Contentious field to meet in G3 Dick Memorial

by | Jul 7, 2016 | Breaking, DE Racing, Delaware, Racing

Vielsalm, winner of the 2015 All Brandy at Laurel Park, is 15-1 in the Dick Memorial.Photo by Laurie Asseo.

From a Delaware Park release

Bjorn Nielsen’s Real Smart will be seeking her first career stake victory when she faces eight rivals in the grassy, mile and three-eighths $200,000 Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stake at Delaware Park this Saturday.

The Dick is one of three added-money events supporting the $300,000, Grade 2 Delaware Oaks.  The others, both with $50,000 purses, are the Dashing Beauty and the Cape Henlopen.

Real Smart has a career record of two wins, two seconds and three thirds from eight starts with earnings of $66,572. Last year, the Kentucky-bred filly raced in England where she had a record of a win, two seconds and two thirds from six starts. After her 3-year-old season, the daughter of Smart Strike was put under the care of trainer H. Graham Motion. In her North America debut, she posted a 2 ¾-length triumph in a mile and a quarter allowance at Belmont Park on May 13. She followed with a third place finish in a mile and an eighth allowance at Belmont Park on June 10.

“She came from England with the idea that she would be good enough to run in black type races over here,” said trainer H. Graham Motion. “Since she has come over to North America, both of her races have been really impressive. I think the race where she ran third may have actually been a better race than her win; she was determined while racing wide. I think she is coming into the race in good shape and should be able to handle the extra distance.”

The favorite will likely be Teresa Viola Racing Stables’ Photo Call. In her most recent race, the 5-year-old daughter of Gaileo finished unplaced in the mile and a quarter Grade II New York at Belmont Park on June 10. Previously, the Ireland-bred filly trained by Todd Pletcher won the mile and three-eighths Grade III Orchid at Gulfstream Park on April 2. She has a career record of five wins wins, two seconds and four thirds from 17 starts.

Locally connected horses feature in the day’s other supporting events.

One race prior to the Dick, Matthew Schera’s Stormy Sky tops a field of ten in the $50,000 Dashing Beauty Stakes at Delaware Park this Saturday.  The six furlong stakes is for fillies and mares.

In her most recent outing, Stormy Sky finished second in a six and a half furlong allowance at Belmont Park on June 22.  Previously, the 4-year-old daughter of Sky Mesa ran third in the six and a half furlong Grade III Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park on May 21.  The Florida-bred conditioned by George Weaver has a career record of four wins, three seconds and two thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $206,802.

The contest features several runners based in Maryland, including Mary Eppler trainee Lovable Lady (8-1), the Claudio Gonzalez-trained Sweet on Smokey (6-1), Mike Trombetta’s If Not for Her (12-1), and Jerry Robb’s Lake Sebago (12-1).  Delaware-based runners include Jane Cibelli’s Satan’s Mistress (10-1) and Gerry Bennett’s Valueable Charmer (10-1).

The 1 1/2 mile Cape Henlopen, on the turf, is headed by last year’s Laurel Turf Cup winner St. Alban’s Boy (3-1).  The Kelly Rubley trainee is winless in three tries this year, two in graded company.