Lael Stable’s Ready Set scored an upset victory against Nicanor in the $50,700 Eight Thirty Stakes at Delaware Park Aug. 25 (VIDEO).
With Brian Joseph Hernandez aboard, Ready Set chased the early pacesetter Hugo, who set fractions of :45.47 for the half mile and 1:09.20 for the three-quarters, before defeating his foe in the final jumps. The 1 mile and 70 yards on a firm turf was run in a course record time of 1:38.93.
Nicanor, a full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Barbaro, finished sixth of seven. The Ready Set/Nicanor entry returned $3.40.
Ready Set had been winless in his last 15 starts dating back to August 2008 when the Kentucky-bred trained by Ronny Werner notched a victory in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. III) at Mountaineer Park. In his most recent outing, the 5-year-old son of Touch Gold ran third in a 7 1/2-furlong turf allowance at Delaware Park on July 28. His career record is five wins from 27 starts with earnings of $731,029.
“My horse ran great,” said Hernandez. “They went quick in front of us, but he settled in real nice. He ran big in his last race, his first race after a little layoff, and he stepped his game today. He was there for us the whole way.”