Love Reigns (Filly, 2-yr-old) (US Navy Flag – Humble and Proud (IRE), Dam’s Sire: Pivotal (GB) Trainer: Wesley Ward / Owner: Stonestreet Stables Could this filly deliver Motion his 1st Ascot win? We shall see … WATCH: Coronation Stakes (G1), 1 Mile, Friday, 17 JuneĢ. Regular rider Jose Ortiz is making the trip, and his riding can be well-timed when it is necessary. Building a strong fitness before she flies over was clearly a priority. Motion then sent her to his base at Fair Hill in Maryland, and she has worked hard going from 5-furlong breezes to 7. (G3) at Gulfstream Park, and in Keeneland’s Appalachian S. With 3 starts to her credit, she accelerated her routing ability with victories in the Herecomesthebride S. There is much to like about this 3-yr-old, who happens to be a New York bred for Gainesway Stable. He has learned much from the experience of Wesley Ward, who is a master of logistics. Even though he is originally from the UK, he moved to the U.S. Stabling his charges in Newmarket makes for a great staging plan. Trainer Graham Motion has made a number of trips to England, and he knows the drill.
Spendarella (Filly, 3-yr-old) (Karakontie (JPN) – Spanish Bunny, Dam’s Sire: Unusual Heat) Trainer: H. What a race this is going to be! WATCH: Coronation Stakes (G1), 1 Mile, Friday, 17 Juneģ. You know Dermot Weld’s Homeless Springs, and also John and Thady Gosden’s Inspiral will be bringing their best. However, the Europeans are powerhouses, and I would underestimate them at all. at Pimlico as “preps.” New rider Joel Rosario is hopping a flight, and he is going to be up against a very tough field of fillies, that includes Graham Motion’s Spendarella. With the Royal Meeting as a possible target, they used Aqueduct’s Memories of Silver S., and then the Hilltop S. Christophe Clement drew-up a plan over the winter, as Flay’s filly went from 2 to 3-yrs-old. He had to know that he had a buddy star on his hands. Pizza Bianca (Filly, 3-yr-old) (Fastnet Rock (AUS) – White Hot (IRE, Dam’s Sire: Galileo (IRE) Trainer: Christophe Clement / Owner: Bobby Flay ThoroughbredsĬelebrity Chef Bobby Flay actually looked shocked that his homebred won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Del Mar last November. Here is a short list of 4, that are ones to catch, as they try to get home, reaching for Royal Ascot glory …Ĥ.
This year, 9 have shipped in … ready to take on the best and the brightest the world has to offer. … His success includes the likes of Graham Motion, Mark Casse, and many, many, others. Readying them at such a rapid pace, with gate-training and “baby races” at Keeneland, allowed him to enter some strong sprinters at Royal Ascot. Ward, a former jockey turned conditioner, figured out long ago that he could take raw 2-yr-olds, and train them up in the warm of environment of Florida and the cold of Northern Kentucky. The United States is present, and has had its share of victories. Traditionally, some “give” in the ground is welcome, as entrants come from not only Europe, but other locales from Japan to the Middle East. The powerful and the graceful represent a wide-range of flat runners who will vie for the honor and glory that is some of the greatest contests on the planet.Īs part of the festivities, Americans continue to play a major role in several key races, which all take place on the turf. The historic 5-day event, which begins on Tuesday June 14th and races through Saturday June 18th, is a must-watch on the global Thoroughbred calendar. Everyone who follows racing understands this means that Wesley Ward and a bevy of other North American trainers will be headed to the "Royal Meeting." The presence of Her Majesty the Queen is in-question, especially since her Jubilee Celebration just ended last week. This time of year always reflects what we can expect from Thoroughbred racing on the international stage in mid-June. tails… the pageantry and élan is back once again … it's Royal Ascot!