Acapulco settles for second in Nunthorpe Stakes

The American invader Acapulco was good but not quite good enough to win the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday at York, settling for second of 19 behind Mecca’s Angel after looming boldly a furlong from home.

The Nunthorpe, a five-furlong, straight-course dash, is open to horses ages 2 and up. A pair of 2-year-olds previously had won the race, and after Acapulco romped at Royal Ascot in the Queen Mary Stakes, trainer Wesley Ward, ever keen to take on new challenges, said he was pointing the strapping chestnut filly to the Nunthorpe.

The race is weight-for-age, and Acapulco toted just 112 pounds, 27 less than her older male rivals. The race was delayed several minutes after a horse broke through the starting gate and ran loose, causing the other 19 to be backed out of the their stalls and reloaded, but Acapulco, with Irad Ortiz Jr. up, broke well and took the lead in the first furlong. She traveled comfortably, edged clear after a quarter-mile or so, and past the three-furlong marker had pushed out to lead by a couple of lengths.

Only one horse was coming to her in the final furlong, but that one meant business. Mecca’s Angel, a 4-year-old filly with sharp five-furlong form, was relentless, clipping right past Acapulco and going on to a two-length victory. Acapulco ran well in defeat, beating the other 17 in the race and finishing two lengths clear of third-place Mattmu on turf rated good-to-soft that probably wasn’t ideal for a large filly whose best game is speed.

Mecca’s Angel, by Dark Angel, won for the eighth time in 14 starts while notching her first Group 1 victory. Trainer Michael Dods and jockey Paul Mulrennan also won their first Group 1 race, while Mecca’s Angel earned an automatic berth plus travel expenses to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint through the Win and You’re In program.

Pair of Group 1’s at Deauville

Two Group 1 races at Deauville, the Prix Morny and the Prix Jean Romanet, highlight the Sunday racing action in Europe. Turf condition could play a major role, with the Deauville course listed as very soft as of Friday.

The Romanet, for older females at 1 1/4 miles, drew a good and well-matched field of 11 and includes 2014 French Oaks winner Avenir Certain, who still is seeking her first win at age 4 after three starts this year. Third last out in the Group 1 Falmouth, Avenir Certain won almost exactly one year ago going 1 1/4 miles over a very soft Deauville course in the Group 2 Prix de la Nonette, so she should at least find suitable conditions.

We Are, bred and owned by George Strawbridge, had the misfortune of running into two-time Arc winner Treve in her most recent start, the Prix Corrida in June, but the 2014 Prix de l’Opera winner might prefer slightly better ground.

Madame Chiang, Bawina, and Ribbons also rate win chances.

There are only five 2-year-olds in the Morny, and Shalaa is a heavy favorite for trainer John Gosden and Al Shaqab Racing.

Golden Horn headed to Irish Champion

Golden Horn, the Epsom Derby winner who lost for the first time Wednesday in the Juddmonte International, is likely to make his next start in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes on Sept. 12 at Leopardstown, his connections announced Thursday.