The eighty fifth season of reside horse racing at historic Delaware Park opens Wednesday, Could 25, with a primary race put up time of 12:30 p.m. The opening week festivities will proceed with reside racing playing cards slated for Thursday, Could 26 and Saturday, Could 28
9-time defending main coach Jamie Ness will likely be returning for his twelfth season. The native of Heron, South Dakota, will likely be in search of his eighth consecutive title which might break the report set by Delaware Park legend and Corridor of Famer Grover “Buddy” Delp from 1963 via 1969 and equaled by Scott Lake from 2002 via 2008.
After ending fourth within the coach standings final season, former main New York conditioner Gary Contessa will likely be again for his second full meet. Contessa got here out of retirement to grow to be the personal coach for the locally-based Bell Gable Steady, owned by Nick and Delora Beaver, who gained the 2021 title as main proprietor.
“I’ve at all times beloved Delaware Park,” mentioned coach Gary Contessa. “Delaware Park has at all times been considered one of my favourite locations even after I was one of many main trainers in New York. This place has a rustic environment and the persons are so good, so I’ve at all times loved coming right here and I even have had quite a lot of success right here over time.
“After retiring in March of 2020, I met with Nick at a sale, one factor led to a different and we got here to an settlement for me to coach privately for Bell Gable Steady. I got here into the meet final yr wanting down my shed row not figuring out what to assume and we wound up successful the main proprietor title. We actually scraped and scrapped to get to that time. I actually loved being right here final yr and I actually loved serving to them win the main proprietor title. Plus, we gained two stake races they usually had by no means gained a stake race earlier than so all the pieces was extremely optimistic.
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“This yr, we’re again with extra 2-year-olds. We’ve got an equal cut up between 2-year-olds and older horses however now we have extra 2-year-olds this season than final, so at first of the meet, I may not be as lively as a result of with 2-year-olds it’s a little little bit of a ready recreation. I received a pair who’re exhibiting me some fairly good indicators. I feel we’re going to win some races, however it’s simply going to be a matter of once we get there.”
Different trainers who will likely be stabled at Delaware Park embrace Cathal Lynch, Juan Arriagada, Gary Capuano, Andy Simoff, Anthony Pecoraro, Mike Gorham, Jane Cibelli, Lynn Ashby, Baltazar Galvan, Scott Lake, Michael Stidham, Tim Ritchey, Ben Perkins Jr., Kelly Rubley, H. Graham Movement, Greg Compton, Brittany Russell, Victor Carrasco Jr., Chelsey Moysey, Edward T. Allard, Sam Cronk, John Robb and Arnaud Delacour.
Kaime Rodriguez, the defending main jockey and common rider for coach Jamie Ness; Carol Cedeno, the previous six-time defending main jockey and second within the standings final season; and Daniel Centeno, who gained the Grade II Delaware Handicap aboard Miss Marissa and completed third within the standings final yr; are set to return.
“I’ve the identical strategy to this season as I’ve had each different season which is to maintain match, work laborious on daily basis and to be able to go for my trainers,” mentioned Carol Cedeno who was the main rider at Delaware Park from 2014 via 2016 and 2018 via 2020. “Was I dissatisfied to not win the title final season? Sure, I actually was as a result of Delaware is my residence and I’m happy with all the pieces I’ve achieved right here. However we nonetheless had a fantastic meet and the laborious work and dedication was rewarded. Jaime (Rodriguez) had a improbable meet and I tip my hat to him. I’m not positive the place I will likely be within the standings on the finish of this season however I’m positive this going to be an thrilling season and I’m going to proceed to work laborious, be dedicated and take it someday at a time.”
Rodriguez, Cedeno and Centeno will likely be joined by Angel Suarez, Raul Mena, Skyler Spanabel, Roberto Alvarado Jr., Aubrie Inexperienced and John Hiraldo.
Reside racing will likely be carried out on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Friday will likely be added June 10 via July 8 and August 26 via November 4. The Grade III Delaware Oaks is scheduled for Saturday, July 2 and the Grade II Delaware Handicap will likely be run on Saturday, July 9. The thirtieth House owners Day will likely be on Saturday, October 1st. The 88-day meet is scheduled to conclude on Breeders’ Cup Saturday, November 5.
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