All-Stakes Pick 3 Plays on Del ‘Cap Day

The $750,000 Delaware H. (G2) will feature a solid favorite in Elate, who makes her first start since finishing fourth as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). A pair of competitive races, the Hockessin and Kent (G3), precede the Del ‘Cap and I will take a swing at the all-stakes Pick 3.

Here are some thoughts on the sequence:

Race 7, Hockessin

Eight sprinters will contest the 6-furlong affair and Chublicious is the one to beat from post 9 in my estimation. 2017 Hockessin runner-up #11 Always Sunshine looks intriguing at a possible price (15-1 m/l) and I’ll add #3 The Man, #7 Stallwalkin’ Dude and #8 It’s the Journey to the mix.

Race 8, Kent

Untamed Domain has plenty of back class, winning the Summer (G2) and posting a second in a salty edition of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), but the 3-year-old hasn’t been a serious factor in four starts this year. He may appreciate the class relief but I didn’t like how finished in the Pennine Ridge (G3) last out and will play against the probable favorite.

#9 Way Early displayed a fine turn of foot in a pair of starts last season and opened 2018 with a pair of rallying seconds. The New York-bred registered a career-best 97 BRIS Late Pace rating making his graded debut in the Penn Mile (G2) last time and George Weaver adds blinkers to keep the developing gelding more focused. I like the outside draw for the top choice.

I will also use unbeaten #1 Carrick; #2 Hot Springs, who tries stakes company for Steve Asmussen off back-to-back maiden and allowance tallies; French invader #3 Duc de Calas, who is in the hands of Christophe Clement, who had 36-1 Chipolata record a fine third in the Belmont Oaks (G1) in her stateside bow last week; Kelly Rubley-trained #4 Gunnison, who brings a two-race win streak into his first graded start; and #9 Blame the Rider, who ships east for Doug O’Neill in good form.

Race 9, Delaware Handicap

#6 Elate really came on in the second half of the season with three consecutive huge efforts, registering back-to-back 108 BRIS Speed ratings for convincing wins in the Alabama (G1) and Beldame (G1), the former at today’s 1 ¼-mile distance, but the Medaglia d’Oro filly got off to a sluggish start and never fired in the BC Distaff at Del Mar. Bill Mott excels off the extended layoff and Elate appears too fast for these rivals. She should get first run on the closers and will be singled on a Pick 3 ticket.

#1 Teresa Z, #3 Mopotism and #5 Unbridled Mo will be added to the Pick 3 ticket with Way Early as a single.

$1 Pick 3 Tickets (races 7-9)

3,7,8,9,11 with 9 with 1,3,5,6 ($20)

3,7,8,9,11 with 1,2,3,4,8,9 with 6 ($30)

Good luck!