I have always enjoyed live racing at Delaware Park. Much has changed since my early forays to Delaware in the 80′s. Slot machines fill the plant and the simulcast theater is top notch. The giant TV’s can be seen from the parking lot, lol.
We spent much of the day in The Grove and around the beautiful outdoor paddock. We also sat in the comfortable outdoor seats overlooking the track and watched a few races from that location. Our original plan was to include a recap video but our battery was running low and we have to scrap that idea.
Delaware Park logo - photo by Stacy Edwards
My full card analysis yielded a trio of chalky top choice winners (Brooks Star, Life At Ten, Sand Witchh). I finished the card with a bang, nailing back-to-back cold Exactas including my Life At Ten-Miss Singhsix video analysis of the Del ‘Cap.
John Velazquez pulled off a four-bagger including both Graded thoroughbred winners. Rosie Napravnik booted home a pair and Todd Pletcher saddled two winners on the afternoon.
In the 15th running of the R. M. M. Carpenter Jr. Memorial, Our Edge carved out the early splits but caved in the lane. Monmouth Park shipper Sir Whimsey rallied from 5th and last to take command in the lane and had plenty left in reserve to hold off my top Edgewater. Alan Garcia booted home the Steve Asmussen trainee.
Treat Gently heads to the post parade at Delaware Park - photo by Stacy Edwards
The first Graded event of the afternoon was the Robert G. Dick Memorial (G3) for fillies and mares traveling a mile and three-eighths on the turf. Looking back I think my top pick Rcuandry was an oops! I thought she would be part of a tepid early pace but the Graham Motion trainee never got involved and was eased across the line. My strong second choice Treat Gently was the class of the field and was always traveling well under Johnny V. She tracked the pace and pounced on the leaders in the lane to post a 1-1/4 length victory for Bill Mott. A She’s Adorable edged controlling speed Ainamaa for runner-up honors and overbet favorite Gozzip Girl crossed the line in 4th.
Life At Ten in paddock prior to Del 'Cap - photo by Stacy Edwards
The main event was the $750,000 Grade 2 Delaware Handicap and every handicapper in the country knew that Life At Ten held a significant pace advantage. Sure enough, when the latch sprung Life At Ten took command under Johnny V through splits of :24.98, :49.75, and 1:14.01. The talented miss basically won the race after the opening quarter and it was only a matter of the final margin of victory, which was a very comfortable three lengths.
Miss Singhsix looked second best on paper and rallied to complete my suggested cold Exacta. Funny Moon necked Milwaukee Appeal out of the show and was followed by Miss Match and Million Seller.
The Todd Pletcher trainee stopped the clock in 2:03.21 and is expected to make her next start in the ten furlong Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga on Aug 29.
The final race of the day was a Graded affair for Arabians, and undefeated Sand Witchh cruised to another easy win as expected. My cold Exacta with Frysk Me Now came to fruition as he was clearly second best.
Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed my on site coverage for Horse Racing Nation and am eagerly looking forward to my next assignment. It should also be an exciting summer here at the blog with Del Mar on the horizon. Check back early next week for my opening day pick six analysis, and my latest Beyond The Crown series blog will be posted on Monday.
That’s it for now. Good luck at the races, and did I mention that Del mar starts next week…yay!