Royal Delta works five furlongs as she continues to prepare for the Beldame Invitational at Belmont Park
It is going to be a tall order for the 3-year-old filly, Royal Delta, when she goes on to face older fillies and mares for the first time in her 2-year racing career, in the Grade 1 Beldame Invitational at Belmont Park on 1 October, 2011.
The Palides Investment owned and William Mott trained filly is coming out of a win in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga, over a distance of 1 ¼ miles, on 20 August, 2011.
It was an emphatic win over a marathon distance which she has never tried before, and it took her 2 minutes and 3.13 seconds to win the race, beating It’s Tricky and Pinch Pie on the way.
The daughter of Empire Maker, out of Delta Princess by A. P. Indy, Royal Delta now has 4 wins out of 6 career starts, and apart from the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes, she has also gone on to win the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.
On 20 May, 2011, Empire Maker, the 3-year-old filly, took on the likes of Buster’s Ready and Hot Summer at Pimlico, over a distance of 1 1/8 miles, downing both of them in 1 minute and 49.60 seconds.
Now, for her next start in the Grade 1 Beldame Invitational, Royal Delta turned in a five furlong breeze at Belmont Park on 18 September, 2011, in a quick 59.36 seconds, in what was her third workout session, following her 5 ½ length win in the Alabama Stakes.
The work was done under the watchful eye of the trainer’s assistant, Leana Willaford, who said that it is a good time for Royal Delta to train, because between races, the workout sessions are always strong. She further added that Royal Delta will turn in
one more work before the race.
Leana Willaford stands correct, as Royal Delta’s work was the third fastest on 18 September, out of 29 at that distance.
Royal Delta will be up against the likes of Havre de Grace and possibly Blind Luck, which already seems like a formidable line-up for the Beldame Invitational.
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