I’m Steppin’ It Up hands Pecoraro milestone win in
off-the-turf Kent
Roman Hill Farm’s I’M STEPPIN’ IT UP (Congrats) lived up to his name in
Saturday’s $265,350
Kent S.,
which lost more than half of its original entrants, and almost all of its prime
contenders, when transferred to Delaware Park’s main track. Taking full
advantage of the change in conditions, the Anthony Pecoraro colt went wire to
wire to earn his first stakes score, and hand his trainer a memorable 1,000th
career victory. The off-the-turf Kent was automatically downgraded from its
original Grade 3 status, pending review by the American Graded Stakes Committee.
With the withdrawal of Willcox Inn (Harlan’s Holiday), Casino Host (Dynaformer),
Crimson China (Giant’s Causeway), Breathless Storm (Storm Cat) and Concealed
Identity (Smarty Jones), and J W Blue (Sky Mesa) and Rush Now (Tiznow) opting
instead for Saturday’s Pennsylvania Derby (G2), the most accomplished horse left
in the decimated Kent was King Congie (Badge of Silver). The West Point runner
was accordingly dispatched as the 4-5 favorite, but the late runner found the
paceless race all against him.
I’m Steppin’ It Up, whose resume included thirds in last year’s Champagne S.
(G1) as well as the June 13 Floor Show S. here and the September 5 Smarty Jones
S. at Parx last time out, rated as the 4-1 third choice. Under Jeremy Rose, he
grabbed the early lead and controlled proceedings through fractions of :24 2/5,
:49 and 1:13. I’m Steppin’ It Up spurted clear turning for home, just as King
Congie was beginning to circle the field from last.
The odds-on favorite tried valiantly down the length of the stretch, and
reduced the gap, but could not overtake the leader who had everything his own
way. I’m Steppin’ It Up was still two lengths clear at the wire in a final time
of 1:50 2/5 for 1 1/8 miles on the wet-fast track. The winner paid $10.80, $3.80
and $3.
King Congie held a 2 3/4-length margin over third-placer Fire with Fire
(Distorted Humor). Forty Nine Watts (Unbridled Energy), Wild Jacob (Eurosilver)
and Uncle Brent (Pioneering) rounded out the order of finish.
I’m Steppin’ It Up doubled his bankroll to $321,566 from his 14-3-2-4 record.
All three of those wins have come at his Delaware base. Runner-up to eventual
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) winner Pluck (More Than Ready) in his second
start, the chestnut broke his maiden by 10 1/4 lengths when stretched out to two
turns next out. He concluded his juvenile campaign in the Champagne, where he
was beaten 14 1/2 lengths by Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) when third. In May, I’m
Steppin’ It Up trounced entry-level optional claiming foes by seven lengths, but
his stakes appearances still exposed him as being on the outer fringe of that
class. He signaled improvement last time in the Smarty Jones, yielding
grudgingly to Wilburn (Bernardini), and dropping second to Redeemed (Include)
late.
Bred by Thomas L. Croley in Florida, I’m Steppin’ It Up is a half-brother to
multiple stakes winner Thunder Brew (Milwaukee Brew), who was fifth in last
year’s Kent on the turf. They are the only racing age foals from their dam, the
Thunder Gulch mare Cindy Woo Who. Her latest is a yearling filly named Cuppy
Cake (Olmodavor). This is the family of champion Beautiful Pleasure and multiple
Grade 1 star Mecke, full siblings by Maudlin.