Delaunay back to his best distance for Aristides Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Delaunay earned triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in nine straight races, a remarkable streak that helped the Maryland-bred gelding build a bankroll of more than $900,000.

But for Delaunay to capture the Grade 3 Aristides as the likely favorite Saturday at Churchill Downs, he will have to rebound off a pair of mildly disappointing losses that resulted in Beyers of 93 and 90. Tom Amoss, who trains Delaunay for Maggi Moss, said he believes a cutback in distance to six furlongs and not having to face top-flight miler types could result in another gaudy speed figure – and hopefully a return to the winner’s circle.

::DRF Live: Get real-time reports and handicapping insights starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday

“He’s shown that six furlongs is his best distance,” Amoss said.

Delaunay, with Rosie Napravnik to ride, will break from post 6 in a field of nine in the $100,000 Aristides, the ninth of 10 races. With 15 wins and 10 seconds from 44 career starts, Delaunay began his 2014 campaign in January with a romp in the Gaudin Memorial at Fair Grounds for his ninth straight triple-digit Beyer before finishing second at 3-5 in the Duncan F. Kenner at the New Orleans track.

In his only subsequent start, he set the pace in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day before fading to fifth in a seven-furlong race won by Central Banker and contested by the likes of Shakin It Up, Clearly Now, and Sahara Sky.

“Those are some of the best middle-distance horses in the country,” Amoss said. “Our horse has trained well since Derby Day and should really appreciate not having to knock heads with them.”

Probably the chief threat to Delaunay is Mico Margarita (post 4, Ricardo Santana Jr.), a 4-year-old who has shown himself capable of the occasional big effort. He shows a nice work pattern for Steve Asmussen since easily winning a small Evangeline Downs stakes in his most recent start seven weeks ago.

It may be worth noting that Brewing (post 1, Corey Lanerie) is the lone 3-year-old in the field. On Monday here, Southern Honey won the female counterpart to the Aristides, the Grade 3 Winning Colors, as the only 3-year-old in the lineup.[bc_video_id:325810:]

The balance of the field is Jasizzle, Voodoo Storm, Jake Mo, Scatman, Captain Genius, and Take It Like a Man.

First post Saturday is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the Aristides set for 4:49.

The Aristides is named for the first Derby winner in 1875. The race in his honor was first run in 1989, when Bet the Pot prevailed under Charlie Woods Jr.

◗ The Saturday card ends with an overnight turf stakes, the $65,000 Opening Verse (post 5:20), and it’s a good one. A very well-matched field of 11 older horses will go 1 1/16 miles on turf, with millionaire Regally Ready, successful on the stretch-out in a Derby week allowance, having Napravnik named as one of the logical favorites.

◗ There was no duplication at the entry booth for Saturday – but almost. Strike Impact, a 10-year-old gelding, is entered in the sixth race, while Striking Impact, a 3-year-old filly, goes in the eighth race. And for good measure, a 5-year-old horse named Strike One is in the Opening Verse.