Absent one of his rising stars, Ward still well represented in Kentucky Juvenile

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As the first 2-year-old stakes race in Kentucky is contested on Wednesday, Lady Pauline will be half a world away testing her mettle against a large field in a 2-year-old race on Royal Ascot trials day in England. However, a few juveniles who chased her home in her impressive debut plus a few of her Wesley Ward-trained stablemates are on hand for the $125,000 Kentucky Juvenile on Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

The Kentucky Juvenile will go as the ninth race on Wednesday’s 10-race card, with first post time set for 12:45 p.m. Eastern. The card also includes a $103,000 turf allowance for fillies and mares, a $103,000 sprint allowance, and a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds.

Lady Pauline won her debut by 9 3/4 lengths on April 5 at Keeneland, and was flattered when third-place finisher Thirsty Junior emerged to win by 5 1/4 lengths next out.

Kentucky Juvenile entrant Two Dot is still a maiden, but was runner-up in Lady Pauline’s victory. Trained by John Hancock, Two Dot finished third in his next outing April 18 at Keeneland after hitting the gate at the break. Two Dot has drawn the inside post in this field of nine going five furlongs under regular rider Corey Lanerie.

Clongiffen also emerges from Lady Pauline’s race, finishing an even sixth for owner-trainer John Ennis.

Ward, who is known for his prowess with young horses, has entered the fillies Nayibeth, who is favored on the morning line at 8-5 under Joel Rosario, and Marva. Nayibeth was a 4 1/2-length debut winner on April 17 at Keeneland for owner Ramon Tallaj, who purchased her for $230,000 as a yearling. Marva, who races as a homebred for Ward, finished in a dead heat for the win in her career debut on April 11 at Gulfstream. Since then, she has come back to work well at Churchill Downs, going a half mile in 48.20 seconds on April 23, the 11th-fastest of 46 at the distance. She will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. on Wednesday.

At this point in their young careers, it is not considered unusual to see fillies facing males in 2-year-old stakes – particularly for Ward, who won the Kentucky Juvenile with fillies Aegean in 2009 and Silvertoni in 2016. Most of the fillies entered are assigned to carry 117 pounds, less than most of the colts at 120. Two Dot, as a maiden, carries 118 pounds, while Clongiffen, as a maiden filly, carries 115.

Along with Two Dot, Hancock also saddles Alec and Arthur, who was a debut winner on April 10 at Keeneland.

Mean Sophia was a $29.40 upset winner of the first 2-year-old race of the meet at Keeneland for trainer Cirilo Gorostieta, wiring the field by 10 1/2 lengths. At 5-2 on the morning line, she is much more well regarded this time.

Secretly Wicked, a debut winner at Keeneland, and Rookie Salsa and Twirling Owen, both maiden winners at Laurel Park, complete the field.