Rush Now proves uncatchable in Dover

Rush Now easily made the transition from the maiden ranks to stakes company on Saturday, leading wire to wire in the $75,000 Dover Stakes for 2-year-olds at Delaware Park.

A winner by nearly 14 lengths in his first attempt around two turns against maiden special weight company, Rush Now ($9) set comfortable fractions of 48.40 seconds and 1:12.09 while being chased by Chipshot, the 6-5 favorite on the basis of his close third in the Grade 3 Sapling last time out.

Chipshot, ridden by Gabriel Saez, got within a half-length of Rush Now with about 3 1/2 furlongs remaining, but Rush Now shook free and drew off to win by 3 3/4 lengths while completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.15.

Trained by Tony Dutrow, Rush Now is 2 for 2 at Delaware and perfect in two starts around two turns.

Chipshot, making his first start beyond six furlongs, was 5 1/4 lengths clear of the third-place finisher, Congo.

The field was reduced to six runners by three early scratches.