The barn of defending leading trainer Juan Vazquez is gearing up for the start of the 74^th season of live racing at Delaware Park on Saturday, April 30. Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m.

After a series of successful Delaware Park meets in which Vazquez frequently finished in the top five trainer standings, the 36-year-old native of Buenos Aires, Argentina broke through in 2010 to capture his first leading trainer title at Delaware Park.

“Last year, it really came altogether with the right stock in horses, good employees and good owners,” Vazquez said from his barn at Delaware Park today. “You have to be serious in your work and work hard, but you are only as good as your help and your owners, and we were fortunate that it all came together in 2010.”

Nationally, through April 10, Vazquez has a record of record of three wins, three seconds and four thirds from 27 starts with earnings of $119,402.

“While I was in Florida this winter, I focused on getting my horses ready, and I refreshed my stock,” said Vazquez, who first came to Delaware Park with four horses with his wife, Maria Virginia Pascual, in 2001. “We claimed some horses to specifically bring to Delaware.”

Vazquez is looking forward to defending his leading trainer title at Delaware Park.

“I have 54 horses at Delaware Park,” he said. “Delaware is my house, and I am looking forward to 2011. Of course our goal is to be leading trainer again. But every year everything can change. With each new year, you try to win races and do the best you can by working hard and putting your horses in spots where they can win. But this is going to be a tough meet, and we are hoping everything can come together the way it did last year.”

A pair of horses to keep an eye on from the Vazquez barn are Ms Vanenzza and Mis Vizcaya.

Both are Kentucky-bred fillies by Successful Appeal and they are owned by Florence Patitucci.

Ms. Vanenzza is a 4-year-old with a career record of three wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 11 starts. In her most recent race she finished fourth in the seven furlong Grade II Inside Information at Gulfstream Park on March 19. Her most recent victory came in a mile and seventy yard allowance at Parx on November 30. In 2009, she won the mile and a sixteenth $75,000 Blue Hen Stakes, which was the first career stake victory for Vazquez. At Delaware Park Ms Vanenzza has a record of two wins, a second and two thirds from five starts.

“She has been facing some tough horses in Florida, but has been running well and she really likes Delaware, so I think she should be tough when she runs here.”

Mis Vizcaya is a 3-year-old with a career record of two wins and three thirds from eight starts. In her most recent, she finished unplaced in six furlong Grade III Old Hat at Gulfstream on January 5. Her most recent victory came in a five furlong allowance at Delaware Park on June 26. She sports a Delaware Park record of two wins and two thirds from five starts.

“She had a lot of problems in Florida including a lung infection, but I am pretty sure we have her ready for Delaware,” he said.

After a one-week break, live racing will resume on Kentucky Derby Day, May 7. Live racing will be held on Saturdays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Closing day for the 106-day meet is slated for Saturday, November 5. Daily first race post time is 1:15 p.m. Admission and general parking are free.

Delaware Park’s premier races, the Delaware Oaks (Gr. II) and the Delaware Handicap (Gr. II), will be held on July 9 and July 16, respectively.

Other top conditioners returning to the Stanton oval include former seven-time leading trainer Scott Lake, J. Larry Jones, Randy Nunley, Michael Matz, Ron Moquett, Todd Pletcher, Tim Ritchey, Anthony Dutrow, Steve Hobby, Mac Robertson and Michael Stidham.