Delta Bluesman Rallies to Hall of Fame Win

Monster Racing Stable’s Delta Bluesman rallied up the rail in the final eighth of a mile, took command with less than a sixteenth of a mile to go and went on to win the $100,000 Hall of Fame Stakes by a length Saturday afternoon at Parx. It was the fourth win of the season and second stakes win for the six year-old gelded son of Wagon Limit and pushed his career earnings to just over a half million dollars.

Winner of the G2 Smile Sprint this July at Gulfstream Park, Delta Bluesman had to show a measure of versatility to win the five furlong Hall of Fame. He had not been out sprinted early in any of his last five starts, even leading for nearly a half mile in the G1 Alfred Vanderbilt last time out at Saratoga. However, longshot Pomeroy’s Package was very quick out of the gate, charged to the early lead, while Delta Bluesman found himself no better than fourth in the five horse field as they rounded the far turn. Second choice Rainbow Heir was right at the neck of the leader coming to the quarter pole while Always Sunshine was stuck three wide throughout but nonetheless had himself in striking position approaching the top of the stretch.

Nearing the turn for home, winning jockey Emisael Jaramillo came off the rail and tried to squeeze through between horses, but got shut off, steadied briefly, then had to regather his momentum and take his rally inside. Four horses still had a shot with a furlong to go and at that point Delta Bluesman was still fourth. With a mix of class and determination, he dug in and started gaining as all four runners continued to battle across the track through the stretch. Finally taking the lead with about seventy yards to go, Delta Bluesman then pulled away at the end at came striding home a full length in front.

Trained by Jorge Navarro, Delta Bluesman was sent off as the heavy favorite at 4-5 and paid $3.60, 2.60 and 2.10. Pomeroy’s Package (30-1) ran a huge race, had every chance to fold up in the stretch, but simply refused to back off. He won the three way blanket finish for second and paid 13.20 and 5.60. Rainbow Heir (5-2) was close up throughout but could do no better than third despite having every chance and paid 3.60 to show. The final time over a track labeled fast was :57.45.