Excellent Timing ran away from the field in the stretch to take the $100,000 Damon Runyon S. by nearly seven lengths Sunday at Aqueduct.
With the 3-year-old’s win, Not This Time now is atop the 2021 Second-Crop Sire list by progeny earnings, as well as by winners, stakes winners and stakes horses.
Excellent Timing showed his customary early turn of foot Sunday, and was left to his own devices as he cruised through a half-mile in :49.19. Up by two lengths coming into the stretch, he drew off under a hand ride and was eased up in the final sixteenth for the official margin of 6 3/4-lengths.
“We had open company on our mind, but this time of year, everyone throws 3-year-olds to the wolves,” said co-owner Michael Dubb. “This horse could have a nice and long career, so we wanted to develop the horse the right way and not get him where he loses interest. We want to get him used to winning. The fact that he’s a Not This Time [colt] gave us the idea that he could stretch out and we do expect the horse will stretch out. We’ll go from there.”
Excellent Timing broke his maiden by a similar margin on Dec. 10 and is now 2-1-0 in three starts. Along with Dubb, he is owned by Madaket Stables LLC and Wonder Stables. He was bred by Sequel Stallions New York LLC and Lakland Farm.