Deland rolls by eight lengths in Mo Exception Stakes

Deland took over on the turn in the $75,000 Mo Exception on Friday at Gulfstream Park and never looked back for an eight-length win over Hy Riverside. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Hy Kodiak Warrior in third.

The Mo Exception was one of two overnight stakes on the card, along with the $75,000 The Vid won by One of a Kind.

Deland ($4) was content to sit just off the pace in the one-turn mile race for 3-year-olds and up as The Best Candy took the field through an opening quarter in 23.70 seconds and a half-mile in 46.01, pushed along by Conquest Big E. The latter took over from there, but his lead was short-lived as Deland cruised to the front on the turn, quickly increased his advantage, and rolled home down the center of the sloppy, sealed track. He covered the distance in 1:36.97.

Emisael Jaramillo was aboard Deland for trainer Victor Barboza Jr.

Barboza told Gulfstream publicity the horse could head next to the Grade 2 Marathon Stakes on Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs.

Deland, a Grade 1 winner in Puerto Rico, was winning his second straight overnight stakes at Gulfstream behind the $75,000 Coast Is Clear in July. He is a son of the Coronado’s Quest stallion Gottcha Gold and he races for Ricardo Vallejo.

One of a Kind in The Vid

One of a Kind ($5.60) held off a determined bid by Local Hero to win The Vid. The 1 1/16-mile race was scheduled for turf but was moved to the main track and run on a sloppy, sealed surface. The field was reduced to four starters and there was no show wagering on the race Friday.

One of a Kind tracked the pace set by Diamond Bachelor, who led through an opening quarter in 24.34 seconds and a half-mile in 47.66. One of a Kind took over after six furlongs in 1:12.05 and fought to maintain his advantage in the late stages for a neck win over Local Hero. It was another half-length back to Diamond Bachelor in third.

The winner covered the distance in 1:45.25.

Nik Juarez was aboard for Hickory Woods Farm and trainer David Kassen. One of a Kind, by Lemon Drop Kid, was winning his third race in his last four starts, all at Gulfstream.