Dr Blarney streaks into Delp

The $50,000 Grover Delp Memorial at Delaware Park on Wednesday is the final stakes of the 81-day season, which concludes Saturday. The 1 1/16mile stakes for 3-year-olds and up will match the pride of Massachusetts, Dr Blarney, against Unbridled Juan and Grasshoppin.

Dr Blarney, who is undefeated in six starts this year, has won nine Massachusettsbred stakes since 2015. His statebred stakes tally includes the last three runnings of the Last Dance and back-to-back editions of the Rise Jim. Both of those races were held as nonwagering events this year when Dr Blarney would have been a very heavy favorite in fivehorse

fields. He won the Rise Jim by 12 1/2 lengths and the Last Dance by 3 3/4 lengths.

A winner of 17 of 23 starts, Dr Blarney has been trained the last two seasons by Karl Grusmark. He has been ridden in his last 20 races by Tammi Piermarini, who will be back aboard Wednesday.

In his most recent race, Dr Blarney defeated Unbridled Juan by three-quarters of a length in the restricted Governors Day Handicap at Delaware on Owners’ Day. Dr Blarney carried 126 in that mile and 70-yard race and gave Unbridled Juan two pounds. They both are assigned 123 on Wednesday.

Unbridled Juan has been consistent during his 24-race career, but at times has seemed to be holding back. He won a no-conditions allowance at Laurel in his start preceding the Governors Day, but has 8 seconds and 8 thirds to go along with his 5 career wins.

Trained by Jose Corrales and owned by Stronach Stables, Unbridled Juan figures to be a strong factor in the Delp, and is certainly capable of winning under Alex Cintron if Dr Blarney makes a misstep.

Grasshoppin is 3 for 7 during his 7-year-old campaign, all for trainer Claudio Gonzalez, including wins in a pair of Pennsylvania-bred stakes at Parx. The versatile runner won the seven-furlong Lyman in April and in his latest start took the 1 1/16-mile Roanoke by two lengths on Sept. 1.

Edwin Rivera will be aboard Grasshoppin, who is 10 for 46 the past five seasons.

Longshot possibilities include Duff and Honor the Fleet.

Duff just missed by a head to Unbridled Juan in a no-conditions allowance at Laurel in August. Honor the Fleet will be making his third start of the year after weakening in his two comeback races. He should show good speed at this distance.

Rocky Tough will be making his second start following a $62,500 claim by Robertino Diodoro. He can improve off his last effort if the track is fast.

Just Call Kenny will be making his first start since December.