Princess of Sylmar works, will be pointed to Delaware Handicap

ELMONT, N.Y. – Princess of Sylmar completed preparations for her start in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Delaware Handicap by working four furlongs in 48.85 seconds Sunday morning over Belmont Park’s training track.

The move, the third for Princess of Sylmar since her runner-up finish to Close Hatches in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap here June 7, was done in company with Unlimited Budget. The team went basically together through an opening quarter in 25.37 seconds and came home in a sharp 23.48. The pair galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.79. Exercise rider Annie Finney did ask Princess of Sylmar to finish well down the lane.

“She’s the type of filly if you ask her, she will give. If you don’t, then she won’t,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “She’s a decent work horse, finished well, moving well. All indications are she’s in good form.”

Pletcher will be attempting to win his fifth Delaware Handicap. His previous winners include Life at Ten (2010), Unbridled Belle (2007), Fleet Indian (2006), and Irving’s Belle (2001). Perhaps one reason for that is that Pletcher has fillies who like to go 1 1/4 miles, the distance of the Del Cap.

Princess of Sylmar proved her ability to get that distance last year when she won the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga.

“She didn’t have any trouble with it in the Alabama. I would think it’s fine,” Pletcher said. “Only concern is that Delaware can be a little quirky and sometimes be a little hot. We’ll hope we get a little break in the weather.”

Pletcher said Princess of Sylmar would ship to Delaware the morning of the race.

Pletcher said Unlimited Budget is possible for the Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee at Saratoga on July 27.

In other notable works Sunday, the Manhattan winner Real Solution worked four furlongs in company with the Grade 1 winning filly Stephanie’s Kitten, both being timed in 49.50 seconds over the inner turf course. It was the first breeze for Real Solution, who trainer Chad Brown said got sick shortly after the Manhattan. Brown said Real Solution is being pointed to the Grade 1 Arlington Million on Aug. 16, a race he won last year by disqualification.

Brown took the blinkers off Stephanie’s Kitten and liked the way she breezed. She is being considered for the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga on July 19.