Delaware Park picks and analysis: October 18, 2025 * The Racing Biz

Delaware Park picks and analysis: October 18, 2025

RACE 1

1. Wild Warrior	Don’t love Improbable as a win-early influence, but this one’s half-sibling did win on debut, and this one appears to have held his own when working with more experienced stablemates; barn can win first out, and note 6-for-11 mark with rider Lopez
4. Sioux Empire	Bold bid before emptying out in debut outing flattered by two next out winners, including Maryland Million Nursery champ Big Cuddle
2. Let’s Go Lando	Gelded since most recent start in August and several works since; gives barn a shot at the exacta

RACE 2

1. Bella Cattiva	Lightly raced sort drops to lowest level and returns to the main track; in this wide-open affair, why not?
10. Padrino’s Gold	Maybe we can catch a bit of a price on this one after she was eased in latest; that was dismal, but prior tries at the level are competitive including a couple as beaten fave
2. Mandy’s Miss	Second start off the bench after big try at 51-1; not inclined to take odds that are toooo short, though, given how long they were in latest

RACE 3

13. Alrasikh	Probably doesn’t draw in but will be tough on the drop down if he does
3. Royal Renegade	Has run three straight good ones and it feels like will break that maiden any day now
8. So So	Switches into Gallegos barn in first in almost four months; debut turf outing came versus better at GP
7. Pujol	Ran on well at long odds in latest

RACING NOTES

California Tiger ($19.00) and jockey Martin Chuan won the Thursday allowance feature for leading trainer Jamie Ness…
Kudos to 9-year-old Yodel E. A. Who ($6.80), who dominated a starter optional claimer by over five lengths for the Chuan-Ness team. The veteran now has 21 wins, six this year, from 84 career starts…
Jockey Angel Cruz had a riding triple, getting a couple of odds-on horses home early and then taking the nightcap aboard longshot Amusing Mischief ($36.40) for trainer Karin Wagner…
Cruz’s two early wins came for trainer Cal Lynch…

RACE 4

5. Inbound	Has run well in both recent tries at the level and could sit a good trip with some speed signed on to stalk
6. Striking Sparks	Will be involved from the jump and could be tough to reel in if able to sneak off, but #10 and others likely have something to say about that
1. Bestsugardaddyever	Leading trainer looks to get this guy back on track after wide journey in which he was never involved

RACE 5

1. Kalatua	Troubled trip in debut after tardy break and traffic; can improve in second outing and picks off veteran Mena in the irons
3. Rebel Prince	Trainer Ashby has a positive ROI with debut 2yo, and this one is a half to 2021 Dover winner Rebel Empire
6. Impressiveness	Twice the beaten favorite

RACE 6

11. Saucy Ham	Graduated in turf bow carrying 140 in an amateur rider race; can move forward if drawing in
4. Country Charlie	Bunch of good efforts despite unsightly record, with last two versus three-life company; should appreciate this spot
5. Elfuegomasbrilante	Late-running sort has some decent tries but wheels back on short rest after Maryland Million outing; trainer Shuman 0-for-5 on one week rest
1. Hyper Venom	Shifts into Richards barn and loses blinks for first in five months; last seen running competitively versus better on the Tampa turf

RACE 7

8. Awesome Pic	Low-profile barn attracts rider Chuan, a positive sign; toss the start in the Regret and one at PRX and all this mare does is run good races
7. Lastchance Romance	In form now and easy winner in latest versus perhaps slightly easier group; allowance try was solid
2. Bella Prima	May not be good enough but could be controlling speed

RACE 8

7. Kindred Hearts	Both tries on the green are solid, and was likely best in latest but had no place to go on the second turn before galloping out in front
13. Pretty Thing	Look for her on the lead if drawing in
8. Like a Dream	Lightly raced sort lands in good spot to make it two straight
10. The Goddess Factor	Winless on the turf but has run well in all five tries

RACE 9

4. Just for the Money	Three-time winner beat better in latest and looks for stalk-and-pounce trip
2. Messi the Great	Potential speed of the speed gave a good account of himself in first against winners behind talented Compton trainee in a race that’s produced a next-out winner
8. Hot Stott	Beat better two back and had run several good ones, but latest at long odds was poor; return to prior form would put him right there

RACE 10

1. Sandpiper Memories	Last three aren’t good, but it feels like there are excuses: two on the slop and one on the three turns of the Big T; return to summer form wins, and trainer-jock combo has the hot hand
3. Shigeko	Productive outings versus similar, including runner-up try here in latest
10. Lady Dominance	In the trifecta in seven straight

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