Darlin's Delight favored in Silk Stockings elim

July 05, 2007

Ten of the best pacing mares in North America will compete in two $20,000 elimination events in the $241,000 Silk Stockings Pace at Monticello Raceway on Sunday with hopes of earning a position behind the mobile starting gate in the rich final which will be raced on the following Sunday, July 15.

White Birch Farm�s Darlin�s Delight, a 1:49.1 winner this season whose lifetime bankroll exceeds $1,690,000, has been installed as the early line favorite in her split, race eight on the 12-race Sunday matinee card. Yannick Gingras will again handle the controls for trainer Jeffrey Stafford and the New York-bred daughter of Bettor�s Delight will start from post five.

But she can expect no cakewalk when she faces Miss Galvinator (Jimmy Marohn); Double Dream N (Ron Pierce); Street Dancer (Daniel Dube) and Illusionist ( Scott Coulter).

Rodney Wyatt�s Ireneonthemove, a recent--June 26-- 1:53.4 winner at Harrington Raceway has been tabbed as the early favorite in the other division, race five. Trainer Jason Skinner has tabbed Ron Pierce to drive the Powerful Toy 4 year old mare and they�ll start from the coveted rail position.

But don�t put a circle around Ireneonthemove yet. She�ll have some stiff competition in the presence of Yada Yada Yada N (Ross Wolfenden); Kissmekissmekissme (Yannick Gingras); Pacific Filly (Greg Merton) and Hopefull N (Brad Givens).

Surprisingly to Eric Warner, the track's director of racing, of the 25 that remained eligible only 10 mares entered. However, those who did enter are among the best in North America.

�Ten was not a great number to work with.� Warner explained. �We were hoping to go with a 10-horse field but we were ordered by the New York State Racing & Wagering Board to go with two five-horse elimination divisions which certainly doesn�t make for good betting races�

After the elimination races are declared official the first four finishers in each division will comprise the $201,000 Silk Stockings final.

The July 8 and July 15 race cards are the only Sunday afternoon programs at Monticello Raceway this season.

On July 15 , Preston Burris, who guided the inimitable Silk Stockings to victory in the inaugural $250,000 Monticello�NYC-OTB Classic here during the 1975 season, will be on hand to make the presentation to the winning owner(s) in the rich finale named for the great pacing mare. (Monticello)

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