Carvallo Pazzo likely to fire off layoff

Cavallo Pazzo obviously can fire fresh. He delivered a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 103 in his first start following a 10 1/2-month layoff in September 2006. Now, he comes off an absence of 16 months in search of his first stakes victory in the six-furlong $55,000 Damitrius at Delaware Park.

The 5-year-old Cavallo Pazzo has won 4 of 5 starts since he was claimed for $75,000 out of a maiden race at Aqueduct. But he hasn't raced since winning a third-level optional $75,000 claimer at Aqueduct in January 2007.

Trainer Tony Dutrow excels with having his horses ready to win first time back following an extended layoff. He's 10 for 26 (38 percent) with male sprinters returning after more than 180 days on the sidelines since 2005.

Among Cavallo Pazzo's four opponents are the 7-year-old Magical Gem, who has won three in a row but whose only stakes win came against Delaware-certified competition, and Joey Carson, who returns to Delaware, where he is 8 for 13.