Delaware Park picks and analysis: October 9, 2025 * The Racing Biz

Delaware Park picks and analysis: October 9, 2025

RACE 1

5. Mikey’s Jewel	Veteran’s in pretty good recent form, arrives off a win and might offer some value
3. Ribbonsinherhair	The most likely winner but in-and-out form makes her hard to love if the odds go much below the morning line
6. Lachicafortequila	Just a couple races removed from efforts that fit

RACE 2

3. He’s in Charge	7-year-old guns for ninth consecutive starter allowance win
8. Al Ameeq	Likely to be involved in the early pace and gave a good account of himself slugging it out with the even money fave in latest
2. The Heights	Rallied nicely to be third behind top choice in latest and looks for a similar outcome here

RACE 3

4. Bolt Del Marea	Bolt d’Oro colt has been firing morning bullets, and 9/12 move was 4/5 faster than any other runner
2. Hollywood Import	Hard-hitting Capuano barn sends out a pair, including this Honor A. P. colt, who cost $50k at auction
6. Just Jo Jo	Pricey Constitution colt is a half to a first-out winner

RACING NOTES

Samuel Marin had a riding triple Wednesday, including a sweep of the late double with St. Jude ($7.80) for trainer Ben Perkins, Jr. and Duela Dent ($9.40) for Alberto Plaza. He also won aboard Holiday Express ($4.40) for Perkins…
Angel Cruz rode a pair of winners himself, taking the opener with first-timer Keystone State ($9.60) for Cal Lynch and winning a starter/optional claimer with Big Hat Willie ($10.80) for Rob Atras…

RACE 4

8. Cloud Music	Speed of the speed and may have an easier run of it this time than last when pressed most of the trip; has won at the level
9. American Unity	Pretty good form and has won versus better, but last was just ok when beaten favorite, running on a bit late while never a threat
12. Mailman Money	Very competitve at higher levels and it looks like trainer Ward is trying to sell a turf horse before turf sesaon ends; tough if drawing in
10. Maxwell Esquire	Third start off the bench, has better to run back to, and added ground may help

RACE 5

3. Royal Princess	Russell duo both could be formidable; just missed versus similar in latest and has speed and ability to stalk
2. Rock the Rainbow	Not sure she beat much of anything, and it was over a year ago, but holy smokes – an 18-length debut win?!?! Rider Marin retains the mount
5. Crusader Rabbit	The “other” Russell gets husband Sheldon up and didn’t do much wrong when last seen in ’24; trainer Russell has a 30% strike rate and positive ROI off similar breaks

RACE 6

4. Undertone	Stuck with it pretty well in debut and gets blinkers on for second outing; dam a G3 winner on the main track
9. Matadora	Beaten fave in last two, including a maiden event at the Spa; tough if drawing in
2. Thula	Disastrous debut but trainer Motion keeps her in special weight company and gives go-to turf rider Ruiz the assignment
3. Good Golly Msfolly	Badly outfooted going short, gets a bit more ground for second start

RACE 7

5. Sassafrassness	Dominant win in first off the Ness claim, and the trainer wins 37% of the time second off the claim following a win; stretch out to two turns appears to have been a plus in a race that’s produced two next out winners
7. Naked Eye	Got a bit of a freshening after two forgivable off-color efforts (in a G3 and on turf); best contends, but we’re giving the nod to recency
4. Vanilla Sundae	Got a couple of months off and a barn switch after latest; huge maiden score starting to stick out like a sore thumb on her PPs, and her two-turn tries aren’t great either; maybe class relief helps

RACE 8

7. Vieux Carre	May not be good enough, but on the other hand, maybe with just seven starts, she’s just figuring it out now; either way she should be running at the end and the pace might work to her advantage
2. Summer’s Comin	Couple of tough outings but three back local try was good
5. Drink This Cup	Destroyed a CT allowance field, albeit at 1-5, that’s produced two next-out winners

RACE 9

4. Where’s My Chew	Gets blinkers on after solid middle move in latest despite wide journey; class relief a positive
6. Heaven’s Got Fire	Could be speed of the speed
7. Tojo’s Mojo	Gets a bit of an easier assignment; trainer-jock combo 33% in limited tries