Elate looks to return to Grade 1 winning form in Delaware Handicap

Posted On 13 Jul 2018

By Rick Francis —-

Claiborne Farms and Adele Dilschneider homebred filly out of Medaglia d’Oro looks to return to her Grade 1 winning form when she faces off against eight rivals in the running of the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap; let’s take a look at the starting field.

Delaware Park

Race 9) Grade II Delaware Handicap F&M 1&1/4 Miles Post Time 5:35 EDT

Teresa Z (1), Margotta/Centeno; has shown steady improvement in last two following her last place effort in the G1 Madison, winning here going a mile-and-an-eighth; exotics player.

Sneaky Betty (2), Gonzalez/Torres; in the money with all of her 2018 starts; major class-test.

Mopotism (3), O’Neill/Gutierrez; opened the year by winning the G2 LaCanada at the mile route, however subsequent starts have shown she maybe distance limited.

Proper Discretion (4), Quartarolo/Bracho, A; Ohio-bred is a 12-time winner including two straight; mare is another facing her strongest class-test to date.

Unbridled Mo (5), Pletcher/Velazquez; the field’s lone millionairess exits a bit of a lackluster third in the Grade 1 Phipps, and though this G1 winner (Apple Blossom) is more than capable, this might just be a furlong farther than she wants to go.

Elate (6), Mott/Ortiz, J; 2-time Grade 1 winner makes her first start since a forth place try in last years Breeders’ Cup Distaff; with a steady work sheet to view, Medaglia d’Oro filly appears ready to fire.

Farrell (7), Catalano/Hill; filly by Malibu Moon gave up the lead in each of her last two, both graded contest at Churchill; she can stay the distance.

Nikki My Darling (8), Quartarolo/Spieth; starts today in the Quartarolo barn for the first time, a 13 percent play; appears overmatched here.

Fuhriously Kissed (9), Quartarolo/Bracho, J; mare out of Langfuhr showed in both the Grade 1 Apple Blossom and G3 DupOnt Distaff then took a step backwards last out in the G2 Fleur de Lis, connections go for first time blinkers, which has yet to produce any winners from this barn on the year.

Selections: 6, 7, 5, 1