Wilmington, Del., May 8, 2026— Before Mid Atlantic stars like Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Barbaro, Hard Spun, Eight Belles and Union Rags captured Triple Crown attention, there was Captain Bodgit — developed by longtime Delaware Maryland mainstay Gary Capuano.

Since then, Capuano has quietly built a reputation as one of Delaware Park’s most reliable trainers of young talent. As live racing at Delaware Park opens its 89th season on May 13, expect the Washington, D.C. native to again be a major presence — both on Delaware Oaks and Derby Day, June 13, and later in the season with his 2 year olds.

“I have two or three that I am hoping I might have ready for the Delaware Derby and some other stakes on that card,” said trainer Gary Capuano. “We got a couple that I am hoping that if things work out will get us there. We try to be represented in some of these bigger prestigious local races. We have been competitive and it is a lot of fun for us especially because we buy a lot from sales around here and we breed some too, so most of them are local horses.”

Capuano has finished in the top ten of the Delaware Park trainer standings in each of the last five seasons, a testament to consistency in a highly competitive local colony.

His Delaware Park legacy dates back nearly three decades. In 1996, Capuano saddled Captain Bodgit to victories in both an allowance race and the Dover Stakes. The following year, he guided Captain Bodgit through a standout campaign that included wins in the Florida Derby and Wood Memorial, followed by a second place finish in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Preakness Stakes.

Since, Capuano has compiled 25 career stakes victories at Delaware Park, including the Leonard Richards Stakes — the forerunner to today’s Delaware Derby — along with three renewals of each of the 2 year old showcase events, the First State Dash and Rocky Run Stakes.

“We have been running at Delaware Park for a long long time,” said trainer Gary Capuano. “All the way back to Captain Bodgit, Delaware has been an important part of our success. The last couple of years, I have had to pinch myself. Many of our 2-year-olds came out running and many of them stayed good into their 3-year-old season and beyond. Ultimately, it comes down to the horse, having owners help select them and having a great crew in making sure they are ready to run.”

Over the past five seasons alone, Capuano has posted 63 wins from 177 starters with 2 and 3 year olds at Delaware Park, reinforcing his reputation as a trainer who builds horses carefully — and has them ready when it counts.

Other outfits planning to return to Delaware Park for the 2026 live racing season include trainers: Edward Allard, Lynn Ashby, Nesvil Hernan Bailon, Brett Brinkman, Victor Carrasco Jr., Greg Compton, Kelly Lynn Dieter, Michael Gorham, Steve Klesaris, Bruce Kravets, Mario Roberto Lopez, Cathal Lynch, H. Graham Motion, Pedro Nazario, Jamie Ness, Anthony Pecoraro, Ben Perkins Jr., Kerri Raven, Jaclyn Reed, Tim Ritchey, McLean Robertson, Gregory Sacco, Andrew Simoff, Michael Simone, Michael Stidham and Karin Wagner.

New outfits to watch for in 2026: Michelle Castillo, Michael Catalano, Jose Gallegos, Enrique Hernandez, Cesareo Marquez, Alejandro Olais Mendieta.

2026 LIVE RACING DATES – In May and June racing will be conducted three days a week on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday with two exceptions – no racing on Thursday, May 14th and a special card will be run on Friday, May 29th. In July racing will be conducted four days a week on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From August through October the schedule shifts back to three days a week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with three exceptions – no racing is scheduled for Friday, September 4th and special cards are slated for Wednesday, September 9th and Wednesday, October 14th.

Delaware Derby Day is June 13th, Safari Sprint Day is July 4th, Owners Days are September 11th & 12th, DelCap Day is September 26th and Parktoberfest on Season Ending Day on October 17th.

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