Brown sweeps weekend turf stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Chad Brown will weigh his options for Delaware and Regal Glory, who won the first two turf stakes on this circuit over the weekend at Aqueduct.

While the Grade 3 Poker going a mile on June 20 is a logical target for Delaware following his 10-1 upset victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Danger’s Hour Stakes, Brown might like to run the 5-year-old back sooner. There are no good options on the NYRA circuit, so Delaware could be considered for a race like the $250,000 Dinner Party at Pimlico on May 15, though Brown has others pointing to that race as well.

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Brown was gratified to see Delaware win the Danger’s Hour, his first victory in seven starts since Brown had him in his barn. Delaware had only one horse beat turning for home but was able to run down Rinaldi, who had spurted clear on the far turn.

“He had every right to not to win the race yesterday,” Brown said Sunday morning. “I was pretty impressed with that part. The horse he ran down I think is a pretty good horse.”

Delaware, who was purchased for $130,000 last November by an ownership group led by Michael Dubb, earned a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure.

On Sunday, Regal Glory won the $100,000 Plenty of Grace by a half-length over Platinum Player, giving Brown his fifth consecutive victory in this one-mile listed turf stakes, which has been run only six times.

Regal Glory is now 4 for 7 going one mile and may have the Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont on June 5 as a potential target. Regal Glory is a five-time stakes winner with only a Grade 1 win missing from her résumé.

Regal Glory, bred and previously owned by the late Paul Pompa Jr., was making her first start for owner Peter Brant in the Plenty of Grace. Brant bought her out of the January Keeneland sale for $925,000. Regal Glory earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure.