American Patriot notches first stakes win in Grade III Kent

WinStar Farm’s American Patriot won the $200,000 Grade III Kent Stakes in record setting fashion at Delaware Park today.  With Jose Ortiz aboard, the 3-year-old son of War Front established a new track record for a mile and an eighth on the turf by running the distance in 1:47.19.  The previous record was held by Optimizer who ran the distance in 1:47.27 in 2012.

He’ll Pay, with Florent Geroux, cut early fractions of :48.20 for a half mile and 1:12.00 for the three-quarters before finishing second a neck in front of Inspector Lynley, with Joel Rosario, in third.

American Patriot raised his career record to three wins from six starts with earnings of $212,012.  He returned $5.40 as the favorite in the field of seven.  The Kent Stakes was the first career stake victory for the Kentucky-bred trained by Todd Pletcher.

“I asked him to go at quarter pole, he gave me a great run for the quarter pole to the wire,” said winning rider Jose Ortiz.  “I think he is a really nice and he will improve.  You are going to hear more about this horse.”

Source: Delaware Park