Royal Delta will be back at Churchill Downs to participate in the Fleur De Lis Stakes
Besilu Stables’ 4-year-old filly, Royal Delta dug herself a hole at the Meydan on 31 March, 2012, when she faced an incredible lineup of international runners in the world’s richest race, the Group 1, $10 million Dubai World Cup. The 3-year-old champion filly has never raced outside of the United States, and the Meydan’s Tapeta surface was a little too harsh on the filly as he finished an unplaced, dismal ninth.
Since returning back to the United States, Bill Mott trained filly has recorded four workouts without a single start, as it seems the 1 ¼ mile defeat took a lot out of her.
Staying at Belmont Park, all of Royal Delta’s four workouts have come there, and in the most recent one, the Empire Maker filly turned in five furlongs in 59 2/5 seconds – which turned out to be the fastest of 29 works at the distance on 3 June, 2012.
Bred by Palides Investments N V Inc. Royal Delta is readying herself to participate in the Grade 2 Fleur De Lis Stakes at Churchill Downs on 16 June, 2012, where she will be cut back in distance to 1 1/8 miles.
The event will take place over the Churchill Downs main track for the first time under lights, as the race continues to reel in 3-year-old and up fillies.
Royal Delta after her championship year is yet to post a victory, as she was defeated by Awesome Maria in her seasonal opener, the Grade 3 Sabin Stakes at Gulfstream Park, prior to the Dubai World Cup.
“She’s doing really well and has had a couple of nice works since coming back,” said trainer Bill Mott. “The (Fleur de Lis) wasn’t something that was planned right after the World Cup, but it’s something we came up with a couple of weeks ago.”
Royal Delta will return to Churchill Downs for the Fleur De Lis, where she capped off her sophomore season with a 2 ½ length victory over, It’s Tricky to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic last fall at Churchill Downs, as Groupie Doll finished third on the day.
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