Denied a sweep of Arlington Park’s Mid-America Triple by a strong European
contingent in the August 13 Secretariat S. (G1), WILLCOX INN (Harlan’s Holiday)
still rates as one of the leading three-year-olds on grass in the U.S. The Mike
Stidham trainee can reaffirm that view Saturday in the $250,000
Kent S. (G3)
at Delaware Park, which is scheduled at nine furlongs on the turf.
Showing a fondness for the surface at first asking when third at 23-1 in the
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) last November, Willcox Inn has made only one
diversion away from turf this season. After a couple early setbacks, the dark
bay added blinkers for the Arlington Classic, opening leg of Arlington’s
three-race series for sophomores. A comfortable 2 1/2-length winner as the 3-2
favorite, Willcox Inn was even more impressive when landing the American Derby
(G2) by four lengths as the 2-1 choice.
However, in the Secretariat, Willcox Inn ran fourth to Irish classic winner
Treasure Beach (GB) (Galileo [Ire]), with Ziyarid (Ire) (Desert Style) and
multiple Grade 2 winner Banned (Kitten’s Joy) also beating Willcox Inn to the
finish. The 3 1/2-length loss was no disgrace considering the company he was
facing while racing over testing course decisions. Robby Albarado retains the
mount for the Kent.
Willcox Inn drew the far outside post 13 for the Kent, but it seems unlikely
all will line up at post time. Rain will be prevalent in the Wilmington
area throughout the week, and a turf course on the soft side might sway some
entrants away. Trainer Tony Dutrow also entered two colts — RUSH NOW (Tiznow)
and J W BLUE (Sky Mesa) — who have never raced on grass and were both
cross-entered in Saturday’s Pennsylvania Derby (G2) on dirt. Of the two, J W
Blue would seem more likely to race in the Kent given his pedigree.
Two Kent entrants hoping to regain some of their early-season form are KING
CONGIE (Badge of Silver) and CRIMSON CHINA (Giant’s Causeway). The former, who
crossed the wire first in both the Tropical Park Derby and Hallandale Beach S.,
hasn’t looked quite as sharp since returning to the turf over the summer. A
non-threatening sixth in the Virginia Derby (G2) two back, the West Point
Thoroughbreds colorbearer was most recently third by three lengths in the
Saranac S. (G3).
Crimson China won his first two grass appearances of the year for Team Valor,
including the Lamplighter S., but threw in the towel early in the Virginia
Derby, then failed to muster a rally in the National Museum of Racing Hall of
Fame S. (G2) at Saratoga last time.
CASINO HOST (Dynaformer) settled for third in the Virginia Derby after making
a bold move into contention in the stretch, then finished just behind Willcox
Inn in the Secretariat. When circumstances are right, the Chad Brown pupil
appears capable of contending at a square price.
Others of note in the Kent field are Jersey Derby winner BREATHLESS STORM
(Storm Cat); Northern Spur S. winner UNCLE BRENT (Pioneering), who ran second in
his turf debut two starts back; and Grade 3-placed stakes winner CONCEALED
IDENTITY (Smarty Jones), who’ll be making his turf debut.