BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Ms. Bucchero and Gracie Diamond will be attempting to upset heavy favorite Alva Star in the $100,000 Rehoboth at Delaware Park Wednesday as the two Florida-breds are among 10 fillies and mares in the six-furlong event.
This will be the second attempt at defeating Wednesday’s 3-5 favorite at Delaware for Ms Bucchero, who was seventh in last year’s $100,000 Dashing Beauty won by Alva Star.
Trained by Diane Morici and owned by Morici Racing Stable LLC, Ms. Bucchero is hoping to repeat the winning form of her final start of 2023 at Laurel Park on Dec. 17. Leading throughout most of a $70,000 allowance going six furlongs, Ms. Bucchero momentarily lost the lead to Whisky and Rye to her outside in deep stretch but courageously fought back on the rail to win by a nose.
In one start this year, Ms. Bucchero was second, beaten a length by Empress Deon in a third condition, $50,000 optional claiming going six furlongs at Parx Racing on May 13.
Ms. Bucchero is by Bucchero out of Give Glory to God, by Mutakddim and was bred in Florida by Pamela Edel of Ocala, Fla. She has won half of her 10 career races with two seconds while earning $147,150.
She is 10-1 on the morning line and will break from post nine with jockey Jose Batista.
Gracie Diamond ships to Delaware from Louisiana for trainer Brett Brinkman and owner and breeder Marablue Farm LLC.
The 4-year-old daughter of Can the Man has finished third in her last two starts—first in a second condition, $50,000 optional claiming won by Speedy Traveler over a muddy six furlongs at Fair Grounds on March 2. In her last race, she was third to Jumpin Judy in an upper level, $30,000 optional claiming at five-and-a-half furlongs on a good surface at Evangeline Downs on April 10.
Out of Diamond Back Lil, by Songandaprayer, Gracie Diamond has three wins, a second and five thirds from 12 lifetime races with earnings of $93,627.
She is listed at 20-1 in the program and will be ridden by Kevin Gomez from post seven.
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Brinkman will also saddle Alva Star, winner of the Grade 1 Madison going seven furlongs at Keeneland on April 6. In one start since, the 4-year-old daughter of Lord Nelson was second to Vahva in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs on May 4.
Alva Star is owned by P. Dale Ladner and Mychel Sanchez will guide her from post 10.
Also entered for the Rehoboth are Yesternight, who will be ridden by Isaac Castillo; Bennykayandsuzytoo with Jaime Rodriguez up, Late Frost and jockey Jeiron Barbosa, Happy Clouds will have Arnaldo Bocachica in the saddle, Trevor McCarthy rides Kant Hurry Love, Apple Picker and rider Sheldon Russell and John Hiraldo will be aboard Red Hot Mess.
