Later this afternoon, at Belmont Park, the first unrestricted two-year-old races of the meet will be held. Both are five furlongs in distance on the main track; one is for fillies, the other for colts.
In many cases, these early-season juvenile races have little bearing on the following year's Triple Crown, or even the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November. But last year proved to be an exception, with Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice making his debut in July at Belmont and Shanghai Bobby facing the starter in -- get this! -- April at Aqueduct! So the possibility certainly exists that we could see the debut of a star later this afternoon.
Before we continue, let's take a quick look at the entries for the two races:
Belmont Race 2
Maiden Special Weight for 2yo Fillies
PP/Horse/Trainer
1 Predicate/Mark Hennig
2 True Blue Nation/Tom Albertrani
3 Candy Kitty/Todd Pletcher
4 Aldara/Tom Albertrani
5 Chase My Tail/Richard Violette, Jr.
6 Palestrina/Kiaran McLaughlin
Belmont Race 3
Maiden Special Weight for 2yos
PP/Horse/Trainer
1 Permanent Campaign/Richard Violette, Jr.
2 Aslan/Tom Albertrani
3 Oliver Zip ---Scratched---
4 None Like Nolan/Todd Pletcher
5 Solemnly Swear/Kelly Breen
6 Jake's Magic Hat/Eddie Keneally
7 Zalmon/Tom Albertrani
Tom Albertrani is going to have a very busy day, having entered two horses in each race. Two of them -- Aldara and Aslan -- are owned by Darley Stable. Like most Darley-breds, they are both regally bred, but are unlikely to be ready to roll first time out. Neither will run on the anti-bleeding medication Lasix, as is Darley's policy with two-year-olds.
Albertrani's best chance will probably come from True Blue Nation, an unraced daughter of Bluegrass Cat. There is enough speed in her pedigree to suggest that five furlongs in June is within her comfort zone, although her workout times have been unremarkable and she may need to get a race or two behind her before she finds the winner's circle.
Rounding out Albertrani's quartet is Zalmon, a son of Jump Start out of the Dynaformer mare Dyna Two, who was a very capable stakes-placed performer on the turf. Zalmon's sire, Jump Start, came to hand early enough to win the Saratoga Special (gr. II) and place in the Champagne Stakes (gr. I), but the majority of his top progeny have been late-maturing and better at staying than sprinting, so this -- coupled with the Dynaformer blood on the dam side -- suggests that Zalmon, too, will need to get a couple of races under his belt before reaching peak form.
The same goes for the third Darley-bred in the race, that being Palestrina. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro has only four recorded workouts on her record, making her an unlikely candidate for a first-out triumph.
A couple of horses that do look ready to roll are the Todd Pletcher pair of Candy Kitty and None Like Nolan. Both have five-furlong works on their records, and while Candy Kitty is bred to be more of a turf stayer than a dirt sprinter, she has shown some decent speed in the mornings and warrants serious win consideration. None Like Nolan looks even better, being a son of Malibu Moon and having breezed a bullet half-mile from the gate on June 3rd. Interestingly, None Like Nolan is owned by Dogwood Stables -- could we be looking at next year's version of Palace Malice? :)
Now let's take a look at the two Richard Violette-trainees, Chase My Tail and Permanent Campaign. It's difficult to get a line on either of them through morning works, as Permanent Campaign has recorded five and Chase My Tail only three! But they have certainly done nothing to dispel the notion that they could be ready to win first-time out, as both have bullet works on their records and pedigrees that suggest they can do so. Interestingly, it was the Richard Violette-trained colt Carried Interest that defeated Palace Malice in his debut here at Belmont last year.
Rounding out the filly race is Predicate, a Mark Hennig-trained daughter of Congrats that has flashed some exceptional speed during morning works. To be perfectly honest, I'm having trouble understanding why she is 6-1 on the morning line, as she looks like a leading win contender to me.
Given the number of horses we have already discussed, it's hard to believe that we haven't even mentioned the morning line favorite in the colt's race, that being Solemnly Swear. The son of Yes It's True has by far the most impressive workout record, which includes a :47.53 half-mile on June 10th that was the fastest of fifty-five morning works at that distance. As a result, the Kelly Breen-trainee is listed as the 2-1 morning line favorite, and if he runs to his workouts, he should win without trouble.
