Besilu Stables’ Royal Delta took control after an early scramble for the lead and never looked back en route to a strong victory in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic at Santa Anita Park Nov. 2.

Trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Mike Smith, Royal Delta won the Ladies’ Classic for the second consecutive year. The 4-year-old Empire Maker filly was bred in Kentucky by Palides Investments and is the champion 3-year-old filly of 2011.

Royal Delta, who paid $5.40 to win, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.80 on a fast track. My Miss Aurelia, who sat inside behind the winner, rallied for second, while Include Me Out made a strong run into the stretch but flattened a bit to finish third.

Questing dropped well back at the start and was eased on the backstretch while struggling over the firm ground with no apparent injury. Meanwhile, Awesome Feather, 10-for-10 going into the Ladies’ Classic, tasted defeat for the first time

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