Trainer Michael Stidham will be bringing more horse power for his third season at Delaware Park this year. Opening Day for the 74^th season of live racing at Delaware Park is set for Saturday, April 30. First race post time is 1:15 p.m.

“We are probably going to have about 40 horses,” said Stidham. “We will also have between 30 and 40 horses at Arlington Park. In previous years, we have had a smaller string at Delaware, and we have had the majority of our horses at Arlington. We kept only about 20 horses at Delaware the first two summers, but this year we are going to have a bigger influence at Delaware.”

Last year at Delaware Park, Stidham posted a record of 15 wins, 13 seconds and five thirds from 58 starters and won the $75,000 John Rooney Memorial Stakes with A She’s Adorable.

“We really like Delaware,” Stidham said. “I think it is a really good place to train, and with small strings we have been pretty successful. The purses are good and racing is good, so we are excited about coming back with a bigger string.”

Look for Stidham’s 2-year-olds at Delaware Park this year.

“We are going to have a mixture, but this year we are also going to have a larger group of 2-year-olds, so will have some more babies at Delaware Park as compared to our group last year,” he said. “Aside from that, we will have our olders horses like Workin for Hops that we will be looking to place in spots at Delaware Park.”

Other top conditioners returning to the Stanton oval include defending champion Juan Vasquez, Scott Lake, J. Larry Jones, Randy Nunley, Michael Matz, Ron Moquett, Todd Pletcher, Tim Ritchey, Anthony Dutrow, Steve Hobby, Michael Gorham, Mac Robertson and Steve Klesaris.