kevin delucia | Horse Racing Free Tips

Delaware Park And Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Sign Three-Year Contract

On Mar. 19, Delaware Park and the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (DTHA) signed a three-year contract, which includes an agreement for year-round stabling and training, the track said in a release Friday morning.

The year-round stall application, and related fee schedule, will be released later this summer. Opening day for the upcoming 87th live racing season is May 15 with racing on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The 75-day meet is scheduled to conclude Oct. 12.

“I am pleased to announce this multi-year contract,” said Delaware Park Chief Financial Officer Kevin DeLucia. “We have worked hard to provide safe and exciting racing in the highly competitive Mid-Atlantic region and this contract ensures we will continue to attract quality horses and stables to Delaware.”

“Delaware Park's commitment to provide year-round stabling and training again has been very well received by our horsemen,” said DTHA President Tim Ritchey.

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Delaware Approves 2024 Dates, Releases Stakes Schedule

The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC) approved the 2024 Delaware Park live racing dates, punctuated by a $2.75 million stakes schedule. The 87th live racing season–featuring 75 days beginning on Wednesday, May 15 and concluding Saturday, Oct. 12–will be highlighted by the $500,000 GII Delaware H. July 7.

For the first time since 2009, the Delaware H. will be run on a Sunday, highlighting a festival weekend of racing that includes the $250,000 GIII Robert G. Dick S. on the July 7 undercard. The $300,000 GII Delaware Oaks will kick off the weekend July 6.

“We want to carry the positive momentum established last year into this upcoming season,” said Chief Financial Officer Kevin DeLucia. “The horsemen, commission and management have continued working together to ensure competitive, fair and safe racing. We have also been aggressively expanding our wagering menu and finding the right niches to make our signal attractive on the national landscape. It will be challenging to keep moving the needle in a positive direction in the highly competitive Mid-Atlantic market, but our team is eager for the opportunity.”

Total live racing handle increased 7.0%, to $152.3 million for the 85-day meet in 2023 from $142.3 million for the 87-day meet in 2022. The daily average handle increased 9.6%, to $1.8 million in 2023 from $1.6 million in 2022.

Live racing will be conducted on a Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday weekly format for the majority of the 2024 meet. Nine Friday cards will be added to the schedule: June 7, June 14, Aug. 2, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11.

Live racing is not scheduled on Thursday, July 11. Daily first race post time is set for 12:30 p.m.

For the complete 2024 stakes schedule, click here.

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DTHA, Delaware Park Donate To MAHR, Canter Delaware

Edited Press Release

Delaware Park Casino & Racing and the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (DTHA) have teamed up to donate $20,000 to Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue (MAHR) and Canter Delaware.

A check presentation was held after Saturday's fourth race as part of the special 10-race Owners Day card.

“We are honored to be a partner with Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue and Canter Delaware in this initiative to make sure these incredible athletes have careers after racing,” said Kevin DeLucia, chief financial officer at Delaware Park. “The people behind these organizations do incredible work dedicating themselves to making sure each horse has a purpose and place beyond racing. We could not be happier to support them.”

“The Delaware Park horsemen work well with the aftercare team,” said DTHA Executive Director Bessie Gruwell. “We are fortunate to have such a dedicated team, they have boots on the ground in the stable area every week checking in with trainers to see if they have any horses that are looking for a new career.”

For more information on the Mid-Atlantic Horse Recuse (MAHR) or to donate, visit www.midatlantichorserescue.org. For more information on the Canter Delaware or to donate, visit www.canterusa.org/delaware/ or Delaware Park Horse Aftercare Initiative on Facebook.

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John Mooney Announces Retirement

John Mooney, executive director of racing at Delaware Park, has announced his retirement, effective Aug. 1.

Mooney has been involved in racing in the Mid-Atlantic region for nearly 40 years. Shortly after Delaware Park was purchased and reopened by William Rickman, Sr., in 1984, Mooney was named general manager. He was instrumental in keeping Delaware Park competitive in the 1980s and early 1990s with his innovative approach to the sport which included the introduction of the very successful Twin Trifecta.

In the summer of 1993, he left Delaware Park to take a similar post with the Maryland Jockey Club and later headed up the drive to establish racing in Virginia as head of Maryland/Virginia Racing which was the group that organized the opening and operation of Colonial Downs.

Mooney returned to Delaware Park as the Executive Director of Racing in the spring of 2008 at the request of William Rickman, Jr.

“His career has been brilliant, and like everyone in the Delaware Park family, I am proud and thankful to have been a part it,” said Kevin DeLucia, the track's chief financial officer. “So much of what Thoroughbred racing at Delaware Park is today has come from his leadership, guidance and experience over the last four decades. I wish John all the best in his retirement and am truly grateful for the significant contributions he has made to the industry.”

Mooney was born into the sport. His grandfather, J.D. Mooney, won the 1924 Kentucky Derby aboard Black Gold and trained the 1962 Canadian Horse of the Year Crafty Lace. His father, John J. Mooney, was a prominent horse racing executive who served at many racetracks, including the Ontario Jockey Club where he played an instrumental role in the development of the “new” Woodbine Racecourse in 1956.

Delaware Park's seven-furlong turf course will be dedicated to Mooney during a naming ceremony planned for Owners Day, Saturday, Oct. 1.

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