Today we have another juvenile race on tap for you, but today we head to Delaware Park for their feature race. We have two-year-olds going a mile today on the main track in the Rocky Run Stakes.
Delaware Park Race 8 – Rocky Run Stakes
We have a field of 10 colts and geldings entered in today’s QPW race. The favorite is on the outside here today, the 10 It’s Hammertime (2/1 morning line). He went gate to wire last month in the First State Dash last month. He hammered that field (pun intended) as he drew off in the stretch.
It’s Hammertime appears to be the first crop of foals that made it to the track, so there is not much information on whether Vekoma’s offspring will respond to racing longer distances. His mother or dam Steady N Love has had her offspring win 6 of 30 races so far from her 5 horses that have made it to the track.
The 2 Tony Eclipse (9/2 ML) went gate to wire to win at Laurel last month. He has the experience of two turns at Colonial, but that was a failed turf race. This will be his first trip around two turns on dirt which should not be an issue with his breeding on both sides.
The 3 Ramiel (12/1 ML) took advantage of a race off the turf at Delaware last month to break his maiden. He was very wide all the way around and you can tell as he survived to win. He is also bred for the longer distance races, but he does appear to be a step behind some of the other horses right now.
Also having broken his maiden at a mile is the 9 Sacred Thunder (8/1 ML). He won 11 days ago in the mud at Delaware Park from off the pace. That maiden was on a dry track, but it looks like he might be better suited to sprinting.
Joe’s Pick
Everything to me is screaming to take the 2 Tony Eclipse. He is bred to handle the longer races and has a jockey/trainer combo which is tough to beat up and down the Mid-Atlantic region. Also, being on the inside should give him first run into the first turn which should be the deciding factor in winning here.
I will call this race 2-10-3-9 and my play is $20 to win on the 2. Best of luck everyone!
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