With Arc in her sights, Enable cruises in Yorkshire Oaks
Enable galloped her way to a five-length win in Thursday’s Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks at York Racecourse in northern England to further solidify her status as the future-book favorite for the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly Racecourse in France on Oct. 1.
After the Yorkshire Oaks, Enable was even-money with British bookmakers to win the Arc, Europe’s most prestigious race.
A 3-year-old filly, Enable won her fourth consecutive Group 1 race in the $453,950 Yorkshire Oaks for fillies and mares, leading throughout 1 1/2 miles on turf under jockey Frankie Dettori. Sent off as the 1-4 favorite, Enable was never challenged. She had a three-length lead in the first half of the race and was well clear through the stretch.
Enable is trained by John Gosden, who finished second with the 16-1 shot Coronet, the winner of the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Queen’s Trust, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita last November, finished third in the field of six.
Enable is not expected to start again until the Arc, which is run at 1 1/2 miles on turf. Enable earned an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 4, although Gosden stressed that the Arc is the first goal for the autumn.
Owned by Juddmonte Farms, Enable has won 6 of 7 starts, including her last five. Earlier this year, she won the English Oaks, Irish Oaks, and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes against males at Ascot in July. All were Group 1 races.
Saturday is the final day of the four-day York meeting. The program is highlighted by the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings at six furlongs.
Cardsharp, winner of the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket in July, was a moderate 9-2 favorite in a field of 12 in early betting on Thursday. Trained by Mark Johnston, Cardsharp has won 3 of 7 starts and was third in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood on Aug. 3.
Nebo, second in the Richmond, is part of the Gimcrack field and was a 5-1 shot as of Thursday.