Sopran Basilea scores first North American victory in

Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park

Trainer Graham Motion records ninth victory in stake

Wilmington, Del., July 1, 2023 — Madaket Stables and Bill Strauss’ Sopran Basilea notched her first North American victory in the $250,300 Grade III Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park today.  This was the ninth career victory in the stake for her trainer H. Graham Motion.

With Jorge Ruiz aboard, the 5-year-old daughter of Night of Thunder won by a neck over Ever Summer, with Jorge Vargas, Jr.  It was a ½-length farther back to Parnac, with Trevor McCarthy, in third.

Previously, Sopran Basilea finished second in the mile and a sixteenth Grade III Gallorette at Pimlico in her North American debut on May 20.  In 2021 and 2022, the Ireland-bred compiled a record of five wins, five seconds and a third from 15 starts including two victories and three seconds in Group 2 & 3 races mostly at distances going a mile and a quarter or longer in Italy.

“Jorge gave her a beautiful ride,” said winning trainer H. Graham Motion.  “I honestly did not know she was this good, but off of her European form, she looked like she was.  She ran beautiful.   She tries hard, she is genuine and very honest.  She ran super and she could not have done much better than that.”

Motion is not sure about her next start.

“I really have not thought much beyond this race,” Motion said.  “Obviously, there is the Glenn Falls at Saratoga, which would fit, but we will see.”

“This has been a really lucky race for us,” Motion said.  “I feel very lucky, but it is not a complete surprise for us because we do train a lot of distance fillies, but we are so lucky.  We have a great history with Delaware, so this is very special.”

Sopran Basilea returned $9.00 as the third choice in the field of seven and she covered the mile and three-eighths in 2:20.27 over a soft turf course.  She raised her record to six wins from 17 starts with earnings of $512,145.

Chris Sobocinski
Delaware Park Casino & Racing

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Racing Information Coordinator – Racing Development

777 Delaware Park Blvd. | Wilmington, DE 19804-4122

chris.sobocinski@delawarepark.com | (302) 994-2521 x7383