The 2026 Delaware Handicap takes place Saturday, September 26 at Delaware Park in Wilmington, Delaware. The Grade III race is contested at 1 1/8 miles on dirt for fillies and mares 3 years old and up and carries a base purse of $500,000. The purse will increase to $600,000 if a Grade I or II winner from 2025 or 2026 enters and starts. The Delaware Handicap is also part of the 2026 Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series for the Breeders' Cup Distaff division.
| Date | Saturday, September 26, 2026 |
| Track | Delaware Park |
| Race | TBA |
| Distance | 1 1/8 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Grade | Grade III |
| Purse | $500,000 ($600,000 if a qualifying Grade I or II winner enters and starts) |
| Age | Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up |
| Breeders' Cup Qualifier | Dirt Dozen - Distaff Division |
| Post Time | TBA |
Entry Update: Final entries for the 2026 Delaware Handicap have not yet been confirmed. The official nominees will be listed below once verified, and this page will be updated with confirmed entries, post positions, jockeys, and official odds when the Delaware Park field is finalized.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final entries for the 2026 Delaware Handicap have not yet been confirmed. | ||||
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The Delaware Handicap is one of the most historic races for older fillies and mares in American racing and the signature event of Delaware Park's late-season stakes schedule. The Grade III contest is run at 1 1/8 miles on dirt and carries a base purse of $500,000 in 2026.
The race also carries added Breeders' Cup significance as part of the 2026 Dirt Dozen Bonus Series for the Distaff division. Horses finishing first, second or third can earn bonus credits toward Breeders' Cup World Championships fees, making the Delaware Handicap an important late-season target for fillies and mares with championship aspirations.
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The Delaware Handicap was inaugurated in 1937 as the New Castle Handicap and was renamed the Delaware Handicap in 1955. Over the decades, the race has developed into one of the most important events for fillies and mares at Delaware Park.
Its list of winners includes champions and major Grade I performers such as Songbird, Royal Delta, Idiomatic and Elate. Royal Delta won consecutive editions in 2012 and 2013, while Elate repeated the feat in 2018 and 2019. Songbird captured the race in 2017 during her championship career.
The race has undergone several distance changes in recent years. It was shortened from 1 1/4 miles to 1 3/16 miles beginning in 2023 and then to its current 1 1/8-mile distance in 2025.
Regaled won the 2025 Delaware Handicap under jockey Joseph D. Ramos for trainer D. Whitworth Beckman, completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.94.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Regaled | Joseph D. Ramos | 1:50.94 |
| 2024 | Honor D Lady | José Ortiz | 1:59.86 |
| 2023 | Idiomatic | Florent Geroux | 1:56.41 |
| 2022 | Miss Leslie | Angel Cruz | 2:04.50 |
| 2021 | Miss Marissa | Daniel Centeno | 2:04.50 |
The 2026 Delaware Handicap is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at Delaware Park in Wilmington, Delaware.
The 2026 Delaware Handicap is contested at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.
The 2026 Delaware Handicap carries a base purse of $500,000. Delaware Park has announced that the purse will increase to $600,000 if a Grade I or II winner from 2025 or 2026 enters and starts.
The Delaware Handicap is open to fillies and mares 3 years old and up.
Final entries for the 2026 Delaware Handicap have not yet been confirmed. The field, post positions, jockeys and official odds will be updated once Delaware Park publishes the final race card.
The favorite for the 2026 Delaware Handicap can be identified in the latest odds table above.
The latest 2026 Delaware Handicap odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
The Delaware Handicap is a Grade III dirt race for fillies and mares 3 years old and up held at Delaware Park. The 2026 edition is contested at 1 1/8 miles and carries a base purse of $500,000.
The Delaware Handicap is held at Delaware Park in Wilmington, Delaware.
No. The 2026 Delaware Handicap is not a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" race. It is part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series for the Distaff division, with bonus credits available to the top three finishers toward eligible Breeders' Cup World Championships fees.
You can bet the Delaware Handicap online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, select Delaware Park, choose the Delaware Handicap and place your wager. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Regaled won the 2025 Delaware Handicap under jockey Joseph D. Ramos for trainer D. Whitworth Beckman, completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.94.
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