The Grey Wizard tops Cape Henlopen

Wilmington, Del., August 15, 2024 — Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and The Estate of Albert Frassetto’s The Grey Wizard tops the $200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park this Wednesday. The twenty second renewal of the mile and a half turf affair for 3-year-olds and upward has attracted a field of six.

The Grey Wizard will be seeking his second win this year after posting a head victory in the Grade II Belmont Gold Cup at Saratoga in his most recent outing on June 6.  In his two other 2024 outings, the 5-year-old son of Caravaggio finished unplaced in the Grade II Elkhorn at Keeneland on April 20 and he followed with a third in the Grade III Louisville at Churchill Downs on May 18.  The Ireland-bred sports a career record of four wins, four seconds and a third from 15 starts with earnings of $573,531.  John Velazquez has been named to ride him.

The Cape Henlopen is the first part of a two-part plan by trainer H. Graham Motion which he is hoping will have The Grey Wizard ready for the two mile and a sixteenth $500,000 Nashville Gold Cup at Kentucky Downs on September 11.

“We are shortening him up,” said trainer H. Graham Motion, who won the Cape Henlopen in 2015.  “There are just not many two-mile races and there have not been any since he last ran, so we are going to use the Cape Henlopen to help get him ready for the two-mile race at Kentucky Downs in three weeks.  This is kind of what we did to get him ready for the Belmont Gold Cup (at Saratoga) when we ran him about three weeks before in the Louisville (at Churchill). Johnny (Velazquez) is going to come down and ride him, so we are hoping he runs well and it sets him up for the race in Kentucky.”

Upcoming Delaware Park Events – Autism Awareness Day at the Races, winner’s circle presentation, raffle, giveaways & more on August 21; the $200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at a mile and a half on the turf on August 21; and Bark! At Del’Park, join Faithful Friends and Delaware Park Casino to meet dogs that are up for adoption and win Slot Dollars on the Dog Dash after the fifth race on August 24.

2024 Live Racing Dates – Live racing will be conducted on a Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday weekly format for most of the 2024 meet.  Friday cards will be added to the schedule on the following dates: September 13^th, September 20^th, September 27^th, October 4^th and October 11^th. Daily first race post time of 12:30 p.m.

$200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes

For 3-year-olds & upward

at a mile and a half (Turf)

**************************