Rallying after a blistering pace, Silver Timber, the Chad Brown-trained entry ridden by Julien Leparoux, captured the Grade III Churchill Downs Turf Sprint from Chamberlain Bridge in a record 0:55.45 by a neck.
The prior record was :55.34 and set by Unbridled Sidney on July 9, 2005.
Co-owner Michale Dubb was not surprised by the record-breaking time after the horse's last start.
He stated, "He won at Keeneland last time out and was only about 80 percent."
Dubb was jubilant in the finish.
"He's the best, his trainer is the best and Julien is the best," he said. "I'm just a passenger along for the ride."
The first quarter was run in 0:21.25 by a dueling Central City and Starfish Bay with the eventual victor in sixth and racing three-wide for a clear trip down the backstretch.
As Starfish Bay faded midstretch to finish sixth, Silver Timber came on strong to challenge Central City, who ultimately finished third.
Robby Albarado, who piloted Central City, said, "I had a good trip and got beat. They ran really fast. It felt like a track record."
Leparoux stated that his mount had a great trip.
"My horse had a lot of speed already and they were very, very fast from the gate," so I knew they were going fast," he said, "but I was comfortable all the way."
Silver Timber returned $7.40, $4, and $3.20. Chamberlain Bridge paid $4.20 and $3.20. Central City paid $9.20 to show.
