Delaware Handicap Day Analysis – July 17

I am heading to Delaware Park to cover the 2010 Grade 2 Delaware Handicap for Horse Racing Nation. As part of my coverage I have included free full card analysis of the July 17 Delaware Park card, and I will be posting video analysis of the Delaware Handicap later today. I will return with a recap blog complete with pictures on Sunday.

Puzzled by first-timers and new sires?  Get the inside scoop!  Get your free copy of the Freshman Sire Report today.

For my Best Bets delivered to your inbox, visit RaceDayTips.com.

Delaware Park full card analysis – Saturday (7-17-10)

By Jarrod Horak (horseracingnation.com, pick6blog.com)

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 91.

Best Bets (races 4, 7, 9, 10)

DEL Analysis – July 17

DEL 1 (Clm-30/2L, 3up, 5.5f) #3 CUT THE CORNER (6-1) dons the hood and switches surfaces for a 21% shipping barn. He could fall into the right tactical trip in his second tagged start. #2 Warrior Poet (5-2) earned a quality number in straight Maiden win at Oaklawn Feb 19. He flopped in route test when last seen March 13 and returns in a preferred sprint. THE PLAYS: #3 to win, Exacta Box 2-3

DEL 2 (Mcl-20k, 3up, 7.5T) #5 CHECKS CASHED (9-5) added blinkers and showed improved early interest in a clear place finish behind a runaway turf winner at Colonial Downs last time. He has solid connections in his corner and looms a prominent throughout factor in his 3^rd start off the shelf. #2 Deuces Takem (7-5) drops to a new low in his 3^rd start off a layoff and he rallied for the place at this course/distance May 29. THE PLAYS: Exacta 5-2

DEL 3 (Clm-5k, 3up, 6f) #8 YIELD SPREAD (8-1) gamely scored here May 3 and it’s been bounce city in two subsequent local sprints. Napravnik hops aboard and she is 67% with this barn recently. He’s a prominent throughout rebound threat. #3 Royal Stare (2-1) exits a romping course/distance tally and his new trainer (Autrey) is 21% first off the claim. #4 French Moon (8-1) brought solid Pimlico form to the table but had no answer in a stalk/fade journey behind a runaway winner here last time. Stidham is 20% first off the claim and better seems possible. THE PLAYS: #8 to win, Exacta 8/3-4, Exacta 4-8/3

DEL 4 (Mcl-20k, f&m 3up, 6f) #2 HOLY CAT (7-2) earned vastly improved pace figs off the shelf second time out and the top two were well clear of the rest. Hustling apprentice Sarah McGinn is 2-for-2 with this barn and a prominent throughout trip is likely. #3 Whodatkittycat (5-2) was clearly second best in local bow and Alfano is 25% with second time starters. Distant show finisher came back to score. THE PLAYS: #2 to win, Exacta Box 2-3

DEL 5 (Mcl-20k, 3up, 7.5T) #2 IRISH BLARNEY (5-1) beat today’s favorite #3 Sutter’s Fort (2-1) in his first start off the shelf June 12 and returned to bounce to the moon less than three weeks later. He switches barns and could rebound at a hint of a price. Sutter’s Fort has fired in both career turf starts and comes from the same connections as second race turf contender Deuces Takem. He sports a bullet for this and his sharp trainer is 22% blinkers on. #7 Royal Newman (6-1) ran into multiple next out winners in his last three and today’s shorter trip helps. #9 Epicurus (3-1) has never raced this low on the turf and the $340,000 Keeneland sales grad will almost certainly be overbet for Johnny V/Pletcher. THE PLAYS: #2 to win, Trifecta 2-7/2-3-7-9/2-3-7-9

DEL 6 (Clm-5k, 3up, 6f) #2 BROOKS STAR (2-1) is back at his claimed level for the deadly Napravnik/Vazquez team and figures in the hunt throughout. The surface switcher hails from a profitable 20% 2^nd off the claim outfit. #3 Beyond Ready (3-1) is slowly rounding back to form for quality connections. He won three sprints here in 2008. #9 Tripplite (4-1) drops but is hardly the healthiest horse on the grounds. He has captured 3 of 5 conventional dirt sprints. THE PLAYS: #2 to win, Exacta 2/3-9

