Summer Wind Dancer takes Delaware Handicap

By: Sports Network

Stanton, DE (Sports Network) - Summer Wind Dancer, making her first ever start outside of California, overtook Roar Emotion in the deep stretch to win Sunday"s $750,000 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park. The 1 1/4 mile race for fillies and mares was raced over a sloppy track with a field of eight. The Delaware Handicap is the premier event at Delaware Park. Roar Emotion took the lead shortly after the start and set the pace around the first turn and up the backstretch. Three horses ran as a group pressing the pace. Local favorite Misty Sixes was joined by Shiny Sheet and Go On Baby in that group. Around the turn for home, Roar Emotion actually increased her advantage while Summer Wind Dancer moved into third place. At the top of the stretch, Roar Emotion had a four length lead over Summer Wind Dancer. Roar Emotion still had the lead with a furlong to go, however, Summer Wind Dancer was cutting into that margin. With jockey Victor Espinoza in the saddle, Summer Wind Dancer finally caught Roar Emotion just yards before the wire. The winner posted a 1 1/4 length win over Roar Emotion, with Misty Sixes finishing third. The time for the DelCap was 2:03 3/5. Completing the order of finish was Cloakof Vagueness, Shiny Sheet, Redoubled Miss, Gelli and Go On Baby. Trained by Jeff Mullins, Summer Wind Dancer added $450,000 to her bankroll, which now totals more than $860,000. Summer Wind Dancer is owned by Linda Vetter, and Richard and Yvette Wira. Summer Wind Dancer returned $4.00, $2.80 and $2.10. Roar Emotion paid $3.60 and $2.20, and Misty Sixes paid $2.20 for show.