The Triple Crown may be in the rearview mirror, but that does not mean the action stops at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet where it is a busy Saturday in the Mid-Atlantic. Between a 10X 1/ST Rewards Points bonus at Monmouth Park and a Late Pick 4 Hit & Split at Delaware Park there is plenty to sink your teeth into. I will offer up some plays for the Jersey Shore tomorrow, but first let’s take a look at the inaugural Delaware Derby Late Pick 4 since there is $5000 extra up for grabs!


Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.

Race 7: Cape Henlopen
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 1 Vote No; 3 Kay Army
Backups: 5 Desvio

Forecast: The sequence kicks off with this 12-furlong contest over the sod where #3 Kay Army is the deserving 5-2-ML favorite. The Chilean-bred came to the States a perfect 10 for 10 and made his first start off the 13+month layoff in early May in the Fort Marcy (G2). The 5YO stalked the early pace of Manhattan (G1) winner Deterministic, but was turned away. He lost little defeat in New York though off the extended break. A move forward on the class drop and stretch out is expected.

Kay Army is the one to beat, but #1 Vote No is the one to bet. The son of Divisidero was claimed by trainer Kelsey Danner for $40k at Turfway Park this winter. Danner moved him right to the grass where he put in a very strong late run without much of a setup at Horseshoe Indianapolis last month. He gets Paco Lopez. If he takes to the distance, he should be right in the mix at a juicy 15-1-ML offering.


Race 8: Delaware Derby
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 6 Kentucky Outlaw
Backups: 9 Pascaline

Forecast: 3-1-favorite #3 Admiral Dennis exits the best races and comes from big-time connections, but is worth taking a shot against in the inaugural $200k Delaware Derby. He was completely outrun in the Blue Grass (G1) and had little energy late despite having chaotic early fractions to run into in the Rebel (G2). The class drop definitely will benefit, but others are likely to present better value.

#6 Kentucky Outlaw is still figuring things out mentally, but has a lot of physical talent. The bargain basement $12k son of Outwork overcame his own trouble to win impressively in the Long Branch last month at Monmouth Park. Paco Lopez returning to ride is a major positive. #9 Pascaline is unlikely to beat Kentucky Outlaw on the square, but if my top choice creates his own issues, the Upstart could be the one to take advantage. Trainer Arnaud Delacour adds the blinkers for the first time.


Race 9: Delaware Oaks (G3)
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 6 Cassiar
Backups: 7 Fondly; 5 Paris Lily

Forecast: Perhaps it is wishful thinking expecting to beat a pair of Brad Cox conditioned favorites in the day’s two biggest races, but here we are. #4 Margie’s Intention ran well to win the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) last month over the off going, but also got a great ride from Flavien Prat. The Louisiana-bred is capable, but so are a few others that will be higher on the tote. Plus, Prat is not in Delaware.

#6 Cassiar is the one I like most. The City of Light filly is 2 for 3 to start her career for Shug McGaughey, but was beaten handily in her lone start around two-turns. Some horseplayers may not be, but I am willing to forgive the well-beaten third in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). She was defeated by a serious filly in Five G and the race shape was not to her liking. She should get a much more favorable setup in her return to stakes action.

#7 Fondly and #5 Paris Lily are more logical. Paris Lily was beaten last out by Margie’s Intention, but ran very well in defeat. She is capable of turning the tables. Fondly is a tough read, but merits respect. She was outrun in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), but her first two starts were solid. I am willing to give her another shot to an extent, but am a bit concerned she gets over bet.


Race 10:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 4 Richard Feynman; 1 Hope’s Alive
Backups: 11 Mr. Funtastico

Forecast: The Late Pick 4 concludes with this 1 1/16-mile MSW event over the sod where #4 Richard Feynman appears the one to beat. The son of Into Mischief has failed three times since arriving in the States thus far, but only one of those came over the grass. Trainer Graham Motion adds the blinkers for the first time, which bodes well for his chances. Motion is 7 for 26 over the last 2 years when adding shades for the initial time in a turf route. Irad Ortiz Jr jumping onboard helps as well. #1 Hope’s Alive will also be on all my tickets. The Gift Box colt draws favorably to the inside, which should allow jockey Jaime Rodriguez to make the lead. If he is left alone, he is very much a gate-to-wire candidate at 5-1.