TDN RISING STARS

October 30, 2010 - Belmont Park, Race 4, Msw, USD $62,000, 1m

Royal Delta, F, 2, 2008 by Empire Maker

1st Dam: Delta Princess (MGSW, $740,918), by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Lyphard's Delta, by Lyphard
3rd Dam: Proud Delta, by Delta Judge

Owner: Saud bin Khaled
Breeder: Palides Investments NV Inc (KY)
Trainer: William I Mott

Royal Delta had put together a solid series of morning drills, but, hailing from the patient Bill Mott barn, went postward at 7-1. Unhurried in the early stages, the dark bay made her way forward heading into the turn, only to find herself stuck behind a wall of horses. Jockey Jose Lezcano took a big hold of her, and the pair found a seam to the outside. Finally swinging five wide while on her wrong lead, Royal Delta dispensed with her rivals in a matter of strides and, with her low head carriage, galloped off into the sunset, scoring by 12 lengths under a motionless Lezcano. She is the second foal from the talented turfer Delta Princess, who in turn is a full-sister to Grade I winner Indy Five Hundred and a 3/4-sister to recent Group 1 winner Biondetti (Bernardini), who is slated to represent Godolphin next week at the Breeders' Cup. Delta Princess has a yearling Empire Maker colt and a Street Sense weanling filly, and was bred to Smart Strike this past spring. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $37,200.