Delaware
They’re off! New Delaware Derby highlights 2025 horse racing season at Delaware Park
Honor D Lady gallops to win in Delaware Handicap with Jose Ortiz up
Jockey Jose Ortiz ties record with fourth DelCap win.
It’s time to pull back the curtain on the 88th season of live thoroughbred racing at Delaware Park.
A nine-horse field is scheduled to go to the post at 12:35 p.m. on May 14, the first of eight races scheduled on the opener of 75 live racing days through Oct. 11.
A lot of familiar faces will be returning among the jockeys and trainers scheduled to compete, but there are some schedule changes and a new stakes race that should add some excitement at the Stanton oval.
Racing schedule
Racing will be held weekly on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday for most of the meet, although there will be no racing on May 15.
Friday racing will be added on May 30, June 6 and 13, and each Friday from July 4 through Aug. 15. Two Sunday cards – on Sept. 14 and Sept. 28 – will also be held.
First post time will be 12:35 on each racing day.
Big new race: The Delaware Derby
It won’t rival the big one in Kentucky, but Delaware Park is finally throwing its hat – in this case a derby – into the ring with a new race that could attract some of the horses who ran in America’s most famous race on May 3.
The inaugural $200,000 Delaware Derby will be held on Saturday, June 14 as part of a card including the Grade III, $300,000 Delaware Oaks, a 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-old fillies that is traditionally the track’s second-biggest race.
The 1 1/16-mile Delaware Derby could potentially attract some colts who ran in the Kentucky Derby and/or Preakness who could see a win in Delaware as a springboard to bigger 3-year-old summer targets, like the Haskell Stakes in July at Monmouth Park or the Travers Stakes at Saratoga in August.
The track will have several promotions on Delaware Derby Day, including T-shirt and hat giveaways while supplies last, a Delaware-themed derby and bonnet hat contest, special Delaware-themed cocktails served in commemorative cups, and kids activities including pony rides, balloon sculptures and face painting in the grove.
Delaware Handicap moves to fall
The Grade III Delaware Handicap, which has traditionally been run in early July, will be contested on Sunday, Sept. 28. The track’s biggest race will have a purse of $400,000.
The DelCap has also been shortened to 1 ⅛ miles for only the second time in its 88-year history. The race was contested at 1¼ miles – known as a rarely long distance for fillies and mares – in every year but one from 1951-2022.
Delaware Park officials shortened the race to 1 3/16 miles two years ago, and cut another 16th of a mile this year.
The new date and distance could position the Delaware Handicap as a prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, which is also 1 ⅛ miles and will be run five weeks later, on Nov. 1, at Del Mar in southern California.
Leading trainer returns
The race for leading trainer may end on the opening day of the meet.
Jamie Ness has led in wins in each of the last 10 years, and 12 times overall. He has horses entered in five of the eight races on the May 14 card, while no other trainer has more than three entered.
“We have been doing this for 25 years and we have slowly built this up,” Ness told Delaware Park racing information coordinator Chris Sobocinski. “We are in a region that allows me to have strings at multiple tracks and still be able to manage it right. Delaware Park is the central spot, which is why it’s pretty much our home base.”
Ness has won at nearly a 25 percent clip over the last five years at Delaware Park, with an average payoff of $5.50. Last year, his entries won at a 30 percent rate on both the dirt and turf courses. He won 49 percent of the time with favorites, 23 percent with 2-year-olds, 31% with 3-year-olds and 28% with maidens and claimers.
In other words, every time he sends one out, pay attention.
Don’t sleep on this trainer
Greg Compton doesn’t have the sheer number of horses to compete with Ness, but he finished a career-high sixth in the Delaware Park trainer standings last year and is returning to Stanton after finishing fifth at the ultra-competitive meet at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, this spring.
“We should be coming to Delaware with between 40 to 50 horses that we think will help the program from top to bottom pretty well,” Compton told Sobocinski.
Compton has the potential to have two strong entries – Kinzie Queen and G W’s Girl – in the Delaware Oaks. He also trains Auto Glide, who won the $175,000 Battery Park Stakes at Delaware Park last year.
Other prominent trainers expected to compete in Stanton this year include Edward Allard, Lynn Ashby, Brett Brinkman, Keri Brion, Gary Capuano, Gary Contessa, Cathal Lynch, Graham Motion, Kerri Raven, McLean Robertson, Andrew Simoff, Michael Stidham and Karin Wagner.
Jockeys to watch
Five of the top seven finishers in last year’s jockey standings – Jaime Rodriguez, Julio Hernandez, Carol Cedeno, Jose Batista and Daniel Centeno – are scheduled to ride at least once on the opening day card.
A new rider to watch is Martin Chuan, who finished 14th with 13 winners at Oaklawn Park this spring and has been riding recently at Laurel and Penn National.
Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on X: @BradMyersTNJ. Follow us on Instagram: @DEGameDay
New Fusco’s Water Ice trailer opens in Hockessin
New Fusco’s Water Ice trailer opens in Hockessin
Fusco’s Original Italian Ice, a refreshing, summery Delaware tradition for almost 70 years, is selling its slushy treats at a trailer in Hockessin.
The trailer is parked at the old George & Sons seafood market off Old Lancaster Pike near Hockessin Corner shopping center.
Service started July 13.
The Fusco’s trailer is serving a variety of water ice, ice cream and affogato, the Italian desserts made with ice cream and espresso.
On July 13, the water ice flavors included lemon, Fusco’s original and most traditional taste, along with cherry and mango. Sizes range from $5 for a small cup to $8 for a large. A quart is $10, and it’s $35 for a gallon container.
The ice cream flavors available on July 13 were mint chocolate chip, peanut and rocky road. One scoop is $4, two is $7, and three scoops are $10. Affogato is $9 for a single shot and $11 for a double shot.
The trailer is painted red, white and green, the colors of the Italian flag, and is decorated with newspaper articles about the history of Fusco’s, which was founded by Francesco “Cheech” Fusco and his son Rosario in 1957.
Fourth-generation Fusco’s family member Joseph Staffieri now operates the business. It includes the original stand at 610 N. Union St. in Wilmington’s Little Italy and a storefront at 3926 Kirkwood Highway near Milltown.
Staffieri makes water ice with the same equipment and ingredients, and uses his family’s recipes.
The Hockessin trailer will be serving icy treats daily from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Patricia Talorico writes about food, restaurants and Delaware history. You can find her on Instagram, X and Facebook. Email ptalorico@delawareonline.com. Sign up for her Delaware Eats newsletter.
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for New Castle County and a heat advisory for the remainder of the state.
The watch and advisory are in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15.
The forecast for Wednesday is calling for dangerously hot conditions, with heat index values up to 106 degrees possible.
Here’s the Delaware county-by-county forecast for Wednesday:
New Castle County: Highs will be around 99 degrees, with heat index values reaching 106.
Kent County: Highs are expected to reach 100 degrees, with heat index values reaching 108.
Sussex County: Highs will reach 98 degrees, with heat index values around 104.
Delaware beaches: The beaches are not under the watch. Highs will reach 91 degrees.
There is good news for the First State — this is not a heat wave, but rather a one-day issue. Temperatures on Thursday will drop back into the mid-90s throughout the state.
During the last week of June and the first week of July, Delaware was stuck under a heat dome with days of record-breaking heat.
What is a heat advisory?
There are three advisories for heat, according to the National Weather Service:
- Heat advisory: A heat advisory is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria. Consider postponing or rescheduling outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay in a cool place, especially during the heat of the day and evening.
- Extreme heat watch: The watch issued when conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event but its occurrence and timing are still uncertain. Plan to suspend all major outdoor activities if a warning is issued. If you do not have air conditioning, locate the nearest cooling shelter or discuss staying with nearby family or friends who have air conditioning.
- Extreme heat warning: The warning is issued when extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring. Avoid outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay indoors in an air-conditioned space as much as possible, including overnight. Check on family and neighbors.
What are heat-related illnesses?
During extremely hot and humid weather, the body is challenged to cool itself. When the body struggles too much, several heat-related illnesses can occur. According to the National Weather Service, here’s what to watch for:
- Heat cramps: Heat cramps are the first sign of heat-related illnesses. The symptoms include muscle cramps and spasms typically in the legs or abdomen. You should apply pressure on the cramping muscle or gently massage the muscle. The person should also try to sip water unless they are nauseous. If the cramps last more than an hour, the person should seek medical attention.
- Heat exhaustion: A person who has heat exhaustion will sweat heavily, be tired, cool and clammy, have a weak, fast pulse, have muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, headaches and may faint. Move the person to a cool area, loosen clothes and apply cool wet clothes or have the person sit in a bath. Offer water. If a person vomits more than once or symptoms worsen, seek immediate medical attention.
- Heat stroke: The symptoms of heat stroke include a body temperature above 103 degrees, a throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, fainting or a loss of consciousness. Call 911 or get the person to a hospital immediately.
Who is most vulnerable in the heat?
According to the National Weather Service, heat is among the leading weather-related killers. These are the groups most impacted by high temperatures:
- Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults.
- Older adults, particularly those with preexisting diseases, take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility and are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
- People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have serious health problems during a heat wave than healthy people.
- Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.
How to stay safe in the heat
While you should remain in an air-conditioned room during the heat wave, if you do go outside you should do the following:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wear light-colored clothing.
- Cancel outdoor activities.
- Stay in an air-conditioned place, including overnight.
- Check on your neighbors.
- Avoid high-protein foods, including meat. Eating these can increase your body’s heat production.
- Avoid getting too much sun. Sunburns make it harder for your body to cool off.
