Royal Delta rallies to win Alabama Stakes
August 20, 2011SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) - Royal Delta rallied strongly in the stretch and drew away to a 51/2-length victory in the $500,000 Alabama Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Saturday at Saratoga.
Jose Lezcano rode Royal Delta, who took the lead with less than a furlong to run and was quickly in control in what was the first stakes victory of her career. She ran 11/4 miles in 2:03.12 and earned $300,000 for her owner, Palides Investments.
The Bill Mott-trained Royal Delta, who has now won four of six career races, paid $13, $6.40 and $4.50. Runner-up It's Tricky, winner of the Acorn Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks but denied a sweep of the New York Racing Association's Triple Tiara series, paid $3.90 and $3.30. Pinch Pie, third of six, returned $5.20 to show.