Delaware Park

Dates for the 2023 live racing season at Delaware Park, which this year will offer 85 days from May 24 through Oct. 28, were approved by the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission on Tuesday. The 86th season at the Wilmington oval will be conducted on a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule with the exception of seven dark Fridays--May 26, July 28, every Friday in August, and Oct. 27. This year's stakes schedule, anchored by the GII $500,000 Delaware H., offers 12 added-money events worth $2.25 million. Additionally, all stakes races will be run Lasix-free...

Dale Capuano will conclude his 41-year training career with the ending of the year, transferring his 35-horse stable over to his nephew Phillip Capuano. "I've been thinking about it the last couple of years. This business, for me anyway, it's all I do," Capuano, one of the leading trainers in Maryland history, said. "I've reached a point in my life where I want to do some other things besides get up at 4 o'clock in the morning and work six or seven days a week. It's time for me to...

Delaware Park Casino & Racing presented Toys for Tots with a check for $7,000 Dec. 14, which was made up of proceeds from unused slot vouchers and a large cash supplement from company. Along with this contribution were toys from a six-week collection period that were donated by guests, as well as 50 make-up kits and 50 basketballs that were purchased by Delaware Park. Ron Baumann, President and General Manager of Delaware Park Casino & Racing said, "In the spirit of the season, our guest participation has been exemplary this...

Randall Gatlin Brandon, 80, passed away Aug. 15, 2022 in his hometown of Camden, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Gatlin Randall and Frances Johns Brandon. Randy  is survived by his wife Kirsty May Brandon, daughters Julie Carter (Andrew) and Lisa Boyle, both of Portland, Oregon, grandchildren Katie and Emma Carter, brothers Dr. Jeff Brandon (Nancy) of Palm Coast, Florida and Kyle Brandon of El Paso, Texas. He graduated from Washington State University and followed with an internship at Auburn University. After completing his internship, he was...

A 5-year-old Thoroughbred who auctioned for $800,000 as a yearling is at the center of a "neglect of a horse" case out of Delaware Park. In an Aug. 12 ruling, the stewards at Delaware stated that owner/trainer Alison Escobar disregarded multiple veterinary recommendations by continuing to exercise Ashiham (Tapit), a one-for-eight horse who has changed stables twice after being sold at Keeneland in 2018. Ashiham's lone victory came at Saratoga in 2020 for different connections. "The Stewards were concerned for the health and welfare of Ashiham," the ruling stated in...

With the retirement of Delaware Park's long-time Executive Director of Racing John Mooney announced earlier this week, Delaware Park has promoted Jerome "Jed" Doro to Director of Racing. He will assume most of Mooney's duties, effective Aug. 1. "I am very pleased and excited to announce that Jed Doro has been promoted to Director of Racing," said Kevin DeLucia, Chief Financial Officer at Delaware Park. "We believe the continuity of the program built by [Mooney] is important to the future success of racing at Delaware Park and we believe there...

John Mooney, executive director of racing at Delaware Park, has announced his retirement, effective Aug. 1. Mooney has been involved in racing in the Mid-Atlantic region for nearly 40 years. Shortly after Delaware Park was purchased and reopened by William Rickman, Sr., in 1984, Mooney was named general manager. He was instrumental in keeping Delaware Park competitive in the 1980s and early 1990s with his innovative approach to the sport which included the introduction of the very successful Twin Trifecta. In the summer of 1993, he left Delaware Park to...

3rd-Delaware, $43,350, Msw, 7-23, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:06.99, ft, 3 3/4 lengths. PRINCESS CHESSIE (f, 2, Irish War Cry--Sensible Shoes, by Songandaprayer) became her freshman sire (by Curlin)'s first winner with this 18-1 longshot rally from the back of the field. The David Bloom homebred settled off the pace early in sixth, improved her position through the bend, and launched a wide bid that carried her over the top late by 3 3/4 lengths. The 9-5 favorite Rowsie Express (Golden Lad) followed that one in for minor awards. Princess...

Nearly five months after beginning a suspension for betting against his own mounts, jockey Mychel Sanchez returned to action Wednesday, riding in the second race at Delaware Park. Sanchez finished eighth aboard XY Lady (Sharp Azteca) in the race for 2-year-old maiden fillies. He is also listed on mounts on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday cards at Delaware. Sanchez last rode Jan. 19 at Parx. Shortly after that, the Pennsylvania Racing Commission handed him a 60-day suspension after it was discovered that during a betting spree he made wagers on...

Musicmansandy, picked up at OBS April for $175,000 by H R Bloodstock after breezing in :9 4/5, acted up at the gate but looked the utmost professional on the track, wiring a field of maidens at Delaware Park Wednesday to give Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky) his first winner. Sent from the four post as the 5-2 favorite after a several minute delay due to her being fractious behind the gate, the $160,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase went straight for the lead, shook off a challenge from Fancee Grace C (Girvin)...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 3rd-DEL, $40K, MSW, 3yo/up, f, 1m 70ydsT, 1:30 p.m.   COME ON KITTY CAT, a 3-year-old Kitten's Joy home-bred for Alex Campbell, Jr., debuts at Delaware Park Thursday. Out of the Pulpit mare The Right Pew, Come On Kitty Cat is a half-sister to eight winners including two graded stakes performers: Karlovy Vary (Dynaformer), winner of the GI Central Bank Ashland S. who herself went on to produce both back-to-back GII New York S. winner Mean Mary (Scat Daddy), and Bye Bye Melvin (Uncle Mo),...

Amber Cobb, the Thoroughbred owner and trainer who had been summarily suspended by the Delaware Park stewards last month after having already served a 60-day penalty earlier in the summer for "improper or inhumane treatment" of a horse, had her license yanked again Thursday for the remaining term of its three-year issuance, through Dec. 31, 2022. Among the reasons listed in the Oct. 28 revocation ruling by the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC) were that Cobb failed to appear at a disciplinary hearing Oct. 22 that had been scheduled in...