Blue Point looks to atone for lone loss in Gimcrack Stakes
Blue Point lost his unbeaten record with a second by a neck in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse in England on July 27. The loss did not dent the long-term expectations for trainer Charlie Appleby and owner Godolphin Racing.
“I think experience caught us out there,” Appleby said in late July on Godolphin’s website. “Blue Point will come forward for that. He is still a very talented horse.”
Blue Point was the 5-6 favorite in the Richmond Stakes. He will be a short price again in Saturday’s $262,860 Gimcrack Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings at York Racecourse.
Blue Point has won 2 of 3 starts. He is part of a field of 11 in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at six furlongs on turf. William Buick has the mount on the colt, who is by Shamardal.
The race has not drawn the strongest field, with several group stakes winners in the young season not taking part. The Gimcrack field includes Ardad, who won the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot in June but was last of nine in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket on July 7.
Mokarris, a minor stakes winner at Newbury last month, and the unbeaten Mubtasim, are the principal threats to Blue Point.
Mokarris was 16th of 18 in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot but rebounded to win the minor Rose Bowl Stakes at six furlongs on turf at Newbury on July 15. Mubtasim has won allowance races for 2-year-olds at Yarmouth and Haydock Park. The Gimcrack Stakes will be Mubtasim’s stakes debut.
Intelligence Cross is trainer Aidan O’Brien’s top hope. Intelligence Cross was third in the Richmond Stakes.