Race Of The Week: Delaware Handicap

Nine Distaffers Set For Delaware Park Centerpiece

By Derek Simon

Saturday’s Delaware Park card appears to be loaded with value — and I especially like the two graded stakes races.

In the eighth race, the Kent Stakes (G3) for three-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles on the grass, 5-UNTAMED DOMAIN has been made the 5-2 morning line favorite, yet I can’t stand his speed rations (my own pace figures) — even though his numbers as a juvenile were pretty good.

Instead, I’m leaning to 1-CARRICK (9/2 on the morning line), who makes his stakes debut after a really solid performance in a $50,000 starter allowance affair (91 Brisnet speed figure, 0 LSR). Trainer Thomas Morley is great with last-out winners — 19 percent repeaters over the past year — and has a solid 31 percent ROI in graded stakes during that time, despite limited opportunities.

I’ll also be using 8-BLAME THE RIDER (7/2) in my daily double tickets ending with the Delaware Handicap. He appears to be the lone speed in a race lacking early zip. His speed figures and LSRs aren’t bad either.

Click here for a closer look at the Del ‘Cap: