Can Joseph Jr. Trio Slow Down Grand Job in Royal Delta?

A field of 11 fillies and mares take their shot at the Royal Delta Stakes (G3) Feb. 15 at Gulfstream Park. 

Among those going into the starting gate Saturday will be a trio of Saffie Joseph Jr. trainees. Leading the charge for Joseph is the graded stakes-placed Intrepid Daydream . The Maryland-bred daughter of Jess's Dream  hit the board in three of her last four starts but hasn't seen the winner's circle since the 2023 Politely Stakes. However, she did win her only start at the 1 1/16-mile distance.  

The Royal Delta will make it five straight graded stakes for 5-year-old mare Libban , who is still looking for the results to match her talent. She was very active last year, starting nine times including the previous edition of the Royal Delta. However, she hasn't been able to finish better than fifth in graded company. 

Joseph's trio is rounded out by the Ontario-bred Dazzling Move , who is making her graded debut. 

The real threat may be the Bill Mott-trained Grand Job , who since coming over from the United Kingdom last year, has two gate-to-wire wins that exhibited her speed. The daughter of Justify   had three seconds from four starts—all on turf—before crossing the Atlantic, but Saturday marks her third attempt on dirt.

Autumn Evening , who won her 2025 debut, rallied down the stretch in an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the Malibu Moon filly has hit the board in all seven of her starts after her debut.