Royal Delta snapped her losing streak by winning the Fleur de Lis Handicap by 8 lengths
Besilu Stables owned 4-year-old filly, Royal Delta, returned to familiar conditions, when she went out over the Churchill Downs dirt track to notch her first victory of the new campaign since becoming the 3-year-old champion filly.
Bill Mott trained filly was competing in the Grade 2 $161,700 Fleur de Lis Handicap – one race before the Stephen Foster Handicap – against five older fillies and mares over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on 16 June, 2012.
Bred in Kentucky by Palides Investments N V Inc, Royal Delta, romped to an imposing 8 length victory over the rest of the field, as she covered the race distance 1 minute and 49.49 seconds under rider, Mike Smith, who rode the filly for the first time.
The 4-year-old Empire Maker filly atoned for his disappointing loss at the Meydan this March, when she couldn’t find a stronghold of the Group 1, $10million Dubai World Cup, as she faltered to finish a non-threatening ninth on the day.
Prior to going half way across the world, Royal Delta made her seasonal debut in the Grade 3 Sabin Stakes at Gulfstream Park on 25 February, 2012, but lost it to, Awesome Maria, who herself was on a serious winning streak.
Royal Delta, last fall won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic here at Churchill Downs to ensure her 3-year-old filly honours by winning the Eclipse Award for it.
In the Fleur de Lis Handicap, Royal Delta was the highweight at 123 pounds, broke well from the gate and settled in third position behind, Afleeting Lady, and the leader at that time, Sterling Madame who was rampant enough to down the opening quarter mile
in 23.71 seconds and half mile in 47.70 seconds.
On the rail, St. John’s River raced at fourth, but Royal Delta was well in the by the six furlong pole when she engaged the leaders, as Afleeting Lady took the lead and downed six furlongs in 1 minute and 12.03 seconds.
It was all Royal Delta soon after, as she rounded off the bend and spurted toward the finish line, and it was only a question of how bigger the victory is going to be.
Bill Mott must be a happy man, because after saddling Royal Delta in the Fleur de Lis Handicap, he saddled Ron the Greek in the Stephen Foster Handicap, who nosed out the heavy favourite, Wise Dan to win the 1 1/8 mile event, and a spot in the Breeders’
Cup.
Tags: