Albaugh Family Stables’ Admiral Dennis made his first stakes score a memorable one Saturday afternoon, surging to a decisive victory in the inaugural $200,000 Delaware Derby at Delaware Park.

The 3-year-old son of Constitution delivered a powerful stretch run under jockey Luan Machado to win by 3 1/4 lengths, giving trainer Brad Cox yet another stakes win on the season.

The chestnut colt entered off a strong fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in April, a performance that hinted at his class but left him on the outside looking in at the Kentucky Derby starting gate. Saturday’s victory not only validated that effort but also pushed his career earnings past the $300,000 mark from three wins in seven starts.

Breaking sharply from post 2 under jockey Luan Machado, Admiral Dennis settled comfortably in second position behind Kentucky Outlaw, who, after his customary tardy break, rushed up to zip through a quick opening quarter in 23.06 seconds.

“He was a little closer than I expected him to be,” said Machado. “He got a very good break. Much better than he has been breaking lately. He is such a big horse with a long stride so I wanted to make sure he was comfortable without pressure and he finished strong.”

Kentucky Outlaw, with Paco Lopez up, maintained a narrow lead through a half in 46.76 and three quarters in 1:11.49. By that time, though, Admiral Dennis, usually more of a closer, was breathing down the leader’s neck. That was by design, according to assistant trainer Trace Messina.

“Today we were focused on getting the horse more involved early on in the race,” Messina explained. “Kind of last time in the Bluegrass, he stumbled a little bit coming out of the gate, and in Arkansas, in the Rebel, he was just never involved. So today, the mission was get him involved and let him finish up.”

Around the far turn, Admiral Dennis launched his bid, collaring Kentucky Outlaw as the field approached the quarter pole. The two matched strides briefly, but Admiral Dennis soon edged away and opened daylight by midstretch. He stopped the clock in 1:43.57 for 1 1/16 miles over a fast main track.

Barbadian Runner, off at 10-1, raced midpack early before finding his best stride in the lane. He closed strongly to finish second, three lengths ahead of Kentucky Outlaw, who weakened late after setting the pace but held third.

The remainder of the order of finish: Sacred Thunder, Pascaline, La Houligan, Omaha Omaha, and Surfside Moon. Academy, Late Nite Call, and National Law were scratched.

Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, Admiral Dennis is owned by Albaugh Family Stables LLC, who purchased him out of the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale for $425,000. He is out of the Union Rags mare Gulf Coast. Sent off as the 2.20-1 second choice, he returned $6.40 to win, $3.80 to place, and $3.00 to show. The win improved his career line to 7-3-0-1.

With a promising future and now a stakes win on his résumé, Admiral Dennis looks poised to take on deeper waters later in the summer.

“First thing is to make sure he comes out of it good,” Messina said.

And then? “There’s a lot of options this time of year, summer Derbies, so we’ll see.”