Delaware Charm!
Delaware Park rated a purse structure of 6 back in the eighties, which
not a bad number had the track on the brink of destruction. Once again
it's the happy Racino ending, well maybe not. Delaware benefited from
being an early entrant into Racino style gambling but since then their
popping up like weeds and the fields at Delaware are reflecting that.
Today Delaware Park has a purse value index of 41.
Delaware Park racino or not deserves to stay in existence. It is part
of racing history and has charm that can only be found in places like
Saratoga or Keenland. All you have to do is pay a visit to the outdoor
paddock where the horses are saddled under the trees to know it is a
special place.
In 2011 Delaware Park ran it's normal May to November schedule supplemented with a full casino operation. Joe Rocco Jr. came away with the riding title.
If you look at the track layout you will see the original configuration for Delaware Park, which included a steeplechase course. On the photo page you can still make out the outline of that course.