Clement has Tawny Port thriving going long
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A rejuvenated Tawny Port is the 5-2 morning-line favorite on Saturday in Delaware Park’s $200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/2 miles on turf.
Tawny Port enjoyed a successful 3-year-old dirt campaign in 2022 with wins in the Grade 3 Lexington at Keeneland and the Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown as well as a good third-place finish behind Epicenter in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga.
The first half of this year didn’t go as smoothly, and Tawny Port switched trainers from Brad Cox to Christophe Clement during the spring. Clement has focused on turf and longer-distance racing with Tawny Port, and the results thus far have been encouraging.
In his most recent start, Saratoga’s restricted John’s Call Stakes at 1 5/8 miles, Tawny Port won by a comfortable 3 1/2 lengths with a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He was a very good mover, Clement said. “I just thought he needed a bit of a break and a change from his past history, so the grass made sense to try him.”
Tawny Port prepped for the Cape Henlopen with a half-mile breeze on turf at Saratoga on Sept. 8.
“He was impressive in his last race,” Clement said. “He’s trained well since. He breezed last time with Trevor McCarthy, who got to know him.”
Tawny Port breaks from post 7 with McCarthy aboard for the first time.
Like Tawny Port, Commandeer has shown improved form since being switched to turf with a dead-heat win when entered for the $100,000 claiming option at Colonial Downs in his most recent start.
A 5-year-old gelding with several layoff lines, Commandeer has battled recurring quarter crack issues throughout his career, according to trainer Jimmy Toner. On Saturday, Commandeer will race beyond nine furlongs for the first time.
“In the back of my mind, I always wanted to put him on the grass,” Toner said. “I feel good about [the extra distance]. We’re still trying to get a hold on him. I’d like to get him into these marathon races where there are a lot of opportunities.”
Tee At One was cross-entered at Pimlico on Saturday, but trainer Diane Morici confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the 3-year-old will run at Delaware. The lightly raced gelding finished a close second in his stakes debut, the Kent at 1 3/8 miles over soft turf here on July 15.
“He seems like he can go all day,” Morici said. “My assistant has been with him the last couple of days, and says he’s a beast right now.”
Beacon Hill makes his third start of the year for trainer Michael Matz. Although off the board in a pair of middle-distance races, trainer Michael Matz said before the Prince George’s County on July 15 that “our main goal is to get him back running 1 1/2 miles.”
Millionaire Cross Border steps back up in class and distance for the dangerous Michael Maker barn, while Serifos, a recent 12-furlong off-turf winner, tries to transfer that form to grass.
Praline’s Cat, Sports Editor, Urban Myth, and Tough Tickets complete the field.
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