The Gray Wizard took one step nearer to a attainable stint within the Melbourne Cup (G1) together with his last-to-first victory within the $200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes Aug. 21 at Delaware Park.
Submit time favourite 🧙♂️ #3 THE GREY WIZARD (Ire) ($4.20) brings it house within the 🏆 Cape Henlopen Stakes at @DelParkRacing with John Velazquez (@ljlmvel) within the irons for coach @GrahamMotion. Congratulations to homeowners @EclipseTBP and The Property of Albert Frassetto. pic.twitter.com/r5pmzeZqXz
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 21, 2024
Campaigned for the colours of Eclipse Thoroughbred Companions and The Property of Albert Frassetto, The Gray Wizard was making his first begin since successful the two-mile Belmont Gold Cup Stakes (G2T) June 6. In addition to breaking the Saratoga Race Course turf observe file that day, the 5-year-old gelding landed a first-class ticket to Australia when securing an computerized slot within the beginning gate to the Nov. 5 Melbourne Cup.
Underneath the care of Graham Movement, group The Gray Wizard hatched a plan to arrange for the son of Caravaggio in his bid to turn out to be the primary United States-trained horse to seize Australia’s richest race. The Cape Henlopen could be first, adopted by the Sept. 11 $500,000 Nashville Gold Cup, held over 2 1/16 miles, at Kentucky Downs. If The Gray Wizard have been to win or carry out properly in each, the Melbourne Cup could be within the taking part in playing cards.
One step down.
With jockey John Velazquez flying in from Saratoga to trip The Gray Wizard, the pair galloped in final of 5 early earlier than making their transfer with a half-mile to run within the 1 1/2-mile contest. Inhaling his rivals turning for house, The Gray Wizard was a blur of silver down the stretch, flashing below the wire 2 1/4 lengths in entrance in a last time of two:32.70 over a agency turf course.
Restricted Legal responsibility ran on willingly for second with English Conqueror checking in third.
“I knew my horse didn’t have quite a lot of pace and he’s somewhat sluggish popping out of the gate, however they began slowing down the second after which the third quarter so I made a decision I higher begin shifting to maintain him in a very good rhythm shifting forwardly,” stated Velazquez. “By the point we have been on the half-mile pole, I used to be proper the place I wished to be and I received him shifting into an excellent rhythm. After we received into the lane, I requested him and he simply moved away from them.”
The Gray Wizard, despatched off because the 3-5 favourite, returned $4.20.
Video: Cape Henlopen S. (BT)
