Royal Ship is in “good form” according to Gary Mandella, son of Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, who missed the gelding’s winning ride in the July 30 San Diego Handicap (G2) game at Del Mar due to COVID-19 illness.
“He sounded a lot better when the Royal Ship won than he did this morning without the adrenaline,” Mandella said. “Thanks to things like TVG, he’s been able to watch it all. You’re definitely going to miss a lot less in these situations than you used to.”
Despite facing formidable opponents like Country Grammer , Stilleto boy and Mandaloun yesterday afternoon, Mandella never doubted that her 6-year-old son Shipman likely to land in San Diego.
Mandella said: “(Royal Ship was) a horse that all those who were around him always believed he was just as good.” “First after he came from Brazil, he had some really bad rides and was trying to run some really big races and there was no strategy in the situation to show it off.
“Don’t forget, he traded punches pretty evenly with Country Grammer last year.”
There are currently no future plans for the high-stakes winner as Mandella is waiting for her father’s health to return.
“I have a very mild case,” Mandella said. “He’s fine but he’s staying at home because that’s what you have to do. He’s fighting it a bit but he’ll be fine.”
