Queen Nekia ($60.60) makes Royal Delta first graded stakes victory

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - A frenetic pace and a picture-perfect, ground-saving trip was the perfect combination for Queen Nekia as she become a graded stakes winner for the first time with a surprising 1 3/4-length victory over Eres Tu as a 29-1 outsider in Saturday’s Grade3 Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park.

Queen Nekia had won just once in seven starts since finishing third, beaten less than a length, over a sloppy track in the 2020 edition of the 1 1/16-mile Royal Delta. She had been idle since finishing fourth behind her stablemate Gibberish in the Treasure Chest Stakes at Delta Downs on Nov. 27. And it was Gibberish who helped play a major role in Queen Nekia’s victory in the Royal Delta. Both Queen Nekia and Gibberish are trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.

As expected, Gibberish went right to the lead from her inside post under jockey Tyler Gaffalione. What wasn’t expected was seeing 3-2 favorite Mrs. Danvers get a little rank and headstrong in the run to the first turn and engage Gibberish for command through a sizzling 46.48-second opening half-mile split.

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Queen Nekia, reserved by jockey Corey Lanerie at the rear of the eight-horse field for the opening five furlongs, advancing to closer contention along the rail on the second turn before having to check briefly behind the tiring Gibberish after leaving the three-eighths marker. Lanerie was able to secure room inside her uncoupled - and, at that point, tiring - mate turning into the stretch, quickly overtook Ever Tu while remaining along the inner fence leaving the furlong grounds, and won going away.

Eres Tu raced well placed off the embattled leaders, moved four wide to readily take command nearing the quarter pole, edged clear, but could not withstand the winner while never switching off her left lead through the stretch. It was another 4 3/4 lengths farther back to Bajan Girl, who finished third in a field of eight older fillies and mares.

Gibberish finished a tiring fourth, well in front of Mrs. Danvers, who never settled into a comfortable stride and retired after six furlongs.

Queen Nekia, a 6-year-old daughter of Harlington owned by Ken Copenhaver, completed the distance in 1:43.62 over a fast track and paid $60.60.

“The plan was for Gibberish to get on the lead because she likes to battle,” Joseph said. “I thought the other horse (Mrs. Danvers) would take back. I was surprised Jose (Ortiz) was so forceful to make the lead with her. It kind of hurt Gibberish, but obviously the race set up for Queen Nekia. Both our horses came into this race training their best. It was just a question of whether they were good enough. That’s Corey’s pattern move, to ride the rails. This graded stakes win, for Queen Nekia, is huge. She’s a former $25,000 claimer. This win makes her very valuable as a broodmare.”