Delaware Park horses to watch: June 16, 2018

by | Jun 16, 2018 | Breaking, DE Racing, Delaware, Racing

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

by Frank Vespe

Delaware Park has a has a nine-race Saturday card that features a couple of allowance tests, the $100,000 Obeah Stakes, and a pair of Arabian events. Post time is 1:15 p.m. Some horses to watch:

Race 5 – Allowance/optional claiming

  • Fillies and mares three-years-old and up will go one mile on the dirt in a first-level allowance with an optional claiming tag of $16,000.
  • #6 Act Now (5-2) won nicely at Parx Racing at first asking against maiden special weight foes but has a couple of rough outings since – though perhaps with excuses. In the Glitter Woman, back in January, she was part of the pace that got cooked; the top four finishers were the last four runners after a quarter mile. Then she may not have liked the sloppy going at Monmouth last out. But she’s bred to be something — by Street Sense out of a Bernardini mare whose dam was a stake winner — and with only three starts to date, still has the right to prove that. She’ll get blinkers on and Mario Pino up.
  • Selections: 6-2-3

 

Race 6 – Allowance/optional claiming

  • Fillies and mares three-years-old and up will go 1 mile 70 yards on the turf in a first-level allowance with an optional claiming tag of $16,000.
  • #8 Madame Milan (8-1) is a half-sis to the great, though star-crossed, Barbaro. She won her second career start and hasn’t been worse than third in any of her four tries but hasn’t yet shown any of the brilliance of big bro. Trainer Delacour has a terrific record off layoffs similar to this two-month break.
  • #9 Bidding Circle (7-2) broke her maiden two back in her first try on turf. The Orb filly’s follow-up, a fourth last out, might be better than it looks: five of six to run back on turf finished one-two-three in their follow-ups.
  • Selections: 6-9-8-4

 

Race 7 – Obeah Stakes

  • Fillies and mares three and up will go 1 1/8 miles on the main track for a $100,000 purse.
  • The race features a wide-open field of 12, including the defending champ.

1. Sneaky Betty (12-1): Heavy lift for this formful Claudio Gonzalez trainee, who’s been first or second in three straight
2. Fuhriously Kissed (4-1): Hasn’t won yet in ’18, but back-to-back graded stakes placings — including a rallying third in the G1 Apple Blossom — say she fits here; never worse than third at the trip
3. Indian Paint (20-1): Stakes ledger of 5-0-0-0
4. Mannerly (10-1): Walsh trainee takes another swing at stakes company; improved outcome here would not surprise
5. Tequilita (7-2): Multiple graded winner is also G1-placed; owns class edge over these; third of ’18 and could fire here; best efforts to date at 7f
6. Trace of Grace (8-1): Has not tried 9f but lone stake win came at 8.5; consistent sort should be forwardly placed early under Forest Boyce
7. Sweet Maggie Mae (20-1): Will need a career-best effort here
8. Broken Bridle (12-1): Solid turfer hasn’t shown much on main track
9. A Place to Shine (10-1): Best result of four here from Serena’s Song at MTH, but none of 5 to run back has won; offers a little bit of value and lone prior local try was 3rd-place finish in G3 DEL Oaks
10. You Know Too (15-1): Makes ’18 debut and will need to step forward; as a now-4-year-old, still plenty of upside; three wins over the strip and was a good 4th in DEL Oaks
11. Teresa Z (6-1): G3 winner was a rallying third in the Serena’s Song; Centeno in the irons for a filly who could improve in third start of year; trainer Margotta has big figs off similar layoffs
12. Power of Snunner (6-1): Defending champ was outfooted a bit in G3 Du Pont Distaff but makes third start of ’18 and could improve in easier spot

  • Selections: 2-5-11-4

ARABIAN WATCH

Arabian handicapping is provided by our friends at Arabian Finish Line.

Race 8

Today features two Arabian races. The first is a 6-furlong allowance race for fillies and mares. Mizzdora is coming off her maiden victory and takes a step up in class. Royally Bred finished second in her first start this year and could easily step up and win this one. Zarifa CS could also get a top three finish. The filly Daze Of Awe is a bit of a mystery. She broke her maiden impressively in her first start this year, but has been unplaced since. She’s been off since April 9 and will be making her first start this year at Delaware Park. Perhaps the time off and a new track will help her regain her previous form.

Race 9

The last race of the day is a maiden claiming 5 1/2 furlong race. The Mandolynn Hill Farm/Simon Hobson entry of Marsanne MHF and Andaka will be the likely favorite. Omega CS has now made 17 starts, but has a fourth and third this year. He could get up for a top three finish. Smoke En Fire is making his first start of the year, but last year he finished second once in three starts. If he’s ready he could definitely be a factor.