Speed Boat Beach prevails in Cecil B. DeMille S. (G3) duel

Sunday | December 04, 2022

Speed Boat Beach outkicked Game Time in the final furlong to win the $100,000 Cecil B. DeMille S. (G3) by a half-length over the Del Mar turf on Dec. 4.

The Bob Baffert trainee was making his two-turn debut in the one-mile DeMille, following a rough trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) and a victory in the five-furlong Speakeasy S. two months ago at Santa Anita.

The dark bay broke very alertly, but Game Time was intent on getting the lead, leaving Speed Boat Beach in second going into the first turn. Game Time had a one-length lead going into the final bend and looked to be getting away, but Speed Boat Beach responded with a fresh challenge to take the lead coming into the stretch. Game Time fought on but couldn’t close the margin in the final sixteenth.

Speed Boat Beach covered the distance on the firm turf in 1:35.38.

“He broke well and I thought I was going to be on the lead,” said winning jockey Flavien Prat. “But Umberto [Rispoli on Game Time] wanted to go, so we were fine running second. My horse was relaxed and that’s what I wanted. When it came time, he went about his business. Two turns, no problem today. Good race for him.”

Speed Boat Beach is owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. He has three wins in four starts and has earned $178,000.

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