Rounding out the field is Jake's Magic Hat, trained by Eddie Keneally. By the juvenile standout Tiz Wonderful out of a Carson City mare, Jake's Magic Hat definitely has the pedigree to win first-time out. Furthermore, his workouts have been quite sharp, making his morning line price of 6-1 very intriguing.
Selections:
Fillies: Predicate, Candy Kitty, Chase My Tail
Colts: Solemnly Swear, None Like Nolan, Permanent Campaign
-Keelerman
Friday, June 21, 2013
Dreaming of Julia can claim leadership of wide-open division
Through the first six months of 2013, the year's crop of three-year-old fillies resemble their male counterparts in many respects -- including their lack of a standout division leader. That can change on Saturday at Belmont Park when Dreaming of Julia starts as the heavy favorite in the $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I).
Trained by Todd Pletcher, the immensesly talented daughter of A.P. Indy looked ready to take command of the division by storm following her 21 3/4-length victory in the Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II) in March. Unfortunately, trouble at the start of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) cost Dreaming of Julia any reasonable chance at victory, and she wound up finishing fourth behind longshot Princess of Sylmar.
Fortunately for Dreaming of Julia, hard luck and surprising upsets have been commonplace throughout the division this year, leaving it without a clear-cut leader. Princess of Sylmar won a couple of minor stakes at Aqueduct during the winter, but lost the Gazelle (gr. II) prior to the Oaks. Midnight Lucky romped in the Sunland Oaks (gr. III), tired late in the Kentucky Oaks, and returned to win the Acorn. Kauai Katie dominated the Forward Gal (gr. II) and Old Hat Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream, but was a troubled third in the Acorn. Beholder won the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) and Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I), but got caught by 'Sylmar in the final strides of the Kentucky Oaks. Close Hatches won the Gazelle but never threatened in the Oaks; she returned to be second in the Acorn. Unlimited Budget romped in the Rachel Alexandra (gr. III) and Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), but found trouble in the Oaks and wound up third. You get the picture.
As a result, victory in the Mother Goose would go a long way toward earning Dreaming of Julia an Eclipse award next January. Not only would it give her a grade I victory -- putting her on even terms with Princess of Sylmar and Midnight Lucky -- it would also set her up well for the Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) and/or the Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.
To be perfectly honest, Dreaming of Julia reminds me a great deal of a three-year-old Royal Delta -- an obviously top-notch filly that occasionally mis-fires. Remember that summer of 2011 when Royal Delta romped in the Black-Eyed Susan (gr. II) and then managed to lose the Coaching Club American Oaks by 7 1/4 lengths? That loss reminds me quite a bit of Dreaming of Julia's failures in the Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) and the Kentucky Oaks. The important thing to recall is that Royal Delta rebounded to decimate the Alabama Stakes, finish second in the Beldame Stakes to eventual Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, and decisively triumph in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I).
Time will tell if Dreaming of Julia can emulate the achievements of Royal Delta, but the Mother Goose Stakes is a good place to start.
-Keelerman
Trained by Todd Pletcher, the immensesly talented daughter of A.P. Indy looked ready to take command of the division by storm following her 21 3/4-length victory in the Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II) in March. Unfortunately, trouble at the start of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) cost Dreaming of Julia any reasonable chance at victory, and she wound up finishing fourth behind longshot Princess of Sylmar.
Fortunately for Dreaming of Julia, hard luck and surprising upsets have been commonplace throughout the division this year, leaving it without a clear-cut leader. Princess of Sylmar won a couple of minor stakes at Aqueduct during the winter, but lost the Gazelle (gr. II) prior to the Oaks. Midnight Lucky romped in the Sunland Oaks (gr. III), tired late in the Kentucky Oaks, and returned to win the Acorn. Kauai Katie dominated the Forward Gal (gr. II) and Old Hat Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream, but was a troubled third in the Acorn. Beholder won the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) and Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I), but got caught by 'Sylmar in the final strides of the Kentucky Oaks. Close Hatches won the Gazelle but never threatened in the Oaks; she returned to be second in the Acorn. Unlimited Budget romped in the Rachel Alexandra (gr. III) and Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), but found trouble in the Oaks and wound up third. You get the picture.
As a result, victory in the Mother Goose would go a long way toward earning Dreaming of Julia an Eclipse award next January. Not only would it give her a grade I victory -- putting her on even terms with Princess of Sylmar and Midnight Lucky -- it would also set her up well for the Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) and/or the Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.
