Horse racing-Beholder upstages Royal Delta in Distaff

By Mark Lamport-Stokes ARCADIA, California, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Favourite Royal Delta faded late to be thwarted in her bid to win the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff for a third consecutive time as filly Beholder won the feature race at Santa Anita Park on Friday. The Richard Mandella-trained Beholder, the top three-year-old on the West Coast who had previously won four times this season, took control by the final turn before storming down the home straight. Close Hatches finished a distant second with Authenticity third while Royal Delta, a 7-5 favourite heading into the starting gate, finished a disappointing fourth in glorious late afternoon sunshine. Royal Delta had been bidding to become only the second horse to win a Breeders' Cup race for a third successive time, emulating Goldikova who won the Mile in 2008, 2009 and 2010. (Editing by Greg Stutchbury)