Delaware Park 2018 horses to watch: August 9

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

by Frank Vespe

Delaware Park has a nine-race card scheduled for Thursday, August 9, with the finale for Arabians. Post time for the card is 1:15 p.m., and here are some horses to watch:

Race 7 – Allowance/optional claiming

• Three-year-olds and up will go 1 1/16 miles on the turf in a first-level allowance with an optional claiming tag of $16,000.
• Here’s a short comment you’ve probably never seen before: “Divided handling.” That’s the comment line from the most recent outing of #3 Mambo At the Gym (8-1), earned in a $25,000 claiming race at Belmont Park June 30. The longer comment — and at the NYRA tracks, the long comments are truly loooonnnggg — doesn’t shed a ton more light on the situation but does recount what sounds like some sort of dispute between the rider of this horse and another, finally finishing that this one “ran on willingly in an odd journey.” Switched over to trainer Michael Catalano’s barn and dropped to an easier spot here, this veteran, who bested $12,500 claimers two back, can make some noise here if he gets a pace to run at. Trevor McCarthy will ride.
• Selections: 3-4-6-7

ARABIAN WATCH

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

Today’s Arabian race is a maiden claiming going six furlongs. The field of nine is made up of mostly horses that have struggled in maiden special weight company. Air Patron, who has been off for almost a year, was placed three times in six starts last year. With the winning connections of trainer Jerenesto Torrez and jockey Carol Cedeno, the horse has to be respected. RB Super Duty, fourth last time out, is making his third lifetime start and is getting close to the top three. Mark Powell’s entry of Big Infection and Foxy Roxy and WMA Rio Bravo could also be part of the top three.