To be perfectly honest, Dreaming of Julia reminds me a great deal of a three-year-old Royal Delta -- an obviously top-notch filly that occasionally mis-fires. Remember that summer of 2011 when Royal Delta romped in the Black-Eyed Susan (gr. II) and then managed to lose the Coaching Club American Oaks by 7 1/4 lengths? That loss reminds me quite a bit of Dreaming of Julia's failures in the Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) and the Kentucky Oaks. The important thing to recall is that Royal Delta rebounded to decimate the Alabama Stakes, finish second in the Beldame Stakes to eventual Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, and decisively triumph in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I).
Time will tell if Dreaming of Julia can emulate the achievements of Royal Delta, but the Mother Goose Stakes is a good place to start.
-Keelerman
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Weekend Recap: Paynter outshined all
One week after the Triple Crown wrapped up at Belmont Park, the attention of American racing fans turned to Churchill Downs and Betfair Hollywood Park for the running of several prestigious stakes races, including the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) and Fluer de Lis Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs. The quality of the week's star runners was unquestionable, with the likes of two-time Eclipse champion Royal Delta, Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned, two-time grade I winner Ron the Greek, and many others scheduled to start their serious preparations for the Breeders' Cup in November.
Yet for many, the greatest triumph of the week came on Friday afternoon at Hollywood, in a lonely little seven-furlong allowance optional claiming race. The winner was Paynter, who less than a year ago was in an equine clinic fighting colitis and laminitis. The fact that he lived through the ordeal was a miracle in and of itself; that he was able to return to training was an added bonus. That he won Friday's race by 4 1/2 lengths, earning a huge Beyer speed figure of 114, was like . . . I don't know. Like hitting three holes-in-one in the same golf game. It just doesn't happen.
Unprecedented return to racing aside, perhaps the most impressive fact about Paynter's victory was that he achieved it off of a near eleven-month layoff, at something surely less than peak fitness, and in a race most likely too short for him! Not that he didn't have the credentials to win at that distance, but Paynter's best races last year came when winning the nine-furlong Haskell Invitational (gr. I) by daylight and being beaten a neck in the twelve-furlong Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Thus, the way he won on Friday suggests to me that he could be even better this year than last, a fact that -- if true -- should strike fear into the hearts of all other Horse of the Year contenders.
If Paynter was the biggest triumph of the week, than Royal Delta's loss in the Fleur de Lis was the most disappointing. Making her first start back from Dubai, the remarkable mare was expected to face little opposition from her four rivals, especially given how impressive she was in winning the race last year. Yet Royal Delta didn't seem to be moving as smoothly as usual going down the backstretch, and after making a run to challenge front-running Funny Proposition for the lead, she was repelled and forced to settle for a distant second behind the gate-to-wire winner. Some may view Royal Delta's loss as a sign that she may not be as good as she was last year, but as disappointing as she was, let's not forget that she has thrown in occasional clunkers in the past. Remember last year's Personal Ensign Handicap? Or the 2011 Coaching Club American Oaks? I have no doubt that, barring injury, Bill Mott will get Royal Delta back on track and gear her up for a defense of her Eclipse title.
A perfect example of a horse returning to peak form off of a sub-par effort came just two races after the Fleur de Lis, in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I). Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned had started off his 2013 campaign in hugely disappointing fashion, dumping his rider at the start of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) and then finishing a dull fourth in the Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II). Some surely questioned whether he would ever find his way back to peak form, but Fort Larned put those concerns to rest with his authoritative gate-to-wire score in the Stephen Foster. This wasn't just a good performance -- it was a great performance. After setting very honest fractions of :23.69, :46.96, and 1:10.48, Fort Larned had plenty left in the tank to rocket through a spectacular :24.05 fourth quarter, which put him 6 1/2 lengths clear of everyone else. At that point, it was simply a matter of how fast Fort Larned could finish up. The answer was nine furlongs in 1:47.45, which missed the track record by about a fifth of a second. The fact that good horses like Golden Ticket, Ron the Greek, and Successful Dan could make no impact on Fort Larned makes the latter a clear-cut leader of the eastern handicap division, at least for the time being. If he can hold his form through November, a challenging but certainly not impossible task, he should have a terrific chance at earning a repeat win in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Out west, Byrama took a shaky hold of the female handicap division with her 3 1/2-length triumph in the Vanity Handicap (gr. I). Ridden by Gary Stevens, who can't seem to do any wrong as of late, Byrama settled comfortably behind longshot Royal Tiger's moderate pace, made a sweeping run to take command turning for home, and never looked back en route to a decisive triumph. More Chocolate, winner of the La Canada Stakes (gr. II) and runner-up in the Santa Margarita (gr. I), loomed a contender for the win at the top of the stretch before giving way to finish second. The final time of 1:51.40 was not impressive, nor was the :13 3/5 final eighth. But with no western-based filly or mare having put together a winning streak this year, Byrama has to be considered the leader of the division by merit of her grade I winner alone.
