Royal Delta is the likely favorite for the 75th running of the $750,000 Grade II Delaware Handicap on Saturday at Delaware Park. The draw for the mile-and-a-quarter filly and mare summer classic will be Wednesday.
Royal Delta, a Kentucky-bred conditioned by William Mott, breezed five furlongs in 1:001/5 Sunday.
"She is doing great," Mott said. "She had a work at Belmont on Sunday. It was a very nice work. The plan is to bring her to Delaware on race day."
After finishing second in the Grade III Sabin at Gulfstream Park and ninth in the Grade I Emirates Air Dubai World Cup, the 4-year-old daughter of Empire Maker bounced back in spectacular fashion in her most recent race. On June 16, she notched an 8-length score in the Grade II Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Mott is not concerned with the mile-and-a-quarter (she won at that distance in the Alabama at Saratoga last year) as much as with Royal Delta's making her first start at Delaware Park.
"The distance does not bother me, but I have heard it can be tough to ship into Delaware," he said.
Royal Delta has a career record of six wins, two seconds and a third in 11 starts, with earnings of $1,813,851.
Meanwhile, trainer Richard Violette Jr. can't wait to see how Cash for Clunkers will do.
"Pedigree-wise, she is supposed to be able to get a mile-and-a-quarter. It is a great race and I am dying to try it," Violette said.
In her most recent race, the 4-year-old daughter of Tiznow led the way before finishing second to It's Tricky in the mile-and-a-16th (one-turn) Grade I Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont Park on May 28. Previously, the Kentucky-bred was unbeaten this year with a victory in the $90,000 Heatherten at Belmont Park and two allowance scores. She has a career record of four wins, two seconds, and a third in seven starts with earnings of $261,000.
