'TDN Rising Star' Admiral Dennis (Constitution), a last-out rallying fourth in the GI Blue Grass S. at Keeneland Apr. 8, sat much closer to the pace than usual and drew off in the stretch to salute at odds of 2-1 in Saturday's inaugural running of the Delaware Derby.
He tracked favored Kentucky Outlaw (Outwork) from second, traveled nicely on the far turn to reach even terms and took care of business from there to win as much the best by 3 1/4 lengths.
Admiral Dennis, an optional claiming winner at Fair Grounds Jan. 20 and sixth-place finisher in the GII Rebel S. Feb. 23, becomes the 77th stakes winner for Constitution.
“He was a little closer than I expected him to be,” said winning rider Luan 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.”
The $425,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Dennis Albaugh's operation (yes, he is named after the stable's patriarch) is the first foal out of the stakes-winning Gulf Coast, who hails from the extended female family of the legendary A.P. Indy. She is also responsible for a 2-year-old colt by Constitution, a $500,000 KEESEP yearling.
Admiral Dennis was profiled in our 'Second Chances' series following a debut third at Churchill Downs last September.
DELAWARE DERBY, $200,000, Delaware, 6-14, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.57, ft.
1–ADMIRAL DENNIS, 118, c, 3, by Constitution
1st Dam: Gulf Coast (SW), by Union Rags
2nd Dam: Sweet Success, by Candy Ride (Arg)
3rd Dam: Aspiring, by Seeking the Gold
($425,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Albaugh
Family Stables LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox;
J-Luan Machado. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 7-3-0-1,
$331,988.
2–Barbadian Runner, 120, g, 3, Barbados–Quiet Run, by
Northern Afleet. ($5,000 Ylg '23 EASOCT). O-AJ Will Win
Stables LLC; B-Shamrock Farm (MD); T-Henry Walters.
$40,000.
3–Kentucky Outlaw, 120, c, 3, Outwork–Fend, by Street Sense.
($10,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $10,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT; $12,000
2yo '24 OBSOPN). O-Felissa Dunn; B-Daniel Thomas Kjorsvik
(KY); T-Felissa Dunn. $22,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, 3, 2. Odds: 2.20, 10.80, 1.80.
Also Ran: Sacred Thunder, Pascaline, La Houligan, Omaha Omaha, Surfside Moon. Scratched: Academy, Late Nite Call, National Law.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
The inaugural Delaware Derby goes to #3 ADMIRAL DENNIS!
A big win by the son of @WinStarFarm Constitution, who is trained by @bradcoxracing for @Albaughstables. pic.twitter.com/Kx9Vse4hdr
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 14, 2025
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