Power, Dragon Pulse headline National Stakes at Curragh [live video]

Live Video

Saturday’s card at the Curragh features the Group 1 National Stakes at seven furlongs for 2-year-olds, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In race for the BC Juvenile Turf. The National is set to go with a field of nine, with Power and Dragon Pulse the two antepost favorites in the betting.

Power, trained by O’Brien, won his first three before losing a narrow decision to La Collina last month in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. Dragon Pulse convincingly won a Group 2 last month at the Curragh, his second straight victory after a runner-up debut finish. Also worthy of note is the Jeremy Noseda-trained Talwar, who steps up in class after an easy last-out win at Sandown in England.

• The 1 3/4-mile Group 1 Irish St. Leger, also on Saturday at the Curragh, is open to older horses, but attracted just six runners and should come down to a rematch between Fictional Account and Fame and Glory.

Fame and Glory easily handled Fictional Account in three starts earlier this year, including a dominant win in the prestigious Ascot Gold Cup over two miles, a race in which Fictional Account could finish only 12th. But in an Aug. 20 St. Leger trial at the Curragh, it was Fictional Account who surprisingly held clear Fame and Glory to win by a neck. Bettors figure to anticipate a reversal of that decision in Saturday’s race. Proven English stayer Jukebox Jury might also have a say in the outcome.

• The French filly Immortal Verse, who beat Goldikova last out in Jacque le Marois, will miss an intended start Sunday in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp after striking a front leg with a hind hoof during routine exercise last week. Immortal Verse will instead be pointed to a start against 3-year-old sensation Frankel in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes next month at Ascot.

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