Highlights of the Delaware Park 2019 Meet
As the 2019 meet comes to a close we wanted to note the major events and trends that took place at the historic track that was designed by Mr. William DuPont and first opened in 1937.
Elate Wins the Delaware Handicap
Trained by William Mott and ridden by Jose Ortiz, the 5 year old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro won the tracks premier race (Grade 2, Delaware Handicap) for the second year in a row. The horse is owned and bred by Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider. The race capped a big day for Ortiz who won four stakes on the card. If she stays healthy it will be interesting to see where this mare will land on Breeders Cup weekend?
The Jockey Race
Jockey Carol Cedeno won her fifth riding title in the last six years. Carol’s consistency is a testament to her hard work. In the one year (2017) where she failed to win the jockey title she finished a close second. Last year she won 7 races in one day at Delaware Park.
Alex Cintron finished second this year revitalizing a career that had been halted by a major injury. He also won the 1,000th race of his career and Graded Stakes at Saratoga and Woodbine.
Rising stars Trevor McCarthy and Angel Suarez came in on enough of their off days from Maryland and New Jersey respectively to add luster to the jockey colony. Together they combined for over 80 wins.
The Trainer Race
Jaime Ness ran away with the title but there were over 15 trainers with double digit victory totals. These included national trainers Gary Capuano and Arnaud Delacour, local favorites Gerald Bennett and Lynn Ashby, rising star Jose Camejo and well known trainers Scott Lake and Anthony Pecoraro.
John Curran’s Streak
The well-known voice of Delaware Park, John Curran, completed his 36th year at the track. If Ed Burgart follows through with his plans to retire from Los Alamitos at the end of this year, there will only be one other US announcer with a longer tenure.
Other Graded Stakes Winners
Delaware Oaks – Jaywalk, Breeder – Gainesway; Sire – Cross Traffic (J) Joe Bravo (T) John Servis
Kent Stakes – Eons, Breeder – Camas Park Stud; Sire – Giant’s Causeway (J) Trevor McCarthy (T) Arnaud Delacour
Robert G. Dick Memorial – Gentle Ruler, Breeder – Builders’s Mart Inc.; Sire – Colonel John (J) Chris Landeros (T) Ian Wilkes
By Michael Valiante
