Delaware River scores easily

Delaware River pulled away to a 2o1/2-length victory over Putonyerdancinshuz Saturday at Philadelphia Park in the $125,000 Smarty Jones Classic, the richest of the 11 races exclusively for horses bred in the Keystone State. The card offered 10 stakes worth a combined $1 million.

Ridden by Horacio Karamanos, Delaware River ($4.20) posted his third win in the last four starts. The time was 1:42.10 for the 1 1/16 miles on the fast track.

"I expected him to run good," said trainer William Campbell. "I didn't expect him to draw away like that. He's a nice horse and Horacio gets a lot of run out of him."

John Law posted a decisive 4 1/4-length win over Dark Equation in the $75,000 Flatterer Hurdle Handicap to save the day for trainer and breeder Jonathan Sheppard.

The Hall of Famer had three horses in the race including Mixed Up, a two-time Grade 1 winner and the 6-5 favorite.

Mixed Up cleared only three jumps, landing awkwardly after the fourth and unseating Danielle Hodsdon.

"The horse was in a spot where he had to make a quick decision on when to take off for the jump," Sheppard said. "He was about a length behind two horses immediately in front of him. I think he started to take off when they did and then realized he was too far back. He tried for a longer stride but didn't have enough time to do it."

Both horse and rider were apparently unhurt. Hodsdon was able to remount and return Mixed Up to the barn area.

The heavy-favorite out of the running, John Law made a strong late run to secure his first victory against winners over the jumps.

Xavier Aizpuru was aboard for the race run in 3:42.32 for about 2 1/16 miles over National Fences on the firm course.

"John Law had been training well and the boy gave him a very well-judged ride," Sheppard said.

Despite the mishap with Mixed Up, all turned out well for Sheppard as Sparkled, a 6-year-old whom he bred, owns and trains finished third.

It was also a special moment for Sheppard, winning the stakes named for Flatterer, his four-time champion who is also in the Hall of Fame.

"That's an added bonus," Sheppard said. "We're very appreciative of the opportunity to run the jumpers at Philadelphia Park for a purse like that."

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche got his 1,000 career victory as Remain Silent won the $100,000 Bob Camac Memorial.

"This is very special," Carmouche said. "I've been trying for the last two days to make the 1,000th win. It feels great to get a 1,000 wins in a $100,000 stakes race."

In other $100,000 handicaps: She's Fancy Free won the Ga Hai; Raging Rapids took the Northern Fling; Banjo Picker prevailed in the Devil's Honor; Secretintelligence captured the Captain My Captain; Hissouthernmajesty won the Nepal, S W Aly'svalentine the Ambassador of Luck, and Red Aspen the Mrs. Penny - rallying from far back.