Love pulls away in English 1000 Guineas

On paper, there was no standout in Sunday’s Group 1 English 1000 Guineas, but out on the Newmarket heath there was, as Love drew steadily clear through the final furlong to post a 4 1/4-length win.

Love, ridden by Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore, was a busy 2-year-old, racing eight times and winning three, including the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. A robust-looking chestnut filly with a big white blaze, Love was kept outside and in the clear throughout this straight-course mile, reaching the leaders about a quarter-mile from the finish and pulling clear in the late stages while shifting right. Cloak of Spirits won a photo with tepid favorite Quadrilateral for second. Millisle, 4-1 in overseas betting, didn’t stay in her first trip beyond a sprint and checked in seventh.

Love is by Galileo out of Pikaboo, by Pivotal, a nice mix of stamina and miler speed that ought to help her stay at least somewhat longer distances than one mile. She was timed in 1:35.80 on Sunday racing over the sort of good ground she appears to prefer, and O’Brien said after the race she would be aimed toward the Oaks at Epsom later this summer.