Racing Maryland-champions like Phlash Phelps and Hiya Stunning, Ellen Charles has lengthy been a standard-bearer for equine excellence in her state. In 2024, she is using excessive with 4-year-old a number of graded stakes winner Put up Time . The son of Frosted most not too long ago completed second within the June 8 Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1).
Charles – a TOBA member for 22 years – named Hillwood Secure after the house and grounds as soon as owned by her grandmother, now a museum. “I grew up in Maryland in Howard County, which is west of Baltimore on a farm, and loved a beautiful nation childhood. And now I am dwelling in D.C., and I’ve a weekend place down on the Chesapeake Bay,” she mentioned. On behalf of Hillwood, Cary Frommer purchased Put up Time for $85,000 on the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic Jap Fall Yearling sale. Charles was initially drawn to Put up Time as a result of his granddam and her personal grandmother shared a reputation; the colt’s granddam was the Opening Verse mare Merriweather, whereas Charles’ grandmother was pioneering businesswoman Marjorie Merriweather Put up. In truth, Thoroughbred racing runs in Charles’ household, as her mom was philanthropist, breeder, and proprietor Adelaide Shut Riggs, whereas her father was racing steward Merrall MacNeille.
Despatched to coach Brittany Russell, whose husband Sheldon rides him, Put up Time was undefeated in three begins at two. Capturing the Maryland Juvenile Stakes, he was named the state’s high two-year-old in 2022. “He’s additionally a beautiful character, so we take pleasure in laughing at him and naturally loving watching him run as a result of he is simply so wonderful,” Charles mentioned, noting Put up Time likes to stroll round on his hind legs however is good with youngsters. In 2023, Put up Time took the Metropolis of Laurel Stakes. Coming into 2024, Charles mirrored, “Properly, he had gained a number of stakes earlier than, however it was time to see if we may transfer him up and the way he would do. And he actually has not disillusioned us. He is been wonderful. He likes to win and he is a exceptional horse.”
The grey colt began off the 12 months with three straight wins. The primary two victories got here in Laurel Park’s Jan. 28 Jennings Stakes and Feb. 17 Basic George Stakes (G3), respectively, whereas the third triumph got here within the April 6 Carter Stakes Offered by NYRA Bets (G2) at Aqueduct. Within the Might 3 Westchester Stakes (G3), held at Belmont on the Massive A, he ran second by three-quarters of a size, receiving an Equibase Pace Determine of 115.
Shipped to Saratoga for the Met Mile, he completed a stable second to 2023 Preakness Stakes (GI) victor Nationwide Treasure , at present the highest ranked horse within the NTRA Prime Thoroughbred Ballot. On the similar time, he beat some wonderful runners, corresponding to final 12 months’s Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1) winner White Abarrio. “That was very thrilling. and I at all times get nervous, however it was very thrilling and the horse that gained was a exceptional horse and was far and away the higher horse within the discipline that day. However Posty was second and in opposition to a whole lot of very nice horses. So, I believe it confirmed us that we are able to transfer him as much as operating in a grade 1, that he can do it. In order that was very thrilling.” She famous, “I believe every thing’s coming collectively. He is nonetheless just a little bit naughty, however not like he was. And he is aware of what he desires. He desires to win, and he is aware of what it takes. So, he’s an incredible horse.”
Put up Time is the most recent in a protracted line of top-flight horses for Charles. Trying again on some her favorites, “Properly, Cordmaker, I imply, you already know, when he gained the Basic George in 2022, that was actually thrilling. And he was a beautiful horse. I liked ‘Cordy.’ After which I had a number of, and my fantastic first horse Bandbox was only a pretty, pretty horse. However he was fragile, so he did not run fairly often. However when he did, he did it proper. And he gained the Basic George in 2014. They have been a whole lot of enjoyable and it is thrilling.”
On Might 16, Charles obtained the Particular Award of Benefit at Pimlico’s Alibi Breakfast. “Properly, I used to be very shocked and really honored. I imply, I like racing. I do not see myself because the number-one lady in Maryland for the second,” she mused. She added, “I simply love what I am doing, and I like racing in Maryland, and I need one of the best for Maryland. And so, to be honored for these ideas was actually, actually thrilling. And I used to be very touched and honored and I used to be in wonderful firm, so I’ve simply been awed by the entire thing.”
