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.