Bandbox looks to rebound in Hockessin Stakes

Bandbox, who upset a Grade 3 stakes this year in just his second start following 17 months on the sidelines, and the millionaire 9-year-old Immortal Eyes, making his first start for new connections, are among the intriguing contenders in a talented group of older sprinters signed up for Wednesday’s $50,000 Hockessin Stakes at Delaware Park.

The six-furlong overnight stakes, which goes as race 7 at 3:57 p.m. Eastern, also drew defending champion Picko’s Pride; Service for Ten, a stakes winner in his only previous visit to Delaware last season; and Evolution Rocks, who recorded three consecutive triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures last winter in Florida.

The 6-year-old Bandbox, based in Maryland with trainer Rodney Jenkins, scored by four lengths as a 13-1 outsider in the Grade 3 General George Handicap at Laurel Park in February. In his only subsequent start, Bandbox was well beaten while trying 1 1/8 miles in the Harrison Johnson Memorial.

Although Jenkins is winning at a 23 percent clip this season, he is 0 for 8 with horses switching from routes to sprints following a break of 61 to 180 days.

Immortal Eyes, a 19-time winner with a bankroll of $1.1 million, was privately purchased by trainer David Jacobson following his runner-up finish in the Charles Town Dash in April. Jacobson has a 6-for-19 record (35 percent) with new acquisitions for whom he also is listed as owner.

Although Immortal Eyes has been going 4 1/2 furlongs in his last three starts, last season he won the six-furlong Frank De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel and two other six-furlong stakes at Monmouth Park.

Picko’s Pride returned from a 2 1/2-month layoff to dominate last year’s Hockessin by 3 1/2 lengths. In his first start at this year’s Delaware meet, Picko’s Pride surrendered a 2 1/4-length lead in deep stretch to finish second. He could be fitter for his second start off the layoff.

Service for Ten, who earned a career-best 101 Beyer for winning last summer’s Vince Moscarelli at Delaware, rallied from far back to win his most recent outing going seven furlongs at Charles Town.

Evolution Rocks had to settle for second as the 1-2 favorite in last month’s five-furlong Penn Dash. His trainer, Jorge Navarro, is 22 for 53 (42 percent) over the last two years with sprinters making the second start of their form cycle.