Royal Delta zipped past the pace setters to win the Ladies’ Classic for Bill Mott
The daughter of the 2003 Grade 1 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, Royal Delta pulled out her dancing shoes as the 3-year-old eased past her rivals in the deep stretch to claim the purse of $1,818,000 million and win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic by 2 ½ lengths over Kiaran McLaughlin trained It’s Tricky on 4 November, at Churchill Downs.
Out of Delta Princess by A.P. Indy, Royal Delta started the race as the 2 to 1 favourite, as she brought trainer Bill Mott the joy of winning the Ladies’ Classic for the second year running. Last time the Hall of Fame trainer won it with Unrivaled Belle.
Palides Investments N V’s Royal Delta was coming off a second place finish in the Grade 1 Beldame Stakes to Havre de Grace, who will be contesting in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic on 5 November at Churchill Downs.
Prior to the second place finish in the Beldame, Royal Delta won the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on 20 August, 2011, under her usual jockey J Lezcano.
The Ladies’ Classic started off with a moderate pace. The Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner, Plum Pretty quickly assumed the leaders’ position right after the break in the field of eight horses, as she set out fractions of 24.18 seconds for the opening quarter mile, 49 seconds for the half mile and 1 minute and 13.72 seconds for the six furlong mark.
The pace was a little slow on a ground that was rated good over at the distance of 1 1/8 miles, as It’s Tricky speeded it up to challenge Plum Pretty meanwhile Royal Delta was beginning to find her stride as well.
Royal Delta found herself right in the middle of the track, as she went a little wide from fourth position to catch up with It’s Tricky on the outside.
It was time for Royal Delta to show her amazing turn of foot and run down the pace setters to claim her prize. J Lezcano times the run perfectly and under mild urging Royal Delta responses to cross the finish line ahead of It’s Tricky with the winning time of 1 minute and 50.78 seconds.
Pachattack in the end edged out Plum Pretty to finish third, as Ask the Moon, Super Espresso, Satans Quick Chick and Miss Match completed the order of finish.
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