It’s Owners’ Day at Delaware Park, with a bevy of stakes on tap.  Our selections:

NEW CASTLE S., DEL-CERTIFIED/BRED, 3YO AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

  1. Jake N Elwood (3-2) — Call us chalk-eating weasels, but this guy was solid before his long break, returned with a sharp score over the strip, and looks like the main speed here. Catch him if you can.
  2. Coach Fridge (6-1) — Ham Smith trainee doesn’t win much — just 3 times in 38 starts — but has finished in the triple 20 additional times and always seems to run a solid race.  A solid effort here probably puts him in the triple again.
  3. Unzapped (5-2) –Defending champ hasn’t won since and likely will wish for more pace than he’ll get, but he should have enough to grab a piece late.

SMALL WONDER S., DEL-CERTIFIED/BRED, FILLIES 2YO, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. Gala’s Bank (9-2) — PA-bred Fairbanks filly closed sharply to graduate last out  and figures to appreciate the additional half-furlong.
  2. Lookout Sister (5-2) — Motion trainee did not disgrace herself when fifth in the G2 Adirondack at the Spa.  Good news: her efforts to date more than fit, and she’ll love the class relief.  Bad news: Post-time odds figure to be shorter than a.m. numbers.
  3. Lakota (12-1) — Jonathan Sheppard trainee lost a long duel by a head in a sharp debut try at PEN; winner that day is in Saturday’s Selima on the grass at Laurel  First-out rider Scott Spieth jumps ship to top choice, but trainer gets solid replacement in Brian Pedroza.

TAX FREE SHOPPING DISTAFF S., DEL-CERTIFIED/BRED, FILLIES AND MARES 3YO AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

  1. Galiana (1-1) — Delaware lover looks to run her record to nine-for-10 on the main track and log fifth win of ’15.
  2. Monaguska (9-5) — Yonaguska mare’s been away a year but brings a three-race win streak to this heat, and trainer Kathy De Masi’s had success bringing ’em back off long layoffs.  Could be speed of the speed.
  3. Outwithbigdaddy (8-1) — Sophomore Outflanker filly has two wins from seven starts and enough upside to warrant a look.


FIRST STATE DASH, DEL-CERTIFIED/BRED, 2YO, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

  1. Jeezum Jim (6-1) — Gary Capuano trainee has turned in two good efforts to date, most recently breaking his maiden going away despite a troubled trip.  Continued improvement gets the win.
  2. Patrick Rocks (7-2) — Jerry Robb trainee, one of a long line of successful juveniles out of the barn, has given credible efforts in a pair of stakes tries.
  3. Onepointtwentyone (5-2) — E Dubai Maryland-bred colt broke his maiden over the strip rallying after a poor start, then chased to no avail in the grassy Tyro.

GEORGE ROSENBERGER MEMORIAL S., FILLES AND MARES 3YO AND UP THAT HAVE STARED AT DEL IN ’15, 1 1/16 MILES (TURF)

  1. Rachel Wall (9-2) — Sophomore gave a super-sharp effort to be second a nose in Monmouth’s Little Silver — and all four to run back from that have won, including winner Stormy Regatta, who took a $150k stake at SAR next out.
  2. Vicky Ticky Tavie (12-1) — Seemed like something of a tossup between this horse and Vielsalm, but 12-1 odds here (versus 7-2 on the latter) pushed us in this direction.  Consistent sort is no world-beater but usually gives a good accounting of herself.
  3. Kawfee Fa Marfa (6-1) — Had a bit of traffic last out in the Little Silver and ended up 1 1/2 behind top choice.  She’s kept awfully good grass company in her brief career, finishing behind graded winner Consumer Credit and multiple graded placed Miss Temple City before the ultra-productive Little Silver, so she’s battle-tested.

GOVERNOR’S DAY S., 3YO AND UP THAT HAVE STARED AT DEL IN ’15, 1 MILE 70 YARDS

  1. A. P. Cino (8-1) — In a race laden with speed, this guy will be running late and figures to give Jamie Ness another first-off-the-claim winner, this one likely at a price.
  2. Twocubanbrothersu (3-1) — Delaware lover’s chances will be compromised by other speed in here, but he set down fractions of 22 3/5 seconds and 45 4/5 last out going today’s distance and still drew away. Look for him to best the other speed.
  3. Our Caravan (2-1) — Talented sort likely didn’t want 12 furlongs last out and should appreciate cutback in distance. Ideal trip would be of the stalk-and-pounce variety, though only recent win came on the lead.