Equinics – Delaware Park

EQUINICS DELAWARE PARK

Grade I
A mile and one quarter
Fast Dirt
$1,000,000
Fillies and mares, 4 years old and up — RESTRICTED TO PARTICULAR OWNERS

Residency/Entry

Vermont / DIOCESE(KY)

East-West Connection (EWC) / CLAUSSEN(KY)

Empire State Racing (ESR) / TONY KUBEK(KY) 

Comedy Central / BRUSH AGAIN(KY) 

GR Simsters / DIZZYING INTELLECT(CA)

Minnesota Downs / MUSIC SENSE(KY) 

City-Race Rhein-Main Turf Club / KAFKA(OK)

Hispano Parlante / HENNIGAN’S SCOTCH(KY)

TESTBARN / DANCE CRAZE(KY)

BLAZING SADDLES / SEEIN STARS(IRE)

NWRC / READY TO REASON(KY)

YOSS / FANTASTIC CHOICE(JPN)

QUEENSLAND / PSYCHO CHICK(AUS)

Universal Racing Club / K’NAAN(KY)

DelPenn / HELL FIRE CLUB(IRE)

MIDAS / INVINCIBLE RAHY(IRE)

Kentucky Horsemen / HILLSIDE MANOR(KY)

Saltire / DREAM ESSENCE(FL)

Eighteen female contenders come to the starting line for this Equinics heat, one named for the verdant racino of Delaware Park.  Perhaps that is in recognition of the Delaware Handicap, a midsummer mainstay of the North American distaff racing agenda.  Like that real-life race, won this year by Royal Delta, this one is at ten furlongs.  Similar to Royal Delta’ Breeders Cup ambitions, some of these Equinics entrants have Breeders Bowl and championships in mind.  Others could be pointed that way if they prove their mettle in this contest.  And a few are more likely competing for the pride of their residencies, but could still spring a surprise showing.

If you get a charge out of the traffic jams that happen every Kentucky Derby, then Equinics day is for you.  With eighteen total going and no shortage of speed types, it will be crunch time early in this race.  Interestingly, the speediest ones are from gate 9 and outward, and there are a few lead-tracking types to their inside who are unlikely to fall back and give their speed sisters a tactical advantage.  HILLSIDE MANOR(KY) and READY TO REASON(KY) are right together at post 9 and 10, both with a propensity to wing it early, and have the best position to clear the inside horses.  But this is READY TO REASON(KY)’s stakes debut, so despite a recent 103 speed, it may be tough going to wire these, and HILLSIDE MANOR(KY) is stakes-placed at this distance but unproven in graded company.  PSYCHO CHICK(AUS) on the extreme outside has some big speed numbers as a frontrunner and a clever jock in Osbourne, but widest of eighteen on the lead is a tough assignment even for him.  DANCE CRAZE(KY) in post 15 has been fed a steady diet of stakes the past year, and is known to cut out clear in front.  But she may also have to fight for position with FANTASTIC CHOICE(JPN) and HELL FIRE CLUB(IRE), two talented tracker types in posts 13 and 12, respectively.  The latter has won three of five starts this year, all stakes, sitting just behind the leaders.  FANTASTIC CHOICE(JPN) is a 4yo who has come on in a big way this year, and with a place finish in the Grade 1 Very Vane last out, she seems to fit these conditions.

Others likely to have good position early (and a chance to win if they do) are HENNIGAN’S SCOTCH(KY), starting from post 4 and owner of two 110s at the ten furlong distance this year, and SEEIN STARS(IRE) from post 6, twice over a graded winner this year and ranked 6th in the division.  K’NAAN(KY), starting between those two, has the same kind of approach but probably needs her very best race to make an impact in this group.

Where will DREAM ESSENCE(FL) and INVINCIBLE RAHY(IRE) be?  It’s hard to tell.  The latter used a deep closing style to good effect last year in some of the biggest races in this division, but has been more of a tracker this year with moderate results.  DREAM ESSENCE(FL), a lightly raced 6yo by Essence of Dubai, has a 97 as her best speed number, and is therefore 99-1 for a reason.

The midpack group includes some of the top contenders, so they are likely to get adequate speed setup but must avoid any trouble ahead of them.  CLAUSSEN(KY) is a 4yo filly who has been running well but is untested in graded company.  MUSIC SENSE(KY) in Post 3 looked to be in a down form cycle after some very tough races in the Minnesota Downs circuit over the winter, but did win last out and may be back to best form.  DIOCESE(KY) is the wagering co-favorite; she couldn’t crack the board in the Very Vane behind UNION JACK FLYER, but has had an incredible sustained run of success, with 26 straight triple digit speeds going back to 2010.  She is consistent, she has McClendon aboard, and she can win this race in the manner he sees fit.  DIZZYING INTELLECT(CA) – go Bertrando! – is the other co-favorite, ranked 5th in the division after consecutive wins in the MD Distaff and Steadhemp.  Those were 8.5-furlongers, but she has wins at this distance and is seriously dangerous.

What of the closers?  Might they have an angle for an upset, with many flying up front early?  Leave them off your exacta tickets at your peril.  KAFKA(OK) might not be the most logical of them, due to moderate speed figures, but O A Haack is good and might time the late run right.  Why not root for an Oklahoma-bred?  Naming a female horse after a Yankee shortstop is a little odd (and this from a guy who likes to name his horses after baseball players), but TONY KUBEK(KY) makes for an interesting exotics bet proposition.  The 7yo has had limited engagements the past few years, but with the right setup she could run back to her 113 in last year’s D-Day.  BRUSH AGAIN(KY) may be the most enticing of the closers, having come from 8 lengths down last race to win with a 112 speed.  This may be a 4yo on the move, and dangerous at the price.