Determined King impressive in Punch Line, one of four opening-day stakes

Determined Kingdom’s affinity for turf sprints was no secret to the betting public. Bet down to 7-5 favoritism, Determined Kingdom made that surprisingly short win price look fair capturing the $125,000 Punch Line Stakes by 5 1/2 lengths on Monday, opening day at Colonial Downs.

Embolden was a distant second and Boldor, the logical favorite, surged late to finish third in the 5 1/2-furlong, Virginia-restricted grass dash, but by the time Boldor got going Determined Kingdom was long gone. Stalking the pace under Trevor McCarthy, Determined Kingdom ($4.80) took command in upper stretch and ran out the easiest of winners, clocking 1:03.50 over a firm course.

Three-year-old Determined Kingdom got three pounds he didn’t need from his older rivals and now has gone 4 for 4 in turf sprints since a losing career debut last summer at Colonial Downs. Phil Schoenthal trains Forbidden Kingdom, a son of Animal Kingdom and the Fastnet Rock filly, Filia, for D Hatman Racing and Kingdom Bloodstock.

Largent wins a second Edward P. Evans Stakes

Odds-on favorite Largent won the $125,000 Edward P. Evans for the second time in three years, holding off a belated bid from Alex Joon to prevail by about a half-length in this Virginia-restricted turf route for older horses.

:: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now!

Passion Play, who won the Evans in 2021, set a moderate 47.60 half-mile pace while Paco Lopez and Largent, the 2020 Evans winner, tracked intently from second. Largent took over from a fading Passion Play at the five-sixteenths pole, opened a clear lead under strong urging, and got to the wire just in time as Alex Joon sprinted home from the back of the field.

Largent ($3) was timed in 1:35.89 for one mile on firm turf. Kendama finished a well-beaten third. Largent, a 6-year-old son of Into Mischief out of Life in Seattle, by Unbridled, is trained by Todd Pletcher for Twin Creeks Racing and Eclipse Thoroughbreds.

* Mo Clare’s wired the $125,000 Brookmeade in her second start of 2022, while 5-year-old Chambeau wired the $125,000 Tyson Gilpin in her first start of any kind.

Chambeau, bred and owned by Sam English II, made her career debut in the Tyson Gilpin and was trained to the minute by Anthony Aguirre Jr. She shot straight to the lead under Horacio Karamanos and after going a half-mile in 46.13 seconds threw in an 11.49-second furlong to open an insurmountable lead.

:: Get ready for Saratoga and Del Mar with a Quarterly subscription to DRF Past Performances

Chambeau beat 8-5 favorite Carolina Sun by 3 1/4 lengths, clocking 1:03.64 for 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. Tea in China was a distant third. Chambeau is by Karakontie out of If Not for Lust, by Not For Love.

Mo Clare’s ($6.80) made a clear, comfortable lead under Jareth Loveberry in the Brookmeade, for older fillies and mares, and held firm through the stretch run to post a 1 1/2-length victory over 1-2 favorite Urban Fairytale.

Foretell checked in third as the winner ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.22. Trained for most of her career by Joel Berndt, Mo Clare’s ran Monday for trainer Chris Block. The filly, owned by Lothenbach Stables, is by Uncle Mo out of Claire’s Song, by Unbridled’s Song.