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NYRA partners with Delaware Park for Cross Country Pick 5

by Najja Thompson

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday, July 13, featuring racing from historic Saratoga Race Course as well as Delaware Park in Wilmington, Delaware.

The sequence will begin at Delaware with the $100,000 Glasgow for 3-year-olds and up going 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Carded as Race 7 with a post time of 4:49 p.m. Eastern, the 11-horse field features the Graham Motion-trained Just Howard, making his first start since finishing third in the Prince George's County at Laurel Park on June 16.

Also entered is Paret, for trainer James Lawrence, and Square Shooter, who will be making his first start since a fourth-place finish in the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup at Penn National on June 1.

The next leg is the Grade 2, $750,000 Delaware Handicap, featuring multiple graded stakes-winner Elate, who will make her first start since capturing the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap on June 15 at Churchill Downs. Among those looking to upset the race include multiple graded stakes-winner Blue Prize, as well as the Todd Pletcher-trained Another Broad and graded stakes-winner Escape Clause.

The action then shifts to Saratoga for the closing three legs, starting with the first Grade 1 event of the Saratoga meet, the $500,000 Diana for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up at 1 1/8 miles on the Spa's inner turf.

Trainer Chad Brown entered four formidable contenders, including multiple graded stakes-winner Sistercharlie. Owned by Peter Brant, Sistercharlie will be making her first start of the year since winning the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and Churchill Downs in the fall. Her stablemate, Homerique, enters off a pair of graded stakes wins in her last two starts, capturing the Grade 2 New York and Grade 3 Beaugay at Belmont Park. Brown's contingent also includes e Five Racing Thoroughbred's multiple graded stakes-winner Rushing Fall making her first start since winning the Grade 1 Longines Just a Game on June 8 at Belmont, and graded stakes-placed Thais.

The penultimate leg of the sequence is a second-level allowance race for 3-year-olds and upward carded at Race 10 at 6:21 p.m. The nine-horse field includes graded stakes-placed Market King. Trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, Market King will make his third start since finishing 12th in the Preakness. Also challenging will be 4-year-old Payne, trained by Brown, and Quick Entry, for owner Marylou Whitney Stables and trainer Ian Wilkes.

Rounding out the Cross Country Pick 5 is Saratoga's 11th-race finale at 6:55 p.m., showcasing a 14-field in a claiming race at one mile on the inner turf. Featuring five main-track only entrants, the salty field includes veterans such as 8-year-old Sycamore Lane. for Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott. Derby Champagne, for trainer Rusty Arnold and Shalako, for trainer Michelle Nevin, bolster the field.

Saratoga - Delaware Park Cross Country Pick 5
Leg A: Delaware Park - $100,000 Glasgow (Race 7, 4:49 p.m.)
Leg B: Delaware Park - Grade 2, $750,000 Delaware Handicap (Race 8 (5:25 p.m.)
Leg C: Saratoga - Grade 1, $500,000 Diana (Race 9, 5:46 p.m.)
Leg D: Saratoga - (Race 10, 6:21 p.m.)
Leg E: Saratoga - (Race 11, 6:55 p.m.)