Analysis: Use this longshot below Letruska in Royal Delta

Because of Letruska’s presence, the Grade 3, $150,000 Royal Delta Stakes at Gulfstream is a hard race to bet if not playing against the favorite. The casual bettor cannot put a few dollars on Letruska and expect a decent return, but at the same time, she legitimately stands on another level compared to this field.

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Why is Letruska on another level than this field? The newly turned 6-year-old mare went on a blitz last year and won five graded stakes in a row, starting with the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) in April where she battled a two-time Breeders’ Cup Distaff champion in Monomoy Girl and narrowly prevailed.

After the Apple Blossom, Letruska also won the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) and Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), before disappointing fans by fading to 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She deserves an excuse for the Breeders’ Cup because of the suicidal pace.

Letruska loves to set the pace, which can prove a liability if other horses decide to target the lead. She did finish a close second in the Azeri Stakes (G2) last March to Shedaresthedevil after stalking the pace, but like many speed horses, her best efforts come while loose on the lead. 

There are other speed horses who can contest the lead here, such as Into Vanishing and Family Time. However, those two fillies are not on the same level as Letruska. If all goes well, she should handle them.

As for how to bet this race, remember that skipping races is always an option, even if it is a graded stakes race. Just because the race contains a superstar does not mean the race fits one's eye, if that makes sense. 

If gung ho on playing the race using Letruska on top though, then consider a straight exacta with one of the double-digit entries.  

The right longshot to put in second is Key Biscayne.

Key Biscayne might give the impression of a turf horse at first, but her career has been sprinkled with three dirt races, and she won all three.

In fairness, none of those dirt wins came in major races. Key Biscayne broke her maiden on this course in May 2020 and took a Belmont allowance race over the slop later that year in October by an impressive 9 3/4 lengths. She then won her most recent dirt start in the local Monroe Stakes last July.

At least Key Biscayne can handle dirt, whereas entries such as Il Malocchio and Into Vanishing are turf and synthetic runners without a dirt win.

As for the morning line second choice Crazy Beautiful, she enters the Royal Delta off a three-month break with only three recent workouts in preparation. She could end up fading in the stretch as a short horse.

Helping Lisa D and Family Time look overmatched. If one of them hits the exacta, it would come as a surprise. 

Key Biscayne can settle towards the rear and pick off horses as they become tired or discouraged when Letruska ends up not stopping. When a higher-class speed horse such as Letruska is present up front, it could become ugly fast for any speed horse attempting to keep up with her. 

Given Key Biscayne's 20-1 morning line odds, she is a great option to put underneath Letruska. Assuming she finishes second, Key Biscayne can offset Letruska’s 2/5 odds and help the payouts for vertical wagers. 

Regardless, Letruska can probably beat this group with 80 to 85 percent of her abilities. This is not a strong field. She only needs to break well and let her early speed overwhelm this lower class of fillies and mares.

From a fan standpoint, it is great to see this mare return.

Exacta: 6 / 5