STANTON, Del. -- It wasn't easy, nor was it pretty. But as far as trainer Graham Motion is concerned, the hard-fought victory by heavily favored Broken Vow on the Saturday undercard at Delaware Park was a step in the right direction.

"This was just a stopping point," Motion said after Broken Vow wore down Jarf to win the $100,000 R.R.M. Carpenter Jr. Memorial Stakes by a length.

Broken Vow, an Unbridled 4-year-old bred and owned by Pin Oak Stable, returned $2.80 to win after finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.07. Laying second most of the trip, he overcame Jarf's slow fractions to post his eighth win from 11 starts. Ramon Dominguez rode the winner.

Motion said the Carpenter should serve as a key prep for the Aug. 26 Philip Iselin Handicap at Monmouth Park. The Breeders' Cup Classic is the ultimate goal.

"This might not be his kind of track," said Motion. "He seems to prefer a quicker surface like Gulfstream, Monmouth, or Keeneland."

Connected rallied mildly to finish third, two more lengths back. Cat's at Home finished fourth and last. Grundlefoot and Estio were early scratches.

Amourette walks away with upset
Later Saturday, Amourette took full advantage of being allowed to set an easy pace by upsetting the $154,500 Robert Dick Memorial.

Travis Dunkleberger was aboard Amourette for owner Richard Otto and trainer Gregg McCarron in the Dick Memorial, a 1 3/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares. She paid $37 in her one-length victory, finishing in 2:17.20 over firm going.

Aiglonne, the 2-1 favorite, finished second, a half-length before Krisada in a field of nine. New Assembly, the 2-1 second choice, finished eighth.

For Amourette, a 5-year-old Maryland-bred by El Gran Senor, the victory was her third in a row and her sixth from 31 career starts.

"Winning a race like this at Delaware brings back to many wonderful memories," said McCarron, a former jockey who rode regularly at Delaware in the 1970's. "I am busting right now."

McCarron, based in Maryland, is the older brother of Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron.