Candy DeBartolo’s Life at Ten won the $750,000 Grade II Delaware Handicap, the first Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifier of the year for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic, at Delaware Park today.

The 5-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon ran her winning streak to six straight and her trainer Todd Pletcher equaled the Delaware Handicap record of four for most victories by a trainer. Henry Clark, the trainer for Christiana Stables, won four Delaware Handicaps in 1958 and 1959 with Endine and 1969 and 1970 with Obeah. Todd Pletcher won the Delaware Handicap in 2001 with Irving’s Baby, in 2006 with Fleet Indian and in 2007 with Unbridled Belle.

Life at Ten cut early fractions of :49.75 for the half and 1:14.01 before completing the mile and a quarter in 2:03.21. The Kentucky-bred returned $3.20 as the favorite in the field of six. Miss Singhsix, with Jose Valdivia, Jr., finished second 2 ¾-lengths in front of Funny Moon, with Alan Garcia, in third.

“On paper it looked like she was closing the speed, but you never know,” and trainer Todd Pletcher. “She was fortunate to get an easy first quarter and half and she really had a lot left in the stretch, We will probably look at the Personal Ensign at Saratoga next and go from there. It is just special to win the Delaware Handicap because it is such an important race for fillies and mares. We have always looked at the Del ‘Cap as a great opportunity. It has a great tradition and great purse and we have been fortunate enough to win the race four times.”
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