Royal Delta Sparkles in Belmont Park Breeze
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Two-time champion Royal Delta sizzled four furlongs in :46.50 before the maintenance break at Belmont Park Oct 12 as she prepped for an attempt at her third straight Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I).
Royal Delta’s work was the fastest of 33 working the distance at Belmont.
The 5-year-old daughter of Empire Maker trained by Bill Mott for Besilu Stables won the Distaff the last two years when it was named the Ladies' Classic en route to championship honors as champion 3-year-old filly in 2011 and champion older filly or mare in 2012.
Also working four furlongs for the Hall of Fame conditioner was Ron the Greek, the Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational Stakes (gr. I) winner who is pointing toward the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I). The $2.7 million earner breezed :47.46, co-third best time of the day.
Royal Delta, who has won or placed in 18 of 21 starts and earned $4,691,126, comes into the $2 million Distaff Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park off a second-place finish in the Beldame Invitational (gr. I) Sept. 28.