James Ness. Photo by HoofprintsInc.com.
From a Delaware Park release
Horses from top racing outfits throughout North America have started arriving in preparation for the May 16 opening of live racing at Delaware Park.
Jamie Ness, a former two-time leader at Delaware Park and perennial national top trainer, will have about 50 horses at the Stanton-oval this year. Approximately, half of those are owned by Midwest Thoroughbreds, a former four-time leading owner at Delaware Park from 2010 through 2013 and the five-time defending leading owner in North America by wins.
“We will be there,” said trainer Jamie Ness, from his barn at Tampa Bay Downs. “We always look forward to Delaware because of the success we have enjoyed there and the atmosphere. It is a fun place to race and a great place to have horses. Delaware is a great place to spend the summer. We are still down south, but we are getting excited about moving our outfit back to our summer base.”
The 38-year-old native of Heron, South Dakota, finished third in the trainer standings last season after being the leading trainer in 2012 and 2013 and regaining the top spot is not high on his priority list.
“Being leading trainer at any meet is not a goal,” Ness said. “It never has been and it never will be. If it does happen, that is great, but I do not run my horses and my stable to be leading trainer. If it happens as a product of a successful season, that is great and I will happily accept. But it is never a goal.”
Others making preparations for the 2015 season at Delaware Park include J. Larry Jones, H. Graham Motion; Tim Ritchey, Randy Nunley, McLean Robertson, Michael Matz, Michael Pino, Sam Cronk, Michael Gorham, Anthony Pecoraro, Louis Albertrani, Thomas Albertrani, John Rigaterri, Jonathan Sheppard, Bill Sienkewicz, Joe Arboritanza, Thomas Proctor, Mark Reid, William Morey, Wayne Potts, Tim Ice, Carla Morgan, Arnaud Delacour, and Alex Rendon.
Watch and wager on the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs at Delaware Park on Saturday, May 2. Advance wagering on the Kentucky Derby card from Churchill Downs at Delaware Park will be available on Friday, May 1.
In May, live racing will be held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Live racing will be added on Tuesday from June 1 through September 1. Beginning on September 8, Tuesday will be dropped from the schedule and live racing will be conducted on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday basis through closing day October 17. Daily first race post time is set for 1:15 p.m.
Delaware Park’s premier races, the Delaware Oaks (Gr. III) and the Delaware Handicap (Gr. I), will be held on July 11 and July 18, respectively.