- Be very careful in cars. Cars heat up extremely fast. Never remain in a parked vehicle with the windows closed, and always be wary of hot metal objects both inside the vehicle (such as seat belt buckles) and outside the car.
Delaware summer getaways from beaches to scenic state parks
From relaxing beaches to scenic state parks, Delaware offers a variety of summer getaways.
It’s a Delaware thing.
At least, that’s the case with some sites and scenes around the First State.
Whether it’s the food (looking at you, Grotto Pizza), attractions, sayings, traditions (yes, we have a Running of the Bull) or landmarks, locals usually have the answers visitors are looking for.
Here are 10 things only Delaware locals understand:
The hype on Grotto Pizza
If you’re visiting Delaware, there’s a good chance you’ll pass a Grotto Pizza during your trip. With 16 locations statewide, the “legendary swirl” has been a Delaware staple since 1960, when a slice cost 20 cents and a whole pie was $1.60.
What sets Grotto Pizza apart is its use of mild cheddar instead of the traditional mozzarella found at most pizzerias. First-time visitors might also notice the unique look: rather than spreading sauce directly on the dough, the cheese is added first, with the sauce swirled on top.
Low-digit license plates are considered symbols
When Delawareans see a low-digit license plate, they know that the vehicle is of status in the state. If your plate is 86,999 or lower, you are eligible to order a black-and-white porcelain plate instead of the standard blue-and-gold.
These plates are so in demand in Delaware that the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles runs an online lottery for low-digit tags every year. These plates are signs of status, family heirlooms and financial investments and can sell for up to $2 million.
The scrapple stigma
Pork scraps, organ meats, and trimmings? You heard it! Delawareans praise the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast food “scrapple.”
While Delaware didn’t invent scrapple, the state has long embraced it as a staple. The dish is deeply rooted in Delaware’s history and is celebrated each year at the Apple Scrapple Festival, which honors two of the state’s major agricultural products.
With such a strong local legacy, it’s worth trying scrapple at a diner before judging its bold flavor.
‘The shore’ vs. ‘the beach’
When Delawareans say they’re going to “the shore,” don’t assume they mean Delaware. The phrase typically refers to the beaches in New Jersey.
In fact, Delaware residents are so particular about the distinction that the state Senate passed a bill in 2003 designating the coastline as the “Delaware Beaches.” With its own stretch of shoreline, locals want their beaches to stand apart from those in neighboring states.
The Running of the Bull isn’t only in Spain
The famous “Running of the Bull” takes place each July in Spain during the Festival of San Fermín, where runners sprint alongside bulls along a roughly half-mile course.
While Delaware doesn’t have free-roaming bulls, the state hosts its own version each summer in Dewey Beach. During the “Running of the Bull,” participants chase a bull mascot down the beach. Hosted by The Starboard, this year’s event marked its 29th anniversary on June 27.
The du Pont legacy
Often described as Delaware’s “First Family,” the DuPont Co. and family have been a part of Delaware’s identity since 1802, when E.I. du Pont established a gunpowder plant on the Brandywine.
Descendants of the formerly “du Pont” family still reside in Delaware, and most of the family’s previously owned properties are now operated by nonprofits and opened to the public.
Some of the estates connected to the family’s legacy include:
Longwood Gardens
Winterthur Museum Garden & Library
Mt. Cuba Center
Hagley Museum and Library
The many state parks
Many visitors may overlook Delaware’s natural beauty. This year, Delaware State Parks celebrates its 17 parks, developed over the past 75 years.
Each park offers something unique, from acres of open meadows to a natural rock-climbing wall and everything in between. With parks spread across the state, it’s not uncommon for locals to have visited several of them.
Tax-free shopping
Delaware is one of the few states with 0% sales tax on all retail purchases. Out-of-state visitors from neighboring states utilize this, which draws big crowds.
In Delaware, there’s only one notable mall, as stores in the Concord Mall continue to close. That said, locals know exactly when to avoid the Christiana Mall, which draws shoppers not only from Delaware but from surrounding states and becomes a major retail hub during peak times.
Know your ‘blue hens’
When a local says, “Let’s go, Hens!” you may be confused. In Delaware, this phrase, and similar ones, refers to the University of Delaware as a blue hen is the university’s mascot. The saying is said throughout the First State among students, alumni and fans.
You may be wondering why a blue hen is the school’s mascot – it honors a famous Revolutionary War regiment from Delaware. Bonus, you can visit the University of Delaware’s campus and see “real” blue hens!
Movie filmed in Delaware
The iconic film “Dead Poets Society” was filmed at several locations across Delaware.
Shot over three months from November 1988 to January 1989 and starring Robin Williams, the movie used sites including St. Andrew’s School, the Everett Theatre, New Castle, Westover Hills and Middletown.
Lauren Lingle is an intern with Delaware Online/The News Journal. Contact her at @llingle@gannett.com
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