However, her leadership may not last long. One day after the Vanity, the talented Include Me Out -- who won four graded stakes in California last year and placed in three others -- returned to the races with a sharp triumph in the seven-furlong Desert Stormer Handicap at Hollywood. Given that the distance was likely too short for her, Include Me Out was sent off as only the third choice in a field of seven, yet closed strongly under a hand ride to defeat Shumoos and Teddy's Promise by three-quarters of a length. Her next start is expected to come in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I), where she will likely face Byrama for the first time.
The absence of Groupie Doll this year has left a gaping hole in the fillly and mare sprint division, and although the champ should be back later this year to try and defend her title, the fine filly Dance to Bristol is establishing impressive credentials of her own and could make things interesting come Breeders' Cup time. Having already won the Sugar Maple Stakes at Charles Town and the Skipat Stakes at Pimlico -- both in breathtaking fashion -- the daughter of Speightstown tried her talents in New York and was rewarded with an authoritative victory in the Bed o' Roses Handicap (gr. III). Sure, the field she beat wasn't spectacular, but her time of 1:20.81 for seven furlongs certainly was. And her final eighth in :12.03 was also exceptional. In my opinion, she looms as a deserving early favorite for the Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.
No recap of this week would be complete with at least a brief mention of Friday's Criminal Type Stakes at Belmont Park, which marked the return of Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Mucho Macho Man. Unraced since being eased in the Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes earlier this year, the five-year-old colt caught a "good" track that surely hampered his chances -- his other two starts over off tracks have been the worst of his career -- but despite the track and the layoff, he was on the lead following three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.08 and stayed on well enough to be third. The winner was San Pablo, a respectable colt of fine talent, but one that has never quite reached the upper echelon of stakes winners. Perhaps this is the year that he'll finally put it all together!
On the three-year-old front, Verrazano rebounded from his poor showing in the Derby to win Sunday's Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth by 9 1/4 lengths. His task was made substantially easier by the misfortune that befell Preakness runner-up Itsmyluckyday, who was pulled up after half a mile with an as-of-yet undetermined injury. Hopefully, it's nothing too severe. That said, take nothing away from Verrazano, who set a nice pace and finished strongly enough to suggest that he could be quite a force in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) next month.
One last note -- Code West finally picked up a stakes victory in Churchill's Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III), gamely turning back a challenge from Uncaptured to win by a head. Time will tell where Code West fits in three-year-old division, but he has always struck me as a talented colt, and a ten-furlong race like the Travers (gr. I) could play well to his strong, grinding style.
-Keelerman
Yet for many, the greatest triumph of the week came on Friday afternoon at Hollywood, in a lonely little seven-furlong allowance optional claiming race. The winner was Paynter, who less than a year ago was in an equine clinic fighting colitis and laminitis. The fact that he lived through the ordeal was a miracle in and of itself; that he was able to return to training was an added bonus. That he won Friday's race by 4 1/2 lengths, earning a huge Beyer speed figure of 114, was like . . . I don't know. Like hitting three holes-in-one in the same golf game. It just doesn't happen.
Unprecedented return to racing aside, perhaps the most impressive fact about Paynter's victory was that he achieved it off of a near eleven-month layoff, at something surely less than peak fitness, and in a race most likely too short for him! Not that he didn't have the credentials to win at that distance, but Paynter's best races last year came when winning the nine-furlong Haskell Invitational (gr. I) by daylight and being beaten a neck in the twelve-furlong Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Thus, the way he won on Friday suggests to me that he could be even better this year than last, a fact that -- if true -- should strike fear into the hearts of all other Horse of the Year contenders.
