Can Debonair Darling Get Over Hump?

Red Oak Stable’s Debonair Darling is consistent – you can’t take that away from her.

But despite having never finished off the board in 10 Monmouth Park starts, the 5-year-old daughter of Formal Dinner hasn’t visited the winner’s circle since June 2009.

Exiting a solid second-place finish in an optional claiming event on June 4 – her first start since Nov. 21, 2010 – Debonair Darling is expected to improve according to trainer Gregg Sacco.

“She needed the race badly and was game in defeat,” Sacco said.  “She’s put in two really good works since then and all systems are go.”

A versatile mare, Debonair Darling has shown the ability to set the pace or sit just off the leaders during her career. 

Jockey Chris DeCarlo will be aboard Saturday as the pair breaks from the far outside gate in the field of seven.

“She definitely has tactical speed,” Sacco said.  “I would have liked to be drawn a little more inside – sometimes out there you have to send a little to get position.  But it’s a small field, and traffic shouldn’t be that big of an issue.”