Princess of Sylmar is heavy favorite for Del 'Cap

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Stanton, DE (SportsNetwork.com) - Of the three leading older females on this year's racing scene, only Princess of Sylmar has been entered for Saturday's 77th running of the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (Del 'Cap) at Delaware Park.

Born just 30 miles from the racetrack in Pennsylvania, Princess of Sylmar is the even-money favorite for the 1 1/4-mile race. Owned by King of Prussia Stable and trained by Todd Pletcher, the 4-year-old filly will start from the outside post in the six-horse field with jockey Javier Castellano.

"I would have never believed we would have a filly that has a very good shot at the Delaware Handicap," said owner Ed Stanco. "Everybody we know, everybody who is connected to this horse, is going to be at Delaware Park. I am very excited about having the opportunity to run our filly in this race. She is coming back home and for us that is really exciting."

Princess of Sylmar comes into the Del 'Cap off a second-place finish a head behind Close Hatches in the Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7. Finishing fourth was two-time champion Beholder. She began here 2014 season by winning the Cat Cay Stakes at Aqueduct on April 6.

As a 3-year-old, the filly won the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs at odds of better than 38-1 followed by wins in the Coaching Club American Oaks, Alabama and versus older females in the Beldame.

"It has been unbelievable," said Stanco. "It has really been a life changing experience of us. It takes you to a whole level. Every night when I come home and look at the Kentucky Oaks trophy on our mantle, I just cannot believe it. Still - a year and half later, I still cannot believe it."

Princess of Sylmar can go over the $2 million mark in career earnings Saturday. She has banked $1,852,220 with nine wins in 13 starts.

Trainer Todd Pletcher can set the record for most wins by a trainer in the Del 'Cap. He currently has four victories: Irving's Baby (2001), Fleet Indian (2006), Unbridled Belle (2007) and Life At Ten (2010), tied with Hall of Fame trainer Henry Clark.

The 3-1 second choice Molly Morgan and 7-2 third pick Flashy American are coming off first- and second-place finishes, respectively, in the Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 14.

Molly Morgan will be ridden by Corey Lanerie from post 3 with Flashy American to her inside with jockey Alex Cintron.

Here is the field for the Del 'Cap in post position order: Belle Gallantey, TBA, 10-1; Flashy American, Alex Cintron, 7/2; Molly Morgan, Corey Lanerie, 3-1; Gamay Noir, Daniel Centeno, 10-1; Bryan's Jewel, Jevian Toledo, 15-1 and Princess of Sylmar, Javier Castellano, even.