ARCADIA, Calif. — Royal Delta led all the way in winning the $2 million Ladies’ Classic by 1½ lengths Friday at Santa Anita, making the defending champion the only favorite to win on an upset-filled opening day of the Breeders’ Cup.

Jockey Mike Smith earned his 16th victory in the event’s 29-year history, breaking a tie for most wins with fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey.