Royal Delta looking good for Personal Ensign

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Saratoga Springs, NY (Sports Network) - Champion female thoroughbred Royal Delta solidified her place in the Personal Ensign Invitational with an excellent workout on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course.

Owned by Besilu Stables, Royal Delta went a half-mile in 47.48 seconds with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott watching.

"She's had a couple works here and she's doing well," said Mott on Monday. "She seemed like she came out of her work in good order. She'll work again before the race, I guess next weekend. She's been working (quickly) recently. She's working right along, but she's doing that well within herself. She's not being pushed to do that; she's doing that on her own courage, under wraps."

The 5-year-old mare won the Delaware Handicap last month by better than 10 lengths in her first start since finishing second in the Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs in June. Royal Delta began 2013 by winning the Sabin at Gulfstream Park, but finished up the track behind Animal Kingdom in the Dubai World Cup.

The Personal Ensign will be run on Sunday, Aug. 25.