Delaware Park picks and analysis: July 21, 2023

Live racing at Delaware Park kicks off May 24 and runs through late October.

Once again this year, we will have Delaware Park picks and analysis for every day of live racing at the venerable track. Today’s card features eight races, and first post is 12:30 EDT.

Race #1 Picks: 5-4-6-2

In this $6500 maiden claiming race at one mile, four of the six runners in this race met in their most recent race on July 7.. #5 El Patojo (3-2) was no match for the winner in that race but soundly defeated the three foes that he will be facing today. He looks the best in here. #4 Capt Complicated (9-5) has been facing better at Parx. He has been showing early speed and fading, but he should be in the mix with this group of horses. #6 Entrust (12-1) showed some brief speed in his only dirt race.

Race #2 Picks: 6-2-4-1

In this $5000 N2Y claiming race for fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs, #6 Chica Rabiosa (6-1) is moving from a route to a sprint. This is the second race back with trainer Sanchez-Salomon, who was the trainer for some good efforts in Maryland last year. We have her on top. #2 Reiterate (9-5) has been running well at Parx since she moved down to $5000 claiming races. Her speed figures are better than her foes today. #4 Some is Nine (5-2) has early speed and should be able to hang on for a spot in the trifecta.

Race #3 Picks: 5-4-2-6

In this $16,000 claiming race for filles and mares at one mile, #5 Soleada (7-5) showed early speed in an optional calming race that was taken off the turf in last. She is certainly not facing any monsters in this affair, and if she runs that race back, she will find herself in the winner’s circle. #4 Happy Union (6-1) had some good races earlier this year at Tampa. Now stepping back down to a lower-class level after struggling with better. She fits well here. #2 Grand Arrow (3-1) won his last race at this level with a 53-speed figure. She should be in the mix.

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Race #4 Picks: 8-10-6-7 (Dirt Picks: 8-10-5-7)

In this $16,000 maiden claiming race for fillies and mares at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf, none of the horses impress us, so we are going to take a shot with a first-time starter. #8 Carbonel (10-1) has not been working fast but has a series of consistent workouts. Trainer Rafael Schisti has had two maiden claiming first-time-starters leave the gate this year and has won with one of them. This seems like a good race to take a chance on a longshot. #10 Cora’s Choice (5-1) is in the also-eligibles, but if she draws in she will be a contender. She recently showed early speed in a turf race in Maryland, and she fits well here. #6 One Clear Moment (9-2) has showed some speed on the turf and closed well last time out. A contender.

Race #5 Picks: 5-3-1-4

In this $38,500 first-level allowance race for three-year-olds at six furlongs, #5 Run Poppy (9-5) has won two straight at Delaware since the claim by Chelsey Moysey. This will be a little step up for her after running against Delaware certified horses in last, but we think she is up for the challenge. #3 Finally Captured (4-1) has been running well at Parx but has faded late in his last two. Now turning back a half-furlong, and that speed might hold at Delaware.  #1 McCrakens Ghost (5-2) has been running well in optional claiming races at Parx but has not been able to get by Finally Captured. He should be in the mix.

Joe’s Notes

  • Thursday’s card was canceled after four races because of weather…
  • Favored The Sicarii took the second, a conditioned claimer, for his second straight win. He’s been in the exacta four straight. Carlos Rojas was up for Monica McGoey…

Race #6 Picks: 8-7-2-1 (Dirt Picks: 1-4-5-8)

In this $38,500 first-level allowance race for three-year-old fillies at six furlongs, there is a lot of speed, so we are going to go with a horse that looks like she has some closing ability. #2 Deeds of Love (7-2) closed to win her debut against $45,000 maiden claimers at Laurel in January. Carol Cedeno gave her a good ride in that race, and we are expecting the same again. #4 Wild Army Brat (9-5) has been running well in optional claiming races. She showed a big improvement in her most recent race running a 65-speed figure. If she improves again, she could take the top spot. #6 Miss Lonelyhearts (6-1) made some late gain in her first try at Delaware and should improve off that effort.

Race #7 Picks: 3-6-5-2

In this allowance/optional claiming race for fillies and mares at one mile and 70 yards, #3 Ardanwood (7-2) won a first-level allowance race easily in her last race. She has had good success on wet tracks, which she might face today. If she can command the lead early, she has a good chance to win this race. #6 Polterer (5-2) has won both her races easily at Delaware since coming from Oaklawn. She has won four of six here lifetime with one place finish. A horse for the course. #5 Nautilus (9-5) has been running well in Maryland and has won her only start on the dirt at Delaware and fits well here.

Race #8 Picks: 6-2-3-4

In this $6250 N2L claiming race at one mile, #6 First to Last (8-1) was claimed in his last out when he won by almost ten lengths. He isn’t facing much stiff competition today and trainer Elliot Sullivan has won at 22% in 58 attempts on first after a claim. #2 Citi Creek (8-1) has found a claiming level where he can be competitive. If he repeats his last race, he will be in the mix. #3 Ruthenian (3-1) is another horse that seems to have found the claiming level where he can be competitive. He fits well here.

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