Kicking off the stakes action on Jockey Club Gold Cup day was the $400,000 Beldame Stakes (G1), a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. After 2 scratches, a short field of just 5 older fillies and mares went to post, with last year's Ladies Classic winner Royal Delta sent off as the 4-5 favorite, off a close second in the Personal Ensign (G1) after winning both the Fleur de Lis (G2) and Delaware Handicap (G2). In to challenge her included 6-5 second choice It's Tricky, third in the Personal Ensign after winning the Ogden Phipps (G1), and 7-1 third choice Cash for Clunkers, 7th in the Delaware Handicap last out.
It's Tricky and Royal Delta hooked up immediately as expected, with It's Tricky leading the favorite by 1/2 a length down the backstretch through fractions of 24.09, 46.70 and 1:10.19. Midway around the far turn, Royal Delta dismissed It's Tricky, opening up by 8 lengths in midstretch through 1 mile in 1:35.03 and finishing up 9 1/2 lengths clear in 1:48.80 over the good track. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to 17-1 Go Unbridled third.
Also on the card were the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Kelso Handicap, the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, and the Flower Bowl Invitational.
