Sunday's $1 million Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park has attracted a field worthy of the race's great tradition. The DelCap did not get the great West Coast filly Zenyatta or the 2007 Eclipse Award winner Ginger Punch, but got just about every other stakes-class filly or mare of note in America.

The headliners are defending DelCap winner Unbridled Belle and the terrific Hystericalady. The pair has combined to win nearly $3 million. Nine others, with combined earning of $2.5 million, were entered to make this one of the strongest DelCaps in memory.

Unbridled Belle was brilliant last year, winning the 1 1/4-mile DelCap by 7 3/4 lengths (the largest margin of victory since the distance was extended to a mile-and-a-quarter in 1951) and taking her game to a new dimension, a dimension that she has sustained for a year. Unbridled Belle's 2008 debut in the Obeah at DelPark was awesome as she dominated the race with her speed.

Ramon Dominguez goes for his third DelCap win. Only Angel Cordero (four), Jerry Bailey (three) and Eddie Maple (three) have won more than two.

"She is absolutely perfect for the distance," Dominguez said of Unbridled Belle. "When you look at her, she is a huge filly with tactical speed. She fits perfectly for the distance and she has a great record over the track, so our chances will be as good as anybody."

Hall of Fame trainer Henry Clark won the DelCap four times. If Unbridled Belle wins again, Todd Pletcher will tie that record.

Interestingly, Pletcher, after setting records year after year, has won just one Grade I stake this year. After Monba won the Blue Grass, the colt promptly ran last in the Kentucky Derby, beaten by nearly 60 lengths and giving Pletcher a record he could not have wanted. Pletcher-trained horses have finished last in the last three Derbies. In 2005, Pletcher saddled the horse that finished 19th.

The DelCap, which used to be a Grade I and is now a Grade II, has a Grade I field this year. Hystericalady, who ships from Northern California for the race, nearly won the 2007 Breeders' Cup Distaff from the 12 post at Monmouth Park, losing to Ginger Punch by a neck. She is a Grade I winner and has lost several other Grade I races in photos.

"When you ship, there is always a concern because lots of things could happen," trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. "But she ships well and she has done this before many times, so I am not really worried about that. She has never been a mile-and-a-quarter, so you never know, but I am confident she can get the distance."

 

Proud Spell in Oaks

After Kentucky Oaks winner Proud Spell ran in the June 28 Mother Goose Stakes, DelPark-based trainer Larry Jones thought the filly was a longshot to make tomorrow's Delaware Oaks. She came out of that race with some cuts and 2 weeks just seemed too soon.

After Kentucky Oaks winner Proud Spell ran in the June 28 Mother Goose Stakes, DelPark-based trainer Larry Jones thought the filly was a longshot to make tomorrow's Delaware Oaks. She came out of that race with some cuts and 2 weeks just seemed too soon.

"She has healed very nicely from her lacerations," Jones said. "We backed off on her training regimen and went light with her. What appeared to be bad luck has actually turned into good luck for us. She has progressed to the point where we feel comfortable entering her in this spot and there is a good chance we will run her."

If Proud Spell runs, she will be a heavy favorite. She has raced nine times with five wins, two seconds, two thirds and $1.3 million in earnings.

 

Ready Set for Barbaro

Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Ready Set is entered in Sunday's Barbaro Stakes. Ready Set has the same trainer-jockey combo from Barbaro's 2006 Kentucky Derby - Michael Matz and Edgar Prado. Ready Set, an $800,000 yearling purchase, has not won a stakes yet, but has shown plenty of promise.

Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Ready Set is entered in Sunday's Barbaro Stakes. Ready Set has the same trainer-jockey combo from Barbaro's 2006 Kentucky Derby - Michael Matz and Edgar Prado. Ready Set, an $800,000 yearling purchase, has not won a stakes yet, but has shown plenty of promise.

Interestingly, possible favorite Roman Emperor is trying to win two consecutive Barbaro Stakes. The colt won Pimlico's version of the Barbaro on Preakness Day. Now, he will try to win DelPark's version.

 

Wall of Fame

The 2008 DelPark Wall of Fame class includes the great horse Damascus, trainer Virgil "Buddy" Raines, jockey Chris McCarron, Foxcatcher Farms and R.R.M. Carpenter Jr., former owner of the Phillies.

The 2008 DelPark Wall of Fame class includes the great horse Damascus, trainer Virgil "Buddy" Raines, jockey Chris McCarron, Foxcatcher Farms and R.R.M. Carpenter Jr., former owner of the Phillies.

Damascus, the 1967 Horse of the Year, won the Preakness, Belmont Stakes, Travers, Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup that year. The great colt also won the Leonard Richards at DelPark that year.

Raines, who trained for 65 years, won the DelCap 22 years apart (1944, 1966). McCarron won 7,141 career races and was a major player at DelPark in 1974 when he set a then-world record for winners in a year. *