If Paynter was the biggest triumph of the week, than Royal Delta's loss in the Fleur de Lis was the most disappointing. Making her first start back from Dubai, the remarkable mare was expected to face little opposition from her four rivals, especially given how impressive she was in winning the race last year. Yet Royal Delta didn't seem to be moving as smoothly as usual going down the backstretch, and after making a run to challenge front-running Funny Proposition for the lead, she was repelled and forced to settle for a distant second behind the gate-to-wire winner. Some may view Royal Delta's loss as a sign that she may not be as good as she was last year, but as disappointing as she was, let's not forget that she has thrown in occasional clunkers in the past. Remember last year's Personal Ensign Handicap? Or the 2011 Coaching Club American Oaks? I have no doubt that, barring injury, Bill Mott will get Royal Delta back on track and gear her up for a defense of her Eclipse title.
A perfect example of a horse returning to peak form off of a sub-par effort came just two races after the Fleur de Lis, in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I). Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned had started off his 2013 campaign in hugely disappointing fashion, dumping his rider at the start of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) and then finishing a dull fourth in the Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II). Some surely questioned whether he would ever find his way back to peak form, but Fort Larned put those concerns to rest with his authoritative gate-to-wire score in the Stephen Foster. This wasn't just a good performance -- it was a great performance. After setting very honest fractions of :23.69, :46.96, and 1:10.48, Fort Larned had plenty left in the tank to rocket through a spectacular :24.05 fourth quarter, which put him 6 1/2 lengths clear of everyone else. At that point, it was simply a matter of how fast Fort Larned could finish up. The answer was nine furlongs in 1:47.45, which missed the track record by about a fifth of a second. The fact that good horses like Golden Ticket, Ron the Greek, and Successful Dan could make no impact on Fort Larned makes the latter a clear-cut leader of the eastern handicap division, at least for the time being. If he can hold his form through November, a challenging but certainly not impossible task, he should have a terrific chance at earning a repeat win in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Out west, Byrama took a shaky hold of the female handicap division with her 3 1/2-length triumph in the Vanity Handicap (gr. I). Ridden by Gary Stevens, who can't seem to do any wrong as of late, Byrama settled comfortably behind longshot Royal Tiger's moderate pace, made a sweeping run to take command turning for home, and never looked back en route to a decisive triumph. More Chocolate, winner of the La Canada Stakes (gr. II) and runner-up in the Santa Margarita (gr. I), loomed a contender for the win at the top of the stretch before giving way to finish second. The final time of 1:51.40 was not impressive, nor was the :13 3/5 final eighth. But with no western-based filly or mare having put together a winning streak this year, Byrama has to be considered the leader of the division by merit of her grade I winner alone.
However, her leadership may not last long. One day after the Vanity, the talented Include Me Out -- who won four graded stakes in California last year and placed in three others -- returned to the races with a sharp triumph in the seven-furlong Desert Stormer Handicap at Hollywood. Given that the distance was likely too short for her, Include Me Out was sent off as only the third choice in a field of seven, yet closed strongly under a hand ride to defeat Shumoos and Teddy's Promise by three-quarters of a length. Her next start is expected to come in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I), where she will likely face Byrama for the first time.
The absence of Groupie Doll this year has left a gaping hole in the fillly and mare sprint division, and although the champ should be back later this year to try and defend her title, the fine filly Dance to Bristol is establishing impressive credentials of her own and could make things interesting come Breeders' Cup time. Having already won the Sugar Maple Stakes at Charles Town and the Skipat Stakes at Pimlico -- both in breathtaking fashion -- the daughter of Speightstown tried her talents in New York and was rewarded with an authoritative victory in the Bed o' Roses Handicap (gr. III). Sure, the field she beat wasn't spectacular, but her time of 1:20.81 for seven furlongs certainly was. And her final eighth in :12.03 was also exceptional. In my opinion, she looms as a deserving early favorite for the Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.
No recap of this week would be complete with at least a brief mention of Friday's Criminal Type Stakes at Belmont Park, which marked the return of Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Mucho Macho Man. Unraced since being eased in the Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes earlier this year, the five-year-old colt caught a "good" track that surely hampered his chances -- his other two starts over off tracks have been the worst of his career -- but despite the track and the layoff, he was on the lead following three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.08 and stayed on well enough to be third. The winner was San Pablo, a respectable colt of fine talent, but one that has never quite reached the upper echelon of stakes winners. Perhaps this is the year that he'll finally put it all together!
