DELAWARE PARK PICKS AND HORSES TO WATCH: OCT. 12

Elate
Elate was much the best in the 2019 Delaware Handicap. Photo by Allison Janezic.

Delaware Park has an 8-race card on tap for this Monday. Post time for the opener is 1:15 p.m., and we’ve got Delaware Park picks.

How’d we do last time at Delaware Park?

RACE NUMBERCONTENDERSCOMMENTS
Race 44-2-8-1Top choice #4 Kubie Snacks (2-1) is the kind of horse you’d like to bet back at decent odds in special weight company – a horse who was well-beaten, yet had a deeply troubled trip, stuck with it, and galloped out best of all. Unfortunately, that’s not quite what we have, as she’s relatively short odds in a spot where her last-out speed fig makes her a standout. Still, she probably graduates today… #2 Striking Chrome (6-1) makes her debut for trainer Gerald Bennett (7-for-27 with 2yos debuting in maiden claiming company). The daughter of California Chrome is a half to two pretty decent runners, one of whom won at first asking… Don’t love the rise in class, but on the other hand, it’s not clear a $25,000 maiden claimer would have looked much different than this $40k event; in any case, an improved effort last time despite trouble for #8 Lucky Lorraine (3-1), and she’s the only one here who’s run a credible race around two turns… #1 Champagne Toast (9-2) didn’t show much on debut but can improve second time out for trainer Rubley…
Race 52-3-6-4Pretty good effort last time out at this level when runner-up by #2 Deco Strong (7-2), who may sit a winning trip here off a couple of speed types; this one’s a consistent hard-hitter, and even when a well-beaten third three back, she ran a pretty OK race; the winner returned to win the G3 Charles Town Oaks next… I’m really of two minds about #3 Trunk of Money (9-5), who ran big last time out when loose on the lead. I suspect she’ll have company up front and and am not inclined to take short odds on her repeating a career-best effort… #6 Caught Up in You (5-2) rallied smartly last out to win against similar, including our top choice, and might get the right setup again… #4 She’s Achancetoo (8-1) is a couple races removed from the kind of effort she’ll need to win here. Can she get back to that? It won’t be easy, and she’ll be on the chase, with Trunk of Money presenting another forward presence…

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