Lopez follows Take Charge Paula to Delaware for White Clay Creek

Paco Lopez rides infrequently at Delaware Park, but when he does, it’s usually with a narrow purpose. The star jockey will make one of those trips to the Stanton, Del., track Wednesday to ride a filly named Take Charge Paula in the $50,000 White Clay Creek.

Trainer Kelly Breen has enlisted Lopez to fly in from upstate New York and reunite with Take Charge Paula, a 4 1/4-length winner of her only start. That eye-catching score at Monmouth Park was enough to make Take Charge Paula the morning-line favorite in the White Clay Creek, the eighth of nine races on a card that starts at 1:15 p.m. Eastern.

“She’s a quick filly that should like a little more ground,” said Breen. “Paco likes her a lot.”

Nine 2-year-old fillies are entered in the White Clay Creek, but Bronx Beauty is a likely scratch after winning the Colleen Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth.

Take Charge Paula, owned by Bruce Tallisman, will break from post 2 in the 5 1/2-furlong race. For Lopez, who has been riding regularly at Saratoga after splitting time between Monmouth and Belmont, this is his fourth quick trip in and out of Delaware this year. Since his first Delaware ride in 2011, he has gone 15 for 55, including 1 for 4 at the 2017 meet.

Lopez was aboard Take Charge Paula on July 7, when fans pounded the filly down to 7-10 odds for her debut. She did not disappoint, controlling the five-furlong race from the outset to earn a 63 Beyer Speed Figure.

Perhaps the main threat to Take Charge Paula will be starting just to her inside: Contrarity (post 1, Katie Davis) will be trying to improve on a 2-for-3 record that includes a four-length allowance score in her latest start July 12 at Delaware.

Other notables include Prancing Warrior and Trickizar, the one-two finishers in a key Delaware maiden race in early June, and Pikachu Princess, a winner of her lone career attempt for trainer Gina Rosenthal. Rounding out the lineup are Dialin, Brexit Revenge, and Miss Deplorable.