Roaring Lion makes statement with Dante Stakes

Roaring Lion has emerged as a clear second choice in the future book for the English Derby on June 2 after winning Thursday’s Group 2 Dante Stakes at York Racecourse in England.

Ridden by Oisin Murphy for trainer John Gosden, Roaring Lion (the 3-1 favorite) stalked the pace early in the 1 5/16-mile race before taking the lead with a little less than a quarter-mile remaining. Roaring Lion was not challenged in the final sixteenth and won by 4 1/2 lengths over pacesetter Mildenberger, a stakes winner at Newmarket last month.

Zabriskie (50-1) finished third for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

The victory has left Roaring Lion a 7-1 chance in the future book for the English Derby behind Saxon Warrior, who is as low as 4-5. Saxon Warrior, trained by O’Brien, and Roaring Lion were first and fifth in the English 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5.

Last fall, Roaring Lion won the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at a mile for colts and geldings at Newmarket Racecourse. The Dante Stakes was Roaring Lion’s fourth win in seven starts for owner Qatar Racing and first start beyond a mile.

By Kitten’s Joy, Roaring Lion was bred in Kentucky and was purchased for $160,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.