Delaware Park picks and analysis: August 16, 2023 * The Racing Biz

Delaware Park picks and analysis: August 16, 2023

Joe Parisi
August 16, 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: Early Pick 5: $14,966; Late Pick 5: $8,604

Race #1 Picks: 3-5-6-1

In this $16,000 maiden claiming race, #3 Rebel Joke (3-2) has been showing early speed in $25,000 claiming races and is now dropping down to $16,000. He should be able to take control of this race and get to the finish line first. #5 Tuna N Stamps (9-5) was running well earlier in the year at Tampa, and this will be his third race after a break. This looks like a good spot. #6 Unexpected Tiger (4-1) may get in the mix if the frontrunners falter.

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

In this $6250 claiming race for N2L, #5 Father Glado (4-1) has been showing early speed and fading recently. This will be his second race at Delaware and we think he will improve off his last two. We have him on top. #2 Mean Tweets (2-1) had some good races at Oaklawn earlier this year and seems to be rounding into form. Making his third start at Delaware and should improve. #7 Touch Code (6-1) has been away since March but has consistent works at Delaware, and trainer Greg Compton does well bringing back horses after a break.

Race #3 Picks: 5-2-4-3

In this $6250 claiming race at one mile, #5 He’ssosubtle (5-2) has been running well against similar horses at Parx. Parx horses that ship to Delaware usually run well. This will be Trainer Louis Linder’s first starter at Delaware this year. #2 Code Name Brody (4-1) ran evenly in his last race here at Delaware, and that’s more than most of his foes can say. He should be in the mix by default as most of the other horses in this race have struggled mightily. #4 Im Your Papi (10-1) won here last year and may improve in his third race of the year.

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Race #4 Picks: 5-8-6-4

In this $38,000 maiden race for two-year-olds at five furlongs on the turf, #5 Nightscape (9-2) is by Munnings, whose two-year-old get win at 17%. He has a nice workout line including one at five furlongs. Trainer Cathal Lynch wins at 34% in 38 races with first-time starters. We have him on top. #8 Orange Juice (3-1) also has a good workout line, and this trainer/jockey combo have won at 24% in 17 tries. A contender. #6 Inchon (2-1) ran evenly in a maiden race and should improve with that experience if he likes the grass.

Race #5 Picks: 4-1-5-3

In this starter allowance for fillies and mares at six furlongs, #4 Ritabook (8-1) is very consistent but has only one win to show for it. She has been running routes and is now moving back to a sprint, which will suit her early running style. #1 Mo Traffic (9-5) left the maiden ranks in last winning a maiden race which was taken off the turf. This is a consistent horse and he will be battling until the end again today. #5 Touisset (7-2) just missed last time with a 61 speed figure and looks well spotted today.

Joe’s Notes

Entrust blew up the toteboard in Saturday’s fifth race. Off at 42-1, he won by a length for owner-trainer-jockey Kirsten Swan and triggered carryovers in both the early and late Pick 5s…
Swan was one of four female trainers and three female jockeys to win in the day’s last five races…

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

In this optional claiming/starter allowance race at about seven and a half furlongs on the turf, #4 Mission Man (7-2) has run well in his last two starts and looks well placed here. If he repeats his Delaware start two back, he should be able to take the top purse money today. #6 Wrecking Ball (5-1) will be making his second start at Delaware Park after taking a short break. We expect him to improve his performance, and he is a top contender. #9 King of Song (6-1) has been showing speed and fading but may hang on for a minor piece of the pie today.

Race #7 Picks: 1-6-2-7

In this $38,500 first-level allowance race at one mile, #1 Stacks of Silver (8-1) is making his second start of the year after winning three starts in nine tries last year. We expect improvement, and this high percentage trainer/jockey combination doesn’t hurt. #6 Ain’t Wasting Time (3-1) couldn’t quite get up for the win in last two but ran 83 and 84 speed figures and will be a top contender again today. #2 St Andrews (2-1) has been running well in sprints and will now stretch out. If he likes the extra distance he could be dangerous today.

Race #8 Picks: 2-4-5-7

In this $6250 maiden claiming race at six furlongs, #2 Seax (7-2) seems to have found a level where he can compete. He is facing a very weak field today and we have him on top. #4 Appendage (5-2) will be making his first start for Jason Smith. He is improving with every race. He fits very well here. #5 Cape Cod Summer (6-1) showed some mild improvement in last. If he can improve further, he could surprise today.