Belmont Park: Princess of Sylmar likely finished racing for season

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ELMONT, N.Y. - Owner Ed Stanco said Sunday that he is leaning toward stopping on Princess of Sylmar for 2013, but he is definitely planning on bringing her back for a 4-year-old campaign.

Princess of Sylmar upset two-time champion Royal Delta in Saturday’s Grade 1 Beldame Invitational, her fourth consecutive Grade 1 victory. She became the first 3-year-old filly to win the Beldame since Imperial Gesture in 2002. Seven 3-year-old fillies had since tried – including Royal Delta in 2011 – and none was successful.

Stanco said that he is inclined to skip the Breeders’ Cup Distaff not because he has to put up a $100,000 supplemental fee to run, but because he wants to freshen her up for next year.

“Put the nomination money aside,” Stanco said. “I think she’s done enough in her division. She’s done it all and then she won against the top older female.

“It reminded me of the days when the Jockey Club and Beldame were deciding races in their divisions. She got it done, stepped out of her class, took on the champ, and beat her. There’s no more to do. I don’t know what we’ll do yet, but that’s where I’m starting to come down. I really want to make sure she’s good for next year.”

In looking ahead to 2014, Stanco said two of the races that interest him are the Delaware Handicap, typically run in July, because it’s at 1 1/4 miles, and the Personal Ensign, run at 1 1/8 miles in August in Saratoga. Stanco also said the La Troienne at Churchill, typically run the same day as the Kentucky Oaks, could be an early-season target .

Princess of Sylmar, trained by Todd Pletcher, earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure in the Beldame.