Royal Delta – Grade III
GP Race #6 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Z Command Smokey Stover Velazquez J R

I know how much Smokey Stover will want to breed this BC Distaff winner so it is a sure tell that at five she is still racing. Her efforts after the Grade one Personal Ensign win last year have been a little disappointing but she has been saddled with some rough draws so it may pay to forgive her recent form. I have a feeling from the ace box today we will see the old Z Command that has seen her rack up multiple grade ones and as she gets into this grade three with no penalty i would make her my top pick.

2 Prime Illusion Nakamura Stables Jaramillo E

This stable has been on fire for a while now so it is hard to find a reason not to go with their horses but whilst this one has every chance i just can’t see it beating Z Command if that mare is at her best. This four year old however deserves plenty of respect having placed third in the FG Oaks and won the Ballerina last year. Her first run this year was very encouraging storming home for second in the La Canada Stakes and on that effort will make her a contender today.

3 Giveaway Nakamura Stables Saez L

The stable has done well with the draw here and their second runner gets in box three. This is a different type to Prime Illusion being fairly lightly raced and looking more like an up and comer than her stable mate. A regular on the state bred circuit she has been consistent recently and i very much liked the 1.36 and 3 she worked after her seasonal debut. She could turn out to be a bigger danger than her stable mate.

4 Speedy Ginger The Sidley Stud Gaffalione T

This trainer gets plenty of wins out of their horses and this one stands at nine. Most of her wins have come at a lower level but she has been pretty consistent in her long career and going on her recent work maybe finding a little improvement later in life. On form she has a little to find but this trainer doesn’t waste entry fee’s so i expect her to run well.

5 Starship Twister TwinTowersRacing Alvarado J

This trainer as been known to pull off some big priced wins in these types of races and this one falls into that sort of catagorey. The winner of five she has struggled in this sort of grade in the past but an impressive win in and open allowance on seasonal debut suggests she is favored by the new race engine and again she may just be at the sort of odds that are worth a dollar each way.

6 Steady Acquaintance Nakamura Stables Lopez P

The third runner from the stable who has a loaded hand here . This one has won her last four including the Turnback The Alarm Handicap at grade three so could well be the stable pick here but her wider draw certainly brings in the other two. The plus for her is that her best form is her recent form suggesting she is just the sort to overtake some of the more accomplished runners.

7 Forever Phooey Party Night Rider Stables Bravo J

Last but not least is another stable that is used to winning races like this although the wide draw stats of this four year old suggest she may be up against it today. The winner of the grade two Beldame last year she is working about the same as everything else and has good enough frm to be a big factor, its just that wide draw that worries me.

SUMMARY

If Z Command is within a length of her best then she wins this and i think the biggest factor for her here will be her ace draw. If something goes amiss with her then it may be one of the Nakamura Trio that chases her home but which one is anyone’s guess.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES