Acapulco preps for Royal Ascot trip in Unbridled Sidney

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It’s the means to an end.

Acapulco doesn’t have to win Saturday at Churchill Downs when she preps for another overseas trip, although trainer Wesley Ward hopes and thinks she will.

“We’re excited about her,” said Ward, who will saddle Acapulco for the $65,000 Unbridled Sidney, an overnight stakes she is using as a stepping-stone to the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup next month at Royal Ascot in England. Acapulco won the Group 2 Queen Mary there last summer for Ward and owner Coolmore.

Ward already has won a stakes race with a fast filly at the 2016 Churchill spring meet, with Silvertoni capturing the Kentucky Juvenile on Thursday of Derby week. Silvertoni was a filly facing boys – an unconventional move, at least by American standards. Pitting the 3-year-old Acapulco against older females in the Unbridled Sidney also goes against the grain. But that’s the way Ward is.

“The timing is right, and I really need this one more race in her to have her perfect for Royal Ascot,” he said. “We’d hoped to work her on the grass Tuesday, but the works got rained off. Hopefully, that’s no big deal.”

With Robby Albarado to ride, Acapulco will break from post 1 in the Unbridled Sidney, the eighth of 11 races on a Saturday card that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Seven others, all 4 years old and up, are entered in the five-furlong turf race, which goes at 4:19.

The Unbridled Sidney is named for the standout turf-sprinting mare who won 8 of 23 starts from 2004-07 for trainer Ronny Werner.

KEY CONTENDERS

Acapulco, by Scat Daddy

Beyers: 69-57

◗ After winning the Queen Mary, she was second in a Group 1 at York in August, after which Ward gave her the rest of the year off.

◗ Stabled all winter at Keeneland, she got an easy prep in a Saturday night allowance in February at Turfway Park and a winning Beyer that surely belies her peak.

Late Spring, by Speightstown

Last 3 Beyers: 87-85-85

◗ Late-running filly was part of a solid Keeneland meet (4 for 19, $3.99 ROI) for trainer Vicki Oliver in winning a competitive second-level allowance April 22.

Tesalina, by Fusaichi Pegasus

Last 3 Beyers: 79-87-89

◗ The “other” Ward trainee in here, this 5-year-old mare is winless in seven North American starts but has run respectably while facing classy company from coast to coast.

Lindisfarne, by City Zip

Last 3 Beyers: 88-72-80

◗ Chestnut filly had a perfect outside trip when outrunning her 60-1 odds in the recent Giant’s Causeway at Keeneland and once again draws favorably in the outside post.