Elate served notice that she will be a force to reckoned with in the older filly and mare dirt division as the season progresses with a strong comeback victory in the Grade 2, $750,000 Delaware Handicap on Saturday.

Elate, an Eclipse Awards finalist in the 3-year-old filly division last year, was returning from an eight-month layoff in the 1 1/4-mile Del Cap for trainer Bill Mott. She benefited from a well-judged and confident ride by Jose Ortiz, who sensed the pace was slow and sent her to the lead outside longshot pacesetter Proper Discretion nearing the far turn, 3 1/2 furlongs from the finish.

Elate won by 3 1/4 lengths over 85-1 Sneaky Betty. She was timed in 2:04.83 and paid $3.20.

At 3, Elate finished second by a head to Abel Tasman in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, won the Grade 1 Alabama by 5 ½ lengths, then beat older rivals in the Grade 1 Beldame by 8 ¼ lengths. She concluded her season with a fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

According to Mott, Elate could make her next start in the Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign, a 1 1/8-mile race at Saratoga on Aug. 25.

The current leaders of the filly and mare division are Abel Tasman and Unique Bella.