Unbridled Juan pulls upset in Delp Memorial

Dr Blarney, here winning the DTHA Governor’s Day, was second in the Delp Memorial. Photo by The Racing Biz.

From a Delaware Park release

Stronach Stables’ Unbridled Juan ended the six-race win streak of Dr. Blarney in the $50,125 Grover “Buddy” Delp Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park Wednesday.

With Alex Cintron aboard, Unbridled Juan won by 1 ¼-lengths and returned $12.00 as third choice in the field of six. Dr. Blarney, the even-money favorite with Tammi Piermarini up, finished second for the first time this year after winning his previous six starts, including a victory over Unbridled Juan in his last start, the $75,000 DTHA Governor’s Day Handicap at Delaware Park. It was another 2 ½-lengths farther back to Monongahela, with Jevian Toledo, in third.

Unbridled Juan covered the mile and a sixteenth in 1:43.65 over a fast main track. The 6-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song raised his career record to six wins from 25 starts with earnings of $445,323. In his last outing, the Ontario-bred trained by Jose Corrales closed ground and finished strong to finish ¾-lengths behind Dr. Blarney after hopping at the start.

“We had a perfect trip today,” said winning rider Alex Cintron. “In his last race, the (DTHA) Governor’s Day, it really cost him the race when he hopped coming out of the gate. Also that day, the track was fast and speed-favoring, and he was one of the few horses that made up a lot of ground. I knew today he would be tough if we could get a good break. We had a good break and we sat right behind the pacesetters. I knew we were in good shape on the final turn. At the top of the lane, I moved him out and he did the rest.”