Royal Delta, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2011, will make her 2012 debut in the Sabin Stakes (gr. III) “barring any complications,” according to the Daily Racing Form. The 1 1/16-mile event is scheduled for Feb. 25 at Gulfstream Park.
“She’s doing well,” said Royal Delta’s Hall of Fame trainer, Bill Mott, in the Feb. 13 story.
The daughter of Empire Maker is being pointed for the $10 million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 31.
Benjamin Leon Jr.’s Besilu Stables purchased Royal Delta for $8.5 million at the 2011 Keeneland November breeding stock sale from Chanteclair Farm, agent for the dispersal of Palides Investments. The most expensive horse sold at the auction, she hasn’t raced since capturing the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) by 2 ½ lengths last Nov. 4.
Royal Delta has won five of her eight career races while earning $1,694,600.
