Gary Capuano and son Phillip square off in First State Dash

Father and son will square off in the First State Dash Stakes at Delaware Park on Sunday, as Gary and Phillip Capuano have both entered live 2-year-old colts coming off sharp victories in Maryland.

Since taking over a 35-horse barn in 2023 from his retired uncle, Dale Capuano, Phillip Capuano has gained a solid reputation in the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly with turf sprinters and juveniles. In the First State Dash, one of two six-furlong, state-restricted $100,000 stakes on the Sunday card, the 31-year-old trainer has Our Day Will Come, the 2-1 morning-line favorite who will be making his stakes debut.

“He’s run at multiple distances and has been able to make good efforts in all those starts,” Phillip Capuano said. “If everything sets up correctly, he should be able to put forth a good performance.”

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In his second start, the colt delivered on his trainer’s high expectations when he stretched out to a mile at Delaware in August. He never trailed a step and pulled away to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

Later that month, he shipped to Timonium and won a $44,000 allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs, showing versatility by closing from fourth and again winning by 2 1/4 lengths.

While his son is bringing a relatively seasoned juvenile, Gary Capuano will take his shot with Probably Dreaming, a wild card coming off a three-month layoff. The colt has only run once but looked impressive in his debut at Laurel Park in June, when he overcame a bad stumble and circled the field to win by 3 1/2 lengths.

“[I] have not been able to get him back in since then,” Gary Capuano said. “I’ve been entering him for a long time and races just haven’t gone. He’s been chomping at the bit, so we’ll see how he does.”

Trainer Lynn Ashby will challenge the Capuano pair with Majestic Blue, the runner-up in the $75,000 Dover last month, and Lundi Loot, who won his Delaware debut by seven lengths in July.

Small Wonder

Undefeated 2-year-old filly Jumping the Gun is the obvious danger in the Small Wonder Stakes. Trainer Andy Simoff said that he sees her as a standout in the field of seven.

“She looks like she’s moving forward every day,” Simoff said. “I think it’s a great spot and she gets to run out of her own stall one more time, some home-field advantage.“

Coming off a 1 1/2-length debut victory in July, the filly was a somewhat surprising favorite in the $75,000 Blue Hen the following month. Bet down to 4-5 over the Mike Maker filly Lilies N Paradise, she kicked away to win by 4 1/4 lengths, making her the clear horse to beat Sunday.

Before he goes up against his son in the First State Dash, Gary Capuano has two fillies entered in the Small Wonder, both of whom earned maiden victories on Aug. 23. Doc’s Miracle shipped to Timonium and won a $50,000 maiden-claiming race by 6 1/4 lengths, while Sweet Shenanigans stayed at Delaware and won her second start by 6 1/2 lengths.

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