Delaware Park picks and analysis: August 24, 2023 * The Racing Biz

Delaware Park picks and analysis: August 24, 2023

Joe Parisi
August 24, 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: 5-2-6-4

In this $38,000 maiden race for two-year-olds at six furlongs, #5 Night Out (5-2) has a series of five-furlong workouts that should help his endurance in his racing debut. Michael Stidham is having a good meet, winning at a 24% clip in 33 tries and this colt looks primed for a good effort. #2 Boy Magic (9-5) was purchased at the Keeneland September sale for $210,000.He is by Good Magic, whose two-year-old first-time starters have won at 14%. He has a string of works and looks like a top contender today. #6 Play Live a Raven (7-2) has been working fast for Brittany Russell and should be considered.

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

In this allowance N2L/optional claiming race for two-year-olds 5 1/2 furlongs, #4 Shea D World (8-5) won his debut race at Gulfstream, then tried the turf and ran third in the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth. Now he’s coming to Delaware and going back to dirt. Trainer Carlos David has won at 24% in 46 tries when moving from turf to dirt. #2 Prince Fred (7-2) drew away in a $50,000 maiden claiming race in last. Has been working consistently during his 40-day break and should springboard off that win to an even better effort today. #6 Mantaketheblesings (5-2) was running well at Parx before trying the grass at Monmouth. Now returning to the dirt, which seems to be his preferred surface. One to consider.

Race #3 Picks: 6-7-9-3

In this $20,000 claiming race for fillies and mares at about 7 ½ furlongs on the turf, #6 Sing Scat (9-2) is moving through the conditions and will be going for three straight. She seems to have found the right level and she has found a fairly soft field today. We think she will top this field. #7 Killy Start (5-2) has been facing tougher at Laurel but has been running sprints. If she likes the extra ground, she could be a contender today. #9 Water Witch (10-1) is a deep closer who showed some turf ability at Laurel. She could surprise if she likes the Delaware grass.

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Race #4 Picks: 4-2-3-6

In this optional claiming/starter allowance race at six furlongs, #4 Cloud Music (9-5) is a speed burner who is very dangerous if he can control the pace. There is not a lot of other speed in this race and it looks like a great setup for him. #2 Captain Quint (5-2) has been running longer races but has shown the ability to make an early move and his speed figures are solid. We think he will be in the mix today. #3 Super Constitution (6-1) has run evenly in his first two races at Delaware, but he is facing a weak field today and should get a piece of the action.

Race #5 Picks: 1-4-7-8

In this $38,000 maiden race for fillies and mares at about 7 ½ furlongs on the turf, Shug McGaughey is bringing #1 Way too Early (9-5) from Belmont, where she has been struggling in routes. Now she will cut back in distance and her speed figures look good enough to win here. Jockey Feargal Lynch will try to get her out quickly and hold the others off. #4 Creole (8-1) is another runner that will be cutting back in distance, which might be to her advantage as she has been fading late. She will be one of the leaders and will be trying to hold on late, #7 Apple Shake Shake (8-1) did show some late speed in a turf sprint and may want the extra ground. Jamie Rodriguez will be pushing her late to pass tiring horses.

Joe’s Notes

Jockeys Jaime Rodriguez and Joseph Trejos won twice each on Wednesday. Rodriguez leads Daniel Centeno in the jockey standings, 36 wins to 33…
The two Rodriguez wins came for leading trainer Jamie Ness, one aboard Parkerness, who was the only horse to win on the dirt Wednesday after being more than two lengths off the pace…

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

In this allowance/optional claiming race for fillies and mares at one mile and 70 yards, #5 Carroll Girl (9-5) has won two straight and has five lifetime wins. She was claimed in last and will be starting for Jamie Ness, who trained her previously. She is in for a tag today. She has won all three of her Delaware Park starts and seems to be a horse for the course. She should handle this field. #6 Ragtime Belle (5-2) finished behind Carroll Girl last time out but did look strong while running second. She fits well here and should be considered. #1 Practicality (8-1) is adding blinkers. She had a good race at Monmouth two back and has a series of bullet works.

Race #7 Picks: 6-8-5-4

In this #38,500 first-level allowance race for fillies and mares at about five furlongs on the turf, #6 Mainline (3-1) closed well on a soft turf course in her first try for Brittany Russell. This proven turf runner should improve in second start with this trainer, and we think she will win today. #8 Flirtatious Lass (2-1) is a frontrunnerwhowas running well in turf sprints at Pimlico. There is not a lot of early speed in this race and if this mare gets an uncontested lead she may not get caught. #5 Systemic Risk (6-1) has been competitive in grass sprint races and that should continue today,

Race #8 Picks: 7-1-6-2

In this $6250 claiming race at six furlongs, #7 Hidden Warrior (9-2) was running well this year before taking a break. This frontrunner should be able to get the lead with this group, and if he returns to his earlier form, he should best this group. #1 Mogalu (7-2) has been running well at Gulfstream after moving from the synthetic surface to dirt. He has won two straight and will look to continue his good form when he comes to Delaware. #6 First Rule (5-2) likes running at Delaware, with one win and two second-place finishes in four starts. One to consider.