Delaware Park horses to watch: August 26

by | Aug 26, 2017 | Breaking, DE Racing, Delaware, Racing

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

by Frank Vespe

Delaware Park’s nine-race Saturday afternoon card features eight for Thoroughbreds and one, the last, for Arabians. Post time is 1:15 p.m. Some horses to watch:

  • Race three is a one-mile turf test for $12,500 claimers. Now, granted, I Got Class (15-1) is winless in 16 career tries, seven on the turf, and many against similarly lowly rivals. But he was flying at the end of his last, closing from ninth to third at 50-1 odds, beaten just a head and a neck for all the money. That was the first time he’d ever finished in the money, and perhaps the light bulb has finally come on for him. An added half-furlong here won’t hurt, either. He won’t be 50-1 here, but if he wins, you’ll do just fine. Angel Serpa retains the mount.
  • Race four is a testy allowance contest for two-year-old fillies, and while there are a number of interesting runners here — two-for-two favorite Dad’s City Girl (7-5) and two-time winner Contrarity (9-5) among them — the runner we’re most intrigued by here is Aunt Esther (9-2). The Mike Gorham trainee devastated a maiden claiming field at Delaware at first asking, winning off by 11 lengths while earning a solid speed figure. In her follow-up, at Laurel Park, she stumbled badly leaving the gate, divesting herself of rider Victor Carrasco. Somewhat unusually for a loose horse, she boldly ran up inside of horses to what would have been contention before bearing out on the turn. Carrasco will ride the daughter of Bold Warrior once again.

ARABIAN WATCH

Arabian handicapping provided by our friends at Arabian Finish Line.

The final race on today’s card is a $20,000 maiden claiming race for the Arabians going 1 mile. Captain Bush is making his third lifetime start. His last out was a good second, which sets him up well to win this time. He also gets Keiber Coa, who is having an excellent season riding Arabians. Likewise Bellfastt is making his third start, and he finished third the last time out. He is bred to go long and may benefit from the 1 mile distance. Big Chay, who has one second in four starts, is the morning
line favorite and could certainly be part of the top 3. Trainer Ken Danyluk has been having some good results in the last couple of weeks. His charge RB Wicked Rich has an excellent pedigree and could get a top 3 finish.