Delaware Park horses to watch: September 16

by | Sep 16, 2017 | Breaking, DE Racing, Delaware, Racing

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

by Frank Vespe

Delaware Park has a 10-race card on Saturday, with the finale for Arabians. Scheduled post time is 1:15 p.m., and please note that all races have been taken off the turf as a result of Thursday’s spill. Some horses to watch:

  • Not many assets devalue themselves as fast as racehorses can, and a prime example of that is in Delaware’s fourth race, a $5,000 maiden claimer going a mile on the main track. Soloist (10-1) was a $460,000 auction purchase as a yearling, and why not? He’s by hot young sire Bodemeister and out of the Maria’s Mon mare Blushing, who is a half-sis to Eclipse winner Wait a While. In his debut, the Shannon Ritter trainee was 7-1 in a $40,000 maiden claimer — a race just a tick below the maiden special weight level. But he was last throughout and ended up beaten by 28 lengths. Now he drops all the way to the bottom for his second try. So why not a little win wager on him? Ritter’s three-for-eight with second starters, with a positive ROI, an he’s bred to like a route of ground. He shows two decent works since that debut, and Angel Serpa is up. And if he loses, console yourself with this: at least you didn’t lose more than $450,000 on him.
  • The sixth is a $12,500 maiden claimer for two-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track. The morning line favorite — and, let’s be honest, most likely winner — is Two Hundred Proof (5-2) from the solid Anthony Pecoraro barn. She was third on debut against better while well clear of her other rivals and here gets Lasix for the first time. Also worth a look in here is Flying Phillip’s (4-1, part of entry), a Jamie Ness trainee making her fourth career start. Her last — going two turns and 6 1/2 furlongs at Timonium — was a mess, but two back, she was a clear second against better. Though she was well beaten by winner Guiltywithanexcuse, that runner zipped the 5 1/2 furlongs in a fast time and came back to repeat against winners. Shortening up in distance, leaving the bullring, finding easier company, and reuniting with jock Keiber Coa all seem to be good signs that she could graduate today.

ARABIAN WATCH

Arabian handicapping is provided by our friends at Arabian Finish Line.

An allowance/optional claiming race for Arabians going six furlongs closes out the day. The handsome Jimdandy Totherehessq is coming off a very close second in the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice Championship at Monmouth Park. Quick Sand AA, with leading rider Carol Cedeno aboard, has finished in the top three in six of seven starts this year. He should be in the top three again. Uptown Sandy Girl, trained by champion trainer Lynn Ashby, has two wins and a second this year. She is a talented 3-year-old filly, but she is going up against more experienced horses. And you can’t overlook RB Open Fire for the mere reason that Keiber Coa is aboard. He won both major Arabian stakes races last weekend.