Delaware Park picks and analysis: July 20, 2023 * The Racing Biz

Delaware Park picks and analysis: July 20, 2023

Joe Parisi
July 20, 2023

Live racing at Delaware Park kicks off May 24 and runs through late October.

Once again this year, we will have Delaware Park picks and analysis for every day of live racing at the venerable track. Today’s card features eight races, and first post is 12:30 EDT.

Race #1 Picks: 6-4-5-1

In this $6250 maiden claiming race for fillies and mares at one mile, #6 Don’t Annoy Me (9-5) has been showing early speed but fading. Delaware is a speed-favoring track, and the move to Delaware may help her chances. #4 Job’s Not finished (8-1) had one decent race earlier this year and is facing a weak field today. She could be in contention. #5 La Santa Clara (5-2) isrunning a route on the dirt for the first time and dropping in class. She could be in the mix.

Race #2 Picks: 1-5-6-2

In this $10,000 claiming race at 5 ½ furlongs, #1 The Sicarii (2-1) has been very solid since coming from Belmont. There is a lot of speed in this race, and he does not need the lead to win. We think he will have enough to get it done today. #5 W W Spingtime (6-1) has been running well at Delaware this year and is in good form. He should be in the mix. #6 Seanow (3-1) is always fast out of the gate but struggles to hold on late. We expect the same today, but he may get a piece of the trifecta.

Race #3 Picks: 5-2-7-4 (Dirt picks: 7-8-3-5)

In this $16,000 maiden claiming race at about 7 ½ furlongs on the turf, if you look outside the also-eligibles, very few of these horses have shown they can run on the grass. #5 Bushwick Bruiser (10-1) did show some speed on the grass last year and showed a good effort in his most recent race on the dirt. We have him on top. #2 Pop Socks (10-1) has shown speed in his last two and two back it was on the turf. He should be in the mix. #7 Define (8-1) showed a flash of early speed on the dirt and now is dropping and moving to turf. One to consider.

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Race #4 Picks: 6-1-4-2

In this $6250 claiming race for fillies and mares at one mile and 70 yards, #6 Dorothy’s the Boss (7-2) broke in air and was declared a non-starter in last. She was running solid speed figures in Tampa earlier this year and we have her on top. #1 Coco Puff (5-2) is taking a class drop to a level where she can compete. She has some early speed and will be trying to hold the others off late. #4 Merger of Equals (8-1) will be making her second start at this level. She will be trying to make a late move to pass the faders.

Race #5 Picks: 12-9-6-2 (Dirt Picks: 6-8-4-7)

In this optional claiming/starter allowance race at about 7 ½ furlongs on the turf, #12 Strong Headed (3-1) has been facing tougher horses in Maryland and holding his own. He has good speed figures and is dropping in class. We have him on top. #9 The Skipster (5-1) is a presser that lays just off the pace and tries to win in the last furlong. He got to stretch his legs on the dirt in a race that was taken off the grass and now he’s back on the turf. #6 My Redemption (9-2) has never run on the turf, but if his dirt speed translates to the grass, he will be a factor.

Joe’s Notes

Jaime Rodriguez was 5-for-10 for last week, giving him 21 wins for the year. Rodriguez trails Daniel Centeno by two wins for the overall jockey lead.
Jockey Ruben Silvera had four wins and two seconds from 10 starts locally last week. He is named on eight horses this week.

Race #6 Picks: 2-4-6-5

In this $38,500 first-level allowance race for three-year-old fillies at six furlongs, there is a lot of speed, so we are going to go with a horse that looks like she has some closing ability. #2 Deeds of Love (7-2) closed to win her debut against $45,000 maiden claimers at Laurel in January. Carol Cedeno gave her a good ride in that race, and we are expecting the same again. #4 Wild Army Brat (9-5) has been running well in optional claiming races. She showed a big improvement in her most recent race running a 65-speed figure. If she improves again, she could take the top spot. #6 Miss Lonelyhearts (6-1) made some late gain in her first try at Delaware and should improve off that effort.

Race #7 Picks: 6-3-7-4 (Dirt Picks: 8-3-7-1)

In this optional claiming race at about five furlongs on the turf, #6 Court and Spark (7-2) will be making his first start at Delaware after running well on the synthetic surface in optional claiming and allowance races at Presque Isle Downs. This horse always tries hard and almost never runs a bad race. #3 Filigree (5-2) dueled in a race taken off the turf and was out finished in last. That was his first race in nine months, and we think he will improve and be in the mix today. #7 Bam Bam Blu (9-2) ran a 79-speed figure while winning at this distance in last. He must be considered.

Race #8 Picks: 5-6-7-10

In this $5000 N2Y race at 5 ½ furlongs, #5 My Beau (8-1) is a seven-year-old that will be dropping to the lowest level of his career. He has one race this year, and if he can return to last year’s form he should be able to come out on top today. #6 Claw (7-2) has been in good form and won his last race. One to consider. #7 Positively Awesome (8-1) has been running well at Parx. This horse has lots of early speed, which usually works well at Delaware.