Time secured an effortless victory seven months earlier in the seven-furlong, Grade 3 General George Stakes, marking his initial graded-stakes triumph. Following this, he embarked on a journey to New York for a series of graded stakes.

His initial two appearances in the Empire State were at Aqueduct, starting with a victory in the historic Carter Stakes (G2) at seven furlongs. After a close second in the one-mile Westchester Stakes (G3), Post Time continued to Saratoga for two of the most prestigious races for older males in the country.

While he didn’t challenge the winners in either the Met Mile (G1) or the Whitney (G1), he demonstrated in both that he is a contender at the highest level of racing.

In the Met Mile, he rallied to place second to the swift National Treasure. In the Whitney, his initial attempt at nine furlongs, he narrowly missed second place behind the leader Arthur’s Ride.

During these two solid outings at Saratoga, the underappreciated Maryland-bred surpassed numerous established competitors such as White Abarrio, Hoist the Gold, Blazing Sevens, Disarm, Skippylongstocking, National Treasure, First Mission, Bright Future, and Charge It.

The best horse in Maryland by far, Post Time is trained by the state’s top trainer, Brittany Russell. A former assistant to several renowned trainers, Brittany Russell has quickly risen in prominence in the sport.

Operating independently since 2018, the young trainer led Maryland last season in both victories and earnings.

With almost $8 million in prize money in 2023 and 177 victories, Russell was among the top 20 nationally in both categories.

Experiencing similar success this season, she may well be set for a significant autumn campaign led by the finest horse she has ever trained.

In securing his seventh win in as many starts at Laurel, Post Time added $60,000 to his earnings, bringing his total to just under one million at $997,910. Owned by Hillwood Stable’s Ellen Charles, the consistent performer has never finished below third in his career, boasting a record of 13: 9-2-2.

With such a record and renewed confidence following a dominant victory, it would be perfectly logical to expect Post Time at the starting gate for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in seven weeks at Del Mar. If so, the son of Frosted, trained and ridden by the Russells, should certainly not be overlooked.