Delaware: Purple Egg handles route assignment in Barbaro

An ideal trip behind two dueling pacesetters helped Purple Egg win for the first time beyond six furlongs in Wednesday’s closing-day feature at Delaware Park, the $100,000 Barbaro Stakes for 3-year-olds.

With Paco Lopez aboard for the first time since Purple Egg won back-to-back races to launch his career in August and September 2012, the gelded son of Lion Heart sat in third as 3-5 favorite Revocation and turf-to-dirt Team Valor runner Cerro battled through fractions of 46.27 seconds and 1:10.50. Approaching the turn for home in the 1 1/16-mile race, Cerro dropped back to third and Purple Egg launched a three-wide bid. Purple Egg forged a short advantage at the top of the stretch and cruised home 6 1/4 lengths in front, reaching the wire in 1:43.66.

Revocation held second, two lengths in front of Cerro. Keep the Canoli and Heat Press completed the order of finish.

Trained by Jane Cibelli for Goodwood Racing, Purple Egg is now 4 for 7 with earnings of
$181,900. It was his first win since he took the six-furlong Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs last December.