Royal Delta likely to be cross-entered to BC Distaff,
Classic
Two-time champion Royal Delta relaxed Monday morning following her commanding
victory in Sunday’s Grade 1 Personal Ensign Invitational at Saratoga. Hall of
Fame trainer Bill Mott said that the star mare is once again targeting the Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame Invitational
on September 28 at Belmont Park as her final race before the Breeders’ Cup. Like
last year, she likely will be cross-entered in both the Distaff and the Classic,
Mott said.
“She looked fine; she was good this morning,” Mott said. “Looked like she’s got
another one in her. If she runs in the Beldame, we go to the Breeders’ Cup. She
could be nominated (to both the Classic and Distaff) the same way she was last
year, but I don’t think anything is written in stone yet. I think that would be
a conversation for something closer to the race. I don’t think it’s something
we’re going to plan on now. It’s an option.”
Except for failed efforts to win the Dubai World Cup on Meydan Racecourse’s
synthetic Tapeta surface the past two years, Royal Delta’s record has few blemishes.
She made amends Sunday for her half-length loss last year in the Personal
Ensign, and her upset second-place finish in the Fleur de Lis Handicap
at Churchill Downs after the World Cup turned out to be a springboard to a 10
3/4-length win July 20 in the Delaware Handicap.
When Royal Delta finished her work in the Personal Ensign yesterday, the 18,706
in attendance at Saratoga greeted her with a standing ovation as she made her
way back after galloping out. With Mott and owner Benjamin Leon next to her,
Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith walked Royal Delta in a circle three times as the
crowd roared.
“I heard them when she crossed the wire, and, obviously, I was standing out in
front with Mr. Leon,” Mott said. “And he was beside me, and as she was
approaching, everybody was applauding, and I said, ‘Listen to this behind you.’
It made him feel good too. I didn’t have to tell him, but I said, ‘It’s nice.
People still appreciate seeing a good horse.’ To see the consistency; they’re
just very gallant animals, particularly one like her.”
Personal Ensign runner-up Authenticity emerged from her effort in good shape,
according to trainer Todd Pletcher.
Pletcher also reported that leading three-year-old filly Princess of Sylmar
is under consideration for the Beldame, but plans remain uncertain. Princess of
Sylmar has won
three consecutive Grade 1 stakes — the Kentucky Oaks, Coaching Club American
Oaks and Alabama, the latter at the Spa on August 17.
Aside from the 1 1/8-mile Beldame against the older Royal Delta, her other
option is the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx
Racing on September 21 against fellow three-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.
‘”Whatever we decide to do with Princess of Sylmar will be based on what’s best
for Princess of Sylmar,” Pletcher said. “You can make a lot of pros for the
Cotillion if you like, no question about it. It’s a short ship, but you still
have to get on a van and go do it, as opposed to just walking out of your
stall.”
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