BC Dirt Mile Contender Post Time has the final MD training

Everything remains on track for the Maryland-raised and resident multiple graded stakes winner from Hillwood Stable Post time after his final local practice on October 19th before a scheduled start in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on November 2nd Del Mar.

With assistant trainer and exercise rider Emma Wolfe on board, Post Time ran four furlongs in :49 3/5 around the main track at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Maryland, finishing eighth fastest out of 34 horses.

It was the third effort for the 4-year-old Post Time since his dominant 11 1/2-length win in the Polynesian over a mile on Sept. 14 Laurel Parkwhere trainer Brittany Russell is based.

“He ran well. He ran a half mile in :49 and change and did very well,” Russell said. “It was quiet and good, and that’s what we’re looking for. Day after day everything goes the way we need it to.”

Post Time, Maryland’s 2022 champion 2-year-old, won his first career stakes in the Maryland Juvenile Stakes in the fall and picked up his first graded stakes win in the General George Stakes (G3) on Feb. 17, both sprinting seven furlongs at Laurel , followed by a win in the Carter Stakes (G2) on April 6 Aqueduct race track.

Never worse than third in 13 starts, nine of them wins, Post Time finished second in the Westchester Stakes (G3) and Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and third in the 1 1/8-mile Whitney Stakes (G1) on August 3 Saratoga Race Trackhis debut in two rounds. In Del Mar, one-mile races are held in two corners.

“We are all very focused at the moment. We’re trying to keep everything going and keep going day by day,” Russell said. “Since we are leaving for a few days, we have a lot of things to take care of. Everyone is very focused, everyone is doing well. Obviously we’re all very excited. We’re looking forward to it.”

Accompanied by Wolfe, Post Time is scheduled to leave Newark, New Jersey for California on October 23rd. The rest of the team, including Hillwood’s Ellen Charles, Russell and her husband, jockey Sheldon Russell, who will compete in the Dirt Mile, are scheduled to stop by on October 30th.

“Emma will travel with him and be out there with him,” Russell said. “He’ll be flying mid-week so he’ll get a jump around the circuit. Emma will let him fly like a solo half and let him gallop out. The main work is now done. There will only be some maintenance work to be done this week.” Let him feel the track and everything beforehand.

After three races at both 2 and 3, Post Time has competed seven times this year, starting with a season-opening 6 1/2 length victory in the one-mile Jennings Stakes against Maryland-bred/sired horses on Jan. 28 at Laurel . With cash earnings of $997,910, he is less than $3,000 away from becoming a millionaire.

Post Time would be Charles’ second millionaire, after the retired 3rd grade winner Cable maker ($1,004,380) and the first for Russell. He has already surpassed their previous top horse, the retired filly Hello Beautiful, who was bred by Charles.

“As long as he’s healthy, he’s a horse that thrives in racing,” Russell said. “We’re all really lucky to be in the world of Post Time.”

This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse staff.