Annals of Time rallies to earn first stakes win in Hollywood Derby

Annals of Time found a seam in the stretch and closed boldly to win going away in Saturday’s $300,000 Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar, notching his first stakes victory with a 1 ½-length decision in the 1 1/8-mile turf affair for 3-year-olds.

Javier Castellano had the mount on the Chad Brown-trained colt, who was making only his third start of the season, and Annals of Time left the starting gate as the 5-1 fourth choice among 12 runners. Owned by Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence, the winner was exiting a third-place finish in the October 8 Hill Prince (G3) at Belmont Park.

A bay son of Temple City, Annals of Time captured his career debut on Aqueduct’s turf in November 2015. He wasn’t seen again until early September, returning with a head second in a Saratoga turf allowance, and he finished third behind stablemates Camelot Kitten and Beach Patrol in the aforementioned Hill Prince.

The up-and-coming sophomore exacted a measure of revenge on Saturday, overhauling runner-up and 7-2 second choice Beach Patrol in the stretch. Camelot Kitten checked in seventh as the slight 7-2 favorite.

Brown and Castellano recorded their first stakes wins at Del Mar, which will host the 2017 Breeders’ Cup.

Annals of Time rated toward the rear of the pack, about seven lengths back in 10^th as the field made its way down the backstretch. Blackjackcat showed the way through the opening mile, establishing splits in :23.83, :47.81, 1:12.03 and 1:36.21 before throwing in the towel.

After advancing along the inside on the far turn, Annals of Time swung a couple of paths out in traffic while straightening for home full of run. Castellano guided his mount between rivals in midstretch and Annals of Time accelerated quickly into contention, striking the front in the final sixteenth of a mile.

He stopped the teletimer in 1:47.73 over the firm turf.

Bred in Kentucky by Monticule, Annals in Time was purchased for $80,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling. He’s out of the winning Distant View mare Lemon Haze and counts the stakes-winning filly Sharp Sally as a half-sister. This is the female family of Grade 1 winners Hollywood Story and Seattle Fitz.

Hollywood Derby Quotes:

JAVIER CASTELLANO (Annals of Time, winner): “I tried to save ground as much as I could. I was covered up for most of the way. I give Mr. Brown (trainer Chad Brown) all the credit for shipping out a young horse like this – a horse making only his fourth start – and shipping him to the west coast and having him ready to run a race like this. He was powerful. When I asked him in the stretch he put in a powerful kick. Very strong; very impressive. And he galloped out strong and straight. Distance will be no problem with him.”

FLORENT GEROUX (Beach Patrol, second): “I had a very good trip; right where I wanted to be. My horse ran well, but the winner was best. He’s a nice horse.”

MARIO GUTIERREZ (Frank Conversation, third): “A good trip for him. And a good try.”

VICTOR ESPINOZA (Hayabusa One, fourth): “My trip was good and he gave it a good try. I think this one wants to run farther.”

CHERIE DE VAUX, assistant to Chad Brown (Annals of Time, winner): “He’s lightly raced, he had some minor issues to deal with before we could get him started, so he was the fresher of the three (Brown entrants). Beach Patrol and Camelot Kitten have had really hard campaigns this year, they’ve been travelling and running very well. It’s important for us to get the lay of the land for Breeders’ Cup here next year. Chad really wanted to come but he had a family obligation in New York.”