Ocean City, Phileas Fogg may take to Kent's new distance
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Stamina may ultimately determine Saturday’s $150,000 Kent Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Delaware Park.
The Kent, downgraded from a Grade 3 to a listed event for 2023, was previously a nine-furlong staple on the Delaware schedule. None of the horses in this year’s Kent has raced past 1 1/8 miles.
One would think a half-brother to champion sprinter Jackie’s Warrior would shy away from turf marathons, but Ocean City enters off two gate-to-wire wins going two turns on the lawn. Perhaps he receives his stamina from his sire, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
“Obviously, he appears to be pace,” trainer Brittany Russell said. “He’s a strong horse. Also, he wasn’t really pulling up the last time. I know it’s a different scenario racing 1 3/8 miles, but we have confidence he can handle it.”
Another colt likely to be forwardly placed is Phileas Fogg, who switches to turf after running second in a first-level allowance on dirt at Delaware, his first race following a more than seven-month layoff.
“He had a minor issue [after his debut win at Fair Grounds] that we took care of,” trainer Michael Stidham said. “I think he needed that first race coming back on a tiring dirt course.”
“Watching him train since he started, we’ve always felt like the added distance was going to be a benefit. There’s turf in the pedigree, and we think he’ll handle it.”
Trainer Graham Motion believes Regal Kingdom will flourish at the distance.
“I think it’s what he wants to do,” Motion said. “We’ll find out if he’s good enough.”
Freedom Trail drops out of two graded stakes for trainer John Terranova. Winner of the Awad during the Belmont at the Big A meet last year, he boasts consistently competitive Beyers.
Really Good finished second in the Hawthorne Derby on June 25 for trainer Michael Maker. Grade 2-placed last year, Really Good is by Hard Spun, who connects with 22 percent of his progeny racing 1 1/4 miles or longer, according to Formulator statistics.
Love Me Not and Tee At One complete the field.
Christiana Stakes
Pace might make the race in the co-featured $150,000 Christiana for 3-year-old filles at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
Miss Riddler looks like the controlling speed from the inside. She set the pace in the Grade 3 Regret on June 3 at Churchill Downs before faltering to finish fourth.
“She’s an improving filly, and that was a much deeper group of horses that she had ever run with prior,” trainer Eddie Kenneally said. “We’re very happy with the way she’s coming into this one.”
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Hang the Moon will try to topple these from the back for Stidham. She was third last time out in Pimlico’s Hilltop on May 19.
“She had a little bit of trouble early,“ Stidham said. “She got back further than what we expected but closed nicely against a good field. She continues to step up the ladder numbers-wise. I’m looking for a big effort.”
Faccia Bella, Gatita Suave, Thirty Thou Kelvin, and Sabalenka also entered.
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