Battlefield Angel takes Christiana Stakes

Battlefield Angel, Grade 1-placed as a 2-year-old last fall, shipped in from Kentucky to capture Wednesday’s $50,250 Christiana Stakes for 3-year-old turf fillies at Delaware Park.

Ridden by Daniel Centeno, Battlefield Angel ($6.60), the second choice in a field reduced to seven by three scratches, challenged pacesetter Legal Laura approaching the final turn, took the lead at the top of the stretch, and withstood late rallies by runner-up Queen’s Song and 9-5 favorite Black Elegance to prevail by three-quarters of a length. The winning time for a mile on firm turf was 1:36.97.

A daughter of Proud Citizen trained by Kellyn Gorder for John and Martha Jane Mulholland, Battlefield Angel was coming off a four-length win a month ago at Arlington Park. In her previous stakes appearance, she outran her 42-1 odds to get third in the Grade 1 Alcibiades on Keeneland’s Polytrack. She is now 3 for 7 with earnings of $127,315.

Queenie’s Song, trained by Graham Motion, was making her first start since late March. She held for second by a nose. Black Elegance was making her North American debut for trainer Rick Mettee and owner Team Valor International after going 2 for 2 in Italy at 2.