No Inflation notched the first added-money victory of his career when he scored by 6 ¼ lengths in the $250,000 Kent Stakes (gr. IIIT) (VIDEO) Sept. 5 at Delaware Park. Ridden by Rosemary Homesister Jr. for the first time, the Repriced gelding grabbed the lead soon after the start and, while being stalked by Dr Large, set fractions of :24.29 for the first quarter mile and :48.35 for the half. No Inflation started pulling away in the turn for home and never was challenged as he approached the wire.
Bred in Florida, No Inflation covered 1 1/8 miles over a course rated as “firm” in 1:48.29.
“It set up perfect for us,” Homeister said. “We knew there was one other speed horse in the race and I was told to just let him (No Inflation) break and wherever he is comfortable, just leave him there. And when he broke, he broke sharp and he put himself on the lead and he felt very comfortable in that spot. Going around the first turn, I picked it up a little bit because I did not want anyone to sneak up on us. After that, I just had the race. I did not know how he was going to finish, but when I got to the middle of the last turn and asked him, he was just in cruise control.”
The late rallying Out At Night finished second, a length in front of Dr Large, who veered out in stretch. Colonel Rutledge and Laureate Conductor rounded out the field. The heavy favorite, Castleton Lyons' Laureate Conductor got shuffled back in the field after an awkward start, raced four wide, and made a mild bid before fading to last. Earlier this year, he captured the Choice Stakes on grass at Monmouth Park, and he came into the Kent off of a third-place effort in the Aug. 8 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) at Arlington.
Produced from the Unbridled mare Free to Soar, No Inflation was the second betting choice in the Kent field. He races for his breeder, Leonard Lavin’s Glen Hill Farm, and is trained by Tom Proctor. The bay Florida-bred gelding has won three of his 11 career starts and has earned $319,803.
No Inflation finished second in the American Derby (gr. IIT) in July and the Arlington Classic on grass in May at Arlington Park. He also was third in June in the Jefferson Cup Stakes (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs. In his last outing prior to the Kent, the gelding finished fourth in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (gr. IIT) Aug. 14 at Saratoga.
No Inflation paid $7.20, $3.40, and $12.40 to his backers. Out At Night returned $9.80 and $17.40, and Dr Large paid $10.40.