DELAWARE HANDICAP DAY CONTENT

• FREE handicapping contest today
• Miss Leslie tabbed as DelCap favorite
• Temple City Terror headlines Dick Memorial
• Catching up with Chris Sobocinski
• Sister Otoole looking to achieve “main goal” in Dick Memorial
• In Battery Park, Magic Michael may be under the radar
• Kelsey Danner hoping for Delaware double

Race #1 Picks: 7-4-5-2

Race #3 Picks: 4-8-7-3

Race #3 Picks: 7-5-2-8

In the $100,000 Dashing Beauty Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 furlongs, #7 Street Lute (7-2) ran poorly in the Skipat Stakes, but ran much better in last when she was reunited with Perez. She is a perfect 4-for-4 on the Delaware surface, and we have her on top today. Morning line favorite #5 Cilla (5-2) is making her debut at Delaware after running evenly in the Skipat. She ran in the grade-1 Madison at Keeneland two back and was not embarrassed. She is very consistent and had a string of good races last year. #2 Cinnabunny (4-1) posted a 94 speed figure in the Susquehanna Valley at Penn in last, which tops this group. She also made a mild move in the Skipat two back. #8 Gerri B (6-1) is a lightly raced five-year-old that will be pressing the pace. Seems to like an off track and could be a factor if the track is sloppy. 

Race #4 Picks: 8-4-3-11

Race #5 Picks: 2-5-1-8

In the $100,000 Battery Park Stakes at 1 1/16 miles #2 Phat Man (2-1) won this race last year and has not won a race since, but has faced tough competition including running third in the G3 Iselin. In three races at Delaware he has never been out of the top 3 finishers. He has been flat this year but, we think he will enjoy the return to Delaware and we have him on top.  #5 Magic Michael (5-1) didn’t like the turf in last and is coming back to the main track. This Grade-3 winner has faced Phat man several times and has been competitive, but come out on the short end.  He will be making his usual late charge again today trying to get past Phat Man.   #1 Tax (3-1) has been sidelined for 18 months after an injury. Prior to the break he competed in a number of graded stakes races and was a grade-2-winner. He probably needs a race after the long break but if he is fit, his talent alone will make him a contender. #8 Gentleman Joe (12-1) has run 95 speed figures in his last two and has been competitive in this level of stakes race before. 

[VIDEO: 2 to watch (at a price) today at Delaware Park]

Race #6 Picks: 6-10-9-4

In the $200,000 Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 3/8 miles on the turf #6 Stand Tall (4-1) ran second behind Temple City Terror in the Keertana in last. This horse has early speed, which is a big advantage on the Delaware turf.  Temple City Terror got by him at 1 ½ miles on the Churchill turf in last.  It remains to be seen if his speed will hold at 1 3/8 miles on the Delaware turf, but we are betting it will and we have him on top.  #10 Temple City Terror (3-1) ran a closing third in the Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes last year when he got behind horses and had to alter course in the stretch. He still got up for third place.  He trailed the field in the Keertana in last and rallied late to win, beating several others in this field.  A definite top contender. #9 Luck Money (6-1) is another closer that hasn’t won in a while, but has been facing rock solid competition. Didn’t run well in last but possibly didn’t like the Churchill turf. He will be passing tired horses late and is one to strongly consider. #4 La Lune (GB) (5-1) ran third behind Temple City Terror and Stand Tall in the Keetana in last. A very logical horse to get in the mix today. 

Race #7 Picks: 7-4-6-5

In the $500,000 Grade 2 Delaware Handicap for fillies and mares at 1/1/4 miles, none of these horses have gone 1 ¼ miles on the dirt before so there is some guesswork involved in handicapping it, just like the Kentucky Derby.   #7 Miss Leslie (2-1) is 2-for-2 at Delaware Park including a win in the Obeah Stakes in last. That win was very impressive because she veered out in the stretch and still had enough to get by Battle Bling. Battle Bling had no excuses in that race and we think Miss Leslie will be the best again today.  #4 Battle Bling (3-1) has a string of good races this year in stakes company and looks like she won’t mind the 1 ¼ miles. She couldn’t quite beat Miss Leslie in last, but he is a definite contender in this race. #6 Bees and Honey (6-1) is a Grade 3 winner and looks like she wants more distance.  Was a well beaten favorite in last, but that may have been a prep race for this event.  If any horse could surprise in this race this is the one. #5 Microcap (4-1) has been going off at long odds and won at 16-1 two back. 1 ¼ miles might be a little long for her, but she could be a player if she runs her best. 

Race #8 Picks: 7-10-2-13