Serving as a feeder into the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1), the Beldame Invitational Stakes (G1) has been won by some divisional monsters over the last 20 runnings, including Havre de Grace, Life at Ten, Ashado, Sightseek (twice), Riboletta, Beautiful Pleasure, Sharp Cat, Serena’s Song and Heavenly Prize.
Royal Delta won last year’s Ladies’ Classic, but her results this season have been a mixed bag. In her 4-year-old debut, she finished an uninspiring second behind the since retired Awesome Maria in the Sabin Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, and a trip to the Group 1 Dubai World Cup five weeks later proved slightly fool-hearted. Off 10 weeks following the desert clunker, she returned to top form in the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, scoring perhaps the most impressive victory of her career. In the Delaware Handicap (G2), Royal Delta took the lead on the turn for home, but looked ripe for the picking in deep stretch when engaged by Tiz Miz Sue. She won that race on pure class, digging deep to best that ambitious foe by a neck in that 1 ¼-mile race. Odds-on in the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) last out at Saratoga Race Course, she lost by a half-length to the longshot Love and Pride in what many would characterize as an uninspired performance.
Third in the Personal Ensign was It’s Tricky, but go back and watch the replay of the race. It was truly an incredible performance. A pace-presser by trade, she stumbled horribly at the start, losing several lengths. She recovered to stalk, and loomed boldly on the turn, but she simply couldn’t punch with the top two late. The one-turn, 1 1/8-mile distance Belmont provides for the Beldame is right up her ally.
The other five horses entered her simply fill the race, and I would be very surprised to see any of them visiting the charmed circle. Cash for Clunkers does own dangerous speed, and under the care of Todd Pletcher, Maristar may return to top form.
My selections:
It’s Tricky
Royal Delta
Cash for Clunkers
Maristar
$400,000 Beldame Invitational Stakes (G1)
Saturday, Belmont Park, Race 5, 2:58 p.m. EDT
1 1/8 miles, fillies & mares 3 years old & older
|
PP |
Horse |
Jockey |
Weight |
Trainer |
Odds |
|
1 |
Go Unbridled (NY) |
J. Rosario |
123 |
H A Jerkens |
20-1 |
|
2 |
Maristar (KY) |
J.R. Velazquez |
123 |
T A Pletcher |
15-1 |
|
3 |
Royal Delta (KY) |
M.E. Smith |
123 |
W I Mott |
even |
|
4 |
Cash for Clunkers (KY) |
A. Garcia |
123 |
R A Violette Jr. |
8-1 |
|
5 |
Disposablepleasure (KY) |
R.A. Dominguez |
120 |
T A Pletcher |
12-1 |
|
6 |
It's Tricky (KY) |
E. Castro |
123 |
K P McLaughlin |
7-5 |
|
7 |
Acting Happy (KY) |
J. Castellano |
123 |
R E Dutrow Jr. |
20-1 |
