Delaware: Supporting stakes offer intrigue

Saturday’s Delaware Derby and Grade 3 Delaware Oaks co-headline a stacked card at Delaware Park, but they’re far from the only action on tap. Three rich and diverse stakes bolster the undercard: the $100,000 Alapocas Run at six furlongs, the $150,000 Obeah Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, and the $200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes going 1 ½ miles on the turf.

In the Alapocas Run, Happy Tenth Stable’s Buccherino looks to keep his 2025 unbeaten streak intact after wins at Parx and in the Mr. Prospector at Monmouth. With six wins from 12 starts and over $317,000 in earnings, the 4-year-old is proving to be a force in the sprint division.

Looking to rebound is Sunny Breeze, who faded after a speed duel in his seasonal debut at Delaware on May 21. Last year’s Concern Stakes winner and Gallant Bob (G2) runner-up has been training forwardly since, according to trainer Ned Allard.

“The good news is he bounced back off of that race great, he is doing good and he is feeling good,” Allard said. “So I hope that means he runs good.

The Obeah Stakes features the return of 2024 Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan winner Gun Song, who seeks her first win of the year for trainer Mark Hennig. Her competition includes Sidamara, making her 4-year-old debut for Hall of Famer Bill Mott, and Delaware Park veteran Malibu Beauty. The 7-year-old has won five of 15 local starts and earned over $800,000 in her career.

“She is just a real gem,” said Malibu Beauty’s trainer Gary Capuano. “She gives a good account of herself every time. It would be nice to have her run good in this race and… come back in the Delaware Handicap. That would be fantastic.”

The marathon Cape Henlopen Stakes caps off the supporting features. Chilean import Kay Army stretches out after a respectable third in the Grade 2 Fort Marcy in his U.S. debut. With ten wins from eleven starts, he brings high upside into his first try at 1 ½ miles.

Other contenders include 2024 Fort Marcy winner Master Piece; Desvio, a winner in last year’s Kent Stakes over the Delaware lawn; and Grade 2 winner Starting Over, making his second start in Brittany Russell’s barn.

First post is 12:30 p.m., with stakes action starting in race five. A 50-cent all stakes pick five kicks off in the fifth.

LATEST NEWS