Delaware: Smash and Grab uses speed to capture Nick Shuk Memorial

Smash and Grab, returning six days after he was beaten as the 1-5 favorite in a half-mile allowance sprint at Timonium, handled the stretch out to a mile to win Thursday’s off-the-turf, $51,100 Nick Shuk Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park.

With Yamil Rosario aboard for the first time, the 3-year-old Smash and Grab outfought Don Cavallo for the lead going around the first turn and got away with a leisurely first-quarter fraction of 24.73 seconds. He was four lengths in front through six furlongs in 1:12.33, opened up by six lengths with a furlong remaining, and rolled to a four-length victory while completing the distance on a fast track in 1:37.16.

Trained by Julio Cartegena for the partnership of Kryskaly Horse Racing Inc., Ronald Cuneo, and Exacta B.S. LLC, Smash and Grab, claimed for $30,000 in June, has now won 5 of 15 starts and $129,440.

Don Cavallo finished second, four lengths in front of Private Tale, the 3-2 favorite. Saintly Love, who had been 6 for 6 in 2013, finished fourth as the 9-5 second choice in a field reduced to five runners after the race was taken off the turf.