Laurel Park: Candyman E gives Dutrow family another De Francis victory

The return of a stakes fixture in Maryland was taken by a returning member of the first family of Maryland trainers as Candyman E stormed home to take the $150,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Saturday at Laurel Park.

Ridden by Joe Bravo for trainer Tony Dutrow, Candyman E weaved his way through stretch traffic to beat Immortal Eyes by a half-length and land his fourth straight victory and first stakes win.

“We are really, really excited about his performance,” said Dutrow, whose father Dick Dutrow trained Lite the Fuse to a pair of wins in the De Francis and whose brother Rick Dutrow won the race with Benny the Bull in 2007. “It was easy to see he had some talent. He just needed the opportunity. He beat some good horses today. Now he has some class to go along with his talent.”

Immortal Eyes and Despite the Odds disputed the early pace, through fractions of 22.38 and 45.21 seconds, with Immortal Eyes scooting to the lead turning for home, but Bravo found enough daylight between horses to rush to the win in 1:09.43. Sloane Ranger was third.

Candyman E returned $5.60 as the 9-5 favorite in the field of nine for owners Kuehne Racing, Morris Bailey, The Elkstone Group, and Michael Dubb. The De Francis returned to the stakes schedule this season after a one-year hiatus.

Earlier in the $60,000 Twixt Stakes for 3-year-old Maryland-bred fillies, jockey Jeremy Rose jumped aboard 19-1 longshot Access to Charlie, then got the jump on the field to win the one-mile race in 1:39.44 for owner Sondra Bender and trainer Larry Murray. A maiden winner on the turf in her last start, Access to Charlie pushed to the lead on the far turn while rallies by Art of the Hunt and 4-5 favorite Brushed by Love came up short.

In the $50,000 Lady Baltimore, Rosie Napravnik guided aptly named Baltimore Belle to a 1 1/2-length win over Dream Louise to take the 1 1/16th-mile stakes for fillies and mares in 1:48.35. In the Rough was third while favored Here to Win never rallied over the good turf course and finished eighth.