Royal Delta (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
GP- For Filles and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
February 18, 2017

There seemed to be a pretty good favorite coming into this race, but if that filly, Dirty Deeds, did not run her best race, everything appeared to be wide open.  That is what happened, and the win goes to a newer member of the John Henry barn, in Mint Condition.   It was not a surprise that this was one of those who stepped up, as we did have her amongst our picks.   The win is the fourth in her career, but the first in a graded event.    There is not much history to compare this race to as this was just the second edition of the race, but it did run ever so slightly quicker then last year when Hydro won.  Aboard the winner here was J L Ortiz, and it went in a time of 1:42.18.  Congratulations to the winners! Here’s a look at it!

1st- 2- Mint Condition (7/2)- Our eventual winner from John Henry got off to a good start from the gate, and would be third in the run up to the opening turn.  While rounding this turn, it looked like J L Ortiz was thinking about splitting City Bus and Effortless Admiral for a little bit before wisely deciding to tuck her in on the rail behind City Bus for the backstretch trip. She would stalk the front runners during that stage of the race, running a length and a half behind them.   Soon after entering the final turn, Mint Condition nudged the tiring Effortless Admiral out of the way to get a clear lane for herself to be able to make the pass of City Bus, who was hanging tough.  At the top of the stretch, she still had a length to make up, and you had to wonder if there was going to become a run from someone behind her.  With half a furlong to go, she would complete the winning pass, and anyone behind her was simply running at her speed and not poised to make a challenge.  From there, Mint Condition just had a little more to go to pick up the win, which she does in a time of 1:42.18!  Mint Condition is a four year old filly by Quench and out of Whisky Dame.  She was bred in Ontario by Australia Wide, and was acquired by John Henry via private sales in November for $150.000.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 4- City Bus (3/1)- After a smooth start from everyone, City Bus emerged with the lead for trainer Tiratzo as they made their way into the opening turn, setting the opening quarter in a time of :23.74.  As they moved into the backstretch, Effortless Admiral moved up to challenge her for that spot.  She did very well in response to that challenge, running a half in :47.71, and getting her length lead back at the end of the backstretch and moving in to our final turn.    Held the lead throughout the turn, and still looked full of run for the stretch.  She ran well in the stretch and attempt to hang with Mint Condition briefly, but could not do so.

3rd- 1- Sweet Release (51/1)- The longshot from Joseph Racing was steady but unhurried out of the gate, and ultimately as they made their way into the backstretch she would be one of the ones toward the back.  Did not really show much interest to get involved over the first half of the race, and seemed to just be waiting for her moment to strike while riding the rail.  In the turn, she held her ground, never making a major push, but running in a consistent stride.  That would be good enough.

4th- 5 (dh)- Geek Watch (4/1)- The filly form Nakamura Stables would pass on running with the leaders early, and eventually went all the way to the back.  She was never far out though, being just three and a half from the leaders at the top of the backstretch, and that distance to the front would be the same as they moved into the turn as well, as she was not looking like she was poised to strike at this time.  Seemed to have the ideal lane for the run in the stretch behind Mint Condition, but could not keep up with her.

4th- 6 (dh)- Dirty Deeds (2/1)- Seemed to be fine out of the gate initially for Aer Stables, but the post time favorite struggled heading into the first turn due to her outside position.  Seemed to lose a lot of ground here, and would be at the back with Geek Watch moving into the backstretch.  Ran three wide for the duration of the backstretch without making any push towards to the front.  That outside trip now became about four or even five while rounding the turn, and given all the extra race track she seemed to cover today, she didn’t enough left in the tank for the stretch.

6th- 3- Effortless Admiral (9/2)- Sharp out of the gate for Ekli Stable, stalking City Bus while rounding the opening turn, and then pulling up to her outside to challenge her for the top spot.  It would only be a challenge, as she could not pull off the pass and lost a length moving into the top of the turn.  From that point and onward, it would be a gradual descent to this ultimate finish at the back.

Track: Fast
Time: :23³  :47³  1:11¹  1:42

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 4 Paid 12.60
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 4 – 1 Paid 847.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES