Royal Delta
Encyclopedia
Royal Delta is an American Thoroughbred
filly
racehorse
. She has won three of her first four outings. The daughter of Empire Maker
will best be remembered for winning the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, the grade one Alabama Stakes
and posting a 2-1/2 length score in the mile and an eighth Grade II
$250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
at Pimlico Race Course
on May 20, 2011.
, she won a 2 length score in her debut as a two-year old in a one mile maiden special weight race on October 30, 2010 at Belmont Park
. She then finished off the board at ninth in the Suncoast Stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs. In her third career start she raced at Keeneland Race Course and won an allowance race on the synthetic. Her connections decided to enter her in the second jewel of America's defacto Filly Triple Crown, the Black-eyed Susan Stakes.
Royal Delta was the third choice at 3-1 on the morning line in a strong field of six stakes winners. But as the gates opened up she went off as the co-favorite at 9-5. When the gates opened she veered inside and settled immediately to be one of the trailers. On the club house turn she moved into a stalker's position about four lengths back in fifth place. Around the final turn, Royal Delta's jockey Jose Lezcano
chose to take the inside path along the rail and passed two. At the top of the stretch she passed morning line favorite Wyomia and ran down leader Hot Summer and moved to a three length lead. Approaching the wire Buster's Ready made a rush at her but Royal Delta held on to win by 2-1/2 lengths. That win earned her the lion's share of the $250,000 purse. The $150,000 winner's share moved her earnings up to $219,000. After the race Royal Delta was covered with a blanket of Daisies, Black-Eyed Susans and pink ribbon.
On July 23, 2011 Royal Delta ran a game third in the Coaching Club American Oaks
against an all-star cast. It's Tricky
won the CCA Oaks by 3/4 of a length over Kentucky Oaks
winner Plum Pretty, it was two lengths back to Royal Delta in the show spot. On August 20, 2011 Royal Delta rolled to a five and a half length victory in the $500,000 grade one Alabama Stakes
avenging her loss against both Plum Pretty and It's Tricky
from a month earlier. Royal Delta finished the mile and a quarter race (10 furlongs) in 2:03.13 under jockey Jose Lezcano
.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. She has won three of her first four outings. The daughter of Empire Maker
Empire Maker
Empire Maker is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Owned and bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms, he was sired by champion Unbridled, winner of the 1990 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic...
will best be remembered for winning the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, the grade one Alabama Stakes
Alabama Stakes
The Alabama Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old fillies. Inaugurated in 1872, the Grade I race is run over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on the dirt track at Saratoga Race Course. Held in mid August, it currently offers a purse of $500,000...
and posting a 2-1/2 length score in the mile and an eighth Grade II
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
$250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
at Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
on May 20, 2011.
Early racing career
Trained by Bill MottBill Mott
William I. "Bill" Mott is an American horse trainer, most notable for his work with Cigar. Mott earned the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer in 1995 and 1996. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1998 at the age of 45, becoming the second-youngest trainer ever...
, she won a 2 length score in her debut as a two-year old in a one mile maiden special weight race on October 30, 2010 at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
. She then finished off the board at ninth in the Suncoast Stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs. In her third career start she raced at Keeneland Race Course and won an allowance race on the synthetic. Her connections decided to enter her in the second jewel of America's defacto Filly Triple Crown, the Black-eyed Susan Stakes.
Royal Delta was the third choice at 3-1 on the morning line in a strong field of six stakes winners. But as the gates opened up she went off as the co-favorite at 9-5. When the gates opened she veered inside and settled immediately to be one of the trailers. On the club house turn she moved into a stalker's position about four lengths back in fifth place. Around the final turn, Royal Delta's jockey Jose Lezcano
Jose Lezcano
Jose Lezcano is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He rides in New York in the spring, summer and fall and spends the winter in Florida. His big break came in 2008 when he won a Breeders' Cup race....
chose to take the inside path along the rail and passed two. At the top of the stretch she passed morning line favorite Wyomia and ran down leader Hot Summer and moved to a three length lead. Approaching the wire Buster's Ready made a rush at her but Royal Delta held on to win by 2-1/2 lengths. That win earned her the lion's share of the $250,000 purse. The $150,000 winner's share moved her earnings up to $219,000. After the race Royal Delta was covered with a blanket of Daisies, Black-Eyed Susans and pink ribbon.
On July 23, 2011 Royal Delta ran a game third in the Coaching Club American Oaks
Coaching Club American Oaks
The Coaching Club American Oaks is a race for thoroughbred three-year old fillies and the second leg of the Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing. Originally run at Belmont Park, the Grade I $250,000 stakes race was moved to Saratoga Race Course in 2010....
against an all-star cast. It's Tricky
It's Tricky (horse)
It's Tricky is a American Thoroughbred filly.Owned by Godolphin Racing LLC and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, she won the Busher Stakes, the Acorn Stakes and the Coaching Club American Oaks....
won the CCA Oaks by 3/4 of a length over Kentucky Oaks
Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers 1⅛ miles at Churchill Downs; the horses carry 121 pounds . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year...
winner Plum Pretty, it was two lengths back to Royal Delta in the show spot. On August 20, 2011 Royal Delta rolled to a five and a half length victory in the $500,000 grade one Alabama Stakes
Alabama Stakes
The Alabama Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old fillies. Inaugurated in 1872, the Grade I race is run over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on the dirt track at Saratoga Race Course. Held in mid August, it currently offers a purse of $500,000...
avenging her loss against both Plum Pretty and It's Tricky
It's Tricky (horse)
It's Tricky is a American Thoroughbred filly.Owned by Godolphin Racing LLC and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, she won the Busher Stakes, the Acorn Stakes and the Coaching Club American Oaks....
from a month earlier. Royal Delta finished the mile and a quarter race (10 furlongs) in 2:03.13 under jockey Jose Lezcano
Jose Lezcano
Jose Lezcano is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He rides in New York in the spring, summer and fall and spends the winter in Florida. His big break came in 2008 when he won a Breeders' Cup race....
.