Delaware Park picks and analysis: October 4, 2024 * The Racing Biz

Delaware Park picks and analysis: October 4, 2024

Picks and analysis for this afternoon’s card from Delaware Park:

RACE 1

3. Heavenly Ciella	Drops to bottom for first time; maybe that and added ground will do the trick
1. Wicked Kitten	Troubled trip in latest when beaten fave but was barely in the same Zip code as the winner; can’t see my way clear to endorsing 3-2 odds on an 0-for-20 maiden
2. Lucky in Love	It was painful watching runners from this one’s latest take nearly 30 seconds to navigate the last quarter mile, though she was making up ground and did gallop out with the winner; what we said about 3-2 on an 0-for-20 maiden also applies on 9-5 and an 0-for-19 maiden here

RACE 2

3. Paradise Valley	Formful sort likely to press the early foot of #5 before taking over; rider comes down from Parx for this; finished ahead of River Dog in latest, and that one returned to win N2X locally
6. Rainy Skies	Likely to be outfooted early off three straight at a mile or beyond but should be running at the end
5. Showstopper Copper	Can’t criticize anything he’s done on the main track; should see the front early

RACE 3

5. Portis	Serey duo strong candidates to run one-two here; this one dueled with and prevailed over #3 when they saw each other Sept. 8; drawn outside that rival here; interim tries are not good, but perhaps drop back to this level and added ground the answer
3. Long Astride	Pressed #5 in latest but that one shook clear in final quarter; might make front with inside draw, though presence of stretching out sprinter #2 a complicating factor
6. Tabloid	Jock-trainer combo blew up the toteboard in Thursday nightcap via DQ; blinkers on

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RACE 4

7. Hot Bottom Girl	Improving sort makes third start off the bench
6. Canny Land	Seemed to take a while to get comfortable in most recent turf outing but ran on willingly
9. Mary Katherine	Just missed in most recent versus similar and exits a race that’s produced two next-out winners

RACE 5

7. Zoomer	A bunch of speed signed on here, which should enable this one to get right trip; trainer Graci brings her jock in for the mount and wins at a 21% clip first off the claim
4. Helms Deep	Could be speed of the speed; set rapid early fractions in latest before stopping, but prior tries were solid
3. Canadian Pharoah	Trainer Ward peels off the blinkers to try to find this one’s best form; should have a lively pace to aim at

RACING NOTES

When English Daddy drifted out badly in mid-stretch in Thursday’s nightcap, he did more than hamper rival El Dollar. English Daddy was taken down by the stewards, elevating El Dollar to first. With El Dollar the longest shot on the board, 26-1, that triggered a $54.80 win payout — and a carryover in the late Pick 5. Some $10,444 will be available when play begins Friday. Richard Mitchell was up on El Dollar for trainer Clarence King.
Jockeys Carol Cedeno and Julio Hernandez each won twice on the card. In particular Cedeno was aboard Gray’s Fable, who won the day’s turf allowance feature. The duo rallied from last to run down pace-setter Ocean City and win by 1 1/2 lengths. The winner is trained by Michael Stidham. The nine-year-old son of Gio Ponti has eight wins and nearly $650,000 banked in his career.

RACE 6

5. Whizbang	Turf bow was a willing third behind a runner who got away easy early and didn’t come back
8. Hidden Motive	Will be a strong favorite after a runner-up try in which he won the early duel but could not contain a later runner; that contest has produced two next out winners
4. Grey Flannel Boss	Added ground may aid the cause; debut was solid

RACE 7

7. Jasper’s Pride	Faded late in most recent but not sure that’s the trip he wanted, as he was up on the pace; looks to prefer having a target to run at and should get that here with favored #3 and stretching out sprinter in #2
3. What Does It Take	Likely to get bet like a good thing and is the most likely winner here; should be speed of the speed and will be the one to reel in
4. Street Glide	No match for 2-5 Freedom Road in latest but galloped in prior versus Penn allowance foes, including next-out CT allowance winner Alvy; ought to sit a good trip in here

RACE 8

1. Betcha Boots Babe	Might be speed of the speed; Perez horses in the montey seven of eight at the track
4. Parisian Vibe	Last couple on the main track are fine
3. Lovely Liza	Had it all her own way in latest; not likely to get repeat of that scenario here

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