Dates approved for 2018 Delaware Park meet

The Delaware Racing Commission on Wednesday approved the dates for Delaware Park's upcoming 81-day season.

The meet, which has the same number of days as in 2017, will open May 30 and continue through Oct. 20, with racing on Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. First post will be 1:15 p.m.

The meet will peak on July 14 when the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap is held. Songbird won last year's Del Cap by a hard-earned length over Martini Glass for owner Rick Porter, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, and jockey Mike Smith.

The North American Graded Stakes Committee has downgraded the race from a Grade 1 for this year.

The Grade 3 Delaware Oaks will top the July 7 card at Delaware.