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The Delaware Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid July at Delaware Park Racetrack in Wilmington, Delaware. The Grade 2 race is open to fillies and mares, age three and up, willing to race one mile and three-sixteenths on the dirt.
| Grade 2 race | |
| Location | Delaware Park Racetrack Wilmington, Delaware, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1937 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+3⁄16 Miles (9+1⁄2 Furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Fillies, Three-years-old and up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | US$500,000[1] |
The race was inaugurated as the New Castle Handicap as part of the racing schedule with the 1937 opening of Delaware Park Racetrack. In 1953, the new $100,000 purse offered by the New Castle Handicap made it the richest race in the world for fillies and mares.[2] In 1955 it was renamed the Delaware Handicap.
The race was held at Saratoga from 1982 until 1985.
In 2017, champion filly Songbird won as the shortest-priced favorite in the race's history at 1-9 odds.[3]
In 2023, Delaware Park management announced that the race would be shortened to 1+3⁄16 miles, citing difficulties in attracting top fillies and mares to run the 1+1⁄4-mile distance.[4]
In 1939, Shangay Lily won the race as a seven year old, and is the oldest winner of the race.
Speed record:
- 1:59.80 – Coup de Fusil (1987) (At former distance of 1+1⁄4 miles)
Most wins by a horse
- 2 – Endine (1958, 1959)
- 2 – Obeah (1969, 1970)
- 2 – Blessing Angelica (1971, 1972)
- 2 – Susan's Girl (1973, 1975)
- 2 – Nastique (1988, 1989)
- 2 – Royal Delta (2012, 2013)
- 2 – Elate (2018, 2019)
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 – Christiana Stable (1958, 1959, 1969, 1970)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 – Ángel Cordero Jr. (1968, 1974, 1981, 1987)
- 4 - José Ortiz (2014, 2018, 2019, 2024)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 – Henry S. Clark (1958, 1959, 1969, 1970)
- 4 – Todd A. Pletcher (2001, 2006, 2007, 2010)
- 4 – William I. Mott (2012, 2013, 2018, 2019)
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
Dist. (Miles) |
Time | Gr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Honor D Lady | 4 | José Ortiz | Saffie Joseph, Jr. | Final Furlong Farm and Madaket Stables, LLC | 1-3/16 m | 1:59.86 | G2 |
| 2023 | Idiomatic | 4 | Florent Geroux | Brad Cox | Juddmonte | 1-3/16 m | 1:56.41 | G2 |
| 2022 | Miss Leslie | 4 | Angel Cruz | Claudio A. Gon | BB Horses | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.50 | G2 |
| 2021 | Miss Marissa | 4 | Daniel Centeno | James Ryerson | Cammarota Racing LLC | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.50 | G2 |
| 2020 | Dunbar Road | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad Brown | Peter M. Brant | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.02 | G2 |
| 2019 | Elate | 5 | José Ortiz | William I. Mott | Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.51 | G2 |
| 2018 | Elate | 4 | José Ortiz | William I. Mott | Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.83 | G2 |
| 2017 | Songbird | 4 | Mike Smith | Jerry Hollendorfer | Fox Hill Farms Inc. (Rick Porter) | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.96 | G1 |
| 2016 | I'm a Chatterbox | 4 | Florent Geroux | J. Larry Jones | Fletcher & Carolyn Gray | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.64 | G1 |
| 2015 | Sheer Drama | 5 | Joe Bravo | David Fawkes | Harold L. Queen | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.58 | G1 |
| 2014 | Belle Gallantey | 5 | José Ortiz | Rudy R. Rodriguez | Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables LLC (Michael Caruso), Gary Aisquith | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.15 | G1 |
| 2013 | Royal Delta | 5 | Mike Smith | William I. Mott | Besilu Stables | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.04 | G1 |
| 2012 | Royal Delta | 4 | Mike Smith | William I. Mott | Besilu Stables | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.51 | G2 |
| 2011 | Blind Luck | 4 | Garrett Gomez | Jerry Hollendorfer | Mark Dedomenico, John Carver, Peter Abruzzo, Jerry Hollendorfer | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.28 | G2 |
| 2010 | Life at Ten | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Candy DeBartolo | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.21 | G2 |
| 2009 | Swift Temper | 5 | Alan Garcia | Dale L. Romans | Mark H. Stanley | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.41 | G2 |
| 2008 | Hystericalady | 5 | Garrett Gomez | Jerry Hollendorfer | Rancho San Miguel et al. | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.37 | G2 |
| 2007 | Unbridled Belle | 4 | Ramon Domínguez | Todd A. Pletcher | Team Valor Stables LLC | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.16 | G2 |
