Stonehedge LLC's homebred Dean Delivers, who had already established himself as an exceptional racehorse while finishing first or second in in 11 of 15 previous starts, distinguished himself as a graded stakes winner Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
Sent to post as the 6-5 favorite in a field of eight, multiple graded stakes-placed Dean Delivers produced a career-best effort to score a dominating 2¼-length victory in the $100,000 Smile Sprint (G1).
The 4-year-old Florida-bred gelding was rushed to the lead by jockey Emisael Jaramillo on the backstretch, and the son of Cajun Breeze was in complete control thereafter, completing six furlongs in 1:09.28 after setting fractions of :21.88 and :44.30 for the first half-mile.
“Today, he drew the one hole, and we figured if he broke good and clean and the rail was open, why not go? It was totally up to Jaramillo as to what to do,” said trainer Michael Yates, who had saddled Dean Delivers for an off-the-pace victory in the May 20 Big Drama at Gulfstream.
Big and Classy, who had won his six prior starts, finished second in his stakes debut, 1½ lengths ahead of Todo Fino, who was closest in pursuit of loose-on-the-lead Dean Delivers before tiring.
In addition to being elated with Dean Delivers effort, Yates derived personal satisfaction in having campaigned the hard-nosed Cajun Breeze during his racing career before deciding that son of Congrats had what it took to make a successful Florida stallion. Cajun Breeze now stands at Stonehedge Farm.
'I'm over-the-moon happy,” Yates said. “It's a big deal.”
Dean Delivers, who is out of the Yes It's True mare Slick and True, earned a $25,000 bonus offered by the FTBOA to a Florida-bred winner of the Smile Sprint. He also earned a credit of $30,000 toward entry fees for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita Nov. 4.
“It's not out of the question. It will be a group decision. We'll enjoy this,” said Yates, who said a decision on Dean Delivers' next start will be decided upon meeting with Stonehedge LLC's Marilyn Campbell and farm manager Larry King.
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