Royal Delta set to triumph in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap on 21st July, 2012
The Bill Mott trained, Royal Delta, seems to be shaping up well for the Grade 2, $750,000 Delaware Handicap. The filly seems to be in good shape and, chances are that she will be able to notch the victory in the 1 ¼ mile event.
Hosted at Delaware Park, the four-year-old will race as a high-weight of 124 pounds. She will be shipped to the venue on the morning of the race, where she will race for the first time in her career.
The handler took her through some practice runs and work-outs, where she completed the distance of five furlongs in 1 minute 1/5 seconds on 15th July, 2012.
Regarding the daughter of Empire Maker, the trainer commented:
"From this time last year, she is more mature and more professional at this stage of the year."
Foaled by mare, Delta Princess, the filly’s prior experience over 1 ¼ miles was not a pleasant one at Meydan, when she competed in the Grade 1 Dubai World Cup, and finished a dismal ninth.
The trainer is not too concerned about the distance as he commented:
"The distance does not bother me, but I have heard it can be tough to ship into Delaware."
The older division runner has secured the victory over this distance in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes in August, 2011 at Saratoga.
With jockey Jose Lezcano on her back, she used her brisk pace and completed the race in 2 minutes and 03.13 seconds, and defeated It’s Tricky, while the third place was secured by, Pinch Pie.
Owned by the Besilu Stables, the filly has returned to her winning form since she recently bagged the Grade 2 Fleur De Lis Stakes at Churchill Downs on 16th June, 2012.
She dominated the 1 1/8 mile track and defeated the Dale Romans trained, Afleeting Lady, by a tremendous margin of eight lengths.
Royal Delta seems to be in pretty good shape and her odds of winning look good, she will compete against the Todd Pletcher trained, Awesome Maria, who will give her a run for her money.
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