Delaware: The Absolute One now 2 for 2 after taking Par Four

Bettors who pounded second-time starter The Absolute One down to 4-5 odds knew what they were doing Thursday afternoon at Delaware Park.

One of five 2-year-olds in a field of seven for the $56,250 Par Four Stakes, The Absolute One ($3.60) opened up a 1 1/2-length lead on the backstretch after setting fractions of 21.89 and 45.73 seconds and withstood a brief threat from 14-1 outsider Pitch N Roll to score by a half-length.

Ridden by Jose Caraballo for trainer Mike Pino and owners Barry and Joni Butzow, The Absolute One covered 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:50.01. A son of Songandaprayer, The Absolute One was coming off a seven-length score locally in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race on June 17.

Pitch N Roll, who had been training and racing on the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs, where he won his career deut by 4 1/2 lengths 19 days ago, easily got second, 7 1/2 lengths in front of Texas shipper Shockman.