Bunker Hill takes off-the-turf stakes

For the second time in as many starts, Bunker Hill benefited when a stakes race scheduled for grass was switched to the main track, rallying from midpack to a hard-fought head decision over Aspiring Nick in the $100,000 Green Juvenile Stakes at Delaware Park.

Bunker Hill ($6.80), who four weeks earlier turned in a similarly game performance to post a nose decision in Monmouth Park's Continental Mile, withstood a stretch-long duel with slight favorite Aspiring Nick to post his third straight win for trainer Derek Ryan and the Flying Dutchman Stable. Aspiring Nick, who finished two lengths behind Bunker Hill in the Continental Mile, gained a short advantage near the eighth pole but could not last after being brushed lightly by the winner.

A claim of foul by the rider of Aspiring Nick against Rafael Mojica Jr. and Bunker Hill was disallowed.

* Earlier in the afternoon, Bon Jovi Girl drew off to a decisive 9 3/4-length triumph over Freedom Rings in the $100,000 Fairway Stakes, the filly counterpart to the Green Juvenile. The Fairway was also scheduled for the turf but was decided over a "wet-fast" main track.

Bon Jovi Girl ($3.20), a 2-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon, was ridden to victory by Jose Caraballo for trainer Tim Ritchey.