Wilmington, Del., April 21, 2009 — The 72nd season of live thoroughbred racing at Delaware Park is set to open this Saturday, April 25. Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m. and the first 5,000 fans entering the park after 11 a.m. will receive a Delaware Park cap.

Opening Day activities officially begin at 9 a.m. with Breakfast in the Park, which features a sumptuous breakfast buffet for $7.95 and an informative handicapping seminar conducted by Joe DeVivo of the Daily Racing Form. Guests attending Breakfast in the Park, which will be held in the New Castle Room on the third floor of Delaware Park’s clubhouse, will also receive a free racing program and special gift.

Racing will continue four days a week for most of the meet, with a five-day format in June. In May, August, September, October and November, live racing will be held on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. In June, live racing will be conducted Saturday through Wednesday. In July, the live race days are Saturday through Tuesday. Closing day for the 116-day meet is slated for Saturday, November 7.

The signature event of the season, the Delaware Handicap Festival of Racing, is scheduled for July 18 and 19. The $1 million Grade II Delaware Handicap highlights the weekend of racing, which will be worth $1.8 million in stake purses.

Seven-time leading trainer Scott Lake will be returning to defend his title. Other top conditioners returning to the Stanton-oval include J. Larry Jones, Tim Ritchey, Steve Klesaris, and Michael Gorham. They will be joined by a trio of new trainers from the Midwest: Cody Autrey, Ron Moquett, and Michael Stidham.