Delia puts backup Elegant Bel in Miss America

Trainer Bill Delia expects to be in the winner’s circle after turf stakes races for fillies and mares, and Saturday’s $50,000-added Miss America at 1 1/16 miles at Golden Gate Fields is no exception.

This time, however, he won’t saddle Central Heat, the two-time Golden Poppy winner who put together a seven-race win streak after running second in the 2014 Miss America. Delia is instead counting on Elegant Bel, a 6-year-old Big Brown mare.

“[Central Heat] had a little setback after her last race,” Delia said, referring to a second-place finish to Mon Petite on the main track Oct. 30. “I thought we’d still try to run here, but it’s not in her best interest.”

Elegant Bel is a pretty good backup – so good that when Central Heat ran fifth in the Luther Burbank this summer at Santa Rosa, snapping a win streak that began in 2014, Elegant Bel greeted Delia in the winner’s circle after scoring an $18.60 upset.

“Hopefully, we’ll stay on the grass,” Delia said. “She loves grass and is way better on grass.”

Following her Luther Burbank victory, she was second to Central Heat on the Lakeside Turf Course here following Charming Starlet’s disqualification. She was fifth behind Saturday’s rivals Mon Petite, Hirja, and Envahir in that Oct. 30 race that got switched to the main track.

Five of her 11 rivals trailed her in the Luther Burbank. Southern California import Lady Valeur, looking for her first stakes victory, could provide the biggest threat.

Miss America, Race 6

Key Contenders

Elegant Bel, by Big Brown
Last 3 Beyers: 71-87-86

◗ Front-running type should be able to set the pace again. May have gone too fast early while opening up a big lead down the backstretch last time, but she used the same tactics in winning at 1 1/8 miles here in May. Barn enjoys success in the second start off a layoff and was pleased with last Sunday’s solid half-mile work.

Lady Valeur, by Multiplex
Last 3 Beyers: 85-83-84

◗ Has run in graded stakes in her past four starts, earning checks in three. The 3-year-old set the pace in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks but likely will stalk here in her first start against older rivals.

Mon Petite, by Papa Clem
Last 3 Beyers: 77-93-77

◗ Stalker type did little in first start for a new barn in Luther Burbank, but this sharp runner has won two straight, on turf and then on the main track here. Has four wins while hitting the board in eight of nine starts over this course. She’ll be a factor in the lane.