Delaware Park 2018 horses to watch: August 27
by Frank Vespe
Delaware Park has an nine-race card on tap for Saturday, August 25, with the finale for Arabians. Post time for the card is 1:15 p.m. Some horses to watch:
Race 2 – Maiden special weight
- Two-year-old fillies will go six furlongs on the main track.
- In a field full of nicely bred runners — there are horses here sired by the likes of Malibu Moon, Uncle Mo, and Bernardini — one who might fly a bit under the radar is #7 Pat’s No Fool (4-1). She’s a New York-bred daughter of Cross Traffic out of the unraced Touch Gold mare Dream Affair. A $35,000 auction purchase as a yearling, she’s trained by Gary Capuano at Laurel Park, where she’s churned out several bullet works, among them a five-furlong move in 1:01 2/5 on August 8. She’ll make her debut here, and while Capuano doesn’t have a great record with first-time starters — five percent from 39 runners — he does have a strong record with second-time starters, suggesting this might be one to keep an eye on even if she doesn’t win here. Victor Carrasco will ride.
- Selections: 3-7-1-5
Race 7 – Allowance/optional claiming
- Fillies and mares three and up will go 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf in a first-level allowance with an optional claiming tag of $16,000.
- #7 Frippery (4-1) started the Delaware meet with a bang, breaking her maiden at first asking on May 30, besting next-out winner Silla Manila in the process. The Arnaud Delacour trainee followed that up with a big effort to be second in the Christiana Stakes at 23-1, leading late before tiring to fall a length short in the end. In her latest, an allowance at Saratoga, she led early before tiring badly and being eased while competing over yielding ground. Back at Delaware facing easier company and over firmer turf, there’s plenty to make you think an improved effort is in the offing. Delacour gives the reins here to Daniel Centeno, who’s having a terrific meet (31 percent win rate).
- Selections: 7-9-6-4
ARABIAN WATCH
Arabian handicapping is provided by our friends at Arabian Finish Line.
Lower-end claiming horses square off in the final race today. These horses for the most part have been running unsuccessfully against $10,000+ claimers. As a field of runners here they are very competitive, but difficult to know who will get the win. Zephyr CS gets in at 115 pounds and should run well. Captain Bush and Burn Notice MC have shown ability this year and could well be in the top three. Looking at jockeys, you can’t overlook Chndakasexpress with Carol Cedeno and Miccah with Keiber Coa.