Belmont: Beldame pits Havre de Grace versus Royal Delta
Havre de Grace will break from the outside post in five-horse field entered to run 1 1/8 miles in Saturday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Beldame Invitational, which will run as race 9, just prior to the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.
BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE: Racing schedule, replays, and past winners >>
Havre de Grace is coming off a 1 1/4-length victory against males in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga on Sept. 3. Trainer Larry Jones said he is hoping that his filly doesn’t have to work too hard in the Beldame, designed to be a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic against the boys.
“We want to come in and get a good race under her belt,’’ Jones said earlier this week. “We’re hoping it doesn’t take 110-percent effort to do it. She is sitting on that kind of performance. She will do it if we need it.’’
She may need to run her best with Alabama winner Royal Delta in the field. Royal Delta, who is 4 for 6 in her career, is training sharply at Belmont Park for trainer Bill Mott.
Rounding out the five-horse field are Life At Ten, the defending Beldame winner; Satans Quick Chick, and Banker’s Buy.
Beldame Invitational Field
| POST | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Life At Ten |
J. Velazquez 123 Lbs |
T. Pletcher |
|
|
Royal Delta |
J. Lezcano 120 Lbs |
W. Mott |
|
|
Banker's Buy |
C. Nakatani 123 Lbs |
N. Zito |
|
|
Satans Quick Chick |
E. Prado 123 Lbs |
J. Odintz |
|
|
Havre de Grace |
R. Dominguez 123 Lbs |
J. Jones |
