Charlie Whittingham- and Bob Baffert-mentored Del Mar regular steps into his own spotlight with Practical Move
As a teenager growing up in the heart of Bavaria about a half hour outside of Munich, Tim Yakteen mixed cement for bricklayers. Under a searing sun. In the driving rain. No matter how much his legs or back howled.“They all wanted their cement to be slightly different,” said Yakteen, who also worked at a bike shop and refinished antique furniture. “One wanted it thicker. Another wanted it thinner. I was getting shouted at constantly.
The dream seems none too thick, none too thin. If finnicky Churchill Downs fates cooperate the first Saturday in May during a cavalry charge of 19 other horses over a mile and a quarter, the unthinkable will become bricklayer perfect.Walking with giants Laughs rolled at Santa Anita one morning as the two talked about Baffert shipping a talented horse to a futurity race started by his father and uncle in Sonoita, Ariz.
Yakteen walked away unscathed because Baffert winked at the missteps and appreciated his relentless motor. He also won over Baffert’s mother while staying at the ranch. He became an experience-seeking sponge, accelerating the learning curve.“I wanted an in with a barn that seemed like it was going somewhere,” he said.
“We were in Barn 1A and Charlie was stabled right next to us. He was always very willing to talk and help others out. I remember Bob picking Charlie’s mind about what worked, how far did you work ’em, that kind of thing. Just trying to extract information from the master.”Advertisement“I’ve been very blessed, no doubt,” he said. “A lot of gifted horsemen never get the breaks I did, but I’m appreciative of them.
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