Delaware Park horses to watch: May 31, 2018

by | May 31, 2018 | Breaking, DE Racing, Delaware, Racing

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

by Frank Vespe

Delaware Park has a 10-race card on tap for Thursday. Scheduled post time is 1:15 p.m. Some horses to watch:

  • The third race is a $34,000 maiden special weight test going 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf (if the rain holds off — a big if). The 3-2 morning line favorite is the Michael Matz trainee Winter Union, fifth last out on the main track against Keeneland maidens. The four-year-old Union Rags gelding will be making his first start on the green stuff if the race stays on, and while he certainly can compete here, the odds are not enticing. Of more interest — at we hope better odds — is #6 Bernardian (6-1). The sophomore Bernardini colt’s debut, against maidens at Tampa, was nothing to write home about, as he finished fourth, some 13 lengths behind the winner and six behind Pitching, who is here and is 9-2 on the morning line but always seems to have trouble. Bernardian, now in the Mike Stidham barn, had some trouble of his own on debut, fractious before the race and then off slowly in a contest in which the top two finishers ran one-two all the way around the track. Bernardian is out of the Rahy mare Ruthian and is thus a half to the Grade 1-winning millionaire Rutherienne, among others. She was sent off the favorite in her debut, and while that was a disappointment, we’re inclined to give her another look today.
  • The seventh is a second-level allowance/optional claimer going a mile 70 yards on the turf, and it looks likely to come down to a pair of runners who, coincidentally, confronted each other last out in an allowance at Keeneland. The morning line favorite here is Ladies’ Privilege (9-5), a Michael Matz-trained runner who was fifth in that test, though beaten less than two lengths. The Harlan’s Holiday filly will have Alex Cintron in the irons and, already in possession of a stakes win, in the Hall of Fame at Parx, looks likely to have a major say in the outcome here. The second choice is #1 Mythical Mission (5-2), from the Graham Motion barn. She was seventh in the Keeneland race after a bad trip but with a less eventful trip would rate a major chance here. Feargal Lynch will ride a runner who’s been stakes-placed on the turf a couple of times and was just 2.90-1 last out.

 

 

ARABIAN WATCH

Arabian handicapping is provided by our friends at Arabian Finish Line

This maiden special weight going 5 1/2 furlongs is a tough one to evaluate. Many of the horses are making their first lifetime start or first start of the year. It’s hard to know who will be ready to step it up. Burn Em Joey, bred and owned by Joe and Betty Gillis, is a first-time starter, but his pedigree ranks him as one of the favorites. He is a full brother to Darley Champion Sweet Honey AA and 2018 dual grade 1 winner Quick Sand AA.

WMA Silver Sand, owned and trained by Rita Deleon, has a second in only two starts this year at Sam Houston and could be primed for his first win. Cre Run Enterprise’s Colors In Motion has two seconds in three starts at Delaware Park last year and if ready to go could be the winner.