On the three-year-old front, Verrazano rebounded from his poor showing in the Derby to win Sunday's Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth by 9 1/4 lengths. His task was made substantially easier by the misfortune that befell Preakness runner-up Itsmyluckyday, who was pulled up after half a mile with an as-of-yet undetermined injury. Hopefully, it's nothing too severe. That said, take nothing away from Verrazano, who set a nice pace and finished strongly enough to suggest that he could be quite a force in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) next month.
One last note -- Code West finally picked up a stakes victory in Churchill's Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III), gamely turning back a challenge from Uncaptured to win by a head. Time will tell where Code West fits in three-year-old division, but he has always struck me as a talented colt, and a ten-furlong race like the Travers (gr. I) could play well to his strong, grinding style.
-Keelerman
Royal Ascot Report - 6/18/13
Welcome all to the first of five days of racing at Royal Ascot! As usual, a spectacular series of top-level stakes races have been prepared for the most prestigious race meet in England, and while this year may not have quite the same star power as 2012 -- what with the retirements of Frankel and Black Caviar -- American racing fans will have much to celebrate if 2011 Kentucky Derby hero Animal Kingdom can add the group I Queen Anne Stakes to his impressive set of credentials.
The Queen Anne, which is the first race to be run at Royal Ascot this year, can definitely start the meet off with a bang. A top-notch field of thirteen has been assembled, which -- along with Animal Kingdom -- includes the fine filly Elusive Kate and Aiden O'Brien's promising Declaration of War. That said, Animal Kingdom is the horse that everyone will have their eyes on. Not only is he coming off of a spectacular triumph in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), he is also attempting to become only the third American-based horse to win a top-level race in Europe. The last horse to accomplish the feat was Fourstar Allstar in 1991, when he won the Irish 2,000 Guineas. As a result, victory by Animal Kingdom will establish him as a legend in the sport, not just because of the rarity of the accomplishment, but because he also has the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup on his resume. A triple like that, which would includes wins on dirt, turf, and synthetic, is simply unprecedented.
As a fan of horse racing first and a handicapper second, I will be cheering for Animal Kingdom to complete the sweep. But the handicapper side of me says he might be vulnerable, having never before raced on a straight course and encountering turf considerably softer than what he has found in the United States. Another concern is that he has drawn gate thirteen. Due to the straight nature of the course, he's certainly not in danger of losing ground of the nonexistent turns. But without any horses to his outside, it's conceivable that Animal Kingdom could lose his focus and get to wandering around a bit. I'm hopeful that jockey John Velazquez will be able to drop him inside a bit, get him in the pack, and then let Animal Kingdom do the rest.
His primary opposition, as mentioned above, is expected to include Elusive Kate and Declaration of War. The former is a highly talented filly that won the group I Prix Rothschild at Deauville last summer, in addition to placing in the Falmouth Stakes (Eng-I), the Prix Jacques le Marios (Fr-I), the Sun Chariot Stakes (Eng-I), and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I). Although a very talented miler, the uphill nature of the Queen Anne could prove very challenging to her stamina, as it tends to play more like a nine-furlong race than a solid mile.
The four-year-old colt Declaration of War caught eyes late last season when winning the group III Diamond Stakes over the synthetic track at Dundalk. He opened his 2013 campaign with a dominant victory in the ungraded Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown, but subsequently never threatened when finishing a distant fifth to Farhh in the group I Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Perhaps Declaration of War simply lacks the requisite class to contend at the highest levels of the sport, but he is certainly deserving of another chance in a race of this caliber.
Six of the other Queen Anne entrants also ran in the Lockinge, those being Sovereign Debt (who finished 2nd), Aljamaaheer (3rd), Chil the Kite (4th), Penitent (7th), Trumpet Major (10th), and Libranno (11th). While they are certainly a talented group, it's also difficult to envision any of them trumping an at-her-best Elusive Kate, let alone Animal Kingdom if he takes to the course.
Rounding out the field are Gregorian, who bested Penitent in the group III Diomed Stakes last time out; Gabriel, third to Gregorian in the Diomed; Monsieur Chevalier, sixth in the group III Jury Stakes at Haydock just ten days ago; and Trade Storm, who won a pair of races in Dubai over the winter, including the group II Zabeel Mile, before finishing fourth in the group I Dubai Duty Free.
There are two other group I races on the opening day at Royal Ascot, those being the five-furlong King's Stand Stakes and the one-mile St. James's Palace Stakes for three-year-olds. The latter race could end up being the most exciting of the meet, what with English 2,000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach taking on a terrific field that includes Irish 2,000 Guineas victory Magician, Champagne Stakes (Eng-II) winner Toronado, and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. I) winner George Vancouver. The latter was soundly beaten in both the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas, but looms an intriguing contender if the turf comes up firmer than expected.
The King's Stand Stakes always draws a large and deep field, with this year being no exception -- nineteen horses have been entered. Shea Shea looms as a solid favorite, having won the Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-I) in terrific fashion over this distance in Dubai. However, he will be encountering considerably softer turf today, and there are plenty of runners ready to take advantage if he fails to produce his usual top effort. First and foremost is the three-year-old Reckless Abandon, who swept through his juvenile season unbeaten in five starts -- including two group Is -- before finishing a very close third in his seasonal debut against older horses in the group II Temple Stakes at Haydock. His two conquerors that day, Kingsgate Native and Swiss Spirit, are also entered in the King's Stand, which adds even more intrigue to the race. And let's not forget Sole Power, who beat Kingsgate Native by a length in the group III Palace House Stakes before winding up fourth in the Temple.
The last three races on the card, in order of post time, are the group II Coventry Stakes for two-year-olds; a Class 2 Handicap for four-year-olds and upward; and the listed Windsor Castle Stakes for two-year-olds. American racing fans will have a rooting interest in Ogermeister, a Wesley Ward-trainee that broke his maiden by six lengths at Belmont Park in May. Joel Rosario, fresh off of a graded stakes double on Saturday at Churchill Downs, has the mount in his first-ever ride at Royal Ascot. However, he'll have to be sharp to top Anticipated, an unbeaten colt trained by Richard Hannon. Wilshire Boulevard, from the barn of Aiden O'Brien, also looms a major contender.
The Class 2 Handicap, which will be run over a distance of 2 1/2 miles, has drawn a large and wide-open field of twenty. However, all eyes will likely be on Tiger Cliff, who is trained by Lady Cecil, wife of the late Sir Henry Cecil. It would be an emotional day at Royal Ascot if Tiger Cliff makes it to the winner's circle.
The Coventry Stakes does not include any American hopefuls, but it does include Stubbs, Sir John Hawkins, and War Command, a trio of promising colts from the stable of Aidan O'Brien. Richard Hannon also has three in the race, those being Championship, Thunder Strike, and Wahaab. Between them, they are unbeaten in five starts, three of which came from Thunder Strike. All told, it should be a terrific showdown!
-Keelerman
The Queen Anne, which is the first race to be run at Royal Ascot this year, can definitely start the meet off with a bang. A top-notch field of thirteen has been assembled, which -- along with Animal Kingdom -- includes the fine filly Elusive Kate and Aiden O'Brien's promising Declaration of War. That said, Animal Kingdom is the horse that everyone will have their eyes on. Not only is he coming off of a spectacular triumph in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), he is also attempting to become only the third American-based horse to win a top-level race in Europe. The last horse to accomplish the feat was Fourstar Allstar in 1991, when he won the Irish 2,000 Guineas. As a result, victory by Animal Kingdom will establish him as a legend in the sport, not just because of the rarity of the accomplishment, but because he also has the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup on his resume. A triple like that, which would includes wins on dirt, turf, and synthetic, is simply unprecedented.
As a fan of horse racing first and a handicapper second, I will be cheering for Animal Kingdom to complete the sweep. But the handicapper side of me says he might be vulnerable, having never before raced on a straight course and encountering turf considerably softer than what he has found in the United States. Another concern is that he has drawn gate thirteen. Due to the straight nature of the course, he's certainly not in danger of losing ground of the nonexistent turns. But without any horses to his outside, it's conceivable that Animal Kingdom could lose his focus and get to wandering around a bit. I'm hopeful that jockey John Velazquez will be able to drop him inside a bit, get him in the pack, and then let Animal Kingdom do the rest.
