Prince of Hempt makes Hanford fifth win in sixth starts

STANTON, Del. – Prince of Hempt improved his record to five wins from six starts with a gutsy performance in the $50,000 Carl Hanford Memorial, the first of four stakes at Delaware Park on Saturday.

Prince of Hempt was fanned four wide into the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile Hanford and settled off the pace. He moved to the lead entering the stretch but was headed from the outside by Monongahela, who had rallied from last position. Prince of Hempt dug in and came back on to win by a half-length under Dana Whitney, who last month rode his 4,000th winner.

On June 30, Prince of Hempt returned from a seventh-month layoff. He had to steady in upper stretch of that race and finished fourth, beaten four lengths. Prince of Hempt, a 4-year-old son of Majestic Warrior, had won his first four career starts in the second half of last year, including the $100,000 City of Laurel at Laurel Park.

“The main thing was to keep a clean face,” Whitney said. “I don’t think he gave me what he had last time and I wanted to make sure he gave me what he had today.”

Prince of Hempt paid $11.20 and was timed in 1:44.22. The early fractions set by Twocubanbrothersu were fast – 22.72, 45.84, and 1:10.77.

Monongahela finished second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of 9-5 Name Changer, who lodged a mild bid along the inside in upper stretch, but flattened out. Hoffenheim, the 7-5 favorite, raced in good early position but lacked a rally and checked in fourth, five lengths behind Name Changer.

Prince of Hempt is based at Penn National with trainer Tim Kreiser, who said his charge is nominated to the $100,000 Roanoke, a 1 1/16-mile Pennsylvania-bred stakes at Parx Racing on Sept. 1. He also mentioned the $200,000 Swatara at Penn National as a long term possibility.

“He’s shown promise since Day 1,” Kreiser said. “Obviously in his last race he got in a little bind down the stretch. You saw how he digs in when a horse tries to go by him. We’re looking forward to the rest of the year. It’s a good time of year to have a fresh horse.”