Delaware Handicap Chatter
By: Laurie Ross Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds
First
carded in 1937, the Delaware Handicap’s history is an impressive roll call of
elite champions. Many passed along their
winning genes to shape future generations and are considered Rene-de-Course
(superior mares, a/k/a blue hens). Busanda, Miss Grillo, Flower Bowl, Old Hat,
Susan’s Girl and Straight Deal and Shocker T. are just a few who have races
named in their honor.
Many
horse players believe that pedigree handicapping is only dug out of the
handicapping tool box for maiden races or figuring out the Kentucky Derby and
Belmont Stakes winners. The pedigree angle is handy in races such as the
Delaware, or any race where horses are attempting a new distance or surface for
the first time.
The
2016 Delaware Handicap attracted a select field of six fillies and mares. The
historic Grade 1 event is one of a handful of races carded at 1 ¼ miles over
the dirt. Half of this year’s field have
traveled the classic distance, however, none of them have won.
Todd
Pletcher owns four Delaware trophies.
They may be getting a little dusty, since the last time Todd had his
photo taken with the Delaware Stakes winner was in 2010 with Life at Ten. This year, Pletcher’s hope lies with MEI LING. Her sire Empire Maker gave us two-time Delaware Champ
Royal Delta. Mei Ling certainly has the pedigree to handle 1 ¼ miles. Her
damsire Seeking the Gold won the ten furlong Super Derby. Her lineage includes
the under-rated Lord At War, Super horse Secretariat and Classic Chef de Race
Hail to Reason.
Mei Ling should be fit for the Delaware ‘Cap. In her previous
start in Belmont Park’s Rags to Riches Invitational Stakes at 1 ¼ miles, the mare went to the post as the
favorite, but Theogony, set snail-like fractions, while opening a wide margin
and stole the race. Mei Ling was second, behind by eight lengths, but she did
beat the third place finisher by 2 ½ lengths, which is encouraging. On the down side, Mei Ling hasn’t been able
to conquer Grade 3 competition, although this is a pretty weak field compared
to former years. Johnny V. is off Mei
Ling and Jose Ortiz takes over. Plus, the blinkers go back on. Uh, that would
be on Mei Ling, not the jock.
Trainer Larry Jones stood in the 2005 Delaware winner’s circle
with Island Sand. This year, Jones sends out his sensational multiple Grade 1
heroine I’M A CHATTERBOX. The filly’s pedigree screams sprinter/miler,
yet the daughter of Munnings has won two of four starts at 1 1/8 miles and was
second in last year’s Alabama Stakes (G1) at 1 ¼ miles. The filly prepped over
the Delaware surface in her last start. Outclassing
rivals by 8 ½ lengths in the Obeah Stakes. BTW, the race was named for the 1969
– 1970 Delaware Handicap winner. What could be more fitting?
PAID UP
SUBSCRIBER
is an improving filly and will be dangerous. She successfully stretched out to
1 1/8 miles and captured the Fleur De Lis Handicap (G3) by a widening three
lengths. The daughter of Candy Ride should handle 1 ¼ miles. Her stakes placed dam
Shriek is by Street Cry and is a half sister to a turf router. In addition to a
two-race win streak, Paid Up Subscriber has been breezing well at Saratoga.
MILAYA jumped from a 1 1/16 mile
optional claimer into the 1 ½ mile Rages to Riches stakes at Belmont The
daughter of Eskendereya set a slow pace, but tired to finish fifth, 11 lengths
behind the winner. Milaya’s pedigree is
borderline for classic distances. Although she has a 2-16 record, Milaya has
hit the board in four of her last five starts. Eskendereya’s offspring tend to
improve with age, and this four year old may be starting to pick it up. At 15-1 ML, she’s worth a look as a logical
longshot.
MONEYSONCHARLOTTE’S two victories were earned
when she was able to dictate her own
terms on the pace. The daughter of Mizzen Mast has been working well at
Monmouth, but seems up against it due to the distance and tougher competition.
PENWITH is a very well-bred mare.
By Bernardini out of Composure, a multiple G1 winner at 1 1/16 miles. Penwith’s
¾ sister Centring is multiple graded stakes placed. Centring’s full brother Teaming
was third in the Woodward. Composure is
a half sister to the dam of this year’s Southwest Stakes hero,
Suddenbreakingnews. Penwith enjoys running on the lead. She won her first two
starts of the year, but tired badly in her last two races and was beaten by a
combined 20 ½ lengths. Penwith had a
nice mini-vacation, so maybe she can turn things around.
Selections
Half the field likes to set or press the pace, quite unusual in a
1 ¼ mile race. PAID UP SUBSCRIBER
has the most upside. Sure, she’s stretching out, but she draws the rail and can
draft along saving ground behind the pace. She brings in confidence and a
two-win streak.
I think 1 ½ miles is a furlong too far for I’M A CHATTERBOX but as the only Grade 1 winner in the race, she’ll
out-class many in here. The courageous filly has finished off of the board only
once in her 13 race career.
If PENWITH is fresh and
ready to run, she can be dangerous. She has the breeding and her late pace
speed figures say she’ll be a tough customer if she runs her race.
MILAYA is worth a longshot play.
MEI LING has hit the board in 16
of 21 starts. She’s fit and should be able to handle this group. Besides, Todd
Pletcher just rearranged his cabinet to make room for another trophy.
#1 PAID UP SUBSCRIBER (2-1)
#5 MEI LING (5-1)
#4 I’M A CHATTERBOX (6-5)
#3 MILAYA (15-1)
Handigambling
Only six betting interests make for a chalky race. Let’s play a $2 box super and toss $10 WPS on
#3 if her odds are 10-1 or better.
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