Bessie Gruwell wins prestigious Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award for Administration

Delaware Park News & Notes
Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Bessie Gruwell wins prestigious Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award for Administration

Wilmington, Del., October 14, 2019 — Bessie Gruwell, Executive Director of the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (DTHA), won the prestigious Administration Award for exemplary leadership in a racing executive role.

The announcement was made at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin at Keeneland on October 11th. The individual must have a high standard in organizational, time-management, and communication skills; show a great attention to detail and be systems/process driven; suggests innovations and efficiencies; and have positive interactions in the workplace with a team spirit approach.

“I would like to congratulate Bessie (Gruwell) on this honor,” said Kevin DeLucia, Senior Vice President of Racing/Finance. “This is the second consecutive a year a person from the Delaware Park family has been recognized at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. While these are individual awards, it is really a reflection of the entire team and all of the good hard working people we have in the Delaware Park family. Once again, I would like to congratulate Bessie on this recognition.”

Last year, Lisa See, a groom and assistant trainer for Delaware Park-based Anthony Pecoraro, won the Dedication to Racing award which is annually presented to an outstanding racing stable employee who has shown reliability in a racing a role for at least 10 years.

“I am pleased Bessie (Gruwell) has received this prestigious recognition,” said Executive Director of Racing of Delaware Park John Mooney. “We have been professional colleagues for decades and during that time, we have worked hard to improve Delaware racing. Once again, I would like to congratulate her on this recognition. ”

The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, with a total prize money of $128,000, was managed and administered by The Jockey Club, the Horsemen’s Protective and Benevolent Association, and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

End of Meet Update

Delaware Park News & Notes
Fewer total races leads to decline in total handle for 82nd season of live racing

Wilmington, Del., October 9, 2019 — Fewer total races lead to a decline in total handle for the 82nd season of live racing which concluded on Saturday, October 5th.

Total handle for the 81-day meet was $104,200,290, a decrease of 7% compared to the $112, 041,056 from last year’s 81-day meet. There were a total of 661 races compared to total of 715 races in 2018 representing a decrease of 54 races or 7.6%. In 2019, the average handle per race was $157,640 with average starters per race of 6.56 and in 2018, the average handle per race was $156,701 with average starters per race of 6.65.

“We had a tough season filling races for many reasons, including a Strangles positive that negatively impacted our featured Delaware Oaks and Delaware Handicap race days.” said Kevin DeLucia, Senior Vice President of Racing/Finance. “The reality of overlapping racetrack dates and lack of coordination of stakes races in the Mid-Atlantic region have always presented us with difficult obstacles. Despite these challenges, we were encouraged that the average handle per race increased slightly and we are looking forward to the 2020 season.”

The brilliant filly Elate won her second consecutive Delaware Handicap with Jose Ortiz aboard on July 13th. Owned by Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro posted a 4 1/2-length victory in the filly and mare summer classic. The Kentucky-bred is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

“Once again, the Delaware Handicap was a pivotal race in the filly and mare division as both Elate and Blue Prize have emerged as top contenders in the division,” said John Mooney, Executive Director of Racing. “Elate, the Del Cap winner, followed with two solid seconds against the best in the division in Grade I races and Blue Prize, third in the Del Cap, has had two impressive victories the latest being the Grade I Spinster. We are very much looking forward to seeing both of these outstanding mares running in the Breeders’ Cup.”

Carol Cedeno returned to the top of the jockey standings by notching 77 victories. The 28-year-old native of Puerto Rico was the leading rider at Delaware Park from 2014 through 2016 and 2018. She finished second in 2017. Jamie Ness recorded his seventh leading trainer championship by saddling 44 winners. The 42-year-old native of Heron, South Dakota, was leading trainer in 2012 and 2013 and from 2015 through 2018. Joseph Besecker won the leading owner title by recording 22 wins.

Owners Day 2019

 

Cordmaker wins DTHA Governors Day Handicap

Wilmington, Del., September 28, 2019 —Hillwood Stable’s Cordmaker won the $75,000 DTHA Governors Day Handicap at Delaware Park today.  With Victor Carrasco aboard, the 4-year-old son of Curlin posted a half-length victory and returned $3.20 as the favorite in the field of five.  Flowers for Lisa, with Angel Suarez, cut early fractions of: 48.89 for the half mile and 1:12.11 for the three-quarters mile before finishing second.  It was another 6 ¼-lengths farther back to Tybalt, with Kevin Gomez, in third.  Cordmaker covered the mile and seventy yards in 1:41.09 over a fast main track.  The Maryland-bred trained by Rodney Jenkins raised his career record to eight wins from 17 starts with earnings of $424,890.

 

“I had a beautiful trip,” said winning rider Victor Carrasco.  “I have ridden him so many times, Mr. (Rodney) Jenkins just tells me to ride him with confidence and ride him like you have been doing.  I just stalked the leader and at the 3/8ths pole I knew it was a two horse race and we got it done.”

