Arabians contest pair of Grade 2 stakes

A pair of Grade 2, $30,000 stakes for Arabians highlights the Labor Day holiday card at Delaware Park.

Four of the seven 3-and-4-year-old fillies in the CRE Run Oaks Arabian Distaff at 1 1/16 miles are trained by Lynn Ashby, including Our Princess, whose 3-for-3 record in 2014 include a 16-1 upset in the Grade 1 Buzz Brauninger Distaff in July. Ashby, a multiple winner of the Darley Award as top Arabian trainer in the United States, also won the 2013 Oaks with Delishess.

The eight-horse lineup for the 1 1/4-mile Bob Magness Memorial Arabian Derby for 3-and-4-year-olds features four horses trained by Randy Nunley and two apiece from the barns of Ashby and Ron Martino.

The strongest contenders are Burning Fleet, who led until deep stretch of the Grade 2 Delaware Park Arabian Classic on July 12, and Rb Champagne Taste, who has been first or second in all 10 lifetime starts and finished a neck in front of Burning Fleet in the Classic.

CRE Run Oaks Arabian Distaff, race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Our Princess

This 4-year-old filly dominated a Grade 1 race going 1 1/8 miles by 4 1/2 lengths on July 5 and came back 16 days later to score in a one-mile allowance while carrying 124 pounds, one more than she is assigned for Monday’s race.

Top Thess

Runner-up to her uncoupled stablemate Our Princess in the Distaff, Top Thess tuned up for this spot by scoring by eight lengths while carrying 124 pounds going a mile on Aug. 2. This will be just the second stakes appearance by a lightly raced 4-year-old filly.

Rb Burn Baby Burn

She will be making just her third start since being turned over to trainer Elizabeth Merryman. Finished a distant fifth as the 3-5 favorite in the Distaff. Won a Grade 2 stakes going seven furlongs at Sam Houston in February. Prepped for this by romping by 11 1/2 lengths in six-furlong allowance on Aug. 4.

Bob Magness Memorial Arabian Derby, race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Burning Fleet

Third, beaten three-quarters of a length, after setting the pace until deep stretch of 1 1/4-mile Delaware Park Arabian Classic in July. Picks up seven pounds to 123 pounds for this assignment. Won Grade 2 stakes going seven furlongs at Sam Houston in February. Trainer Ron Martino won 2012 running of this stakes with Valiant Boy Sbfar.

Rb Champagne Taste

Grade 2 winner of Arabian Diamond State earlier this season was subsequently second in a pair of Grade 1 events, including rare Arabian race run at Churchill Downs. Trainer Randy Nunley won this stakes last year with Smoke House.