Delaware Park picks and analysis: October 19, 2023
Joe Parisi- October 19, 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: None
Race #1 Picks: 1-5-4-3
In this $6250 maiden claiming race for fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs, #1 Steph’s Top Nick (9-5) is moving down the claiming ladder. She flashed some speed at higher class levels and looks like the best of this group. #5 Countrygirl Pride (5-2) showed early speed with $10,000 claimers in her debut race. Now dropping down to $6250 and should be a contender today. #4 Rain of Blessing (7-2) has gotten a minor piece at the bottom of the trifecta in her last couple of races and she should be able to do it again today.
Race #2 Picks: 6-1-2-3
In this $12,500 claiming race for two-year-olds at six furlongs, #6 Prince Fred (9-5) won a $50,000 maiden race but then found allowance/optional claimers too tough. He has been working well since that race and is taking a class drop. He looks like the class of the field today. #1 Paco the Taco Man (5-2) won a maiden race by almost five lengths posting a 64 speed figure in last. That was a big effort, and if he repeats it he could end up in the winders circle today. #2 Little Lance (7-2) won a maiden race at Pimlico in last and could be in the mix. Had several good workouts recently at Delaware Park.
Race #3 Picks: 7-9-8-1
In this $6250 N2L claiming race, #7 Fast Mule (2-1) has been in decent form lately and just missed by a head last time out. If she repeats that race, she should be able to best this group. #9 Harper’s Do (5-1) has shown a little life in his last two and should be able to compete again today. #8 Dorothy’s the Boss (6-1) has run well in her last two races which were at this claiming level. Given the competition she is facing today she should be in the mix again.
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Race #4 Picks: 6-2-4-5
In this optional claiming/starter allowance race for fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs, #6 Marion Grace (2-1) has been running against good competition at Parx recently and has been in this mx. This filly has lots of early speed and will likely make the others chase her. She might have enough speed to get to the finish line first with this group. #2 Illusion of Hope (8-1) has two wins in seven starts at Delaware Park and recently has a couple of decent efforts at Timonium. She looks like a top contender today. #4 Akemi (8-1) had a couple good races this year including a big effort last time where she won at 30-1 and posted a 71 speed figure. She should be able to compete today if she runs one of her better races.
Race #5 Picks: 5-2-8-1
In this $20,000 maiden claiming race for two-year-olds at six furlongs, #5 Clever Tiger (4-1) ran a good sprint race before struggling in a route. Now moving back to a sprint. We think he will improve today. #2 Taporical (5-2) has been improving and ran well in last. If he improves again today, he will be competing for the win. #8 Malibu Brad (10-1) did not run well in a maiden special at Hawthorne but has been working here at Delaware and may improve today.
Joe’s Notes
- Two-year-old Launch made seven starts in Ireland without notable success but sure took to the dirt at Delaware, winning a maiden special Wednesday by seven lengths with Madison Olver up for Jorge Delgado…
- Trainer Mario Lopez won a pair, taking maiden claimers with Carstonstrong ($46.60) and Alboroto ($20.60)…
Race #6 Picks: 6-7-4-1
In this $6250 claiming race for fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs, #6 Linahaspecshoes (5-1) has been running well lately, winning two of her last three. This will be her first start for Richard Sillaman after the claim. Sillaman has won at 17% on first after a claim. We like this filly to win today. #7 Dance Step (10-1) has been in decent form since coming to Delaware, finishing third in her two most recent races. She is facing a weak field today and should be on the mix. She finished behind Linahasspecshoes two back. #4 Sansa Ariel (3-1) ran second with a 52 speed figure at this level last time out and should be considered.
Race #7 Picks: 7-1-8-3
In this optional claiming/starter allowance race at one mile and 70 yards, #7 Deputy Connect (2-1) was claimed by Gary Contessa at Saratoga last time out where he ran second in a $16,000 N2L race. He has some good races at Oaklawn and Ellis Park this year and fits were here. We think he will prevail today. #1 Hay Chief (3-1) raced well but could not quite get up in a $40,000 N2L claiming race in last. However, he did post a 77 speed figure which is competitive with this field. #8 Steady John (4-1) was in the same race as Hay Chief in last and finished behind him. He was bumped in that race and may improve today.
Race #8 Picks: 7-4-3-6
In this $5000 N2Y race at one mile, #7 Mine to Hold (4-1) could not handle $8000 claimers in last but was running well during the summer at Penn National. We will forgive his last race and think he will return to form today. #4 Ghostinyou (2-1) is consistent but has a hard time winning. He did win a race here at Delaware in June and figures to be in the mix today. #3 Night Ops (8-1) had a win here in September and with speed figured in the mid-60s he should be able to compete against this group.
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