King's review: Delaunay shows he's still got it in Aristides Stakes

Delaunay returns to form

So much for age catching up with Delaunay … the veteran sprinter, now 7, looked like a young 4-year-old Saturday in winning the Grade 3 Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs by 3 1/2 lengths.

Rebounding from a couple rare losses, he was in prime position throughout, chasing the speed on the inside and taking command on the turn. From there, he simply extended his lead and stopped the clock in 1:09.59 for six furlongs. That time earned him a 99 Beyer Speed Figure.

Admittedly, the group he faced in the Aristides was nowhere near as classy as those he unsuccessfully raced against in the May 5 Churchill Downs Stakes, a race in which he tired to fifth, but given his dominance, it was still a top effort.

The victory in the Aristides boosted Delaunay’s earnings to near-millionaire status at $985,491. Of that bankroll, more than $680,000 of that has come for current owner Maggi Moss and trainer Tom Amoss, who claimed him for $40,000 in May 2012 at Churchill.

Napravnik scores a stakes double

Rosie Napravnik, who guided Delaunay to victory, was back in the winner’s circle a race later with Regally Ready, who took the Opening Verse Stakes in the nightcap.

The two stakes wins gave Napravnik four stakes through the first 21 days of the 38-day spring meet, following a winning ride on Untapable in the Kentucky Oaks and another on Midnight Lucky in the Humana Distaff on the Derby undercard.

Though she trails Corey Lanerie by one win in the rider standings, 25-24, her mounts have made the most at the meet, earning more than $1.5 million.

As for Regally Ready, winner of the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, he has reinvented himself as a miler, showing a kindness to rate that is rare in a horse so naturally speedy.

In winning an allowance in his previous start, he did so while racing clear on the lead, but in the Opening Verse, he did it the harder way but rating off another runner. He then got the jump on the field coming into the stretch and lasted for a three-quarter-length victory over Villandry, who made a belated rally from last.

Although Villandry was moving fastest late, the race was over. If by chance he is to turn the tables down the road, he will need a livelier pace than what unfolded in the Opening Verse, when frontrunner Knights Nation went the opening half mile of the 1 1/16-mile race in 48.73 seconds.

Horse to watch

Mico Margarita
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Last race: May 31, 9th
Finish: 4th by 7 3/4
Beyer: 79

Was off slowly and raced wide in the Aristides, which contributed to him finishing a distant fourth behind Delaunay. This is an erratic horse, one that can set a track record in one race and go unplaced in another. Don’t penalize too much for his loss. He could just as easily bounce back next out.