Delaware Park 2019 horses to watch: July 10
by Frank Vespe
Delaware Park has an eight-race card lined up today with the finale for Arabians. Some horses to watch:
Race 1 – Allowance
- Three-year-olds and up will go 1 mile 70 yards on the main track in a first-level allowance.
- A competitive field of older allowance horses will line up here. The #5 High Five Cotton (2-1) can show speed or rate just off the pace. In his last race, he stalked the leaders before pouncing on the far turn and drawing off to win by 2 ¼ lengths. In his six dirt starts on the year, he hasn’t finished worse than second. #2 Bob’s My Uncle (8-1) appears to be the value play of the group. He finished third behind High Five Cotton in his last race, and has been in consistent form all year long. He has a grinding running style that doesn’t get him a lot of first-place checks, but he’s a great candidate for exacta or trifecta spots.
- Selections: 5-2-1-7
Race 5 – Claiming
- Fillies and mares three-years-old and up that have never won four races will go one mile on the main track in a $5,000 claiming contest.
- I’ll count on a bounceback effort from #5 Trust in Diane (4-1). She was dull in her debut on the Delaware surface, racing wide on both turns before giving way in the stretch. Over the winter at Fair Grounds, she was in good form, consistently running brisnet figures in the mid-70s while racing competitively against similar. Trainer Victor Carrasco Jr. is also sharp with horses making their third start off the layoff, hitting at 24% with that angle.
- Selections: 5-1A-6-1
Arabian Watch
Thanks to Stephanie Ruff and Arabian Finish Line for giving us insights to the Arabian racing at Delaware Park.
Today’s Arabian race is a full maiden race at a distance of 5 1/2 furlongs. The Rosebrook Farm entry is the likely favorite. They are two very well-bred colts with one first-time starter and one with a second and third in two starts. Big Peanut is a first time starter by So Big Is Better. It will be interesting to see how he does for trainer Lynn Ashby. Uptown WTF has not finished worse than third in four starts, but is still looking for that elusive first win.