Delaware Park horses to watch: July 22

by | Jul 22, 2017 | Breaking, DE Racing, Delaware, Racing

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

by Frank Vespe

There’s a nine-race card at Delaware Park today, and the finale is for Arabians. Post time is 1:15 p.m. Some horses to watch:

  • Race four (post time 2:45) is a 7 1/2 furlong turf test with somewhat unusual conditions: it’s for three-year-olds and up that haven’t won twice on the turf this year with a claiming tag of $12,500. As such, it’s brought together a motley — but large — crew of runners, many of whom haven’t won at all on any surface this year, others of whom have won but not on turf, and some of whom don’t win much on any surface. The deserving favorite and most likely winner here is King Gatto (7-2), the Anothony Pecoraro trainee. Pecoraro’s been having a big meet so far — 10 wins from 35 starts — and owns a win, from two starts, on the turf this season, last out against lifetime claimers. Prefer a longshot? How about the Mike Dini trainee Chang’s Secret (10-1). He doesn’t win much, just three-for-37 lifetime, but had an even debut against slightly better at the too-short-for-him five furlong distance last out. In his second race of ’17, stretching out, he should improve here. Also in here is one who caught the clocker’s eye in The Catmancan (15-1), who “showed improvement working in company” on July 11.
  • Race 6 (post time 3:45) is a first level allowance for three-year-olds and up going six furlongs on the main track. Resourceful (2-1), dropping off a good effort last out against better, is favored here, and Larry Jones trainee Indian Lover (3-1) also figures to see plenty of wagering action. But we’re most intrigued by Inkspired (8-1). Trainer Dale Bennett takes a stab with this one, who beat lifetime claimers last out in his first start in two months. That was June 12, and he caught the clocker’s eye July 15 with a good four-furlong breeze and gallop-out, prompting him to observe that the Proud Citizen colt “continues to train smartly.”

ARABIAN WATCH

Our Arabian coverage is presented by our friends at Arabian Finish Line.

The last race of the day is a claiming race for fillies and mares going 6 furlongs. These mares typically run above their class (as their finishes show) so it will be interesting to see what they do against each other. The likely favorite will be TM Maddamee who has placed in 2 of her 3 starts this year. Being in this softer spot sets her up perfectly for the win. Risky Red, owned and trained by leading trainer Scott Powell, is being ridden by Keiber Coa who is having an excellent meet with the Arabians. KKat Ballou is a first time starter (also from Scott Powell’s barn). The 3-year-old gets Ricardo Chiappe as a rider, who is also having
an excellent year in Arabians.