No Taming Wild Spirit in Delaware Handicap

Heavy favorite Wild Spirit, ridden by Jerry Bailey, romped to a six-length triumph in Sunday's $750,000 Delaware Handicap (gr. II) for fillies and mares at Delaware Park.

The 4-year-old Chile-bred daughter of Hussonet, trained by Bobby Frankel for Sumaya Us Stables, covered the 1 1/4-mile distance in 2:02 4/5 on a fast track. She turned back pacesetting Take Charge Lady, who was 2 3/4 lengths in front of 62-1 Shiny Sheet.

Take Charge Lady, ridden by Shane Sellers, set fractions of :24 2/5. :49 2/5, 1:13 4/5 before Wild Spirit breezed by on the turn for home to win going away. Bailey lost his stick in the stretch and finished up with a vigorous hand ride on the winner. Summer Colony, the 5-2 second choice ridden by John Velazquez, finished sixth in the eight-horse field after failing to break with the field.

Wild Spirit is unbeaten in two United States starts. She also took the Shuvee (gr. II) on May 17 at Belmont by 3 1/2 lengths. She won three Group I races in her native Chile last year. Overall, she has eight victories and three seconds in 12 starts with career earnings of $674,690.

Wild Spirit paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.20. Take Charge Lady returned $3.80 and $3.40. Shiny Sheet, ridden by Jeremy Rose, showed for $7.20.

(Chart, Equibase)