The race debuted as the New Castle Handicap when Delaware Park opened for thoroughbred racing in 1937 before being renamed the Delaware Handicap in 1955.
It survived Delaware Park’s closure for several years between owners in the 1980s by taking place at Saratoga in upstate New York.
Now it lives on at the timeless Stanton track, where slot machines may clang and jingle inside, but the beat of hooves and pleas of bettors still fill the warm air outside and make Delaware Park, picturesque gem that it is, an appealing stop.
“It’s just a beautiful place to spend a summer day and we live in Philly so it’s an easy drive down,” said Nate Rix after watching horses pre-race parade through the shady paddock.
Sunday’s 87th running of the durable Delaware Handicap was the day’s most lucrative race nationally. It once again had fans lining the railing outside and peering through windows from the delightfully air conditioned viewing locations inside.
DELAWARE PARK: Sunday results
Sunday’s $4.67 million handle was Delaware Park’s largest since 2007. Those who invested their money in Honor D Lady went home smiling.
With Jose Ortiz aboard, she prevailed in the $500,125 Grade II Delaware Handicap for fillies and mares three years old and up, pulling away down the stretch for a 5½-length romp over a mile and 3/16ths.
“She kinda took the lead a little bit before I wanted her to,” Ortiz said, “so I had to kind of grab her and take the momentum away from her. But I was sitting on a lot of horse and I appreciate [trainer] Saffie [Joseph Jr.] for giving me the opportunity throughout the year.”
OFF THEY GO: These horses raced in the Kentucky Derby and at Delaware Park
Ortiz also had ridden Honor D Lady to victory in February’s Grade III Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park. He won his fourth DelCap, tying the record set by Angel Cordero Jr. from 1968-87. Ortiz also won in 2014 on Belle Gallantey and 2018 and 2019 on Elate.
“What a ride Jose! What a ride!” one fan yelled as he rode into the winner’s circle.
Honor D Lady, who had her fifth win in 13 starts, paid $6.20, $4.40 and 2.40 while finishing ahead of Saddle Up Jessie and favorite Wet Paint. The only scratch was Intrepid Dream, winner of three previous Delaware Park races, creating a 7-horse field.
“She loves to compete. She’s special,” owner Jim Thompson of Final Furlong Farm and Madaket Stables said. “ . . . The family’s on fire. She’s on fire and she’s the leader in the pack in her family.
“Jose is just money, He puts her right in the perfect spot, lets her catch her air, then makes her run home. That was ideal.”
The victory was especially satisfying because of its local nature for Thompson.
RACING THROUGH HISTORY: The greatest jockeys to ever ride at Delaware Park
He is originally from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, and, after pestering his mother, went to his first horse race —and came home with a load of cash winnings — as a young boy in 1979 at Brandywine, the suburban Wilmington harness track that closed in 1989.
“My first Grade II [win],” he said of the DelCap. “So it’s big.
“We won two Grade III’s earlier and that felt great. This feels a little bit better. I grew up in Philadelphia, so this is my backyard a little bit.”
Saturday’s card had been cancelled due to excessive heat with the schedule, including Grade II Delaware Oaks, moved to Monday.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Jockey Jose Ortiz ties record on Honor D Lady in Delaware Handicap win