His primary opposition, as mentioned above, is expected to include Elusive Kate and Declaration of War. The former is a highly talented filly that won the group I Prix Rothschild at Deauville last summer, in addition to placing in the Falmouth Stakes (Eng-I), the Prix Jacques le Marios (Fr-I), the Sun Chariot Stakes (Eng-I), and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I). Although a very talented miler, the uphill nature of the Queen Anne could prove very challenging to her stamina, as it tends to play more like a nine-furlong race than a solid mile.
The four-year-old colt Declaration of War caught eyes late last season when winning the group III Diamond Stakes over the synthetic track at Dundalk. He opened his 2013 campaign with a dominant victory in the ungraded Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown, but subsequently never threatened when finishing a distant fifth to Farhh in the group I Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Perhaps Declaration of War simply lacks the requisite class to contend at the highest levels of the sport, but he is certainly deserving of another chance in a race of this caliber.
Six of the other Queen Anne entrants also ran in the Lockinge, those being Sovereign Debt (who finished 2nd), Aljamaaheer (3rd), Chil the Kite (4th), Penitent (7th), Trumpet Major (10th), and Libranno (11th). While they are certainly a talented group, it's also difficult to envision any of them trumping an at-her-best Elusive Kate, let alone Animal Kingdom if he takes to the course.
Rounding out the field are Gregorian, who bested Penitent in the group III Diomed Stakes last time out; Gabriel, third to Gregorian in the Diomed; Monsieur Chevalier, sixth in the group III Jury Stakes at Haydock just ten days ago; and Trade Storm, who won a pair of races in Dubai over the winter, including the group II Zabeel Mile, before finishing fourth in the group I Dubai Duty Free.
There are two other group I races on the opening day at Royal Ascot, those being the five-furlong King's Stand Stakes and the one-mile St. James's Palace Stakes for three-year-olds. The latter race could end up being the most exciting of the meet, what with English 2,000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach taking on a terrific field that includes Irish 2,000 Guineas victory Magician, Champagne Stakes (Eng-II) winner Toronado, and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. I) winner George Vancouver. The latter was soundly beaten in both the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas, but looms an intriguing contender if the turf comes up firmer than expected.
The King's Stand Stakes always draws a large and deep field, with this year being no exception -- nineteen horses have been entered. Shea Shea looms as a solid favorite, having won the Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-I) in terrific fashion over this distance in Dubai. However, he will be encountering considerably softer turf today, and there are plenty of runners ready to take advantage if he fails to produce his usual top effort. First and foremost is the three-year-old Reckless Abandon, who swept through his juvenile season unbeaten in five starts -- including two group Is -- before finishing a very close third in his seasonal debut against older horses in the group II Temple Stakes at Haydock. His two conquerors that day, Kingsgate Native and Swiss Spirit, are also entered in the King's Stand, which adds even more intrigue to the race. And let's not forget Sole Power, who beat Kingsgate Native by a length in the group III Palace House Stakes before winding up fourth in the Temple.
The last three races on the card, in order of post time, are the group II Coventry Stakes for two-year-olds; a Class 2 Handicap for four-year-olds and upward; and the listed Windsor Castle Stakes for two-year-olds. American racing fans will have a rooting interest in Ogermeister, a Wesley Ward-trainee that broke his maiden by six lengths at Belmont Park in May. Joel Rosario, fresh off of a graded stakes double on Saturday at Churchill Downs, has the mount in his first-ever ride at Royal Ascot. However, he'll have to be sharp to top Anticipated, an unbeaten colt trained by Richard Hannon. Wilshire Boulevard, from the barn of Aiden O'Brien, also looms a major contender.
The Class 2 Handicap, which will be run over a distance of 2 1/2 miles, has drawn a large and wide-open field of twenty. However, all eyes will likely be on Tiger Cliff, who is trained by Lady Cecil, wife of the late Sir Henry Cecil. It would be an emotional day at Royal Ascot if Tiger Cliff makes it to the winner's circle.
The Coventry Stakes does not include any American hopefuls, but it does include Stubbs, Sir John Hawkins, and War Command, a trio of promising colts from the stable of Aidan O'Brien. Richard Hannon also has three in the race, those being Championship, Thunder Strike, and Wahaab. Between them, they are unbeaten in five starts, three of which came from Thunder Strike. All told, it should be a terrific showdown!
-Keelerman
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