Horse racing: Royal Delta repeats victory in Ladies' Classic at Breeders' Cup

Arcadia, Calif. • Royal Delta led all the way in winning the $2 million Ladies' Classic by 1½ lengths on Friday at Santa Anita, making the defending champion the only favorite to win on an upset-filled opening day of the Breeders' Cup.

Jockey Mike Smith earned his 16th victory in the event's 29-year history, breaking a tie for most wins with fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey.

"I hope to be around a few more years to add to it," the 47-year-old rider said.

Royal Delta gave Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott his second consecutive win and fifth overall in the Ladies' Classic, putting him in position to sweep the weekend's biggest races, a feat he accomplished last year. He has three runners in the $5 million Classic on Saturday, a race he won last year with Drosselmeyer.

"We're certainly not counting our chickens before they hatch," Mott said. "I think any one of the three has a chance."

Royal Delta was the 8-5 favorite in the field of eight fillies and mares, considered one of the deepest fields among the 15 races during the world championships. She ran 11⁄8 miles in 1:48.80 and paid $5.40, $3.60 and $2.60. She won by 2 ½ lengths last year with Jose Lezcano aboard.

This time, Royal Delta took charge early, making her way to the lead on a brisk pace. Turning for home, it appeared My Miss Aurelia and Include Me Out were going to overtake Royal Delta, but Smith applied a left-handed whip and she dug in gamely to hold off the challenge.

"She's just brilliant, she really is," Smith said. "I was always taught when you're on a talented horse stay out of their way. I felt confident all the way around there."

My Miss Aurelia returned $5.80 and $4, losing for the first time in seven career races.

Include Me Out was another 1¼ lengths back in third and paid $5.20 to show.

Six different jockeys, trainers and owners won each of the Breeders' Cup races in front of 34,619 fans on a sunny day.

The biggest upset was Calidoscopio's 4¼-length victory in the $500,000 Marathon, jockey Aaron Gryder's first Breeders' Cup win. The 17-1 shot from Argentina paid $36.40 to win and at 9 became the oldest Breeders' Cup champion.

Age also played a part in the second-biggest upset. Sent off at 15-1 odds, Hightail kicked off the two-day world championships with a nose victory in the $500,000 Juvenile Sprint, giving Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas his leading 19th Breeders' Cup victory at 77. —

Saturday's TV schedule

P Breeders' Cup World Championships, 1:30 p.m., NBCSN

• Breeders' Cup Classic, 6 p.m., Ch. 5