California shipper Summer Wind Dancer, scratched from Sunday's Milady Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood Park, tops a field of ten entered in the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (gr. II) at Delaware Park Sunday.
The 1 1/4-mile event is for fillies and mares.
Summer Wind Dancer will be making her first start outside of California in the Delaware Handicap. In her last, the 4-year-old daughter of Siberian Summer won the 1 1/8 mile Hawthorne Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park on June 6. Victor Espinoza, who has been aboard Summer Wind Dancer in her last three starts, will ride her again.
Previously, the California-bred trained by Jeff Mullins ran second, beaten a head, in the seven furlong Be Thoughtful Stakes, also at Hollywood, on April 24. Her career record is four wins, five seconds, and three thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $415,762.
The second choice is Joseph Allen's Roar Emotion, hoping to get back on the winning track after four consecutive losses. In her last, she bobbled at the start and ran sixth in the Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on May 29. Previously, the 4-year-old daughter of
Roar ran third beaten a half length in the one mile $200,000 Shuvee Handicap (gr. II) at Aqueduct on May 15.
The Kentucky-bred trained by Kiaran McLaughlin last won in the Sabin Handicap (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park Feb. 15 by 5 1/2 lengths. Her career record is five wins, two seconds, and two thirds from 12 starts with earnings of $433,490. Jerry Bailey, who was aboard in the Fleur de Lis, returns to ride Sunday.
Roar Emotion carries high weight of 117 pounds, one more than Summer Wind Dancer and Misty Sixes.
Misty Sixes, winner of three straight, including a 2 1/2-length gate-to-wire tally in the Obeah Handicap at Delaware Park June 19, is the top local hope.
Misty Sixes has been ridden during her winning streak by Mario Pino, who rides once more Sunday.
$750,000 Delaware Handicap (gr. II), fillies & mares 3 & up, 1 1/4 milesPP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, ML Odds
1. Shiny Sheet, Jeremy Rose, 115, 12/1
2. Misty Sixes, Mario Pino, 116, 5/1
3. Go On Baby, Abel Castellano Jr., 112, 8/1
4. Gelli, Ramon A. Dominguez, 112, 12/1
5. Roar Emotion, Jerry Bailey, 117, &/2
6. Cloakof Vagueness, Norberto Arroyo Jr., 112, 8/1
7. Redoubled Miss, Ramon A. Dominguez, 115, 12/1
8. Firecard, no rider, 108, 15/1
9. Summer Wind Dancer, Victor Espinoza, 116, 5/2
10. Savedbythelight, no rider, 114, 8/1
