Gufo Sets Delaware Turf Course Record in Kent Stakes
Image:
Description:
Photo: Hoofprints, Inc.
Gufo wins the Kent Stakes at Delaware Park
Otter Bend Stables' Gufo rolled to his fourth straight win in track-record time in the $125,250 Kent Stakes (G3) July 4 at Delaware Park, also earning his first graded stakes victory in the 1 1/8-mile turf test.
The 3-year-old Declaration of War colt broke his maiden second time out in late December at Gulfstream Park, then returned in March at the South Florida oval to win an allowance optional claiming event before taking the May 2 English Channel Stakes with a last-to-first rally.
Jockey Trevor McCarthy piloted Gufo, the 3-5 favorite among seven sophomores, for the first time in the Kent. After an awkward break, the Christophe Clement trainee was second to last through the first six furlongs. Up front was Sunsation, who showed the way through fractions of :24.16, :47.49, and 1:11.31
Vanzzy, who had stalked the pace, took over the lead as McCarthy swung Gufo four wide at the quarter pole. Pixelate also made a move from fourth, but Gufo was able to run down his rivals for a half-length victory.
The final time for nine furlongs on firm turf was 1:46.94. The previous course record belonged to American Patriot, who won the 2016 Kent in 1:47.19.
"They wanted me to have him a little bit closer to the pace today, but he just was not comfortable when I put a little pressure on him to stay up early," said McCarthy. "We went a little slow the first quarter but things quickened up. I felt like I was on the best horse, so I left him alone, kept him out of trouble and gave him time to get himself together. I saved a little bit of ground in the first turn and then I got him out down the backside and that is when he really started to gain his rhythm.
"If there was any horse who could have beaten me today, I thought it was the 3, Pixelate, and I just kind of tracked him the whole way. When we turned for home, I just went outside of Pixelate, and my horse did all of the work. He was really impressive breaking the track record and he really stormed home the last eighth of a mile."
McCarthy also won the Christiana Stakes aboard CJ Thoroughbreds' Trickle In earlier on Delaware's card.
Pixelate took second in the Kent by 2 1/2 lengths over Vanzzy in third. Talking, Sunsation, Me and Mr. C, and Bye Bye Melvin completed the order of finish.
Bred in Kentucky by John Little and Stephen Cainelli, Gufo is the second stakes winner out of the Petionville mare Floy. He is a half brother to multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire Hogy (by Offlee Wild).
With four wins and a third from five career starts, Gufo has earned $177,510.