Mister Nofty notches first career stakes win in Grover Delp Memorial

HnR Nothhaft Horse Racing’s Mister Nofty notched his first career stake victory in upset fashion in the $50,000 Grover “Buddy” Delp Memorial at Delaware Park today.

With Brian Pedroza aboard, the 3-year-old son of Scat Daddy won by a neck and returned $34.40.  The even-money favorite in the field of nine, Doctor Mounty with Edgar Prado, finished second.  It was another 1 1/2-lengths further back to Pizmo Time, with Trevor McCarthy, in third.

Mister Nofty cut early fractions of :47.34 for the mile and 1:10.93 for the three-quarters mile before completing the mile and a sixteenth in 1:43.02 over a fast main track.

The Pennsylvania-bred trained by Keith Nations raised his career record to four wins from eight starts with earnings of $119,870.  In his previous outing, he won a mile and seventy yard Pennsylvania-bred restricted allowance on the grass at Parx on August 9th.

“I am a little overwhelmed,” said winning trainer Keith Nations.  “I thought he would run a good race.  He really has gotten better.  But it is a great honor to win a race like this named after a Delaware Park legend.  This race came up pretty tough for a $50,000 stake. When we entered, I thought we would be one of the favorites and we ended up around 16-to-1.  We are not sure where we will go next with him.  We just want to enjoy this one for a few days and see how he comes out of the race.”

Source: Delaware Park