Gulfstream: Royal Delta will launch campaign in Sabin

February 13, 2012

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. Barring any complications, Royal Delta will make her much anticipated 2012 debut in the Grade 3 Sabin here at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 25.Trainer Bill Mott confirmed thats the race he has picked out for Royal Deltas first start since her easy victory in the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic and to use as a prep prior to her current goal, the $10 million Dubai World Classic, on March 31. The Sabin is carded at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.Royal Delta was purchased privately by Benjamin Leons Besilu Stable for $8.5 million at the Keeneland November sales just four days after her Breeders Cup victory and returned to Motts care later that month at Payson Park.Shes doing well, said Mott. Ive nominated her to the Sabin. Its the only spot I see for her if we want to run around here. The distance is a little short for her but the timing might work. Id like to get her started here, get a race into her, and then go to Dubai. I toyed with the idea of not running her and training her up to the World Cup but that would mean shed be going five months without a race.Mott also reported that To Honor and Serve has rejoined his stable at Payson but has yet to breeze this winter. To Honor and Serve has not started since winning the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Nov. 26.He hasnt breezed yet but weve got plenty of time, said Mott. Well probably look to bring him back early in the Belmont meet but I wont know exactly when until they get the stakes schedule out. They generally run the Westchester at a mile around that time and well use that as a prep for our first goal, which is the Met Mile. Well give him those two races and then everything will be kind of up in the air after that.Awesome Maria prepping for SabinThe Todd Pletcher barn was out in full force at Palm Meadows on Monday. Among his major workers aside from all of the stables top 3-year-old prospects was Awesome Maria, who breezed five furlongs in 1:00.23 and galloped out three- quarters in 1:14.78 in company with Liberty Bound. Awesome Maria, who has not started since winning the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont on June 11, is expected to join Royal Delta in the starting gate later this month in the Sabin.Shes been ready to run for a month but we couldnt get an allowance race to go so well probably be taking all the worst of it going into the Sabin off a June layoff, especially going up against a very talented filly like Royal Delta, said Pletcher.Other names of note on Mondays extremely busy tab at Palm Meadows, all of whom went a half-mile, included Pletchers undefeated Gemologist (49.77) and El Padrino (48.28 in company with stablemate Rockfield); trainer Nick Zitos pair of reigning Florida Derby winner Dialed In, who posted the bullet half of 47.30 and Jackson Bend, 48.40 in preparation for his upcoming start in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap; and the undefeated, 2010 Eclipse Award winner Awesome Feather, who also covered the distance in 48.40 over the fast track.Pletcher said Gemologist will make his 3-year-old debut either in the Tampa Bay Derby or Oaklawns Rebel Stakes while El Padrino remains on target for the Risen Star at Fair Grounds.