Delaware: DQ elevates Private Tutor to victory in Nick Shuk

Private Tutor ended up just shy of odds-on favorite Special Skills at the wire, but nevertheless wound up in the winner’s circle, thanks to a disqualification in Saturday’s $55,575 Nick Shuk Memorial Stakes for 2-year-olds at Delaware Park.

Private Tutor ($12.60), ridden by Wesley Ho, chased front-running Special Skills throughout the 7 1/2-furlong race on turf. In the stretch, Special Skills, the 2-5 favorite under Abel Castellano Jr., bore out severely, pushing Private Tutor to within a couple paths of the rail closest to the track apron, while hanging onto the lead by a nose.  The stewards called for an inquiry of the stretch run and Ho claimed foul for interference. After reviewing the replay, the stewards disqualified Special Skills to second and elevated Private Tutor to first. Tudor Greek was third at 45-1. The winning time over a firm course was 1:32.48.

Private Tutor, second in the Chenery at Colonial Downs in his turf debut, is now 2 for 6 lifetime for trainer John Robb and owner No Guts No Glory Stable.

Special Skills was made the favorite on the basis of his win sprinting six furlongs on grass at Belmont Park.

The first two finishers were the only horses in the seven-horse field with any grass racing experience.