Delaware Park: I’m Steppin’ It Up gives Pecoraro win No. 1,000 in Kent Stakes

I’m Steppin’ It Up scored a front-running victory in the Grade 3, $265,350 Kent Stakes to give Anthony Pecoraro his 1,000 training win.

Originally slated for the turf, the race for 3-year-olds was shifted to a main track rated wet-fast at the same 1 1/8-mile distance. The race, originally drawn with 13 runners, scratched down to six with the surface change.

I’m Steppin’ It Up ($10.80) and jockey Jeremy Rose seized the early advantage and never relented. They comfortably held off a late rally from King Congie, the 9-10 favorite, by two lengths with Fire With Fire third.

I’m Steppin’ It Up got his third win, and first stakes victory, in 14 starts. The chestnut colt is 2 for 10 on the season with the other victory coming in a Delaware Park first-level allowance back in May.

The time was 1:50.50.