DEL 7 (Str-Alw, f&m 3up, 1mile-70ydsT) #8 SWEET ALLIE MARIE (5-1) has rattled off three straight including sharp turf route win at Colonial Downs June 8. She hails from a profitable, low profile barn (Peter Levine) and might get brave if able to shake loose early. #3 Entirely Honest (7-2) has been part of Trifecta in 7 of last 9 turf starts and should sit a nice ground saving trip behind the speed. She was necked from post 11 at this course/distance last time. THE PLAYS: #8 to win, Exacta Box 3-8

DEL 8 (R.R.M. Carpenter Jr. Mem. S., 3up, 8.5f) #3 EDGEWATER (3-1) owns fine early-pressing versatility and exits a sharp local route tally. Napravnik/Jenkins are 3-for-3 together recently. #1 Our Edge (8-5) got back on the beam at Monmouth June 26. He easily captured both local starts including Graded wire job last July. THE PLAYS: #3 to win, Exacta Box 1-3

DEL 9 (Clm-30k, 3up, 6f) #5 FLY SOUTH (3-1) finished a flat 5^th in a local $50,000 sprint May 25. The 3-year-old gelding runs well fresh and Autrey is 22% with this type of layoff runner. He is 4-for-6 in dirt sprints and a tactical trip is anticipated. I was fond of this one at Louisiana Downs last summer. THE PLAYS: #5 to win

DEL 10 (Grade 3 R.G. Dick Mem. Hcp, 3up, 11T) #1 RCUANDRY (8-1) handles a marathon and received a perfect prep for this in a ten furlong turf affair at Belmont. A ground saving tactical trip for the 39% Rose/Motion team is anticipated. #8 Treat Gently (5-2) looked good in Sheepshead Bay and I liked her in that spot. She has a touch of class and seems perfectly spotted today. #2 Trensa (5-1) needed her last and always fires on the turf. She was necked in this event last year.  #6 A She’s Adorable (7-2) has only flopped once and that was her lone marathon try. The consistent sort might be overbet at this distance. #5 Gozzip Girl (6-1) dumped her rider in lone 2010 outing and might not be fit enough for eleven furlongs. THE PLAYS: #1 to win, Trifecta 1-8/1-2-8/ALL

DEL 11 (Grade 2 Delaware Hcp, f&m 3up, 10f) #6 LIFE AT TEN (8-5) has rattled off five straight and looms the controlling speed in this event. She is not a need to lead type so Johnny V has options should another rival decide to get aggressive early. #2 Miss Singhsix (5-1) rallied to win the local prep for this and owns some impressive Late Pace Ratings. The sharp Wolfson trainee can be along to complete the Exacta. #1 Funny Moon (7-2) has done the bulk of her damage at Belmont and Life At Ten easily beat her last time. Note that she is a Grade 1 winner at this distance. #3 Milwaukee Appeal (2-1) has dropped eight straight and is winless on conventional dirt. I’ll try to beat the underlay. THE PLAYS: Exacta 6-2

DEL 12 (Grade 3 Arab Cup, Arabian 4up, 8.5f) #1A SAND WITCHH (2-5) has easily captured all six starts and figures ultra-tough as part of a three-pronged entry. #3 Frysk Me Now (15-1) won his sprint comeback and seemingly bounced as the favorite at a flat mile June 23. He won a couple of routes here last year and might rebound. THE PLAYS: Exacta 1-3

Double/Pick 3/Pick 4/Pick 5 contenders (in order of preference)

(1)   3-2

(2)   5-2

(3)   8-3-4

(4)   2-3

(5)   2-3-7-9

(6)   2-3-9

(7)   8-3

(8)   3-1

(9)   5

(10) 1-8-2

(11) 6

(12) 1