All eyes on Blue Point in Newmarket's July Cup

Blue Point was the 6-1 third choice when he won the first Group 1 of his career in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 19.

The King’s Stand, run on a straightaway five furlongs, was Blue Point's sixth win in 13 starts and his fourth stakes win.

Blue Point will be the center of attention as the favorite in Saturday’s Group 1 July Cup at six furlongs on turf at Newmarket, England. Trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolpin Racing, Blue Point was 10-3 in the future book market Thursday and leader of a field of 14.

The $661,800 July Cup, also run on a straightaway course, is one of England’s top sprints, but has not drawn all of the leading runners in the division. Merchant Navy was retired to stud in Australia after winning the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee at six furlongs at Royal Ascot on June 23. Harry Angel, the winner of the 2017 July Cup, is not likely to race again until September after suffering a minor injury when 11th in the Diamond Jubilee.

The leading stables of Aidan O’Brien, John Gosden and Michael Stoute have runners that can threaten Blue Point.

O’Brien starts U S Navy Flag, who was second in the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas in May and 11th in the St. James’s Palace Stakes for 3-year-olds milers at Royal Ascot on June 19. The July Cup will be U S Navy Flag’s first start at six furlongs since a win in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes for 2-year-olds at Newmarket last September.

Eqtidaar, trained by Stoute, won the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup for 3-year-olds at six furlongs at Royal Ascot on June 22. The July Cup will be his first start outside of his age group. Harry Angel was 3 when he won the 2017 July Cup.

The Gosden-trained Dreamfield will face a class test. The 4-year-old was second in the 28-runner Wokingham Handicap at six furlongs at Royal Ascot on June 23, his first loss in four starts. The July Cup will be his group stakes debut.