The field breaks at Delaware Park. Photo © www.HoofprintsInc.com.
From a Delaware Park release
Trainer McLean Robertson is expecting great success at Delaware Park during the upcoming 78th season of live racing at the Stanton-oval, beginning on May 16.
Robertson, who has had a division of his stable located in Delaware since 2010, finished fifth on the Delaware Park trainer standing last year after finishing third the previous three seasons.
“That is a good reason to return,” said trainer McLean Robertson, who will have approximately 60 horses stabled at Delaware Park. “Over the past few years, our horses have had success at Delaware Park, so it only makes sense to keep coming back. Our horses fit the Delaware Park program very well. We are also going to have our divisions in Canterbury and Arlington as well, but we are going to have a really good mix of older horses and 2-year-olds in Delaware.”
Last year, the 41-year-old native of Schuyler, Nebraska, had a record of 23 winners from 103 starters. He enjoyed success at all levels.
“We are going to have a nice mix at Delaware with some 2-year-olds, some older horses, and obviously are Delaware Certified horses as well,” he said. “Horses really do prosper at Delaware Park. They eat well and the track has a nice relaxed atmosphere. The dirt track was in great shape last year, which included a turf gallop and grass to graze on. It is a pretty horse friendly track – probably one of the most horse friendly tracks in the country. If you do have to ship, horses seem to run well after being in Delaware.”
Robertson is hoping for a few more winners this year.
“I’ll be honest, I was a little disappointed with our meet last season especially with my 2-year-olds,” he said. “A couple of the good ones got hurt, but that is racing and there is no mercy in this sport. This year, is a new group with a little different mix. I think I got a pretty good bunch coming to Delaware. None of them are five stars, but I think I quite a few four star horses. Hopefully, they will stay sound so they can run well and I hope we do a little better than last year. But you just got to see how it goes.”
