Caprice Looks for Another Strong Outing 

Caprice on victory on Delaware bred or certified Blue Hen Stakes. (Hoofprints Inc/Delaware Park)

In the Delaware bred or certified Small Wonder Stakes

Re Markably Seeks Delaware-bred Double in First State Dash this Wednesday

Chris Sobocinski/Delaware Park News & Notes

WILMINGTON, Del.—After posting a pair of solid performances in her first two career outings, Runnymoore Racing’s Caprice will be looking to remain unbeaten when she faces seven rivals in the $100,000 Small Wonder Stakes this Wednesday at Delaware Park.  The six-furlong stake restricted to Delaware bred or certified 2-year-old fillies is named for a nickname given to Delaware due to its size and contributions it has made to our country as a whole and the beauty of the state. 

In her first career start, Caprice posted a 13 ¾-length triumph in a five-and-a-half-furlong maiden at Delaware Park on July 20.  The Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Golden Lad trained by Cathal Lynch followed with 2 ½-length score in the five and a half furlong Delaware bred or certified restricted $50,000 Blue Hen Stakes on August 14. 

“She worked really well since the Blue Hen,” said trainer Cathal Lynch.  “She is still growing, and we are really happy with her.  I spoke to Mr. Bentley (Greg, owner of Runnymoore Racing) and Joe Cassidy (racing manager for Runnymoore Racing) and they basically told me, if we are happy, it is a go.  She is just growing like a weed.  They go through these growth spurts, so we are just trying to keep up with her and let her develop at her own pace.  She is a very precocious and very forward filly.  Nothing really bothers her, and she can race on the lead, or she can rate which makes her a much more effective racehorse and easy to train.”

Since the Blue hen Stakes became the prep for the Small Wonder Stakes in 2021, there have been two horses to achieve the double.  They were Bound By Destiny in 2022 and Just Great last year.

$100,000 Small Wonder Stakes

(Restricted to Delaware Bred or Certified), For 2-year-old fillies, at six furlongs

Re Markably Seeks Delaware-bred Double in First State Dash this Wednesday

After posting a dominating victory in the $50,000 Dover Stakes, Lynn Ashby and William Gotwals’ Re Markably will be seeking the Delaware bred or certified double when he faces six rivals in the $100,000 First State Dash at Delaware Park this Wednesday.  The six-furlong stake for 2-year-olds is named after the state nickname from Delaware being the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787.

“He is a chilled dude,” said trainer Lynn Ashby.  “After a race or a breeze, he just acts like he did nothing.  But with him, you really have to read him because he is so laid back. He is not one to jump around or get overly excited with anything.  We know he is fit, so we are just aiming to keep him happy.  It is so much fun this time of year going into these Delaware Certified stakes, and it is so nice to have a baby with potential that is developing nicely.  He had a great breeze the other day (Sept. 2), so it seems like we are on same path as we were before he won the Dover Stakes.  We are ready.”

Re Markably sports a career record of two wins and a third from three starts.  In his most recent, the Maryland-bred posted a 5 ½-length triumph in the Delaware bred or certified restricted five and a half furlong $50,000 Dover Stakes at Delaware Park on August 14.  Previously, the son of Hoppertunity finished third in the Virginia bred or certified restricted five and a half furlong $150,000 Hickory Tree Stakes at Colonial Downs on August 3.  On July 3, he broke his maiden going five and a half furlongs at Delaware Park.

Since the Dover Stakes became the prep for the First State Dash in 2021, only one horse has won the double.  Copper Tax accomplished the feat last year.  

For more information about the Delaware bred or certified program, visit https://www.dtha.com/dctp/.

2024 Live Racing Dates – Live racing will be conducted on a Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday weekly format for most of the 2024 meet.  Friday cards will be added to the schedule on the following dates: September 13^th, September 20^th, September 27^th, October 4^th and October 11^th. Daily first race post time of 12:30 p.m. 

$100,000 First State Dash

(Restricted to Delaware Bred or Certified, For 2-year-olds, At six furlongs