Delaware Park picks and analysis: August 31, 2023
Joe Parisi- August 31, 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: 4-6-1-3
In this $6250 N2L claiming race for fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs, #4 Fessin Up (8-1) has been running well in 4 ½-furlong sprints at Charles Town and will now add an extra furlong. She looks like she may like the extra distance. This will be Ralph Comi’s first starter at Delaware this year and we have her on top. #6 Unbridled Sass (3-2) has run fairly well in her last two and her speed figures are better than most of her does today. #1 Jimmydabook (8-1) has flashed some early speed recently and could be in the mix today.
Race #2 Picks: 1-6-3-4
In this $25,000 maiden claiming race at six furlongs, #1 Stavros (7-5) last ran in a state bred maiden race at Saratoga. Now coming to Delaware and dropping to the claiming ranks, and he seems to outclass this field. #6 Dangerous Mind (5-1) will be debuting for Jamie Ness. He has a nice workout line, including two five-furlong works and he might be ready to go today. #3 Big Brook (4-1) is another Jamie Ness trainee making his first start that has been sharp in the morning. A possibility.
Race #3 Picks: 1-7-9-5
In this $16,000 starter allowance for fillies and mares at one mile and 70 yards on the turf, #1 White Lilacs (9-5) is the speed of the race and has been facing tougher company at Monmouth. She will have Paco Lopez aboard and this looks like one of the best bets of the day. #7 Amazon Queen (8-1) has some good turf races under her belt and also ran well on the synthetic surface, which translates well to turf. When Arnaud Delacour brings horses to Delaware, they are usually well meant. #9 High Vibes (12-1) ran well in her only race over the Delaware turf and should be in the mix today.
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Race #4 Picks: 6-2-5-3
In this $15,000 claiming race at 5 1/2 furlongs, #6 Defend (2-1) looks like he is dropping to win. After being claimed for $35,000 he could not match strides with $40,000 claimers. Now coming back to Delaware where he has three wins in five attempts and dropping to $16,000. He looks the best of this group. #2 Raise the Rent (8-5) will be making his second start at Delaware after running at Monmouth this summer. He is taking a step down in class today and looks like a top contender here. #5 Money Song (4-1) is a speed burner that won here back in June and was claimed but it was voided. If he is physically fit, he should make an impact today.
Race #5 Picks: 4-5-8-1
In this $38,000 maiden race for fillies and mares at five furlongs on the turf, #4 Bossy Diva (8-1) ran well in her debut race at Laurel. Since then she has posted a bullet work at Parx. Trainer Guadalupe Preciado has won at 27% in 15 tries for a $3.91 ROI in races where maidens are making their second start. #5 Expectations Met (7-2) did show some life in a maiden claiming sprint turf race in last. If she repeats that 48 speed figure, she will be in the mix with this group. #8 Queen of the Mud (6-1) is a first time starter that has a nice workout line, including several five-furlong works. She will go off at a price and should be considered.
Joe’s Notes
- Trainer Rodney Jenkins, a winner of more than 900 races in his career, got his first win of 2023 when Imagine It, with Victor Carrasco up, broke his maiden by a nose in Wednesday’s third race. Jenkins is 1-for-18 this year…
- Runaway Jack improved to 3-for-3 at the meet with an allowance win. The Mac Robertson trainee hasn’t been worse than second in seven career starts…
Race #6 Picks: 1-3-6-7
In this $50,000 allowance race for two-year-old Delaware-bred or -certified fillies at 5 ½ furlongs, #1 Remember Me (7-5) just missed winning the Keswick Stakes at Colonial earlier this month. She appears to be the class of this race, and her regular jockey will be on top. The one to beat. #3 Lubu (7-2) was impressive in her maiden win, running a 61 speed figure. She is in against tougher today but should still be competitive. #6 Just Great (8-1) is a first-time starter that has been working impressively. If she can run in the afternoon like she runs in the morning, she could surprise this field today.
Race #7 Picks: 5-9-12-8
In this optional claiming/first level allowance race at 1 ½ miles on the turf, #5 Who’s Counting (9-2) can run both hurdles and flat races on the turf. The marathon distance should not be a problem for this gelding. He will be picking off horses late and has a good shot to win this race. #9 Regal Kingdom (3-1) has been facing tough company. He ran evenly in the Kent Stakes here in July. He looks like a top contender with this group. #12 Lacco Ameno (10-1) has been closing in shorter turf routes and may want more distance. A possibility.
Race #8 Picks: 7-4-6-3
In this $5000 claiming N2Y race at one mile, #7 Doin’ittherightway (2-1) is the only horse in the race with early speed and he should be able to control the pace. He should improve in his second race with trainer Michael Simone and we have him on top today. #4 Curlin’s Thrill (3-1) will be closing late on these bottom-level claimers and should get a piece of the action. #6 Political (4-1) was running well at Penn National before taking a short break and changing trainers. He has a sharp recent workout and should be considered,
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