Bennett, Nations among new faces

There will be some new trainers stabled at Delaware Park this season, including Gerald Bennett, who will wrap up the Tampa Bay Downs training title Sunday, and Keith Nations, who will be splitting his stable between Delaware and Parx Racing.

Bennett will have about 60 stalls at Delaware. Last summer, he made the bulk of his starts at Presque Isle Downs and Monmouth Park. Bennett has not stabled at Delaware since 1998.

“We have a pretty good mix of older horses, 2-year-olds, and some 3-year-old fillies,” said Bennett, 72. “I looked at the book, and I think our operation fits well with the Delaware Park program.”

Nations will have 40 stalls at Delaware and another 15 or so at Parx.

“We shipped in and ran in a race at Delaware Park last year, and my wife, Cheryl, and I really liked the facility,” Nations said. “The paddock is incredible, and the stable area is very horse-friendly. It just has a really good to feel to it.”

Other new trainers, each of whom will have about 20 stalls, include George Leonard III; John Servis, who also will have a full barn at his longtime base of Parx; and Kelly Rubley.