| 2006 | Fleet Indian | 5 | José A. Santos | Todd A. Pletcher | Paul H. Saylor | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.08 | G2 |
| 2005 | Island Sand | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | J. Larry Jones | B. A. Man Stable (James Osborne) | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.89 | G2 |
| 2004 | Summer Wind Dancer | 4 | Victor Espinoza | Jeff Mullins | Richard & Yvette Wira, Linda Vetter | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.63 | G2 |
| 2003 | Wild Spirit | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Sumaya U.S. Stables (Oussama Aboughazale) | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.95 | G2 |
| 2002 | Summer Colony | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Mark A. Hennig | Edward P. Evans | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.52 | G3 |
| 2001 | Irving's Baby | 4 | Ramon Domínguez | Todd A. Pletcher | Anstu Stables, Inc. | 1-1/4 m | 2:05.21 | G3 |
| 2000 | Lu Ravi | 5 | Pat Day | Carl E. Bowman | Yoshio Fujita | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.21 | G3 |
| 1999 | Tap to Music | 4 | Pat Day | Joseph Orseno | Stronach Stables | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.15 | G3 |
| 1998 | Amarillo | 4 | Julie Krone | John H. Forbes | Phantom House Farm (racing partnership, John Forbes, Jr. director) | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.20 | G3 |
| 1997 | Power Play | 5 | Larry Reynolds | H. Graham Motion | Robert A. Leonard | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.40 | G3 |
| 1996 | Urbane | 4 | Alex Solis | Randy K. Bradshaw | Samantha Siegel | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.80 | G3 |
| 1995 | Night Fax | 4 | Jeff Carle | William H. Turner Jr. | Audley Farm Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.80 | G2 |
| 1994 | With A Wink | 4 | Richard Migliore | D. Wayne Lukas | Melvin Hatley | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.20 | G2 |
| 1993 | Green Darlin | 4 | Mike Luzzi | Lawrence E. Murray | Sondra D. Bender | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.60 | G2 |
| 1992 | Brilliant Brass | 5 | Edgar Prado | Carlos A. Garcia | Elaine L. Bassford | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.00 | G2 |
| 1991 | Crowned | 4 | Rick Wilson | Benjamin W. Perkins Jr. | Bohemia Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.00 | G2 |
| 1990 | Seattle Dawn | 4 | Robert Colton | Michael Dickinson | Dinwiddie Farm (Stewart Bainum) | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.00 | G2 |
| 1989 | Nastique | 5 | Eddie Maple | Stephen L. DiMauro | Chaus Stable (Bernard Chaus) | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.20 | G1 |
| 1988 | Nastique | 4 | Eddie Maple | Stephen L. DiMauro | Chaus Stable (Bernard Chaus) | 1-1/4 m | 2:07.60 | G1 |
| 1987 | Coup de Fusil | 5 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Jan H. Nerud | Tartan Stable | 1-1/4 m | 1:59.80 | G1 |
| 1986 | Shocker T. | 4 | Gene St. Leon | George Gianos | Thomasina Caporella | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.20 | G1 |
| 1985 | Basie | 4 | Jean Cruguet | Flint S. Schulhofer | Frances A. Genter | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.00 | G1 |
| 1984 | Adored | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Laz Barrera | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.20 | G1 |
| 1983 | May Day Eighty | 4 | Jacinto Vásquez | David A. Whiteley | Calumet Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.20 | G1 |
| 1982 | Jameela | 6 | Jack Kaenel | Hyman Ravich | Peter M. Brant | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.60 | G1 |
| 1981 | Relaxing | 5 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Angel Penna Sr. | Ogden Phipps | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.00 | G1 |
| 1980 | Heavenly Ade | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Mary Edens | Adele W. Paxson | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.00 | G1 |
| 1979 | Likely Exchange | 5 | Mark S. Sellers | Thomas H. Stevens | G. Watts Humphrey Jr. | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.40 | G1 |
| 1978 | Late Bloomer | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | John M. Gaver Jr. | Greentree Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.20 | G1 |
| 1977 | Our Mims | 3 | Jorge Velásquez | John M. Veitch | Calumet Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.00 | G1 |
| 1976 | Optimistic Gal | 3 | Eddie Maple | LeRoy Jolley | Diana M. Firestone | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.00 | G1 |
| 1975 | Susan's Girl | 6 | Ray Broussard | Ross Finstermaker | Fred W. Hooper | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.80 | G1 |
| 1974 | Krislin | 5 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Stephen A. DiMauro | Harold I. Snyder | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.60 | G1 |
