Sadly, the three-time Eclipse Award winner, Royal Delta passed away at the age of 9 on Feb. 10.
On Saturday, at Gulfstream Park, the race that bears her name, attracted a short field and two short-priced favorites… but there’s a longshot in the field that I think could spice up the exotics.
Here’s a look at the field:
Verve’s Tale
After finishing in the money in each of her first seven starts, this daughter of Tale of Ekati promptly won two races in a row, including the Grade III Comely in ultra-impressive fashion.
Fair Odds: 4-1
Curlin’s Approval
She just won the Grade III Hurricane Bertie while recording the best late speed ration (LSR) of her career (-6). She’s a very deserving favorite.
Fair Odds: 1-1
Mo’ Green
Won an optional claiming event last time, but faces much tougher here.
Fair Odds: 6-1
Venom Girl
Five-year-old daughter of Stevie Wonderboy just won and was claimed for $6,250; on Saturday, she tackles Grade III company. The funny thing is, in many ways, she fits. Yeah, she’s a little slow — her last-race Brisnet speed figure of 92 is eight points less than the race par — but her overall early speed rations (ESRs) rank first in the field, while her overall LSRs rank second. Call me crazy, but I give her a puncher’s chance to go wire to wire.
Fair Odds: 12-1
Eskenformoney
Overhauled Curlin’s Approval in the Rampart to garner her first Grade III score. Her connections — trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Javier Castellano — are top-notch, but I don’t see a lot of upside at the stingy morning line price.
Fair Odds: 7-2
Caboclo Do Rio
Trainer Angel Quiroz’s other entry has been in poor form since arriving from Chile and would be a surprise in this spot.
Fair Odds: 30-1
My Plays:
$10 exacta 2-4 ($15).
$5 exacta 4-2 ($5).
$2 trifecta 2 with 1,4,5 with 1,4,5 ($12).
$0.50 superfecta 2 with 1,4,5 with 1,3,4,5,6 with 1,3,4,5,6 ($18).
Total — $50
