Richards purse gets raise
A purse increase for one of its five graded stakes and the inaugural running of two added-money races for Delaware-certified horses are the most notable changes on Delaware Park's 2005 stakes schedule.
Overall, Delaware will offer 30 stakes worth a collective $4.35 million during a 135-day meet that runs from April 30 through Nov. 13.
The Grade 3, 1 1/16-mile Leonard Richards, one of six stakes during the weekend of July 16-17, will now be worth $300,000, an increase of $50,000. The Delaware Festival of Racing is highlighted by the Grade 2, $500,000 Delaware Oaks on July 16 and the Grade 2, $750,000 Delaware Handicap on July 17.
For the first time since the state's incentive program began, there will be two stakes restricted to Delaware-certified horses. Both races, to be contested at six furlongs with purses of $50,000, are restricted to horses who were stabled at a farm or training center in Delaware for 90 days before March 30 of their 2-year-old season.
Absent from this year's schedule are the pair of $250,000 National Association of Two-Year-Old Consignors stakes for 2-year-olds. After three years at Delaware, the NATC has decided to shift the two six-furlong stakes to Monmouth Park on Sept. 24.
Stall applications for Delaware's meet will close on March 1, according to Chris Camac, assistant racing secretary.
2005 stakes schedule
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Sat.,April 30 | LEGAL LIGHT | 3YO F | 6 furlongs | $75,000 |
| Sat.,May 7 | FRANCIS "JOCK" LABELLE | 3YO | 6 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat.,May 21 | SWEET N SASSY HANDICAP | F&M 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat. May 28 | GO FOR WAND | 3YO F | 1 1/16 miles | 100,000 |
| Sat.,June 4 | JOHN W. ROONEY | F&M 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 100,000 |
| Sun.,June 5 | NICK SHUK | 3YO | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat.,June 11 | BRANDYWINE HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 100,000 |
| Sat.,June 18 | OBEAH HANDICAP | F&M 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles | 100,000 |
| Sat.,June 18 | SUSAN'S GIRL BC | 3YO F | 1 1/16 miles | 175,000 |
| Sat.,June 25 | KENT BREEDERS' CUP | (G3)3YO | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 250,000 |
| Sat.,July 2 | DENISE RHUDY | 3YO F | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat.,July 16 | DELAWARE OAKS (G2) | 3YO F | 1 1/16 miles | 500,000 |
| Sat.,July 16 | ROBERT G. DICK BC HANDICAP | F&M 3YO & Up | 1 3/8 miles (T) | 150,000 |
| Sat. July 16 | R.R.M. CARPENTER HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 100,000 |
| Sun.,July 17 | DELAWARE HANDICAP (G2) | F&M 3YO & Up | 1 1/4 miles | 750,000 |
| Sun.,July 17 | LEONARD RICHARDS (G3) | 3YO | 1 1/16 miles | 300,000 |
| Sun.,July 17 | LIGHT HEARTED | F&M 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat.,July 30 | SUSSEX HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 3 | CAESAR RODNEY HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 200,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 10 | ENDINE HANDICAP (G3) | F&M 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 200,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 10 | GEORSE ROSENBERGER | F&M 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 10 | OWNERS' DAY HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles | 75,000 |
| Sat,Oct. 1 | KELSO HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 1 3/16 miles | 100,000 |
| Sun.,Oct. 2 | DELAWARE CERTIFIED | 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Sun.,Oct. 2 | DELAWARE CERTIFIED DISTAFF | F&M 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Oct. 8 | DOVER | 2YO | 1 1/16 miles | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Oct. 15 | VINCENT MOSCARELLI HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Oct. 22 | BLUE HEN STAKES | 2YO F | 1 1/16 miles | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Nov. 5 | M. TYSON GILPIN | 2YO | 6 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Nov. 5 | HILDENE | 2YO F | 6 furlongs | 50,000 |