Delaware Park set for season kickoff May 13
Two races for sophomores featured
The Biz
May 12, 2026
An intriguing maiden special weight contest and a short but salty allowance for three-year-old fillies top Delaware Park’s opening day card on Wednesday. They will go as the sixth and seventh on an eight-race program, respectively.
Race 6, a $45,000 maiden special weight at six furlongs, looks like a strong betting race with a blend of experienced runners and intriguing first-time starters.
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Among those with experience, Irish Jig appears formidable after a sharp debut at Laurel Park. The daughter of Irish War Cry chased throughout before finishing a clear second against maiden special weight company, earning a solid 75 Beyer Speed Figure. She shows one work since over the Delaware surface for trainer Kelly Deiter. A repeat performance in her second career outing would make her tough here.
Beauxbatons, meanwhile, brings plenty of intrigue despite lacking race experience. The daughter promising young sire Beau Liam sold for $52,000 as a yearling and debuts for trainer Whit Beckman, who has been enjoying a breakout run on the national stage and on Saturday will saddle Ocelli in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes. Out of an Into Mischief mare, she has compiled a solid worktab at Churchill Downs, and the barn can win first out. With Martin Chuan named to ride, she figures to attract plenty of support.
Blame and Fortune also debuts with an appealing profile. Purchased for $300,000 at Keeneland September, the daughter of Blame is a full sister to Beyond Blame, a Grade 3 winner on turf. She hails from the barn of Michael Stidham, whose runners typically arrive well-prepared. Her recent Delaware drills suggest she has settled in nicely locally, and jockey Julio Hernandez has been winning at a high percentage this season.
The seventh race, a $46,000 first-level allowance at six furlongs, drew just five runners, but the compact field is loaded with quality and early speed.
Parametric makes her long-awaited return after an eye-catching debut score last September at Penn National Race Course. The daughter of Nyquist crushed maiden rivals by nearly nine lengths while earning a 72 Beyer, and trainer Cal Lynch has given her plenty of time to develop. If she returns as well as she left, she is a major player despite the layoff.
Echo Juliet has finished second in three consecutive starts, including stakes company at Evangeline Downs and a sharp runner-up effort on turf at Fair Grounds Race Course. The daughter of Echo Town has proven versatile across surfaces and appears poised for another strong showing cutting back to six furlongs.
Embrace the Moment already owns a Delaware Park victory, having graduated impressively here last summer. Though overmatched in the Grade 3 Pocahontas afterward, she returns to a more realistic level for trainer Greg Compton. Her recent worktab at Oaklawn Park suggests she is fit and ready off the layoff.
Chatelot may wind up favored after nearly defeating allowance company at Tampa Bay Downs in April. The well-bred daughter of War Front broke her maiden stylishly two starts back and has steadily improved since moving to trainer Kerri Raven’s barn and switching to dirt. Her tactical speed should ensure a favorable trip in this compact field.
Wednesday’s card kicks off at 12:20 p.m. with a claiming event.
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