Saratoga: Royal Delta headed to Alabama

Trainer Bill Mott toyed with the idea of having his 3-year-old filly Royal Delta make her turf debut in Sunday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Lake Placid Stakes. Ultimately he decided against that and instead will stick with his original plan of running her in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Alabama.

“She’s good enough on dirt – she’s a Grade 2 winner – she deserves a chance in there,’’ Mott said. “The prestige of the Alabama, it’s a Grade 1, it’s more money, I think those are the reasons. We might consider the grass later on down the road.’’

Royal Delta won the Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico in May, but missed the Mother Goose at Belmont n June due to a foot bruise. Royal Delta finished a well-beaten third behind It’s Tricky and Plum Pretty in the Coaching Club American Oaks here on July 24.

“I don’t think the pace set up worked out for her,’’ Mott said. “We got her too far back behind there. I think we need to let her run a little more freely.’’

Mott said Jose Lezcano will maintain the mount for the Alabama. Others expected for the race include It’s Tricky and Plum Pretty as well as Inglorious, St. John’s River, and possibly Believe in A.P. and Pinch Pie.