Delaware: Patrol a terror on turf

Since Patrol was switched to the turf this spring, nobody has been able to run with him either early or late.

That trend continued in Monday's $75,000 Nick Shuk Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park as Patrol cruised to a 3 1/2-length victory over four other 3-year-olds.

The only anxious moment for winning jockey Ramon Dominguez came at the start.

"He didn't break all that great," Dominguez said. "For a second I was a little concerned. But once my horse got himself together he took off with me. From then on it was just a matter of getting him to relax."

Patrol ($3.40), 3 for 3 since coming into trainer Bill Mott's barn, could either return to Delaware for the Grade 3, $250,000 Kent Breeders' Cup at 1 1/8 miles on July 21 or stay at his home base in New York for the Grade 3, $150,000 Lexington at 1 1/4 miles on July 14.

Pressured briefly by Roger E, Patrol set swift fractions of 46.59 seconds for the half-mile and 1:10.45 for six furlongs, and was drawing away through the stretch while completing 1 1/16 miles over firm turf in 1:41.59.

Coco's Madness finished second, two lengths ahead of Coahoma.