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| Royal Delta (right) and Tiz Miz Sue down the stretch |
Delaware Park, but the DelCap as well, expectations for the race where high. Especially after last year's race where it came down to the wire between Blind Luck and Havre de Grace. This year had the makings of another classic, not only was the defending Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic winner Royal Delta in the house, but Awesome Maria who was trying to rebound from a bad race in the Ogden Phipps. It ended up coming down to two fillies once again, but 1 of the fillies wasn't the one who was supposed to be there at the end. With Awesome Maria's stablemate Love and Pride who had won the Obeah setting very hot fractions both her and Royal Delta moved at the same time. As did Tiz Miz Sue who was second to Havre de Grace in last year's Obeah and again this year to Love and Pride.
It looked like that the local was going to pull off the monster upset, but the defending 3yo Champion would not be denied as she won by a neck with Awesome Maria in third. No excuse for Pattack it just wasn't her day, and the field that It's Tricky beat in the Phipps (expect for A. Maria) looks a little suspect now IMO as Cash for Clunkers finished last. So where does this leave the Older Female Division? Royal Delta I think still has the top spot, but It's Tricky is a very close second. Depending on who you talk to, you could even say that It's Tricky because she has the G1 win is tops for now. We'll find out in a couple of weeks when the Personal Ensign happens at a new distance (sadly) of a mile and a eighth.
As great as the race was, I didn't hear anyone talk about it as I was leaving like I did last year. Maybe it's because Grace and BL had faced off the year before in the Oaks when the latter was trying to rebound and the former was an upstart. Or maybe it would have been talked about more had Delta had been upset. Overall, Delaware Park has to be pleased with the result yesterday. The crowd looked good from my point of view and the fence where I stand to take the photos was pretty crowded. Actually when I had gotten back from the paddock, I went straight to the fence since there where people already there when I got there.
Overall it was good day, I will have more photos in a couple of days. For now though, I hope you enjoy the photo that I posted. There is also an album on the Furlong Drive Facebook page which you can find here.
