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Fleet Indian in the post parade lookng ready to kill the competition, which she did.     Delaware Oaks results

Date: 7/17/06

The highlight of the Delaware Park racing calendar is the $1 million Delaware Handicap (G2) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles. Nine went to the starting gate in this year's renewal, with multiple stakes winner Fleet Indian sent off as the overwhelming 2-5 favorite. La Reason was the 3-1 second choice off her 4th place finish in the Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs last time out, and the 3-horse Fitzhugh LLC-owned entry of Dynamic Deputy, Sticky, and Take A Check was the 7-1 third choice.

First time by with Fleet Indian leading on the inside

There were three additional stakes on the card Sunday, the Leonard Richards (G3), Caesar Rodney, and Light Hearted Stakes. Check here for the results and photos from those races.

Fleet Indian broke sharpest of all and took the lead right away, and under the reins of jockey Jose Santos set an easy pace of 23.94, 48.21, 1:12.55, and 1:37.12 while being stalked the whole way by Take A Check to her outside and La Reason to the inside. At the top of the stretch, Santos asked Fleet Indian for run and got it, as the heavy favorite surged ahead to a 2 1/2 length lead. Through the stretch, Fleet Indian drew away to win by 5 1/2 lengths over the late-running Dynamic Deputy, completing the 1 1/4 miles over the fast main track in 2:02.08. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to Take A Check, while La Reason faded inside the 1/8 pole to finish sixth.

Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 2 Fleet Indian Santos 2.80 2.20 2.10 1 Dynamic Deputy Carcia 3.60 4.00 1X Take a Check Pino 3.60 4.00 Winning Time: 2:02.08 $2 Exacta 2-1 10.80 $2 Trifecta 2-1-5 36.00

Results Chart from DRF.

Fleet Indian comes back after the race. Winning jockey Jose Santos said, "It was pretty much a piece of cake. I pretty much knew the race was over going into the first turn. I still rode it like always to make it official. I think she is going to be a perfect 10 before she is done."

Fleet Indian gets some water while she wears her flowers. Santos continued, "There are not many million dollar races and not many jockeys win races like that. It is a great thrill to win a race like this especially for a guy like me whose business may be going down a little bit. Something like this will pick my business up a little bit."

Fleet Indian in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "She had a pretty good race record before we got her. She had won her last two starts before we got her. Jose has come along with his mare very well. He knows her well. It looked on paper like we could control the speed and not have to alter her style of running. Once she left the first turn, she was in control."

Second place finisher Dynamic Deputy in the post parade.

Third place finisher Take a Check in the beautiful Delaware Park paddock.

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