Our Edge, a fast-developing 3-year-old colt trained by Nick Zito for Robert LaPenta, made easy work of 10 rivals in the $152,100 Barbaro Stakes (gr. III) (VIDEO) at Delaware Park July 19.
Ridden by Alan Garcia, Our Edge led all the way, drawing off in the final furlong for a seven-length win. The son of The Cliff's Edge completed the 1 1/16-mile test in 1:43.70 on a fast track.
Our Edge posted his third consecutive victory since breaking his maiden in his third start by 8 3/4 lengths at Delaware May 18. The bay colt was coming off a front-running win by a head in Monmouth Park's Coronado's Quest Stakes June 20. Our Edge turned in two impressive four-furlong works on the Saratoga training track following his stakes debut.
In a field that appeared to have quite a bit of speed, Our Edge went directly to the front and posted sensible fractions of :23.78, :47.89, and 1:12.68 as Pitched Perfectly prompted the pacesetter on his outside. Pitched Perfectly, racing in the Barbaro colors of Lael Stables, backed out on the turn, however. The 2-1 choice It Happened Again, on the outside, closed in rounding the turn to challenge for Gabriel Saez, and Denver rallied along the inside for Jeremy Rose.
But Our Edge responded at the head of the lane to maintain command. When roused mid-stretch after opening a 2 1/2-length lead, he had plenty left for the drive and won as much the best. It Happened Again held on for second by 1 1/4 lengths, with Denver finishing third.
"Nick Zito just told me let him break and get good position and go from there," said Garcia. "My horse broke very well and after that he just kept it going. I had tons of horse at the end."
The victory was worth $90,000, increasing Our Edge's career earnings to $162,500. He has compiled a 3-1-0 mark in five starts.
A $130,000 Keeneland yearling sale in September 2007, Our Edge was bred by Terrapin Stables and Phillip and Marcia Cohen in Florida. He is out of Cash the Flash, by Star de Naskra.
Sent off as the second choice, Our Edge carried 118 pounds and paid $8.80, $4.40, and $3.60. It Happened Again, now with two wins and two seconds in four starts at Delaware for trainer Larry Jones, returned $3.80 and $2.80. Denver was $3.60 to show.
It was 2 3/4 lengths to Sumo in fourth. He was followed by In the Juice, Code of Honour, Doc's Friend, Sudden Shift, Pitched Perfectly, Dumar, and Slew of Smoke. Bunker Hill scratched.
Our Edge made easy work of 10 rivals in the 2009 Barbaro Stakes at Delaware Park.
