Welcome to the first installment of the Delaware Park blog.

First, let me introduce myself. I am Chris Sobocinski, the Racing Information Coordinator at Delaware Park. My primary duty is to act as a liaison between the media and Delaware Park horsemen to help bring you informed and interesting stories via various media outlets. I am also the morning-line handicapper for the track program. I grew up coming to Delaware Park. I started working at Delaware Park as mutuel clerk in 1986, I have been doing the morning-line odds for the most part since 1993 and I have been the Racing Information Coordinator since 1995.

I am extremely blessed because I have a job at the track I grew up with. I was raised in nearby Hockessin and spent many a summer afternoon at the track as a child and a young adult. I remember going to see the "Jock" LaBelle boxing matches in the stable area, I remember where I was sitting when I saw Spectacular Bid for the first time, and I remember debating my father on who was the best race horse of all-time Man o' War or Secretariat. Delaware Park is where I learned to read (the Racing Form), where I learned money management (always make sure you have money left to bet the late double) and this is the track where I threw my first losing ticket on ground and also where I cashed my first winner. It is also the first track where I have had a horse disqualified by the stewards. I learned many of my life's lessons right here at the track in Stanton.

Towards the end of the 2008 live racing season, Andrew Gentile, the General Manager, asked me to look into doing a blog for Delaware Park. To be honest, at the time, I was not exactly sure what a blog was. I had heard of blogs, but I never really did anything with them. Although, I was not exactly sure of what this was all about, as I customarily do, I readily agreed. And I am glad I did because I think we can have a lot of fun with this blog.

I am planning on keeping this blog fresh and interesting. I am hoping to post two to three entries a week that will focus mostly on handicapping races, handicapping theory, promotions at the track, national stories related to Delaware Park and some history of this track. I am also hopeful I will be able to attract special guest bloggers from time to time such as other Delaware Park offcials and also some jockeys and trainers. I would also like to keep this blog as interactive as possible so I can learn from you the readers on how we can make this blog better and how we can make Delaware Park racing even more interesting and attractive.

Good luck and good racing

Chris Sobocinski

Racing Information Coordinator

Delaware Park Racetrack, Slots, and Golf