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Willcox Inn seeks to rebound in Kent Denied a sweep of Arlington Park's Mid-America Triple by a strong European contingent in the August 13 Secretariat S. (G1), WILLCOX INN (Harlan's Holiday) still rates as one of the leading three-year-olds on grass in the U.S. The Mike Stidham trainee can reaffirm that view Saturday in the $250,000 Kent S. (G3) at Delaware Park, which is scheduled at nine furlongs on the turf. Showing a fondness for the surface at first asking when third at 23-1 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) last November, Willcox Inn has made only one diversion away from turf this season. After a couple early setbacks, the dark bay added blinkers for the Arlington Classic, opening leg of Arlington's three-race series for sophomores. A comfortable 2 1/2-length winner as the 3-2 favorite, Willcox Inn was even more impressive when landing the American Derby (G2) by four lengths as the 2-1 choice. However, in the Secretariat, Willcox Inn ran fourth to Irish classic winner Treasure Beach (GB) (Galileo [Ire]), with Ziyarid (Ire) (Desert Style) and multiple Grade 2 winner Banned (Kitten's Joy) also beating Willcox Inn to the finish. The 3 1/2-length loss was no disgrace considering the company he was facing while racing over testing course decisions. Robby Albarado retains the mount for the Kent. Willcox Inn drew the far outside post 13 for the Kent, but it seems unlikely all will line up at post time. Rain will be prevalent in the Wilmington area throughout the week, and a turf course on the soft side might sway some entrants away. Trainer Tony Dutrow also entered two colts -- RUSH NOW (Tiznow) and J W BLUE (Sky Mesa) -- who have never raced on grass and were both cross-entered in Saturday's Pennsylvania Derby (G2) on dirt. Of the two, J W Blue would seem more likely to race in the Kent given his pedigree. Two Kent entrants hoping to regain some of their early-season form are KING CONGIE (Badge of Silver) and CRIMSON CHINA (Giant's Causeway). The former, who crossed the wire first in both the Tropical Park Derby and Hallandale Beach S., hasn't looked quite as sharp since returning to the turf over the summer. A non-threatening sixth in the Virginia Derby (G2) two back, the West Point Thoroughbreds colorbearer was most recently third by three lengths in the Saranac S. (G3). Crimson China won his first two grass appearances of the year for Team Valor, including the Lamplighter S., but threw in the towel early in the Virginia Derby, then failed to muster a rally in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) at Saratoga last time. CASINO HOST (Dynaformer) settled for third in the Virginia Derby after making a bold move into contention in the stretch, then finished just behind Willcox Inn in the Secretariat. When circumstances are right, the Chad Brown pupil appears capable of contending at a square price. Others of note in the Kent field are Jersey Derby winner BREATHLESS STORM (Storm Cat); Northern Spur S. winner UNCLE BRENT (Pioneering), who ran second in his turf debut two starts back; and Grade 3-placed stakes winner CONCEALED IDENTITY (Smarty Jones), who'll be making his turf debut.
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