DELAWARE PARK PICKS AND HORSES TO WATCH: OCT. 5

Elate
Elate was much the best in the 2019 Delaware Handicap. Photo by Allison Janezic.

Delaware Park has an 8-race card on tap for this Monday. Post time for the opener is 1:15 p.m., and we’ve got Delaware Park picks.

How’d we do last time at Delaware Park?

RACE NUMBERCONTENDERSCOMMENTS
Race 33-4-5-8It’s maiden two-year-old fillies here in the third, and we’re looking forward to seeing the second start for #3 Laobanonaprayer (5-1) — say that five times fast — after a pretty good third on debut. This one is pretty modestly bred, though sire Laoban is showing promise, but in that debut she seemed only to run in spots after breaking last. She still earned the show, and improved focus would aid the cause today… #4 Celestial Cheetah (7-2) has been second in two previous tries, and that was a decent heat last time; one of four to run back graduated next out, and the winner was third in a Delaware stake in her follow-up… #5 Our Bella Nicole (5-2) has shown gradual improvement; the fourth-place finisher from her last graduated next out… Trainer George Weaver wins about 20% of the time with with debut juveniles, but you have to wonder why a Saratoga-based runner’s coming to Delaware for her debut when purses are much better in NY – doesn’t seem like a vote of confidence for #8 Systematic (6-1)…
Race 76-3-1-5Nice effort to graduate last time by #6 Ego Man (8-1), who’ll tackle winners for the first time in this first-level allowance. He won an early speed duel before posting the victory, he’s drawn outside the other speed, and the lightbulb may be on… #3 Annamated Moon (7-2) has run two pretty good ones versus similar, and no reason he can’t compete here, but note that pilot Adorno jumps ship to #1 Runaway Lute (5-2). This one had no great excuse when failing last out at 3-10. His two recent tries outside of NY are nothing like the efforts he’s given in his home state, and at short odds it’s worth a shot against in the top slot… Speedy #5 Bourbon Street (6-1) will try to take them all the way but is surrounded by other speed types…

LATEST HANDICAPPING