A local horse is favored to win the 77th running of the Delaware Handicap this Saturday.
Princess of Sylmar, from nearby King of Prussia Stables, is the favorite in a six horse field for the $750,000, Grade I race at Delaware Park. The four-year old filly has been placed at even odds to take the mile and a quarter test.
Princess of Sylmar is coming off a stellar 2013 season where she won four-straight Grade I races, including a first place finish at the Beldame at Belmont by 2 lengths over Royal Delta, last year’s Delaware Handicap winner.
Now, Princess of Sylmar is coming home to race at Delaware Park for the first time. She was born just 30 miles from Delaware Park in Christiana, Pennsylvania, to primary owner Ed Stanko, a reinsurance broker.
The Delaware Handicap is special for Stanko, who has been coming to Delaware Park to watch the race with his family for decades.
“To think that we have a horse, our filly, in this race, which is the number one race here in Delaware, is a very very special thing," said Stanko. "It is also a special thing for some of my partners also who have always come to this track so we’re really thrilled about the entire event."
Delaware Park Handicapper Chris Sobocinski says that while Princess of Sylmar is the horse to beat, she will be challenged.
“There are two horses that are coming from Kentucky, Molly Morgan and Flashy American," said Sobocinski. "Molly Morgan won the Grade Two Fleur de Lis and Flashy American ran second in that race. Both of them are very solid contenders and will make Princess Sylmar work to win this race.”
Molly Morgan and Flash American are listed at 3 to 1 and 7 to 2 odds, respectively.
Rounding out the field are Belle Gallantey, which drew the post, Bryan’s Jewel, and Gamay Noir, who has had a victory at Delaware Park. Sobocinski says that could make a difference on Saturday for the 10 to 1 horse.
"A race over the track at Delaware Park in the past has proven sometimes to be significant in the race," said Sobocinski. "Sometimes those horses don't win, but more often than not, they are somewhere in the top three."
Even though Princess of Sylmar is the only horse in the field that has run a mile and a quarter race, Stanko is cautious to guaranteeing a victory.
"It's Delaware Park, it's going to be hot and humid," said Stanko. "It's a horse race. Anything can happen and we respect that and the other horses in the race."