Delaware Park horses to watch: July 1

by | Jul 1, 2017 | Breaking, DE Racing, Delaware, Racing

Off at Delaware Park. Photo © www.HoofprintsInc.com.

by Frank Vespe

There’s a nine-race card on tap at Delaware Park today with a first post of 1:15 p.m. The ninth is a maiden event for Arabians, and today, we’ll debut our first-ever Arabian coverage on The Racing Biz.

Some horses we’re curious to see:

  • The fifth race is a $12,500 claimer going two turns on the grass that, after scratches, has drawn a field of six with #6 Babe’s Ruler installed as the 9-5 favorite. There’s one other horse we’re curious about. #8 Wicked One (8-1) has Daniel Centeno in the irons for trainer Bill Sienkewicz; this In Summation filly has three wins and a pair of seconds from seven starts on the lawn, and makes just her second start of the season; in her seasonal debut, against somewhat better at Monmouth, she tired late. In her second off the layoff, she has the right to move forward, and her better efforts suggests she can compete here.
  • The featured seventh (post time 4:15) is a first allowance for fillies and mares three and up going five furlongs on the turf. The tepid favorite, at 4-1, is #2 Mast Cove, who was second against similar last out. Another runner who deserves a look here is #4 Sheza Ruler (8-1), who likely will go off much shorter than that morning line (but if you get anything like 8-1 on her, grab it). She thrashed Mast Cove two back on the turf at Tampa, and then ran a perhaps better-than-it-looks race on the main track last out; getting back to the lawn may be just the thing for this Aldana Gonzalez trainee, who’ll have meet-leading rider Carol Cedeno in the irons.

ARABIAN WATCH

Our new coverage of Arabians at Delaware Park is provided by Stephanie Corum and our friends at Arabian Finish Line. Check them out at http://www.arabianfinishline.com/.

The final race on Saturday is a 6 furlong maiden race for the Arabians. The favorite is the entry from leading owner/breeder Dianne Waldron’s Rosebrook Farm – RB Kinkie Boots and RB Gaim Changer. Both horses are well bred and have already finished in the money. It would not be surprising if they run one-two. Running Brook, owned and bred by Joe and Betty Gillis
(Darley Champion owner and breeder in 2015 and 2016), finished third in her debut and could improve off that effort. Sabres Edge keeps knocking at the door. May not be a winner, but could play a role in exotic wagering. Two unknown quantities are first-time starters Meritage MHF and Smoke En Fire. Meritage MHF is a full sister to grade 1 winner Love Me Dew, but they face some stiff competition that is already showing talent.