Witty cruises to Stanton Stakes win
Frank Vespe- June 29, 2022
It couldn’t have been much easier for Witty.
The three-year-old Great Notion gelding got back on track Wednesday, romping to a five-length win in the $50,000 Stanton Stakes for Delaware certified three-year-olds. Scratches decimated the field, leaving just three runners, and Witty was off as the 3-10 favorite.
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Under regular rider Carol Cedeno, Witty was unhurried early, content to let Crabs N Beer and Liltonytwophones duke it out on the front end. Those two did the heavy lifting early, through an opening quarter-mile in 23.06 seconds and a half in 46.28.
By then, Cedeno had tipped Witty three wide for racing room, and though he floated out wide straightening away for home, he pulled away easily without being asked for his best. Witty stopped the timer in 1:10.60 for six furlongs over a fast main track and paid $2.60 to win. Crabs N Beer was second of the trio.
Witty, a half-brother to multiple graded stakes winner Caravel, had won three straight on the main track before his disappointing outing over a boggy turf course in the Grade 2 Penn Mile last time out. He now has four wnis from six career starts, with earnings of $238,000.
Witty is a homebred for Elizabeth Merryman, whose son, McLane Hendriks, trains the horse.
Witty won the Stanton Stakes at Delaware Park. Photo by Mike Valiante.
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