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)
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.