Grand Rapport Charges Home in Kent

Favored Grand Rapport charged home on the outside for jockey Ramon Dominguez to collar Workin For Hops in the final few strides, registering his first stakes victory in the $250,000 Kent Stakes (gr. IIIT) Sept. 25 by a half length over the Delaware Park turf.

Trained by Gary Contessa for owner Earle I. Mack, Grand Rapport was an unlucky second in his most recent start, Saratoga's National Museum Hall of Fame Stakes (gr. IIT), losing by a nose after a wide trip Aug. 13.

Making his third start on grass and his first at Delaware, the winning son of Grand Reward, at 9-5, lagged near the back of the pack while saving ground for Dominguez. He was angled out between horses for room on the final turn and flew home to sweep past Workin for Hops, who had overtaken pacesetter Stormy Lord mid-stretch.