Delta Prince late surge lands Grade 1 win in Maker's 46 Mile Stakes

Although it proved a circuitous trip just to get Delta Prince into the gate, his connections celebrated the outcome as he rallied from last place to win the Grade 1 Maker's 46 Mile Stakes at Keeneland.

The last-to-first rally had trainer Jimmy Jerkens watching nervously, but the journey proved worthwhile after a racing postponement at Santa Anita Park saw the six-year-old son of Street Cry travel across the country without a race.

Jerkens had pointed the Stronach Stables-homebred to the March 9 Frank E Kilroe Mile Stakes on the Santa Anita turf, but equine safety issues at the California track forced that race to be postponed to March 30. Connections were forced to plot a new course toward a first top-level score for their improving runner.

"That [postponement] was pretty hectic and hard to swallow to go all the way out there and have to come all the way back," Jerkens said. "But at least he handled the shipping very well – we were lucky with that – because sometimes he doesn't. This year he's grown up and matured into a really nice horse."

That maturity was on full display on Friday as Delta Prince overcame any travel weariness and a layoff dating to his third-place finish in the Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park in January. That 2019 debut marked the second time Delta Prince had been placed in a Grade 1 stakes, but he would not be denied on Friday.

After racing last of seven around the far turn, Delta Prince unleashed a late run under the meeting's leading rider Javier Castellano to surge past the six rivals, drawing clear of longshot runner-up Clyde's Image.

"I tried to take my time with the horse and let the race develop – horses were going quickly," Castellano said. "Then I liked the way he finished. He quickened really, really well."

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