Curlin’s Approval romps in Royal Delta

Happy Alter’s homebred Curlin’s Approval easily captured Saturday’s $200,000 Royal Delta Stakes (G2) by six lengths at Gulfstream Park.

The dark bay daughter of Curlin tracked the pacesetting Verve’s Tale through opening spltis of :24.53, :48.74 and 1:13.47. Jockey Luis Saez allowed Curlin’s Approval to slide right on by that one nearing the final turn and the pair powered into the lane holding the advantage.

Curlin’s Approval continued motoring in the stretch, pulling clear of Mo’ Green in second by six lengths and finishing 1 1/16 miles over the fast main track in 1:44.90.

Sent off the 4-5 favorite, Curlin’s Approval paid $3.60 for the Royal Delta win. Mo’ Green attracted 13-1 odds but was easily best-of-the-rest while 5 1/4 lengths in front of 2-1 second choice Eskenformoney. Verve’s Tale finished another 1 1/4 lengths back in fourth while Venom Girl and Caboclo do Rio completed the order under the wire.

Curlin’s Approval is no stranger to the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle, with all five of her wins now coming at the Hallandale Beach, Florida, venue. The Marty Wolfson trainee captured the Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) to kick off her four-year-old season on January 28 and scored in the Added Elegance Stakes last August. The Kentucky-bred also just missed by three parts of a length when second in the Rampart Stakes (G3) on December 17.

The only other track Curlin’s Approval has competed over was Keeneland, which resulted in a nice fourth in the Raven Run Stakes (G2) last October. Her career line now stands at 8-5-1-0 and she’s banked $307,495 lifetime.

The Alter’s Racing Stable colorbearer is the only registered stakes winner out of the With Approval mare Withmom’sapproval.