by Ron Parker

September 05, 2009

Glen Hill Farm’s Grade 2-placed homebred No Inflation secured his first graded stakes victory in grand style on Saturday as he took the lead and drew away from four opponents for a 6¼-length victory in the $250,000 Kent Stakes (G3) at Delaware Park.

With jockey Rosemary Homeister Jr. aboard, the three-year-old Repriced gelding set comfortable early fractions of :24.29 and :48.35 through the first half-mile of the 1 1/8-mile turf race.

“It set up perfect for us,” Homeister said. “We knew there was one other speed horse in the race. I was told to just let him 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.”

Out At Night, fourth in the early running, moved up to second turning for home but No Inflation was five lengths clear in early stretch and coasted to victory.

“Going around the first turn, I picked it up a little bit because I did not want anyone to sneak up on us,” Homeister said. “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.”

No Inflation completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.29 on firm turf.

Out At Night finished one length clear of third-place finisher Dr Large.

Laureate Conductor, favored at odds of 3-to-5, started awkwardly and could only manage a mild bid on the turn before fading to last.

Second to Reb in this year’s American Derby (G2) at Arlington Park, No Inflation entered the Kent Stakes off a fourth-place finish to Courageous Cat in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course on August 14.

The Kent was No Inflation’s third victory from 11 starts for trainer Thomas Proctor. Out of the unraced Unbridled mare Free to Soar, Florida-bred No Inflation increased his career earnings to $319,803.

For an Equibase chart, click here.