Coco Shell in $39.20 maiden-breaker at Delaware Park

Coco Shell broke loose during the post parade prior to the third race at Delaware Park yesterday, but it turned out to have no ill effects on his race performance a few minutes later.

With Madeline Rowland aboard for the six-furlong test, the 2-year-old colt by Handsome Mike was away fifth while racing wide down the backstretch, then made a monster run on the turn and had the lead as they straightened out for home. Coco Shell went on to score by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:12.75 and paid $39.20, despite a sharp second-place finish in his previous start at Monmouth Park .

The colt owned and bred by Ballybrit Stable earned $13,200 for his maiden-breaker, becoming Handsome Mike’s 23rd winner of 2022.