Delaware Park picks and analysis: August 3, 2023
Joe Parisi- August 3, 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.
Today’s carryovers: None
Race #1 Picks: 2-3-5-1
In this $5000 N2Y claiming race at six furlongs, #2 Doin’ittherightway (3-1) was claimed last time out and is dropping to bottom level claimers today. He had a couple of good races at Monmouth in the spring and trainer Michael Simone wins at 24% in 40 attempts in first race off a claim. #3 Kefi (8-1) has been struggling at Parx, but the move to Delaware and class drop should help. Has thee wins in thirteen lifetime starts. #5 Apache (2-1) has been flashing early speed against better horses and fits well here. Still has not been in the top three at Delaware in four attempts and will need to improve today.
Race #2 Picks: 4-2-1-5
In this $20,000 maiden claiming race for two-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs, #4 Chica Chuck (5-2) was trailing and had some traffic trouble late in last but still managed to make a mild move. We think he will improve today and have him on top. #2 Wild Alex (9-5) ran well in his debut but could not collar Joey Tickles. There should be improvement off that race, and he is a top contender. #1 Honest Rogue (6-1) is making his first start on dirt and will add blinkers. There could be some improvement.
Race #3 Picks: 5-6-2-8
In this $10,000 claiming race for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs, #5 Nothins Free (7-2) will be making her first start for Michal Pino. She has been away since early June when she won a claiming race at Monmouth. She has been working well since then and we think she will come out on top today. #6 Epicurean (5-2) will be making her first start at Delaware after facing better at other tracks. She has not won in a long time but appears to be in a good sport here. #2 Snow Forecast (4-1) will be making her second start after being away for several months and should improve today,
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Race #4 Picks: 5-4-1-3
In this third-level allowance/optional claiming race at one mile and 70 yards, #5 Irish Cork (5-2) likes to set the pace but can also win without the early lead. He has been running well this year with two wins and a place finish in six tries. This looks like a good spot, and he fits well here. #4 Berks (7-2) has won four straight and has won all three of his lifetime starts at Delaware Park. If he gets alone on the lead, he will be tough to catch. #1 Mischief Afoot (9-5) has been out of action for a year. He faced tough competition last year including graded stakes horses. If he can run back the 90s speed figures he ran last year, he should win this, but we want to see a race before we go all in.
Race #5 Picks: 2-11-8-5
In this $38,000 maiden race for fillies and mares at about one mile on the turf, #2 Rugelach (4-1) has come close to winning several times but has not been able to get over the top. Adding blinkers today will hopefully help her stay focused and get it done this time. Trainer Graham Motion wins at 31% in 29 attempts when adding blinkers. #11 Treasured Gem (7-2) is an also-eligible, and if he draws in, he will be a contender. Has shown a lot of early speed on the turf this year and he may get an easy lead with this group. If so, he may not get caught. #8 Mo Bills (5-2) will be making his 2023 debut. He had some good races here as a two-year-old, and Michael Stidham often has them ready off a layoff.
Joe’s Notes
- Two wins Wednesday for leading rider Jaime Rodriguez, who now has 30…
- First-timers won two maiden races, with 2-year-old filly Top Blue winning the opener for Michael Matz, who’s 2-for-3 with first-timers at the meet…
Race #6 Picks: 1-6-5-2
In this $28,000 claiming race at six furlongs, #1 Alpha Whiskey (9-5) has been solid since coming to Delaware and that should continue. He has a small class advantage, and that should help him get his first win here. #6 Bright Forecast (8-1) was closing late in his last effort and finished just behind Alpha Whiskey. He should be in the mix again today. #5 The Great Gazoo (7-2) was closing on Grand Macallan two back and just missed. He did not like the turf in last and is now back on his preferred surface.
Race #7 Picks: 1-7-3-6
In this first-level allowance/optional claiming race at one mile and 70 yards, #1 Brother Brad (7-2) won his last race in May and has been working well since that race. We think he will be ready to run well today. #7 Mystery Mo (5-2) has good speed figures but has only been able to be second best in his last three races.We expect him to run another good race, and he should be in the mix. #3 Sevier (6-1), a nine-year old veteran, is still running good races and is always game. We expect him to make an impact in this race.
Race #8 Picks: 2-6-4-7
In this $5000 claiming race at six furlongs #2 Another Lulu (5-1) will be making his third start of the year and is dropping in class. If he can match the races he had here late last year it should be good enough to win today. #6 Super Quality (8-5) was claimed in June for $14,000 and is now running for $5000. That is a bit of a red flag but at this level he should be a factor. #4 Call Me Maestro (5-2) struggled in a route in last but now moving back to a sprint where he had some good races earlier this year.
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