In Mid-Atlantic racing, the operation of trainer Jamie Ness has become known for sustained, consistent, high-level success, much of it closely associated with Delaware Park. When the 88^th season of live racing opens on Wednesday, May 14, the perennial top five trainer by wins in North America will be seeking his 13^th overall title and his 11^th straight at the oval in Stanton, Delaware.

Ness has never been worse than third in the standings since his first season stabled at Delaware Park in 2011. The only two seasons he was not the leading trainer, were 2011 (second) and 2014 (third).

Last year, Ness surpassed the legendary Hall of Fame trainer Grover “Buddy” Delp for most overall titles. Delp recorded 11 Delaware Park titles over a two-decade period beginning in 1963. In 2022, Ness broke Delp’s record for most consecutive titles, the latter having won seven in a row from 1963 through 1969.

“It means a lot to me and something I am very proud about,” said trainer Jamie Ness. “We have been doing this for 25 years and we have slowly built this up. We are in a region that allows me to have strings at multiple tracks and still be able to manage it right. Delaware Park is the central spot which is why it’s pretty much our home base. The introduction of year-round stabling at Delaware Park last year has really helped with keeping a stable environment for my staff and owners. Having a stable environment goes a long way in attracting and keeping really good people, which is the biggest reason we have been able to maintain a level consistency.”

Not only does Ness win races at a nearly 25% clip with an average payoff of $5.50 over the last five years at Delaware Park, but he is also proficient in nearly every category. Last year, his entries won at a 30% rate on both the main and turf courses, at a clip of 49% with favorites, 23% with 2-year-olds, 31% with 3-year-olds, and 28% with maidens and claimers.

“We have a goal which I tell my owners that we are going to try and win at least 25% and be in the money between 50% and 60% off the time regardless if it’s a sprint or route, turf or dirt or claiming versus allowance,” Ness said. “Over a period of time that is what it’s going to be. But to maintain that level of consistency in so many different areas, we try to find ways to get better every year. I figured out a long time ago in this sport, you have to be willing to adapt your business plan to the times, otherwise you will get behind.”

Troy Johnson, Charles Lo and Jagger Inc.’s fan favorite Spikezone best represents that consistent success for Ness. 

“Spikezone is actually at Delaware Park right now and doing well,” Ness said. “He is Delaware Certified and he likes the track, so as much as we can run him at Delaware, we will. If there is a race and it fits his condition, we are going to run.” 

Last year, the 6-year-old son of Speightster finished second in the national standings for most wins with 11, four for those victories coming at Delaware Park by a combined a margin of 24-lengths. 

“He was phenomenal last year and he brought his “A” game every time,” said Ness. “He is the kind of horse who is capable of maintaining that level of consistency, but he competes at a high level so it will be challenging.”

Possible starts at Delaware Park this season for the Florida-bred with a career record of 15 wins, six seconds and five thirds from 29 starts and earnings of $563,322 include the $100,000 Alapocas Run scheduled for the Delaware Derby/Oaks undercard on June 14, the Delaware Certified Restricted New Castle Showcase, a race he won last year, scheduled for September 14 and the $100,000 Wilmington Stakes scheduled for the Delaware Handicap undercard on September 28.

Ness notched his first career win with Blue Rocket at Canterbury Park in 1999. He recorded his 2,000^th victory with Caylee’s Song at Laurel Park in 2013, his 3,000^th win came with Late Breaking News at Parx in 2020 and his 4,000^th with Sing Scat at Laurel Park in 2023. 

Other outfits planning on being stabled at Delaware Park for the 2025 live racing season include trainers: Edward Allard, Lynn Ashby, Nesvil Herman Bailon, Victor Barboza, Jr., Ken Black, Brett Brinkman, Keri Brion, Gary Capuano, Victor Carrasco Jr., Greg Compton,  Gary Contessa, Kelly Lynn Dieter, William Downing, Michael Gorham, Richard Hendriks, Blake Kelly, Steve Klesaris, Bruce Kravets, James Lawrence, Mario Roberto Lopez, Cathal Lynch, H. Graham Motion, Pedro Nazrio, Anthony Pecoraro, Pedro Posadas, Ben Perkins Jr., Kerri Raven, Renaldo Richards, Tim Ritchey, McLean Robertson, Kelly Rubley, Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, Carlos Sepulveda, Mario Serey Jr., Andrew Simoff, Michael Simone, Michael Stidham, Eliot Sullivan and Karin Wagner.