Delaware: Mr. Bowling relishes extra distance in Dover

Trainer Larry Jones was correct with his hunch that 2-year-old colt Mr. Bowling wanted to run farther than six furlongs. Stretched out around two turns after winning his maiden in a sprint, Mr. Bowling cruised to a 7 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s $84,000 Dover Stakes at Delaware Park.

Mr. Bowling ($4), the favorite in a field reduced to five 2-year-olds by three scratches, made a three-wide move into contention with about a quarter-mile remaining in the mile-and-70-yard race, opened up by three lengths at the eighth pole, and drew off under steady left-handed pressure from jockey Jose Caraballo.

A son of Istan owned by Brereton Jones, Mr. Bowling is now 2 for 3 lifetime. He completed the distance on a fast track in 1:42.77.

Doe, the one filly in the field, and Running Bull, coming off a fourth-place finish in the Charles Town Juvenile, finished in a dead heat for second. Doe was running back just a week after finishing last of five in the Blue Hen for 2-year-old fillies.