Champion Letruska is back in Royal Delta

Letruska Her first test to defend her 2021 season championship begins on February 26 when she returns with $150,000 Royal Delta Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Eclipse Award-winning older schoolgirl Letruska of St. George Stable has won six of eight starts in 2021, including four in 1st grade. Her only losses have come in the nearest second in the spring to Shed mosthedevil in Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park after she broke out slowly, and finished 10th this past fall at the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) in Del Mar. In California, she became fatigued after engaging in a speedfight on the last stop of a long campaign.

Trainer Fausto Gutierrez said: “After 13 months on the move, she’s probably not the same horse.

Royal Delta conditions play to her strengths. Despite some opposing speeds in the 1/16-mile race, none of her competitors proved to be fast enough to keep up with Letruska, a 6-year-old running ahead. Super savings mare. The race also ends at what is usually the sixteenth column, leaving those who close with a short to try to catch her.

But it was after those victories that she rose to become one of the dominant mares in America after her first championship in Mexico.

“It’s very important. This is the horse that took all the steps to the championship. She came from abroad and came here. She took it one step at a time and finally last year she won. six classification races, four 1st place,” said Gutierrez. “She’s a great horse.”

Letruska is back from a series of sprints at the Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida. Jose Ortiz rides.

“She can still run because she’s in very good shape. I think this is the perfect spot to come back,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said she will likely pursue a title defense in the April 23 (G1) Apple Blossom handicap in Oaklawn after Royal Delta.

Phoenix Thoroughbred III’s Crazy beautiful also begins her seventh year. Last year, at the age of 3, she won four races, including the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in 2021. She last raced on November 26 in the Comely Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct race trackabout third.

“She won here in two turns, so I think that’s the best next step,” coach Kenny McPeek said.

The Map of Liam filly also won Summertime Oaks (G2) at Santa Anita . Park and Delaware Oaks (G3) last season.

“She’s just a good person. She’s close to winning a million dollars,” McPeek said. “She’s doing well here this winter.”

Corey Lanerie on board Crazy Beautiful.

Augustin Stable’s Into Vanishing Arindel’s Key Biscayne Steven Dwoskin’s Help Lisa EASY Robert Baron’s Family time and Franco Meli’s Il Malocchio complete this field.