For more than a decade, the barn of Scott Lake has been a dominant presence at Delaware Park and the 45-year-old native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is hoping for another strong season when the meet opens for the 74^th season of living racing on April 30.  Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m.

Lake was the first to win seven consecutive training titles at Delaware Park (2002 through 2008) since Grover “Buddy” Delp won seven in a row from 1963 through 1969.  In 2009, Lake’s bid to break the record fell short when he finished second in the standings to Cody Autrey.  Last year, he finished second again, but this time to Juan Vasquez.

“Realistically, I would be happy with second again,” trainer Scott Lake said, who will have approximately 30 horses stabled at Delaware Park.  “Not having a full barn makes it kind of tough and I know Juan Vasquez is pretty loaded, so I will be happy with just having another good meet.”

Lake will be bringing the same type of horses he has brought to Delaware Park through the years.

“We are basically going to have the same type of mix as we have had in previous years,” Lake said.  “The barn is going to be stocked with a good mix from the high end to the low end.”

Although he did mention one horse as from his barn for Delaware Park fans to keep an eye on.

“We have a filly named Queen Cleopatra who won her first time out at Penn National that we are kind of excited about and she seems like she is going to be pretty nice,” he said.

In her only career outing, Tigertail Ranch’s Queen Cleopatra posted a 6-length triumph in a five and half furlong $31,000 maiden at Penn National on April 4.  The 3-year-old filly by Congrats is a Florida-bred.

After a one-week break, live racing will resume on Kentucky Derby Day, May 7.  Live racing will be held 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 defending champion Juan Vasquez, J. Larry Jones, Randy Nunley, Michael Matz, Ron Moquett, Todd Pletcher, Tim Ritchey, Anthony Dutrow, Steve Hobby, Mac Robertson, Steve Klesaris and Michael Stidham.