The Delaware Handicap, a 1 1/4-mile classic for fillies and mares, will be the feature presentation of the $1.775 million Delaware Handicap Festival of Racing slated for July 18-19. The 72nd renewal of the Delaware Handicap will be run on Sunday, July 19. The supporting races on the Delaware Handicap Day card are the Grade III Barbaro Stakes and the Light Hearted Stakes.
On Saturday, July 18, the 3-year-old fillies will take center stage in the 58th renewal of the 1 1/16-mile $250,000 Grade II Delaware Oaks. The supporting features on the Delaware Oaks Day card are the Grade III Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes and the R.R.M. Carpenter, Jr. Memorial Stakes.
Both the Delaware Handicap and the Delaware Oaks have long and prestigious traditions.
Previous champions of the Delaware Handicap include Jameela, the dam of Gulch; Relaxing, the dam of Easy Goer; Likely Exchange, the dam of Crème Fraiche; Late Bloomer, the dam of Fred Astaire; Susan's Girl, the dam of Copelan; Obeah, the dam of Go For Wand; Princess Turia, the dam of Forward Pass; Flower Bowl, the dam of Graustark & His Majesty; and Busanda, the dam of Buckpasser. Last year's Del 'Cap was won by Rancho San Miguel's Hystericalady with Garrett Gomez astride.
Previous winners of the Delaware Oaks include Hall of Fame fillies Desert Vixen, Gallant Bloom, Dark Mirage, and Gallorette. Last year, Brereton Jones's Proud Spell won the Oaks on her way to capturing end-of-the-year honors as the champion 3-year-old filly.
Opening day for the 116-day meet is Saturday, April 25, and closing day is Saturday, November 7.
Sunday racing added in July
Sunday racing has been added to live racing schedule in the month of July. Also in July, Wednesday live racing has been dropped from the schedule, except on July 1.
The 2009 daily schedule
April: Saturday, Monday, Tuesday
May: Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
June: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
July: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (July 1 only). No Wednesday racing on July 8, 15, 22, and 29
August, September, October and November: Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
2009 DELAWARE PARK STAKES SCHEDULE
RUNS RACE S/A Dist Purse
25-Apr Vincent A. Moscarell Stakes 3+ 6F 75,000
13-Jun John W. Rooney Stakes FM3+ 1M1/8T 75,000
20-Jun Susan's Girl Stakes F3 1M1/16 125,000 (50,000 BCF)
20-Jun Obeah Stakes (Grade III) FM3+ 1M1/8 125,000
18-Jul Delaware Oaks (Grade II) F3 1M1/16 250,000
18-Jul Robert G. Dick Stakes (Grade III) FM3+ 1M3/8T 200,000 (50,000 BCF)
18-Jul RRM Carpenter Jr. Stakes 3+ 1M1/16 100,000
19-Jul Delaware Handicap (Grade II) FM3+ 1M1/4 1,000,000
19-Jul Barbaro Stakes (Grade III) 3 1M1/16 150,000
19-Jul Light Hearted Stake FM3+ 7 1/2FT 75,000
22-Aug *New Castle Stakes 3+ 6F 75,000
22-Aug *Tax Free Shopping Stakes FM3+ 6F 75,000
22-Aug *Small Wonder Stakes F2 5FT 75,000
22-Aug *First State Dash Stakes 2 5FT 75,000
5-Sept Kent Stakes (Grade III) 3 1M1/8T 250,000 (50,000 BCF)
12-Sept Endine Stakes (Grade III) FM3+ 6F 150,000
12-Sept *George Rosenberger FM3+ 1M1/16T 75,000
12-Sept *DTHA Governor's Day 3+ 1M1/8 75,000
3-Oct Dover Stakes 2 1M1/16 75,000
10-Oct Blue Hen Stakes F2 1M1/16 75,000
* Denotes restricted race. The New Castle, Tax Free Shopping, Small Wonder, and First State Dash Stakes are restricted to Delaware Certified Thoroughbreds.
Funding
Susan's Girl Stakes-$125,000 Delaware Park plus $50,000 Breeders' Cup Fund
Robert G. Dick Stakes-$200,000 Delaware Park plus $50,000 Breeders' Cup Fund
Kent Stakes-$250,000 Delaware Park plus $50,000 Breeders' Cup Fund
