The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC) approved the 2024 Delaware Park live racing dates, punctuated by a $2.75 million stakes schedule. The 87th live racing season–featuring 75 days beginning on Wednesday, May 15 and concluding Saturday, Oct. 12–will be highlighted by the $500,000 GII Delaware H. July 7.
For the first time since 2009, the Delaware H. will be run on a Sunday, highlighting a festival weekend of racing that includes the $250,000 GIII Robert G. Dick S. on the July 7 undercard. The $300,000 GII Delaware Oaks will kick off the weekend July 6.
“We want to carry the positive momentum established last year into this upcoming season,” said Chief Financial Officer Kevin DeLucia. “The horsemen, commission and management have continued working together to ensure competitive, fair and safe racing. We have also been aggressively expanding our wagering menu and finding the right niches to make our signal attractive on the national landscape. It will be challenging to keep moving the needle in a positive direction in the highly competitive Mid-Atlantic market, but our team is eager for the opportunity.”
Total live racing handle increased 7.0%, to $152.3 million for the 85-day meet in 2023 from $142.3 million for the 87-day meet in 2022. The daily average handle increased 9.6%, to $1.8 million in 2023 from $1.6 million in 2022.
Live racing will be conducted on a Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday weekly format for the majority of the 2024 meet. Nine Friday cards will be added to the schedule: June 7, June 14, Aug. 2, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11.
Live racing is not scheduled on Thursday, July 11. Daily first race post time is set for 12:30 p.m.
For the complete 2024 stakes schedule, click here.
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