Trainer Brian Lynch is aiming to secure his ninth stakes victory at the championship meet by entering Shred the Gnar in Saturday’s $175,000 Royal Delta (G3) race at Gulfstream Park. Lynch’s main focus, however, is on bigger long-distance races for the talented 4-year-old filly, a daughter of Into Mischief, who looks to notch her fourth consecutive win in this 1 1/16-mile contest for older mares.
Shred the Gnar, a 6-5 favorite, kicks off her 2026 season at Royal Delta, facing seven rivals. She ended her 3-year-old campaign with a commanding 2-3/4 length win in the Chirkki (G3) at Churchill Downs last November. Lynch remarked on the filly’s exceptional talent and emphasized careful management with a goal towards major year-end races, noting that if she runs well at the La Troienne Stakes on Oaks Day, they will plan her summer campaign accordingly.
The ultimate target for Shred the Gnar is the prestigious $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Keeneland on October 30th, with the La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 1st as a key stepping stone. To compete at that G1 level, she needs to deliver a strong performance in the Royal Delta.
Purchased for $610,000 at the 2023 Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Shred the Gnar showed promise early by finishing a close second in her debut at Gulfstream before a dominant six-and-a-half length win six weeks later at Hallandale Beach Race Course. After debuting at two turns in an optional claiming allowance at Churchill Downs last May, she took some time off to overcome minor challenges, which have since resolved.
Lynch highlighted her progress, especially after a competitive race in the Cirucchi, and expressed satisfaction with her latest work Saturday. Shred the Gnar has improved as her race distances have increased, and Lynch believes she excels over distances of a mile and an eighth to a mile and a quarter.
Jockey Mario Gutierrez replaces Luis Saez as Shred the Gnar’s rider for the Royal Delta.
Adding interest to the field, Region Racing’s Drexel Hill, who finished a close second in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) last season, will also race. After a six-month break, Drexel Hill returned to capture the Wayward Lass Stakes on January 10 at Tampa Bay Downs. Trainer Whitworth Beckman praised her consistent performances and gradual progress throughout the year. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, who rode her to second in the Mother Goose (G2), will be back at Royal Delta.
Full of Run Racing II LLC and Madaket Stable LLC’s Alpine Princess, a 5-year-old mare who finished the 2025 season with a Falls City (G3) victory at Churchill Downs, will also make her Royal Delta debut. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Corey Lanerie, Alpine Princess holds the second spot on the morning line after a career with several near-misses.
Don Alberto Stable’s Senza Parole, a late-blooming 4-year-old daughter of Gun Runner trained by Chad Brown, enters the Royal Delta with a dominating seven-and-a-quarter length win in an optional claiming race at Gulfstream in January. She is set to be ridden for the first time by Miguel Vazquez.
Trainer Safi Joseph Jr. fields three runners: Claret Veret, who placed third in the Inside Information (G2), Dazzling Move, who was fifth in the same race, and Eunomia, winner of an optional claiming race last December. Micah Husbands returns on Claret Veret, Tyler Gaffalione rides Dazzling Move for the first time, and Edwin Gonzalez has the mount on Eunomia.
Twin Oaks Bloodstock’s Nothing Like You will make her Royal Delta debut for trainer Brendan Walsh. This 5-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon is returning after a 4 1/2-month layoff following multiple graded stakes wins under former Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. Jorge Luis will be her jockey, hoping to build on her 2024 Santa Anita Oaks (G2) victory.
This article was first published by Paulick Report on February 11, 2026.
Fan Take:
This lineup for the Royal Delta highlights an exciting mix of rising stars and proven contenders, making it a must-watch event for horse racing fans. A strong performance here could not only launch Shred the Gnar and others into the spotlight for major 2026 races but also signal a thrilling season ahead for the sport’s mares division.