 

Pink Caddy scores in Small Wonder

Wilmington, Del., September 28, 2019 —Club Risque Stable’s and Gregory Quick’s Pink Caddy cruised to victory in the $100,250 Small Wonder Stakes at Delaware Park today.  With Mychel Sanchez aboard, the 2-year-old daughter of El Padrino posted a 6 3/4-length win and returned $2.60 as the favorite in the field of seven.  Shatter Me, with Jeremy Rose, finished second.  It was another 4 ¾-lengths farther back to Hufflepuff, with Carol Cedeno, in third. 

 

Pink Caddy covered the five and a half furlongs over a fast main track in 1:04.39.

The Pennsylvania-bred trained by Randy Allen raised her career record to two wins from four starts with earnings of $106,370.

 

In career finale, Shimmering Aspen notches victory Tax Free Shopping Distaff

Wilmington, Del., September 28, 2019 —In her final career outing, Shimmering Aspen, owned by Hillwood Stable, posted an easy score in the $100,125 Tax Free Shopping Distaff at Delaware Park today.  With Victor Carrasco aboard, the 5-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon posted a 1 1/2-length win and returned $2.60 as the favorite in the field of six.  Queen Nekia, with Jeremy Rose, finished second.  It was another 1 1/4-lengths farther back to Had the Notion, with Raul Mena, in third. 

 

Shimmering Aspen covered the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:11.28.  The Kentucky-bred trained by Rodney Jenkins raised her career record to nine wins from 20 starts with earnings of $415,660.

 

“This was her last race,” said winning trainer Rodney Jenkins.  “We had plans to retire her, but we wanted to run here in this race first.  ‘She is a wonderful horse.  She has always tried hard her whole career.  Victor (Carrasco) rides her beautifully and it is a good combination.  She is a little a feisty and Victor (Carrasco) is real quiet a horse.  He is brilliant with his hands and he is brilliant with pace.”

 

Call Paul  wins New Castle Stakes

Wilmington, Del., September 28, 2019 —Michael Dubb, David Simon, and Bethlehem Stables’ Call Paul won the $100,000 New Castle Stakes at Delaware Park today.  With Angel Suarez  aboard, the 3-year-old son of Friesan Fire posted a 3-length victory and returned $2.20 as the favorite in the field of four.  Three’s Over Deuces, with Weston Hamilton, finished second.  It was another 11 1/4-lengths farther back to Winplaceorshowono, with Weston Hamilton, in third. 

 

Call Paul covered the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09.38.  The Pennsylvania-bred trained by Jason Servis raised his career record to six wins from 12 starts with earnings of $546,020.

 

 

Tightly Twisted notches upset victory Rosenberger Memorial

Wilmington, Del., September 28, 2019  —Fiasco Farm’s Tightly Twisted posted an upset victory in the $75,000 George Rosenberger Memorial at Delaware today.  With Jhonatan Mendoza aboard, the 3-year-old daughter of Hard Spun won by a 3/4-length and returned $45.00.  Steelin Magnolias, with Jeremy Rose, finished second.  It was 2 1/2-lengths farther back to Monkey Mind, with Raul Mena, in third.  Pamina, the 3-to-5 favorite in the field of eight with Victor Carrasco aboard, finished fourth.

 

Tightly Twisted covered the mile and a sixteenth over a firm turf course in 1:41.06. The Kentucky-bred trained by Juanita Bennett raised her career mark to three wins from 11 starts with earnings of $103,015.

 

Golden Candy wins First State Dash

Wilmington, Del., September 28, 2019 —A. Delaperriere Stables’ Golden Candy won the $100,000 First State Dash Stakes at Delaware Park today. 

 

With Carol Cedeno aboard, the 2-year-old son of Goldencents returned $3.80 as the favorite in the field of nine.  The Pennsylvania-bred trained by Anthony Pecoraro won by 4-lengths.  Tommy Shelby, with Victor Carrasco, finished second.  It was 6 3/4-lengths farther back to Pitching Arit, with J.D. Acosta, in third.

 

Golden Candy covered the five and a half furlongs in 1:04.11 over a fast main track.   He raised his career record to two wins from four starts with earnings of $84,250. 

 

 

Delaware Park Jockeys Share their Racing Adventures with Patients
at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

Pictured above, Brittany Scrampton, Robert Paz, Jr., Angel Suarez Jr., patient Kaden, Carol Cedeno, Gabriel Castro & Robert Paz Sr. at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children on Tuesday, September 17th.

Donning colorful jerseys and racing caps, Delaware Park jockeys brought the racing world alive for patients at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children yesterday. During the visit, each child received a collectible doll of the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who won his first race in his career debut at Delaware Park; “A Day in the Life of a Horse of a Different Color” coloring book by Pierre Bellocq, authentic jockey racing goggles and other gifts from the Delaware Park family.

The jockeys’ visit was part of the national Childhood Cancer Awareness Month initiative organized by the Jockeys’ Guild. The visit to Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children was organized by the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, Delaware Park, Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the Delaware Jockeys’ Guild.