Eons, Gentle Ruler Extend Win Streaks at Delaware Park
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Photo: Hoofprints, Inc.
Eons wins the Kent Stakes at Delaware Park
Mark Grier's Eons and Morsches Stable's Gentle Ruler extended their win streaks to four and picked up their first graded scores in Delaware Park's July 6 turf features, respectively winning the $200,250 Kent Stakes (G3T) and $200,375 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (G3T).
The Kent, for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles, marked a step up in company for Arnaud Delacour-trained Eons. The Giant's Causeway colt won the Stanton Stakes on the same course June 12 and stretched out an extra sixteenth of a mile Saturday.
"He is getting better with each day—like good wine," Delacour said. "We thought the added distance would help him, and he proved it today. I would not be opposed to even running him in longer, but we will see what is available.
"Running him at Saratoga is definitely an option. After winning the Kent, you got to feel good about the fact we could step him up, which is something we will consider if the horse is well and he comes back OK."
Eons and jockey Trevor McCarthy broke from post 6 and tracked in third behind even-money favorite Award Winner and Empire of War as the first quarter-mile went in :24.98. McCarthy's mount pressed into second as Award Winner continued to lead through :49.48 and 1:13.61, and the two were only a head apart as Eons drew even in the stretch with a mile in 1:37.90.
The third choice at 4-1, Eons dug in and stuck his neck in front at the wire. The final time was 1:49.26 on firm turf.
Award Winner remained second, three lengths ahead of Surf and Turf, who was followed by Critical Data, Empire of War, Solidify, and Sharetheblame.
Eons was bred in Kentucky by Camas Park Stud out of the Hansel mare Golden Antigua and is his dam's third graded stakes winner. He is a full brother to Canadian stallion Giant Gizmo and dual French group 2 winner Tableaux. The last reported foal out of Golden Antigua is Eenie Meenie Miney, a 2-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo .
Eaton Sales consigned Eons at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where Clancy Bloodstock purchased him for $300,000.
From a total of six career starts since January with trainer Arnaud Delacour, Eons has earned $229,165.
Gentle Ruler wins the Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park
Two races later, the 1 3/8-mile Robert G. Dick Memorial for fillies and mares 3 and up was Gentle Ruler's first start in the mid-Atlantic region after primarily racing in Kentucky, where her trainer Ian Wilkes is based.
The 4-year-old Colonel John filly cut back an eighth of a mile from her last start in the Keertana Overnight Stakes May 25 at Churchill Downs, where she ran down favorite Gaining for her first stakes victory.
The Keertana came two starts after Gentle Ruler broke her maiden in her 12th attempt March 28 at Gulfstream Park.
"She has come a long way. It took her a little while for her trainer to get her to break her maiden, but since we got that figured out, she has been brilliant," Wilkes said. "Seriously, the difference is that she had always been kind of a quirky filly. She always had to do everything with a pony. She could not go to the track without a pony, and she could not back up without a pony. She just would not do anything without a pony.
"This year, she has matured, and she is a much better filly because of it. It is as simple as that. She is really getting into a good niche here with her ability to relax. The thing that I noticed today that I really liked was the first time they went by, you could see her listening to Chris. She had her ears going back and forth, and you could tell she was listening to him."
Jockey Chris Landeros took his time with Gentle Ruler as they broke from post 4 and dropped back to sixth of eight. Steelin Magnolias controlled the pace and stretched out to a five-length lead as she led through opening fractions of :23.12, :48.57, and 1:12.79 before dropping back. Gaining, the even-money favorite, was also making her first start since the Keertana and sat one spot behind Gentle Ruler, off at 7-2.
As the field turned for home, the rail opened up and Landeros took advantage of the gap. Gentle Ruler rolled home and was a clear 2 3/4-length winner. She stopped the clock in 2:13.70 on firm turf.
"We will probably run her next at Saratoga," Wilkes said, "but we want to make sure she is OK and comes out of this race in good shape first."
Theodora B came from fourth to finish second, a neck in front of Gaining. Layla Noor, Vevina, Coachwhip, Steelin Magnolias, and Osare completed the order of finish. Lemon Zip was a late scratch after rearing in the starting gate.
Gentle Ruler was bred in Kentucky by Builder's Mart out of the Cozzene mare Winikins, whose seven starters are all winners. Winikins last foaled a Lea colt March 31.
Claiborne Farm consigned Gentle Ruler at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and she failed to sell for her $18,000 reserve. She's gone on to earn $340,053 in 15 starts.
Video: Kent S. (G3T)