Delaware Park horses to watch: August 7

by | Aug 7, 2017 | Breaking, DE Racing, Delaware, Racing

Off at Delaware Park. Photo © www.HoofprintsInc.com.

by Frank Vespe

Delaware Park hosts a nine-race card Monday afternoon, one of which, the last, is for Arabians. The track this morning has been rated as muddy, and they are off the turf. Post time for the card is 1:15 p.m. Some horses to watch:

  • The sixth race, a first allowance with an optional claiming price of $15,000, has attracted a mix of veteran hard-hitters and younger up-and-comers (or at least, hopefuls). A pair of three-year-olds are good examples of the latter type. Thurman Merman (7-2) won the first two starts of his career, versus maiden and then allowance company. In his last two, he’s run second and fourth, both against three-year-old allowance foes at Laurel Park. He’ll get meet leader Carol Cedeno in the irons as he makes his first start against elders. Another sophomore — one more promising — is Winplaceorshowono (6-1). The Ron Alfano trainee broke his maiden last out, holding off New York shipper House of Commons, and both were almost six clear of the rest. The Maryland-bred Dance With Ravens colt will have regular pilot Alex Cintron in the irons and shows two decent works since his July 12 triumph.
  • Two horses that ran one-two in last year’s Small Wonder Stakes over the strip collide again in the eighth race, a $38,000 allowance test. Sunshine Included (5-2) was off nine months following her win in that event, and last out, in her second start back and first with Lasix added, she absolutely crushed an allowance field at Delaware. Jockey Edwin Gonzalez remains aboard, and trainer Anthony Pecoraro, who’s having a terrific meet, has strong records with second-time Lasix runners and horses making their third start off a layoff. Hailey’s Flip (5-1) was a well-beaten second in the Small Wonder, though well clear of her other rivals. So far in ’17, she has a win from four starts; last out, she ran fifth in the Pearl Necklace Stakes at Laurel Park, but that was a two-turn race on the grass. Getting back to her best game — sprinting on the main track — should help. Jomar Torres is aboard.

ARABIAN WATCH 

Our Arabian coverage is presented by our friends at Arabian Finish Line.

Today’s Arabian race is for fillies and mares – non-winners of two races or running for a claiming price of $7,500 going one mile. This has attracted a competitive field of 10, many of whom will be racing at a mile for the first time. The entry from leading trainer Jerenesto Torrez and leading owner Joe and Betty Gillis looks to be a strong choice. Running Brooke, with Carol Cedeno aboard, and Tiffanys Dream, with Keiber Coa, are both coming off of maiden victories. Risky Red and Last Call MHF have not won this year, but both had top three finishes in their last starts against tougher competition and could certainly get win or at the very least another top three finish.