| 1973 | Susan's Girl | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | John W. Russell | Fred W. Hooper | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.80 | G1 |
| 1972 | Blessing Angelica | 4 | Eddie Belmonte | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.60 | |
| 1971 | Blessing Angelica | 3 | Jacinto Vásquez | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.40 | |
| 1970 | Obeah | 5 | Leroy Moyers | Henry S. Clark | Christiana Stables | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.60 | |
| 1969 | Obeah | 4 | John L. Rotz | Henry S. Clark | Christiana Stables | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.20 | |
| 1968 | Politely | 5 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | George M. Baker | Bohemia Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.80 | |
| 1967 | Straight Deal II | 5 | Bobby Ussery | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.20 | |
| 1966 | Open Fire | 5 | Frank Lovato | Virgil W. Raines | Brandywine Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.40 | |
| 1965 | Steeple Jill | 4 | John Ruane | Bert Mulholland | George D. Widener Jr. | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.80 | |
| 1964 | Old Hat | 5 | Buck Thornburg | Charles C. Norman | Stanley Conrad | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.00 | |
| 1963 | Waltz Song | 5 | Sheridan Mellon | Thomas F. White | Thomas F. White | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.00 | |
| 1962 | Seven Thirty | 4 | Larry Adams | Bert Mulholland | George D. Widener Jr. | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.60 | |
| 1961 | Airmans Guide | 4 | Howard Grant | Bert B. Williams | Hugh A. Grant | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.40 | |
| 1960 | Quill | 4 | Bobby Ussery | Lucien Laurin | Reginald N. Webster | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.40 | |
| 1959 | Endine | 5 | Paul J. Bailey | Henry S. Clark | Christiana Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.60 | |
| 1958 | Endine | 4 | Eldon Nelson | Henry S. Clark | Christiana Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.00 | |
| 1957 | Princess Turia | 4 | Bill Hartack | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:05.00 | |
| 1956 | Flower Bowl | 4 | Logan Batcheller | Preston M. Burch | Brookmeade Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.00 | |
| 1955 | Parlo | 4 | Eric Guerin | Richard E. Handlen | Foxcatcher Farms | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.40 | |
| 1954 | Gainsboro Girl | 4 | Augustine Catalano | Walter D. Carroll | Shawmut Farm (Richard A. Jenks) | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.60 | |
| 1953 | Grecian Queen | 3 | Ted Atkinson | James P. Conway | Florence Whitaker | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.80 | |
| 1952 | Kiss Me Kate | 4 | Ronnie Nash | Oscar White | Walter M. Jeffords | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.60 | |
| 1951 | Busanda | 4 | Eric Guerin | Bart Sweeny | Ogden Phipps | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.60 | |
| 1950 | Adile | 4 | John Gilbert | Oscar White | Walter M. Jeffords | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.60 | |
| 1949 | Allie's Pal | 4 | Robert J. Martin | Morrie Sidell | Samuel D. Sidell | 1-1/16 m | 1:46.40 | |
| 1948 | Miss Grillo | 6 | Ira Hanford | Horatio Luro | Mill River Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:49.00 | |
| 1947 | Elpis | 5 | Arthur F. Skelton | Larney Hansman | William G. Helis | 1-1/16 m | 1:46.60 | |
| 1946 | Bridal Flower | 3 | Abelardo DeLara | James W. Smith | John R. Bradley | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.80 | |
| 1945 | Plucky Maud | 4 | Robert Permane | Oleg Dubassoff | Lazy F Ranch | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.60 | |
| 1944 | Everget | 3 | Arnold Kirkland | Virgil W. Raines | Brandywine Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.80 | |
| 1943 | Race not held due to wartime restrictions | |||||||
| 1942 | Monida | 5 | Abelardo DeLara | William S. Cotton | Constance Morabito | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.60 | |
| 1941 | Dotted Swiss | 4 | Maurice Peters | Max Hirsch | W. Arnold Hanger | 1-1/16 m | 1:49.00 | |
| 1940 | Tedbriar | 3 | Jimmy Lynch | John Porter Jones | William H. Lipscomb | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.80 | |
| 1939 | Shangay Lily | 7 | Ruperto Donoso | John L. Roberts | William V. McGrath | 1-1/16 m | n/a | |
| 1938 | Marica | 5 | Robert Dotter | Howard Wells | Thomas D. Taggart | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.60 | |
| 1937 | Rosenna | 3 | Maurice Peters | Richard E. Handlen | William du Pont Jr. | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.80 | |
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