Caravel opts for Jaipur Stakes instead of Royal Ascot
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Caravel will forgo a trip to Royal Ascot and instead make her next start in the Grade 1, $400,000 Jaipur Stakes on June 10 at Belmont Park, trainer Brad Cox said Tuesday.
Cox said the logistics of shipping to and from England were not ideal and, after consulting with his owners, Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel, and Sol Kumin of Madaket Stables, the decision was made to skip the Group 1 King’s Stand, a five-furlong race on June 20 at Ascot.
“Looking at the rest of the year and trying to get to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup, it’s easier to keep her here than going over there,” Cox said.
Cox was referring to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita. Caravel won last year’s Turf Sprint when the Breeders’ Cup was held at Keeneland.
The Jaipur, at six furlongs, is a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Casa Creed, who won last year’s Jaipur, is expected back to run in this year’s edition.
Caravel, a 6-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast, has won her last four races, including the Unbridled Sidney Stakes on May 5 at Churchill Downs. Caravel is a 12-time stakes winner and overall has won 14 of 22 starts.
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