Delaware Park picks and analysis: October 7, 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.

Today’s carryovers: Late Pick 5, $2,868

Race #1 Picks: 7-3-4-5

In this $25,000 maiden claiming race for two-year-olds at 5 ½ furlongs, #7 Secret Zipper (3-1) showed speed in his debut posting a 52 speed figure. Gary Capuano has won at a 33% clip this meet with 14 wins.  Adding blinkers today and this is our top choice. #3 Minny Speightster (2-1) will be running for the first time as a gelding. He has been working well to prep for today’s race and should be considered. #4 Free Drop Bach (4-1) flashed speed in his second try and should improve again today.

Race #2 Picks: 5-2-1-4

In this $12,500 claiming race at one mile, #5 Leaoflittlefaith (4-1) has been running well at Canterbury. He had the lead but faded late in a first-level allowance race in last. He looks tough against this group. #2 Practical Way (3-1) has been racing at Monmouth, and those horses have been doing well here. He has been showing some early speed but has not won lately. He might be able to compete with this group. #1 Flatter Me (5-2) won on the dirt after coming off the turf.  A repeat of that performance will put him in the mix.

Race #3 Picks: 3-4-5-2

In this $50,000 maiden claiming race for two-year-old fillies at six furlongs, #3 Bold Baby (3-1) ran a closing third in a similar race in last. She looked unsettled and was fighting Kevin Gomez in deep stretch in that race, and if she can run a clean race today, she has a good shot. #4 Late Nite Lizzie (9-2) was working well before racing on the grass at Colonial Downs. Now moving to the dirt and this looks like a good spot.  #5 Just the Thing (10-1) has been showing early speed and may be the one they are chasing early.

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

In this $20,000 claiming race at 5 ½ furlongs, #5 Six Whips (5-1) will be making his first startforJuan Arriagada after a three-month break. He was running well before the break and if he can match those races he should finish on top today. #1 Must Be Love (5-2) will be making his second start for Michael Pino after the claim. This horse is very consistent and seldom runs a bad race. A contender. #4 Bright Forecast (10-1) was running well but faltered in his last effort. We are going to excuse that poor effort and think he will return to his better performances today.

Race #5 Picks: 12-8-3-2

In this $38,000 maiden special race for two-year old fillies at seven and a half furlongs on the turf, #12 Berna Ditty (10-1) got off to a very poor start in last but made up ground late. She looks late a late runner and she could surprise today if she gets a good start. #8 Victoria’s Dancer (4-1) is improving and just missed in last. Her speed figures are ramping, up and she is a top contender today. #3 Big Bolt (8-1) showed some closing speed in her debut race and looks like she wants more distance. One to consider.

Joe’s Notes

  • 10-pound apprentice Felix Astudillo got the third win of his career in Friday’s first aboard Suiko, while Raul Mena won two on the day. Mena is in a three-way tie for eighth with 21 wins…
  • Cairo Sugar won Friday’s allowance feature for her second straight win and fourth in eight 2023 outings. She’s trained by Alan Bedard, and Silvestre Gonzalez was up…

Race #6 Picks: 7-1-6-5

In this $32,000 claiming race for two-year-old fillies at five and a half furlongs, #7 Catalina Cruzin (8-1) won her debut $50,000 maiden claiming race and then found an allowance race a little too tough. Now dropping down the claiming ladder and this looks like a good spot for this filly. #1 Spirited Ride (3-1) won her debut race for Brittany Russell, and it would not be a surprise if she wins again. She will likely go off the favorite and she is a contender. #6 Shake It Baby (7-2) will be making her first start after the claim for Jamie Ness. She won at Ellis Park in last and should be considered.

Race #7 Picks: 1-10-8-1

In this optional claiming/starter allowance race at seven and a half furlongs on the turf, #1 Flying Scotsman (12-1) has five wins in ten starts at this distance. He was running in graded stakes races last year before switching to hurdles. He had a nice win at Mountaineer Park in July.  We think this gelding will surprise today. #10 Offshore Affair (9-2) has a win and a place at this distance on the turf in three attempts. Ran fourth with better horses on the turf four back. This looks like a good spot for him today.  #8 Dream Liner (4-1) has only run four races this year without a win. However, he has solid speed figures and fits well in this spot.

Race #8 Picks: 1-3-5-2

In this $5000 claiming race for fillies and mares at six furlongs, #1 Moon Me Again (3-1) has the best recent speed figures of all the horses in this race. She has run well against these foes in the past. She had a rough trip two back when she finished behind Rosy Apple. We have her on top today. #3 Rosy Apple (2-1) has improved since moving down to $5000 claimers and has run well with similar horses in the past.  She figures to be competitive with this group. #5 Cup of Life (4-1) will be making her third start for Andy Simoff and should be in the mix.

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