And they're off! Delaware Park's 89th season of horse racing set to begin

Since 1937, thoroughbred horses have been roaring out of the starting gate at Delaware Park in Stanton.

On May 13, they will be off and running again for the 89th season.

An eight-race card is on tap for opening day, with first post time at 12:20 p.m. The featured race is the seventh, a $46,000 allowance going six furlongs with a competitive field of five.

Eight horses are scheduled to go to the post in the sixth, a $45,000 maiden special weight also going six furlongs. Blame and Fortune, purchased for $300,000 at Keeneland two years ago, is set to make her career debut for trainer Michael Stidham.

It will be the first of 76 live racing days, running through Oct. 17. The track will generally run on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday in May and June, Wednesday through Saturday in July, then Thursday through Saturday in August, September and October. There are exceptions, so go to www.delawarepark.com/racing/ to check the calendar.

What are the biggest races at Delaware Park?

The highlight of the meet comes June 13 with the second running of the Delaware Derby, a $300,000 stakes race for 3-year-olds that could potentially draw some horses who competed in the Kentucky Derby and/or Preakness Stakes. T-shirt and hat giveaways and contests for the best Delaware-themed derby and bonnet hats will be part of the afternoon.

The June 13 card will include five other significant stakes, including the $300,000 Delaware Oaks for 3-year-old fillies and the $250,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial for fillies and mares on the turf course.

Another big day will be Sept. 26, when the track’s biggest race – the $500,000 Delaware Handicap for fillies and mares – highlights a card that includes four stakes events.

Horses who are part of the Delaware certified program will be highlighted on Sept. 11 with four $125,000 stakes and two $75,000 events.

What may be the most fun racing day at Delaware Park?

Horses won’t be the only animals competing at the Stanton oval on July 4.

The track’s second Safari Sprint will feature an ostrich race, a camel race and a zebra race between the thoroughbred races, starting at 2:20.

Who are the top trainers to watch at Delaware Park?

Jamie Ness has won the last 11 training titles at Delaware Park, 13 overall. He appears to be well-positioned to get off to a good start, with horses rated as the morning-line favorite in the first three races on opening day.

Ness absolutely dominated last season, winning with 36 percent of his starters and racking up 72 victories, miles ahead of the 21 wins by runner-up Bruce Kravets.