Dale Ladner

Gearing up for a start at Saratoga, the fast and consistent 4-year-old filly Alva Starr (Lord Nelson) was euthanized Wednesday at Delaware Park after what was supposed to be a routine workout. "It was a regular work and everything was going fine," said owner Dale Ladner. "There were no issues. Then, turning for home she switched leads and there was a problem with her right rear. "Obviously, it had to be pretty bad for us to make the decision to put her down. This is the first time I have...

Dale P. Ladner's Alva Starr (Lord Nelson), a smashing winner over older female sprinters while making her stakes debut in the Dashing Beauty S. at Delaware Park July 8, negotiated the hike into graded stakes company with aplomb, routing four rivals in Saturday's GII Prioress S. at Saratoga. Sent off as the 7-2 third choice, with GIII Victory Ride S. runner-up Dazzling Blue (Into Mischief) the pari-mutuel princess at 3-5, the bay--bred by Ladner in partnership with trainer Brett Brinkman--attended a sharp early pace while three wide, turned back a...