Seven strong in Delaware to Catch the Grade 2 Fisk.

Lightly raced colts, Frankfurt Don and The Holy Race try to knock it out of the park Saturday over the  Delaware turf.

Mogulaxius Stable has the favorite for the Fisk in The Holy Race (#4, 5-2). The 4-year-old bay colt has 7 top two finishes in 9 career starts. The son of Adlerflug was rolling through a perfect 4-for-4 season when he went in the gate three back for the Beast Goes On Stakes. He’d been trained very well for that first Stakes race and it showed late when he powered past a Graded Stakes caliber field. The 118 speed badge he earned from the race gave the connections the added confidence to step the colt up to face Graded company. After a second in the Shimko he was tasked with the toughest test yet, in Germany, the Grade 1 Europe Classic. Every horse had a right to be in that gate and Race did his connections proud by staying very gamely in the late parts of the race to secure the place award. This feels like a slightly easier spot and he could be the one to beat.

Frankfurt Don (#7, 3-1) hails from the Fairhaven Barn and is a 4-time winner on grass. This season the bay colt notched his first graded victory when winning the Grade 3 Ark Trial over 11 furlongs of good turf. The Galileo colt has won three straight all on turf and has a speed badge of 116. This was earned three back in a NW4L in Ireland. The lightly raced and wonderfully handled colt ran a 106 on debut last September and has held great form since. He’s the only Graded winner in the field and his class is to be respected.

The one-time claimer Rusty Steed (#2, 9-2) by Gleneagles has certainly come up in the world since that time. He’ll try to add Grade 2 winner to resume this weekend in the Carlton Fisk at Delaware. During his 4-year-old season, the chestnut gelding was a very impressive winner in a NW5x before placing third in the Grade 1 Coalminer Cup. The ten-time winner was strong late and was over ten lengths better than Joe Cool Superbowl who he meets here again. The runner from the Mattress Barn has a 113 speed badge which stamps him as a difficult foe in this spot.

Given brings Wikinger (#6, 9-2) to the contest in terrific form. The colt by Dubawi has been very consistent and loving the longer distance turf events the past year. Most of his wins have been earned going the distance of 12 panels and he scored his first stakes victory over this trip last time out. His 113 speed badge brings him near the top in this field.

Long distance speedster, Joe Cool Superbowl (#1, 5-1) will be on the pace Saturday. The gelded son of Farhh is a 4-time winner on turf including a sizzling victory two back in a NW4L. The race was at the Fisk distance and he earned a 114 speed badge. Last time out he tried the Grade 1 Coalminer and couldn’t get to the front. He faded in the late stages and the race is probably a terrific stepping stone to this easier spot. If they let him loose and comfortable, they may regret it.

Another former claimer coming to the Fisk is Orkan Dark Cocoa (#5, 12-1) from the Stalbrabant Stable. We last saw and reported on him in the prestigious Canada Turf last time out. He was an outsider that day and ran to those odds in seventh. He was so good early this season and doing it with improving speed numbers. It was no shock to see him move up and try long distance graded races. Three back his fourth place in the Stars and Bars was very good. He was able to keep Joe Cool Superbowl behind him that day. But his recent form is not sharp and it could be the company. He’ll get one more try here to show he belongs. 

A horse on the improve is Teatime’s O Northern Halo (#3, 9-2). The bay gelding by Kitten’s Joy has been allowed to go through his conditions and find his own way. Once the distances got extended, he blossomed. He’s won three straight by a combined 14.5 lengths. After a great win two back with a speed badge of 111 he took his first Stakes victory last time out in Florida. The race was at 16 panels but this gelding is two-for-two at the Fisk distance of 12 furlongs.

Another Graded race named for a sports star from long ago. I’m guilty. I’m old enough to remember the awesome catcher and leader on the ball diamond that Carlton Fisk was. I’ve seen his famous home run in the 1975 World Series a lot over the years. Probably a BoSox fan who got this race named for him. Anyways, enjoy the Grade 2 Fisk it looks like a good one.